Korean Dictionary
How to say "Add Fuel to the Fire" in Korean
“Add Fuel to the Fire” in Korean is 불에 기름을 붓다 (pronounced "Bure Gireumeul Butda").
불에 기름을 붓다
Bure Gireumeul Butda
Usage & Context
This Korean idiom literally means to pour oil on fire. It describes the action of worsening an already bad situation, often by saying or doing something inflammatory.
Example Sentence
그 말이 상황에 불에 기름을 부은 격이 됐어요.
That comment added fuel to the fire in the situation.
How to use 불에 기름을 붓다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Add Fuel to the Fire” is 불에 기름을 붓다, romanized as Bure Gireumeul Butda.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 불에 기름을 붓다.
Pronunciation Guide
불에 (Bure) sounds like 'boo-ray', with 'boo' as in 'boot' and 'ray' with a soft 'r'. 기름을 (Gireumeul) sounds like 'gee-room-eul', with 'gee' as in 'geese', 'room' as in the English word, and 'eul' like 'uh-l'. 붓다 (Butda) sounds like 'boot-da', with 'boot' having a short 'u' sound and 'da' as in 'data'. The phrase flows naturally without strong stress.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
불에 기름을 부어요
Bure Gireumeul Bueoyo
This is the polite form, commonly used in daily conversations.
Casual (반말)
불에 기름을 부어
Bure Gireumeul Bueo
This is the informal, casual form.
More Example Sentences
Describing how someone's comment escalated an argument.
그가 한마디 거들자 싸움에 불에 기름을 부은 격이 됐다.
When he chimed in, it was like adding fuel to the fire of the fight.
Warning someone about their behavior in a delicate situation.
이미 예민한 상황에 그런 행동은 불에 기름을 붓는 것과 같아.
Such an action in an already sensitive situation is like adding fuel to the fire.
Discussing media's impact on public opinion and anger.
논란이 많은 기사가 나와서 대중의 분노에 불에 기름을 부었어요.
A controversial article came out and added fuel to the public's anger.
Cultural Context
This idiom is a direct equivalent of 'add fuel to the fire' in English and is used in very similar contexts. It vividly describes making a bad situation, especially one involving anger, conflict, or tension, even worse. You'll frequently hear this in K-dramas when characters say or do something that escalates an argument or a crisis. It's a common way to express that someone's actions or words were counterproductive and only intensified negative emotions or problems.
Editorial note
We review entries like 불에 기름을 붓다 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
불에 기름을 붓지 마.
Don't add fuel to the fire.
그건 불에 기름을 붓는 짓이야.
That's adding fuel to the fire.
상황에 불에 기름을 부었다.
(Someone) added fuel to the situation.
Related Expressions
엎친 데 덮치다
Eopchin De Deopchida
To add insult to injury, to pile on misfortunes
상황을 악화시키다
Sanghwangeul Akkwashikida
To worsen a situation
긁어 부스럼 만들다
Geulgeo Buseureom Mandeulda
To stir up trouble (related, but more about creating new problems)
화를 돋우다
Hwareul Doduda
To provoke anger, to fuel anger
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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