Korean Dictionary
How to say "Barking Dogs Seldom Bite" in Korean
“Barking Dogs Seldom Bite” in Korean is 짖는 개는 물지 않는다 (pronounced "Jjitneun Gaeneun Mulji Anneunda").
짖는 개는 물지 않는다
Jjitneun Gaeneun Mulji Anneunda
Usage & Context
This proverb suggests that people who make the most noise or threats are often the ones who will not actually follow through. It is used in Korean to calm fears about boastful people.
Example Sentence
짖는 개는 물지 않는다고 겁낼 필요 없어요.
Barking dogs seldom bite so there is no need to be afraid.
How to use 짖는 개는 물지 않는다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Barking Dogs Seldom Bite” is 짖는 개는 물지 않는다, romanized as Jjitneun Gaeneun Mulji Anneunda.
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 짖는 개는 물지 않는다.
Pronunciation Guide
For '짖는' (jit-neun), 'jit' sounds like 'jit' in 'jitters', and 'neun' like 'nun'. '개는' (gae-neun) has 'gae' like 'gay', and 'neun' like 'nun'. For '물지' (mul-ji), 'mul' sounds like 'mool', and 'ji' like 'jee' in 'jeep'. '않는다' (an-neun-da) has 'an' like 'ahn' in 'father', 'neun' like 'nun', and 'da' like 'da' in 'dad'.
More Example Sentences
Reassuring a new employee about a loud but harmless boss.
김 부장님은 늘 소리만 지르지, 짖는 개는 물지 않는다고 걱정 마.
Manager Kim always just shouts; barking dogs seldom bite, so don't worry.
A business leader downplaying a rival's threats.
경쟁사에서 큰소리치지만, 짖는 개는 물지 않는 법이지.
Our competitor is making big claims, but barking dogs seldom bite.
Advising someone to ignore a verbally aggressive person.
저 사람이 아무리 화를 내도 짖는 개는 물지 않으니 너무 신경 쓰지 마.
No matter how angry that person gets, barking dogs seldom bite, so don't worry too much.
Cultural Context
This proverb is directly equivalent to the English 'Barking dogs seldom bite.' It's used to reassure someone that a person who is loud, boastful, or threatening is often harmless and unlikely to follow through on their threats. It's a common expression in various social contexts, from workplace dynamics to personal relationships, to dismiss empty bluster. In K-dramas, you might hear this when a character is trying to calm another who is intimidated by a loud or aggressive person, encouraging them to look beyond superficial displays of anger or power.
Editorial note
We review entries like 짖는 개는 물지 않는다 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
짖는 개는 물지 않아.
Barking dogs don't bite. (Casual)
겁낼 필요 없어, 짖는 개는 물지 않으니까.
No need to be scared, barking dogs don't bite.
그냥 짖는 개라고 생각해.
Just think of it as a barking dog.
Related Expressions
빈 수레가 요란하다
Bin surega yoranhada
An empty cart makes a lot of noise.
조용한 사람이 더 무섭다
Joyonghan sarami deo museopda
Quiet people are scarier.
위협
Wihyeop
threat
허세
Heose
bluff, bluster
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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