Korean Dictionary
How to say "Let Sleeping Dogs Lie" in Korean
“Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” in Korean is 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마라 (pronounced "Geulgeo Buseulom Mandeulji Mara").
긁어 부스럼 만들지 마라
Geulgeo Buseulom Mandeulji Mara
Usage & Context
Geulgeo buseolom mandeulji mara literally means do not scratch to make a sore. This Korean proverb advises against unnecessarily stirring up trouble or revisiting issues.
Example Sentence
긁어 부스럼 만들지 말고 그냥 내버려 둬요.
Let sleeping dogs lie and just leave it alone.
How to use 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마라 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie” is 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마라, romanized as Geulgeo Buseulom Mandeulji Mara.
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 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마라.
Pronunciation Guide
긁어 (Geulgeo) sounds like 'gull-guh', with the 'eu' vowel being a short 'uh' sound. 부스럼 (Buseureom) sounds like 'boo-suh-rum'. 만들지 (Mandeulji) sounds like 'man-dull-jee', with 'dull' using the 'eu' vowel. 마라 (Mara) sounds like 'ma-ra', with a soft 'r'. The phrase flows naturally without strong stress on any particular syllable.
More Example Sentences
A friend advising another to move on from a past conflict.
옛날 일은 긁어 부스럼 만들지 말고 그냥 잊어버려.
Don't stir up old issues, just forget about them.
Colleagues deciding whether to investigate a small discrepancy that might lead to bigger problems.
괜히 건드려서 긁어 부스럼 만들지 말고 조용히 넘어가자.
Let's not stir up trouble by unnecessarily touching it; let's just quietly move past it.
A parent warning a child not to provoke a sleeping sibling.
동생 자고 있는데 긁어 부스럼 만들지 말고 조용히 해.
Your sibling is sleeping, don't stir up trouble, just be quiet.
Cultural Context
This proverb is very common and reflects a cultural inclination towards avoiding unnecessary conflict or trouble. The literal meaning, 'don't scratch to make a sore,' vividly illustrates how a minor irritation can become a major problem if not left alone. It's often used when someone is about to bring up a sensitive topic, revisit a past grievance, or interfere with a stable (even if imperfect) situation. You'll hear it in family discussions, among friends, and even in K-dramas when characters try to prevent a situation from escalating.
Editorial note
We review entries like 긁어 부스럼 만들지 마라 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
긁어 부스럼 만들지 마.
Don't stir up trouble.
괜히 긁어 부스럼 만들 필요 없어.
There's no need to unnecessarily stir up trouble.
그건 긁어 부스럼 만드는 일이야.
That's stirring up trouble.
Related Expressions
긁어 부스럼
Geulgeo Buseureom
The act of scratching to make a sore (the noun form of the idiom)
괜한 짓
Gwaenhan Jit
Useless/unnecessary act
불난 집에 부채질하다
Bullan Jibe Buchaejilhada
To fan a fire in a burning house (add fuel to the fire)
긁어 부스럼이다
Geulgeo Buseureomida
It's scratching to make a sore (describes a situation)
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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