Korean Dictionary
How to say "Open a Can of Worms" in Korean
“Open a Can of Worms” in Korean is 문제를 더 키우다 (pronounced "Munjereul Deo Kiuda").
문제를 더 키우다
Munjereul Deo Kiuda
Usage & Context
Opening a can of worms means starting something that creates many new complications or problems. This is expressed in Korean as expanding or worsening a problem.
Example Sentence
그 사안을 건드리면 문제를 더 키울 수 있으니 신중하세요.
If you touch that issue you might open a can of worms so be careful.
How to use 문제를 더 키우다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Open a Can of Worms” is 문제를 더 키우다, romanized as Munjereul Deo Kiuda.
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 문제를 더 키우다.
Pronunciation Guide
문 (mun) sounds like 'moon' but with a softer 'n' at the end. 제 (je) is like 'jay'. 를 (reul) has an 'r' sound similar to a light 'l' or 'd', followed by 'eul' like 'pull' but with a lighter 'u'. 더 (deo) is like 'duh'. 키 (ki) is like 'key'. 우 (u) is like 'woo'. 다 (da) is like 'dah'. The stress is relatively even.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
문제를 더 키우십니다 / 문제를 더 키웁니다
Munjereul Deo Kiusimnida / Munjereul Deo Kiuppnida
The verb '키우다' becomes '키우십니다' (honorific) or '키웁니다' (formal polite).
Casual (반말)
문제를 더 키워
Munjereul Deo Kiwo
The verb '키우다' becomes '키워' in casual speech.
More Example Sentences
Regretting a past action that escalated an issue.
괜히 그 이야기를 꺼내서 문제를 더 키웠어.
I brought up that story for no reason and made the problem worse.
Giving advice in a tense or delicate situation.
지금은 가만히 있는 게 문제를 더 키우지 않는 방법이야.
Staying quiet now is the way not to make the problem worse.
Warning about a potential negative outcome of a choice.
그 결정은 오히려 문제를 더 키울 수도 있어요.
That decision might actually make the problem worse.
Cultural Context
This idiom is quite direct in Korean and reflects a common desire to avoid conflict and maintain harmony. In Korean society, where group cohesion is highly valued, 'opening a can of worms' is often seen as highly undesirable. You'll frequently hear advice like '괜히 건드리지 마' (Don't touch it for no reason) to prevent escalating issues, especially in family or workplace settings where maintaining peace is prioritized.
Editorial note
We review entries like 문제를 더 키우다 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
괜히 문제를 키우지 마세요.
Don't make problems worse for no reason.
문제를 더 키우고 싶지 않아요.
I don't want to make the problem worse.
그건 문제를 더 키우는 일이야.
That's something that makes the problem worse.
Related Expressions
불난 집에 부채질하다
Bullan jibe buchaejilhada
Fanning the flames in a burning house (making a bad situation worse)
긁어 부스럼 만들다
Geulgeo buseureom mandeulda
Scratching to make a sore (creating problems unnecessarily)
일을 복잡하게 만들다
Ireul bokjapage mandeulda
To make things complicated
화근을 만들다
Hwageuneul mandeulda
To create the root of trouble
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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