Korean Dictionary
How to say "Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth" in Korean
“Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth” in Korean is 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다 (pronounced "Sagongi Maneuumyeon Baega Saneuro Ganda").
사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다
Sagongi Maneuumyeon Baega Saneuro Ganda
Usage & Context
This Korean proverb literally means if there are too many boatmen the boat goes up the mountain. It expresses the idea that too many opinions or leaders cause chaos.
Example Sentence
사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다는 말처럼 리더는 한 명이 필요해요.
As they say too many cooks spoil the broth, you need one leader.
How to use 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth” is 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다, romanized as Sagongi Maneuumyeon Baega Saneuro Ganda.
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 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다.
Pronunciation Guide
사공 (Sa-gong) sounds like 'saw-gong' (like the instrument). 많으면 (ma-neu-myeon) is like 'mah-new-myun'. 배가 (bae-ga) sounds like 'bay-gah'. 산으로 (sa-neu-ro) is 'saw-new-row'. 간다 (gan-da) is 'gahn-dah'. The rhythm is even, with slight emphasis on '사공' (boatman), '배' (boat), and '산' (mountain).
More Example Sentences
A student worried about a group project with conflicting ideas.
우리 팀 프로젝트, 각자 의견만 내세우다가는 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다더니, 결국 아무것도 못 할 것 같아요.
Our team project, if everyone just pushes their own opinion, it's like too many cooks spoil the broth, I think we won't get anything done.
A manager discussing organizational efficiency.
새로운 회사 정책을 결정할 때, 여러 부서가 동시에 개입하면 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 가는 경우가 많아요. 명확한 리더십이 필요하죠.
When deciding on a new company policy, if multiple departments get involved at the same time, it often becomes a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. Clear leadership is needed.
A friend complaining about difficulty in coordinating a group trip.
친구들끼리 여행 계획을 세우는데, 다들 가고 싶은 곳이 달라서 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다는 말이 딱 맞아요. 결국 아무데도 못 갈 것 같아.
We're planning a trip with friends, but everyone wants to go to different places, so 'too many cooks spoil the broth' perfectly fits. I think we won't end up going anywhere.
Cultural Context
This proverb is widely used in Korea, especially in situations involving group work, committees, or decision-making processes. It highlights the Korean emphasis on clear hierarchy and efficient leadership, often preferring a single, decisive leader over a multitude of conflicting opinions. You might hear it in K-dramas when characters are struggling to complete a task due to internal disagreements, or in business settings when a project lacks direction. It reflects a cultural understanding that collective effort is good, but too many uncoordinated inputs can lead to chaos.
Editorial note
We review entries like 사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다 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
사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 간다고 하죠.
They say too many cooks spoil the broth.
사공이 많으면 배가 산으로 가는 법이에요.
It's the nature of things that too many cooks spoil the broth.
이러다 배가 산으로 가겠어요.
At this rate, the boat will go up the mountain (things will go wrong/off track).
Related Expressions
백지장도 맞들면 낫다
Baekjijangdo matdeulmyeon natda
Even a sheet of paper is better lifted together (Many hands make light work - Antonym/Contrast)
중구난방
Junggunanbang
Everyone speaking at once, disorganized (Similar concept of chaos from many voices)
옥상옥
Oksangok
House on top of a house (Redundancy, unnecessary additions, can lead to inefficiency)
산으로 가다
Saneuro gada
To go up the mountain (Used colloquially to mean 'to go off topic' or 'to go wrong/awry', directly from the proverb)
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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