ProverbPerseveranceKorean origin

서당 개 삼 년에 풍월을 읊는다 (Seodang gae sam nyeone pungworeul eumneunda)

Meaning: Long exposure to something teaches you it, even without trying.

Literally: After three years at the village school, even the dog recites poetry

Example: “식당에서 오래 일하더니 요리를 다 배웠네. 서당 개 삼 년에 풍월을 읊는다더니.” — After working in a restaurant so long, you've learned to cook everything: practice makes perfect.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and 3 more languages

  • English: Practice makes perfect
  • French: C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron (literally: It is by forging that one becomes a blacksmith)
  • Spanish: La práctica hace al maestro (literally: Practice makes the master)
  • Japanese: 習うより慣れろ (Narau yori narero) (literally: Get used to it rather than learning it)
  • German: Übung macht den Meister (literally: Practice makes the master)
  • Dutch: Oefening baart kunst (literally: Practice gives birth to skill)
  • Russian: Навык мастера ставит (Navyk mastera stavit) (literally: Skill makes the master)
  • Chinese: 熟能生巧 (Shú néng shēng qiǎo) (literally: Familiarity breeds skill)

Origin: A seodang was a traditional village school where boys chanted Chinese classics aloud; a dog living there long enough would pick up the verses.

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