Korean proverbs
A Korean proverb (, Sok-dam) is a concise idiom in the Korean language which describes a fact in a metaphorical way for instruction or satire. The term (Sok-dam, Korean proverb) was first used in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty, but proverbs were in use much earlier. The example "I am busy with my work, and I am in a hurry for my family" in the article "욱면비염불서승(郁面婢念佛西昇, Uk myeon biyeombulseoseung)" in Volume 5 of "삼국유사 (三國遺事, Samguk yusa)" indicates that a number of proverbs were in common use during the Three Kingdoms period. Use. A Korean proverb , which generally reflects pre-modern lifestyles and ways of thinking, can be mistakenly thought to have been created in the past. The proverbs may fall into one of two categories: descriptions of historical events, or descriptions of common events in everyday life. Although many proverbs derive from descriptions of common events, they may include proper names: historical figures, literary works or regions. The following proverbs contain proper nouns: An expression becomes a proverb in five steps. First, an individual relates a parable from their imagination or an event. For a parable to become a proverb, it must be generally understood . The five steps are: A proverb begins with a colloquialism, and may be refined with retelling or acquire an odd meaning. Structure. A Korean proverb may be classified as having one of two forms: short and long. The short form is usually a phrase describing a complex concept, and the long form is a complex sentence. Prosodic and syntactic harmony may be found in a proverb. Prosody. Prosodic harmony is achieved in two ways: Abwoon (압운, 押韻) and yul-gyeok (율격, 律格), both meaning rhyme. In a rhyme, syllables with a similar pronunciation are inserted at certain places in a  poem. 두운 (Du-woon, 頭韻), 각운 (gak-woon, 脚韻) or word repetition is used. Du-woon is a rhyme at the beginning of a line, and gak-woon is a rhyme at the end of a line. Examples are: In Korean proverbs, rhythm consists of two four-syllable feet which are doubled like traditional poetry. Examples are: Syntax. Korean proverbs with syntactic harmony are lengthy. About 10 percent of all proverbs, examples are: Literary forms. Proverbs have two forms: poetry and narrative. Poetry. Many poetic proverbs have a concise word form, consisting of one line or two phrases and one  line. Eight syllables are most often used, followed by nine or seven syllables. The eight syllables have a 4-4 rhythm in the letter count and two feet. In addition to the 4-4 letter rhythm, 3-4, 5-5, 6-5, 6-6 and 7-5 letter rhythms are used. Examples of letter-count rhythm are: Examples of foot rhythm are: Some proverbs are used in folk songs: <poem>|님아 님아 우리 님아 이제 가면 언제 올래 동솥에 삶은 밤이 꼭꼬 울면 다시 올래 고목나무 새싹 돋아 꽃이 피면 다시 올래</poem> <poem>My dear, my dear  If you go now, when will you come? When the chestnuts steaming in a copper pot lets out cry, will you come back? When a sprout grow out of the old tree, will you come back after it blooms to a flower?</poem> Narrative. Some simple proverbs include a narrative, which may precede or follow the proverb. Uses. Proverbs may be instructive or satirical. The proverb "It's dark under the base of a lamp" is generally interpreted as instructive; the truth may be hidden in plain sight. Other proverbs may employ gentle mockery. "There is no dinner in the  twelve skills" notes that not all abilities can be used to earn a living, and the hearer of a proverb (a child, or a friend who wants to borrow money) affects the proverb's meaning. Half-sentence proverbs (such as "Can one hand clap?") are often used satirically.