Today’s proverb is, “한 가지로 열 가지를 안다.”

Let’s break this sentence down for greater clarity. 한 means 하나 or one in Korean. 하나 has been shortened to 한 because there is a counter that follows it. (Whenever you have a counter following a number, the numbers 1-4, 11-14, 21-24 etc., will be shortened.) Then the counter 가지 comes after 한. 가지 can mean items or things. 로 is a particle indicating direction. 로 can be translated as “towards”. 열 means ten. 가지 follows after 열. Then the object marking particle 를 is attached to 가지. Lastly, the verb “to know” is conjugated to 안다.

If this proverb is translated literally, it would mean, “towards one thing, ten things are known.” Better yet, it means that one can deduce a variety of things about a person’s character just by one simple act. The proverb says that you can figure out ten things about a person, but the proverb is using an arbitrary number to prove a point.

I’ve heard this proverb used a lot in a negative sense. It’s usually referred to a person who is behaving in a rude manner. It’s also used in reference to strangers, so it’s a bit of a judgemental proverb.

I’ll give you an example. Let’s say that you’ve invited your significant other for the first time to meet your family. Let’s also say that your significant other started doing something rude, like hoarding food for himself or herself. In that situation, your mother may say, “”한 가지로 열 가지를 안다.”” This would mean that by hoarding food, your mother could automatically deduce the general character of the person. In other words, hoarding food could indicate that the person is generally inconsiderate or selfish.

It all goes back to first impressions. First impressions are important in Korean society. Just by the way you dress or look can determine the outcome of your future. Take for example, an interview or an arranged date. Just one wrong move and you may not get a second chance.

I think first impressions are important in any society. It’s just that in some societies, there may be more of an emphasis on first impressions than in other societies.