Korean word

전화위복

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheonhwawibok

Meaning

  • nounblessing in disguise

Example

시험에 떨어졌지만 그게 전화위복이 됐어.si heo me tteo reo jeot jji man keu ge cheon hwa wi bo gi twae sseo

I failed the exam, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Illustration for 전화위복 (blessing in disguise)

More examples

큰 공연이 취소됐지만 그게 오히려 전화위복이 됐어.keun kong yeo ni chwi so dwaet jji man keu ge o hi ryeo cheon hwa wi bo gi twae sseo

The big performance was canceled, but that turned out to be a blessing in disguise.

Core concept

A failure or difficulty becomes a bridge to a favorable outcome.

Common phrases

  • 전화위복이 되다cheon hwa wi bo gi toe da

    become a blessing in disguise

  • 전화위복으로 작용하다cheon hwa wi bo geu ro cha gyong ha da

    work as a blessing in disguise

Similar words

다행tahaeng: A calm feeling after escaping a danger or serious problem.
기회kihoe: A useful chance to do something or gain a benefit.
행운haengun: Fortune that brings an unexpectedly good outcome.

Definition in Korean

불운이나 실패가 나중에 오히려 좋은 결과나 기회로 이어지는 현상이나 말.pu ru ni na sil pae ga na jung e o hi ryeo cho eun kyeol gwa na ki hoe ro i eo ji neun hyeon sang i na mal

Word origin

Formed from Sino-Korean elements for misfortune and good fortune, the idiom pictures bad circumstances changing into beneficial ones.

Usage tips

  • It is useful when a disappointing event later proves helpful, rather than when success comes without an earlier setback.

Other meanings

  • unexpected turn for the betternoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word