Dictionary — Entry No. 0901
눈이 높다
nun-i-nopda · expression/idiom
눈이 높다
nun-i-nopda
[noon-ee-NOP-dah]
expression/idiomintermediate
Meaning
Literally ‘eyes are high’; to have high standards or be picky/choosy. An idiom describing someone who is selective, particular, or has elevated expectations about people, relationships, or quality. Often used to describe someone difficult to satisfy.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Frequently appears in K-Drama romantic comedies when describing demanding love interests or ambitious characters. TWICE members have used this phrase in interviews about their ideal types. The expression reflects Korean values around both aspiration and the cultural expectation to ‘know your place’ in hierarchies.
Example Sentences
그 여자는 눈이 높아서 남자들이 못 미더라.
geu yeojaneun nun-i nopaseo namjadeuri mot midela.
That woman has high standards, so men can’t satisfy her.
눈이 높으면 좋은 사람을 만날 수 있다.
nun-i nopeumyeon joheun saramuul mannal su itda.
If you have high standards, you can meet a good person. (optimistic take)
넌 눈이 너무 높다!
neon nun-i neomu nopda!
Your standards are way too high! (light teasing)
⚠️ Don’t use nun-i-nopda when…
1) ‘눈이 높다’ can be insulting if directed at someone; it implies they’re unrealistic or hard to please. 2) Don’t confuse with ‘눈이 크다’ (nun-i keuda—to have big eyes); they’re completely different meanings.
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Boys Over Flowers — Jan-di criticizes Gu Jun-pyo’s snobbish attitude: ‘눈이 높다’ applies to his selective, elitist behavior.
- K-Pop: TWICE — Members discuss having high standards for ideal partners in variety shows
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.