말 한마디로 천 냥 빚을 갚는다고 · 말 한마디에 천 냥 빚을 갚는다
the right words can work wonders (lit. one word can repay a debt of a thousand nyang)
Example
말 한마디로 천 냥 빚을 갚는다고, 먼저 진심으로 사과해 보세요.
The right words can work wonders, so try apologizing sincerely first.
Word parts
천 thousand+냥 nyang (old coin unit)
냥 (兩) was an old unit of money, and a thousand 냥 was a fortune; yet one well-chosen word can settle such a debt.
Good to know
Pronounced [말 한마디로 천 냥 비즐 감는다]. Stresses that a sincere apology, thanks or tactful word can solve big problems. Also quoted as 말 한마디에 천 냥 빚 갚는다.