Setting clear boundaries is an essential part of parenting, and knowing how to communicate rules effectively in Korean is crucial when raising children in a Korean-speaking environment or interacting with Korean children. This guide provides key phrases and explanations for telling a child why they cannot climb the backyard fence, focusing on safety and understanding.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 담장 넘으면 안 돼
Pronunciation: dam-jang neo-meu-myeon an dwae
Meaning: You shouldn’t climb over the fence / Don’t climb the fence.
Setting Boundaries
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Expression: 안 돼
Pronunciation: an dwae
Meaning: No / Don’t do that. (Informal, used with children) -
Expression: 하면 안 돼
Pronunciation: ha-myeon an dwae
Meaning: You shouldn’t do that / You’re not allowed to do that. -
Expression: 위험해
Pronunciation: wi-heom-hae
Meaning: It’s dangerous. -
Expression: 다칠 수 있어
Pronunciation: da-chil su i-sseo
Meaning: You could get hurt. -
Expression: 거기 올라가지 마
Pronunciation: geo-gi ol-la-ga-ji ma
Meaning: Don’t climb up there. -
Expression: 넘어가면 안 돼
Pronunciation: neo-meo-ga-myeon an dwae
Meaning: You shouldn’t go over / You’re not allowed to go over. -
Expression: 여기서 놀자
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo nol-ja
Meaning: Let’s play here (in this area). -
Expression: 엄마 말 들어야지 / 아빠 말 들어야지
Pronunciation: eom-ma mal deu-reo-ya-ji / a-ppa mal deu-reo-ya-ji
Meaning: You need to listen to Mom / You need to listen to Dad. -
Expression: 약속했잖아
Pronunciation: yak-sok-haet-jan-a
Meaning: We made a promise, remember? / Didn’t we promise? -
Expression: 조심해야 해
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hae-ya hae
Meaning: You need to be careful. -
Expression: 왜 안 되는지 말해줄게
Pronunciation: wae an doe-neun-ji mal-hae-jul-ge
Meaning: I’ll tell you why you can’t do it. -
Expression: 그만!
Pronunciation: geu-man!
Meaning: Stop! / That’s enough!
Explaining the Danger
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Expression: 담장이 너무 높아
Pronunciation: dam-jang-i neo-mu no-pa
Meaning: The fence is too high. -
Expression: 떨어지면 크게 다칠 수 있어
Pronunciation: tteo-reo-ji-myeon keu-ge da-chil su i-sseo
Meaning: If you fall, you could get hurt badly. -
Expression: 발을 헛디딜 수 있어
Pronunciation: bal-eul heot-di-dil su i-sseo
Meaning: You could miss your step / lose your footing. -
Expression: 옷이 걸려서 넘어질 수도 있어
Pronunciation: o-si geol-lyeo-seo neo-meo-jil su-do i-sseo
Meaning: Your clothes could get caught, and you might fall. -
Expression: 담장 너머는 우리 집이 아니야
Pronunciation: dam-jang neo-meo-neun u-ri jib-i a-ni-ya
Meaning: Beyond the fence isn’t our house/yard. -
Expression: 다른 사람 집에 함부로 가면 안 돼
Pronunciation: da-reun sa-ram jib-e ham-bu-ro ga-myeon an dwae
Meaning: You shouldn’t carelessly go into someone else’s house/property. -
Expression: 넘어지면 아프잖아, 그치?
Pronunciation: neo-meo-ji-myeon a-peu-jan-a, geu-chi?
Meaning: It hurts if you fall, right? -
Expression: 안전이 제일 중요해
Pronunciation: an-jeon-i je-il jung-yo-hae
Meaning: Safety is the most important thing. -
Expression: 네가 다치면 엄마(아빠) 마음이 너무 아파
Pronunciation: ne-ga da-chi-myeon eom-ma(a-ppa) ma-eum-i neo-mu a-pa
Meaning: If you get hurt, Mom’s (Dad’s) heart hurts so much. -
Expression: 뾰족한 부분이 있을 수도 있어
Pronunciation: ppyo-jok-han bu-bun-i i-sseul su-do i-sseo
Meaning: There might be sharp parts. -
Expression: 담장이 튼튼하지 않을 수도 있어
Pronunciation: dam-jang-i teun-teun-ha-ji a-neul su-do i-sseo
Meaning: The fence might not be sturdy.
Suggesting Alternatives
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Expression: 담장 넘는 것 대신 다른 놀이 하자
Pronunciation: dam-jang neom-neun geot dae-sin da-reun no-ri ha-ja
Meaning: Instead of climbing the fence, let’s play something else. -
Expression: 마당에서 공놀이 할까?
Pronunciation: ma-dang-e-seo gong-no-ri hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we play ball in the yard? -
Expression: 숨바꼭질 하는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: sum-ba-kkok-jil ha-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about playing hide-and-seek? -
Expression: 우리 안전하게 여기서 놀자
Pronunciation: u-ri an-jeon-ha-ge yeo-gi-seo nol-ja
Meaning: Let’s play safely here. -
Expression: 자전거 타러 나갈까?
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo ta-reo na-gal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we go out to ride bikes? -
Expression: 엄마랑 같이 그림 그릴까?
Pronunciation: eom-ma-rang ga-chi geu-rim geu-ril-kka?
Meaning: Shall we draw pictures together with Mom? -
Expression: 재미있는 책 읽어줄게
Pronunciation: jae-mi-in-neun chaek il-geo-jul-ge
Meaning: I’ll read you a fun book. -
Expression: 블록으로 멋진 성을 만들자!
Pronunciation: beul-lok-eu-ro meot-jin seong-eul man-deul-ja!
Meaning: Let’s build a cool castle with blocks! -
Expression: 담장보다 더 재미있는 거 많아
Pronunciation: dam-jang-bo-da deo jae-mi-in-neun geo ma-na
Meaning: There are lots of things more fun than the fence. -
Expression: 비눗방울 놀이 할까?
Pronunciation: bi-nut-bang-ul no-ri hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we play with bubbles?
Korean Culture Notes
Emphasis on Safety (안전 제일 – anjeon jeil): Korean culture places a very high value on safety, especially concerning children. Parents often emphasize potential dangers to prevent accidents. Explaining *why* something is dangerous is common, rather than just saying “no.”
Explaining Reasons: While direct commands like “안 돼” (an dwae – No/Don’t) are used, Korean parents often follow up with explanations (왜냐하면… wae-nya-ha-myeon… meaning “Because…”). This helps the child understand the reasoning behind the rule, fostering understanding rather than just obedience.
Respect for Boundaries and Property: The concept of respecting others’ space and property is important. Explaining that the area beyond the fence belongs to someone else (다른 사람 집이야 – da-reun sa-ram jib-i-ya) reinforces social rules about boundaries.
Emotional Appeal: It’s common for Korean parents to express how a child’s actions affect them emotionally (e.g., “If you get hurt, Mom/Dad will be sad”). This appeals to the child’s empathy and strengthens the parent-child bond while reinforcing the rule.
Listening to Elders: While becoming more balanced, there’s still a cultural expectation for children to listen to their parents and elders. Phrases like “엄마/아빠 말 들어야지” (eom-ma/a-ppa mal deu-reo-ya-ji – You should listen to Mom/Dad) reflect this cultural norm.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (엄마 – Eomma) sees their young child (아이 – Ai) trying to climb the backyard fence.
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Expression: A: 어? 민준아, 지금 뭐 하는 거야?
Pronunciation: eo? min-jun-a, ji-geum mwo ha-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: A: Huh? Minjun, what are you doing right now? -
Expression: B: 담장 위에 올라가 보려고요!
Pronunciation: dam-jang wi-e ol-la-ga bo-ryeo-go-yo!
Meaning: B: I’m trying to climb up on the fence! -
Expression: A: 안 돼, 안 돼! 민준아, 담장 넘으면 안 돼. 위험해!
Pronunciation: an dwae, an dwae! min-jun-a, dam-jang neo-meu-myeon an dwae. wi-heom-hae!
Meaning: A: No, no! Minjun, you shouldn’t climb over the fence. It’s dangerous! -
Expression: B: 왜요? 저기 뭐가 있는지 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: wae-yo? jeo-gi mwo-ga it-neun-ji bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: B: Why? I want to see what’s over there. -
Expression: A: 담장이 높아서 떨어지면 크게 다칠 수 있어. 그리고 저쪽은 우리 마당이 아니잖아. 함부로 넘어가면 안 되는 거야.
Pronunciation: dam-jang-i no-pa-seo tteo-reo-ji-myeon keu-ge da-chil su i-sseo. geu-ri-go jeo-jjok-eun u-ri ma-dang-i a-ni-jan-a. ham-bu-ro neo-meo-ga-myeon an doe-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: A: The fence is high, so if you fall, you could get hurt badly. And that side isn’t our yard, remember? You shouldn’t just go over carelessly. -
Expression: B: 네…
Pronunciation: ne…
Meaning: B: Okay… -
Expression: A: 그래, 착하다. 대신 엄마랑 마당에서 공놀이 할까? 아니면 숨바꼭질?
Pronunciation: geu-rae, chak-ha-da. dae-sin eom-ma-rang ma-dang-e-seo gong-no-ri hal-kka? a-ni-myeon sum-ba-kkok-jil?
Meaning: A: Okay, good boy. Instead, shall we play ball with Mom in the yard? Or hide-and-seek? -
Expression: B: 숨바꼭질! 제가 먼저 숨을래요!
Pronunciation: sum-ba-kkok-jil! je-ga meon-jeo sum-eul-lae-yo!
Meaning: B: Hide-and-seek! I’ll hide first!
Practice Tips
Communicating rules and safety requires clarity and patience! Try role-playing these scenarios with your child or a language partner~ Practice explaining *why* something isn’t allowed, not just saying “no.” Listen carefully to the pronunciation, especially the syllable breaks, to sound natural. Using these phrases consistently will help reinforce boundaries while showing care and concern. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
