Setting boundaries with children is a universal parenting challenge, and knowing how to communicate these limits clearly and kindly in Korean is essential for caregivers. This guide provides practical Korean phrases a parent might use when explaining to a child why they cannot have more juice, specifically focusing on the scenario of denying a third serving.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 주스 더 이상 안 돼.
Pronunciation: ju-seu deo-ee-sang an dwae.
Meaning: No more juice. (Lit: Juice anymore is not allowed/possible.)
Basic Phrases for Setting Limits
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Expression: 이제 그만 마시자.
Pronunciation: ee-je geu-man ma-si-ja.
Meaning: Let’s stop drinking now. -
Expression: 벌써 두 잔 마셨잖아.
Pronunciation: beol-sseo du jan ma-syeot-jan-a.
Meaning: You already drank two glasses. -
Expression: 세 잔은 너무 많아.
Pronunciation: se jan-eun neo-mu man-a.
Meaning: Three glasses is too much. -
Expression: 이것까지만 마시는 거야.
Pronunciation: ee-geot-kka-ji-man ma-si-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: You can only drink up to this one. (Implying the second one was the last) -
Expression: 엄마/아빠 말 들어야지.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa mal deu-reo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You should listen to Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 안 된다고 했지?
Pronunciation: an dwen-da-go haet-ji?
Meaning: I said no, didn’t I? -
Expression: 주스는 하루에 두 잔만.
Pronunciation: ju-seu-neun ha-ru-e du jan-man.
Meaning: Only two glasses of juice per day. -
Expression: 욕심부리면 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: yok-sim-bu-ri-myeon an dwae-yo.
Meaning: You shouldn’t be greedy. (Slightly more formal ending ‘yo’ can be used for gentle firmness) -
Expression: 다 마셨으면 컵 주세요.
Pronunciation: da ma-syeot-eu-myeon keop ju-se-yo.
Meaning: If you’ve finished drinking, please give me the cup. -
Expression: 오늘은 주스 끝!
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun ju-seu kkeut!
Meaning: Juice is finished for today!
Explaining the Reasons
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Expression: 너무 많이 마시면 배 아야 해.
Pronunciation: neo-mu man-i ma-si-myeon bae a-ya hae.
Meaning: If you drink too much, your tummy will hurt (‘aya hae’ is baby talk for ‘it hurts’). -
Expression: 설탕이 너무 많아서 몸에 안 좋아.
Pronunciation: seol-tang-i neo-mu man-a-seo mom-e an jo-a.
Meaning: It has too much sugar, so it’s not good for your body. -
Expression: 이따가 밥 맛있게 먹어야지.
Pronunciation: ee-tta-ga bap ma-sit-ge meo-geo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You need to eat your meal well later. (Implying juice will spoil appetite) -
Expression: 주스 많이 마시면 밥 못 먹어.
Pronunciation: ju-seu man-i ma-si-myeon bap mot meo-geo.
Meaning: If you drink a lot of juice, you can’t eat your meal. -
Expression: 내일 또 마시면 되잖아.
Pronunciation: nae-il tto ma-si-myeon dwe-jan-a.
Meaning: You can drink it again tomorrow. -
Expression: 이가 썩을 수도 있어.
Pronunciation: ee-ga sseo-geul su-do it-sseo.
Meaning: Your teeth might decay. -
Expression: 건강에 좋은 거 마시자.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-e jo-eun geo ma-si-ja.
Meaning: Let’s drink something healthy. -
Expression: 조금 쉬었다가 마시자.
Pronunciation: jo-geum swi-eot-da-ga ma-si-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take a little break before drinking (more). (Can be a delaying tactic) -
Expression: 다른 친구들도 마셔야 하니까 아껴야 해.
Pronunciation: da-reun chin-gu-deul-do ma-syeo-ya ha-ni-kka a-kkyeo-ya hae.
Meaning: Other friends (or siblings) need to drink too, so we have to save it. -
Expression: 이제 저녁 먹을 시간이 다 됐어.
Pronunciation: ee-je jeo-nyeok meo-geul si-gan-i da dwaet-sseo.
Meaning: It’s almost time for dinner now.
Offering Alternatives
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Expression: 대신 물 마실까?
Pronunciation: dae-sin mul ma-sil-kka?
Meaning: Shall we drink water instead? -
Expression: 우유 마시는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: u-yu ma-si-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about drinking milk? -
Expression: 맛있는 과일 줄까?
Pronunciation: ma-sit-neun gwa-il jul-kka?
Meaning: Shall I give you some yummy fruit? -
Expression: 주스 말고 다른 거 먹자.
Pronunciation: ju-seu mal-go da-reun geo meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s eat/drink something else instead of juice. -
Expression: 목 마르면 물이 제일 좋아.
Pronunciation: mok ma-reu-myeon mur-i je-il jo-a.
Meaning: If you’re thirsty, water is the best. -
Expression: 요구르트 하나 먹을래?
Pronunciation: yo-gu-reu-teu ha-na meo-geul-lae?
Meaning: Do you want to have a yogurt? -
Expression: 주스 다 마셨으니까 이제 장난감 가지고 놀자.
Pronunciation: ju-seu da ma-syeot-eu-ni-kka ee-je jang-nan-gam ga-ji-go nol-ja.
Meaning: Since you finished the juice, let’s play with toys now. -
Expression: 엄마랑 같이 책 읽을까?
Pronunciation: eom-ma-rang ga-chi chaek il-geul-kka?
Meaning: Shall we read a book together with Mom? -
Expression: 아빠가 재미있는 이야기 해줄게.
Pronunciation: a-ppa-ga jae-mi-it-neun ee-ya-gi hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: Dad will tell you a fun story. -
Expression: 다른 간식 먹고 싶어?
Pronunciation: da-reun gan-sik meok-go si-peo?
Meaning: Do you want a different snack?
Korean Culture Notes
When communicating limits to children in Korea, parents often blend firmness with affection. Using softer, child-friendly language like 아야 해 (a-ya hae – it hurts) instead of the standard 아파 (a-pa) is common.
Explaining the reason behind the limit, such as health concerns (몸에 안 좋아 – mom-e an jo-a) or spoiling appetite for meals (밥 못 먹어 – bap mot meo-geo), is a frequent strategy. This aligns with a cultural emphasis on health and proper eating habits.
Offering alternatives or distractions is a key technique. Shifting the child’s focus to another activity (놀자 – nol-ja, let’s play) or a healthier option (물 마실까? – mul ma-sil-kka?, shall we drink water?) helps manage potential tantrums gently.
While direct commands like 안 돼 (an dwae – no/don’t) are used, they are often softened by explanations, affectionate tones, or suggestions like ~하자 (~ha-ja – let’s do…) or questions like ~할까? (~hal-kka? – shall we…?).
Reminding the child of future opportunities (내일 또 마시면 되잖아 – nae-il tto ma-si-myeon dwe-jan-a, you can drink it again tomorrow) can also help them accept the current limitation more easily.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A child (Minjun) has just finished his second glass of juice and asks his mother (Eomma) for a third.
Characters:
- A: 민준 (Minjun – Child)
- B: 엄마 (Eomma – Mother)
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Expression: A: 엄마, 주스 한 잔 더 주세요!
Pronunciation: eom-ma, ju-seu han jan deo ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Mom, please give me one more glass of juice! -
Expression: B: 어? 민준이 벌써 두 잔 다 마셨네. 주스는 이제 그만~
Pronunciation: eo? min-jun-i beol-sseo du jan da ma-syeon-ne. ju-seu-neun ee-je geu-man~
Meaning: Oh? Minjun, you already drank two glasses. That’s enough juice for now~ -
Expression: A: 싫어, 더 마실래요! 한 잔만 더!
Pronunciation: si-reo, deo ma-sil-lae-yo! han jan-man deo!
Meaning: No, I want to drink more! Just one more glass! -
Expression: B: 안 돼. 주스 너무 많이 마시면 배 아야 할 수도 있고, 이따 저녁밥 맛없게 먹잖아.
Pronunciation: an dwae. ju-seu neo-mu man-i ma-si-myeon bae a-ya hal su-do it-go, ee-tta jeo-nyeok-bap ma-deop-ge meok-jan-a.
Meaning: No. If you drink too much juice, your tummy might hurt, and you won’t enjoy dinner later. -
Expression: A: 힝… 그럼 뭐 마셔요? 목말라요.
Pronunciation: hing… geu-reom mwo ma-syeo-yo? mong-mal-la-yo.
Meaning: Hmph… Then what can I drink? I’m thirsty. -
Expression: B: 목 마르면 시원한 물 마실까? 아니면 엄마가 사과 깎아줄까?
Pronunciation: mok ma-reu-myeon si-won-han mul ma-sil-kka? a-ni-myeon eom-ma-ga sa-gwa kka-kka-jul-kka?
Meaning: If you’re thirsty, shall we drink some cool water? Or shall Mom peel an apple for you? -
Expression: A: 사과 좋아요! 사과 주세요!
Pronunciation: sa-gwa jo-a-yo! sa-gwa ju-se-yo!
Meaning: I like apples! Please give me an apple! -
Expression: B: 그래, 알았어. 주스 컵은 엄마 주고, 손 씻고 오세요~
Pronunciation: geu-rae, a-ra-sseo. ju-seu keop-eun eom-ma ju-go, son ssit-go o-se-yo~
Meaning: Okay, got it. Give Mom the juice cup, and go wash your hands~
Practice Tips
Try role-playing these scenarios! You can pretend to be the parent and have someone else (or even a stuffed animal!) be the child asking for more juice~ Practice saying the phrases firmly but kindly.
Listen to how Korean parents talk to their children in dramas or reality shows. Pay attention to their tone and the specific phrases they use when setting limits. You’ll notice the blend of directness and affection!
Don’t be afraid to use simpler versions first, like just 안 돼 (an dwae) or 그만 (geu-man – stop/enough), and gradually add the explanations and alternatives as you get more comfortable. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
