Ensuring children’s safety during water activities like rafting is paramount, but sometimes kids resist wearing safety gear. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and persuasion techniques a parent can use to convince a reluctant child to wear a life vest, focusing on safety explanations and gentle encouragement for a fun and secure experience.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 구명조끼 입어야 해
Pronunciation: gu-myeong-jo-kki ip-eo-ya hae
Meaning: You have to wear a life vest. (Direct instruction emphasizing necessity)
Basic Safety Phrases
-
Expression: 안전이 제일 중요해
Pronunciation: an-jeon-i je-il jung-yo-hae
Meaning: Safety is the most important thing. -
Expression: 위험할 수 있어
Pronunciation: wi-heom-hal su iss-eo
Meaning: It can be dangerous. -
Expression: 조심해야 해
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hae-ya hae
Meaning: You need to be careful. -
Expression: 물에 빠지면 안 돼
Pronunciation: mul-e ppa-ji-myeon an dwae
Meaning: You shouldn’t fall into the water. -
Expression: 이거 입으면 안전해
Pronunciation: i-geo ip-eu-myeon an-jeon-hae
Meaning: If you wear this, you’ll be safe. -
Expression: 엄마 말 들어야지 / 아빠 말 들어야지
Pronunciation: eom-ma mal deul-eo-ya-ji / a-ppa mal deul-eo-ya-ji
Meaning: You should listen to Mom / You should listen to Dad. -
Expression: 걱정돼서 그래
Pronunciation: geok-jeong-dwae-seo geu-rae
Meaning: It’s because I’m worried (about you). -
Expression: 이거 꼭 입어야 해
Pronunciation: i-geo kkok ip-eo-ya hae
Meaning: You absolutely must wear this. -
Expression: 괜찮아, 무섭지 않아
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a, mu-seop-ji an-a
Meaning: It’s okay, it’s not scary. -
Expression: 래프팅 하려면 꼭 필요해
Pronunciation: rae-peu-ting ha-ryeo-myeon kkok pil-yo-hae
Meaning: It’s absolutely necessary if we want to go rafting. -
Expression: 안 입으면 래프팅 못 가
Pronunciation: an ip-eu-myeon rae-peu-ting mot ga
Meaning: If you don’t wear it, we can’t go rafting.
Persuasion Phrases
-
Expression: 구명조끼 입으면 더 재미있게 놀 수 있어
Pronunciation: gu-myeong-jo-kki ip-eu-myeon deo jae-mi-it-ge nol su iss-eo
Meaning: If you wear the life vest, you can play more safely and have more fun. -
Expression: 이거 입으면 물에 둥둥 뜰 수 있어
Pronunciation: i-geo ip-eu-myeon mul-e dung-dung tteul su iss-eo
Meaning: If you wear this, you can float easily in the water. -
Expression: 모두 다 입고 있잖아, 봐봐
Pronunciation: mo-du da ip-go it-jan-a, bwa-bwa
Meaning: Everyone else is wearing one, look. -
Expression: 색깔 멋있지 않아?
Pronunciation: saek-kkal meos-it-ji an-a?
Meaning: Isn’t the color cool? -
Expression: 금방 익숙해질 거야
Pronunciation: geum-bang ik-suk-hae-jil geo-ya
Meaning: You’ll get used to it quickly. -
Expression: 답답해도 조금만 참자
Pronunciation: dap-dap-hae-do jo-geum-man cham-ja
Meaning: Even if it feels stuffy, let’s endure it for just a little while. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠랑 같이 입자
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-rang ga-chi ip-ja
Meaning: Let’s wear it together with Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 용감하게 입어보자!
Pronunciation: yong-gam-ha-ge ip-eo-bo-ja!
Meaning: Let’s try wearing it bravely! -
Expression: 이거 입고 신나게 래프팅 하자!
Pronunciation: i-geo ip-go sin-na-ge rae-peu-ting ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s wear this and have exciting fun rafting! -
Expression: 안 불편해, 괜찮을 거야
Pronunciation: an bul-pyeon-hae, gwaen-chan-eul geo-ya
Meaning: It’s not uncomfortable, it’ll be okay. -
Expression: 약속했잖아, 안전하게 놀기로
Pronunciation: yak-sok-haet-jan-a, an-jeon-ha-ge nol-gi-ro
Meaning: We promised, didn’t we? To play safely.
Checking and Adjusting Phrases
-
Expression: 이리 와봐, 아빠/엄마가 입혀줄게
Pronunciation: i-ri wa-bwa, a-ppa/eom-ma-ga ip-hyeo-jul-ge
Meaning: Come here, Dad/Mom will help you put it on. -
Expression: 꽉 조여줄게, 그래야 안전해
Pronunciation: kkwak jo-yeo-jul-ge, geu-rae-ya an-jeon-hae
Meaning: I’ll tighten it firmly, that’s how it’s safe. -
Expression: 불편하지 않아? 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-ha-ji an-a? gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: Isn’t it uncomfortable? Is it okay? -
Expression: 딱 맞네, 잘 어울린다!
Pronunciation: ttak mat-ne, jal eo-ul-lin-da!
Meaning: It fits perfectly, it looks good on you! -
Expression: 너무 헐렁하면 위험해
Pronunciation: neo-mu heol-leong-ha-myeon wi-heom-hae
Meaning: It’s dangerous if it’s too loose. -
Expression: 지퍼 잘 올려야 해
Pronunciation: ji-peo jal ol-lyeo-ya hae
Meaning: You need to zip it up properly. -
Expression: 버클도 딸깍 채우자
Pronunciation: beo-keul-do ttal-kkak chae-u-ja
Meaning: Let’s fasten the buckle too, click! -
Expression: 팔 한번 움직여 봐
Pronunciation: pal han-beon um-jik-yeo bwa
Meaning: Try moving your arms once. -
Expression: 조금 답답해도 물에서는 이게 꼭 필요해
Pronunciation: jo-geum dap-dap-hae-do mul-e-seo-neun i-ge kkok pil-yo-hae
Meaning: Even if it’s a bit stuffy, this is essential in the water. -
Expression: 다 됐다! 이제 준비 끝!
Pronunciation: da dwaet-da! i-je jun-bi kkeut!
Meaning: All done! Now we’re ready!
Cultural Tips
In Korea, safety, especially for children, is taken very seriously. Parents often use direct instructions when it comes to safety rules, like wearing a life vest. This directness isn’t usually seen as harsh, but rather as caring and responsible.
Explaining the reason behind the rule (e.g., “It’s dangerous,” “This keeps you safe”) is a common tactic to help children understand and comply. Simply demanding obedience without reason is less common than explaining the necessity.
Appealing to social norms (“Everyone else is wearing one”) can be an effective persuasion method for children, leveraging the collectivist aspect of Korean culture.
Balancing safety instructions with reassurance and positive framing (“It’ll be fun,” “You’ll float!”) helps make the experience less daunting and encourages cooperation.
Parents often physically assist children with safety gear, ensuring it fits correctly while offering comforting words, reinforcing the idea that they are being cared for.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A father (A) is trying to convince his young son (B) to wear a life vest before they go rafting.
-
Expression: A: 자, 이제 래프팅 하러 가자! 먼저 구명조끼 입어야 해.
Pronunciation: ja, i-je rae-peu-ting ha-reo ga-ja! meon-jeo gu-myeong-jo-kki ip-eo-ya hae.
Meaning: A: Okay, let’s go rafting now! First, you have to wear a life vest. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 답답해 보여. 안 입을래.
Pronunciation: sil-eo! dap-dap-hae bo-yeo. an ip-eul-lae.
Meaning: B: No! It looks stuffy. I don’t want to wear it. -
Expression: A: 안 돼. 물에서는 위험할 수 있어서 꼭 입어야 안전해. 이거 안 입으면 래프팅 못 타.
Pronunciation: an dwae. mul-e-seo-neun wi-heom-hal su iss-eo-seo kkok ip-eo-ya an-jeon-hae. i-geo an ip-eu-myeon rae-peu-ting mot ta.
Meaning: A: No. It can be dangerous in the water, so you must wear it to be safe. If you don’t wear this, you can’t go rafting. -
Expression: B: 그래도 싫어… 불편할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do sil-eo… bul-pyeon-hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: B: But I still don’t want to… It seems uncomfortable. -
Expression: A: 괜찮아. 아빠도 입을 거고, 다른 친구들도 다 입었어. 봐봐. 이거 입으면 물에 빠져도 둥둥 뜰 수 있어서 더 신나게 놀 수 있어.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a. a-ppa-do ip-eul geo-go, da-reun chin-gu-deul-do da ip-eoss-eo. bwa-bwa. i-geo ip-eu-myeon mul-e ppa-jyeo-do dung-dung tteul su iss-eo-seo deo sin-na-ge nol su iss-eo.
Meaning: A: It’s okay. Dad will wear one too, and all the other friends are wearing them. Look. If you wear this, you can float even if you fall in the water, so you can play more excitingly. -
Expression: B: 정말? 물에 뜰 수 있어?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal? mul-e tteul su iss-eo?
Meaning: B: Really? I can float in the water? -
Expression: A: 그럼! 아빠가 잘 입혀줄게. 이리 와봐. 금방 익숙해질 거야. 자, 용감하게 입어보자!
Pronunciation: geu-reom! a-ppa-ga jal ip-hyeo-jul-ge. i-ri wa-bwa. geum-bang ik-suk-hae-jil geo-ya. ja, yong-gam-ha-ge ip-eo-bo-ja!
Meaning: A: Of course! Dad will help you put it on properly. Come here. You’ll get used to it quickly. Okay, let’s wear it bravely! -
Expression: B: 알았어… 입을게.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo… ip-eul-ge.
Meaning: B: Okay… I’ll wear it.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially when trying to sound natural and persuasive! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or family member, taking turns being the parent and the child~ Focus on using a gentle but firm tone when explaining the safety reasons.
Listen to how Korean parents talk to their children in dramas or variety shows, paying attention to their intonation when giving instructions or persuading. You can also practice the checking and adjusting phrases while putting on a jacket or backpack to get used to the motions and words together!
Remembering the core message – safety first, but let’s make it fun – will help you use these phrases effectively. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
