Sibling interactions often involve a unique blend of affection and annoyance, especially when sharing close quarters. This guide explores common Korean phrases used when one sibling teases another about their loud coughing, particularly at night. Learn how to express playful annoyance, complain about the noise, and respond to the teasing in natural Korean suitable for close family relationships.
Table Of Content
Core Teasing Expression
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Expression: 너 밤에 기침 소리 엄청 커!
Pronunciation: neo bam-e gi-chim so-ri eom-cheong keo!
Meaning: Your coughing sound at night is really loud! (A direct and common way to start the teasing)
Basic Teasing Phrases
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Expression: 기침 좀 그만해!
Pronunciation: gi-chim jom geu-man-hae!
Meaning: Stop coughing! (Said playfully or with slight irritation) -
Expression: 너 때문에 잠 설쳤어.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e jam seol-cheot-seo.
Meaning: I couldn’t sleep well because of you. -
Expression: 무슨 폐병 걸린 줄 알았네.
Pronunciation: mu-seun pye-byeong geol-lin jul al-at-ne.
Meaning: I thought you caught tuberculosis or something. (Exaggerated teasing) -
Expression: 밤새 콜록콜록.
Pronunciation: bam-sae kol-lok-kol-lok.
Meaning: Coughing all night long. (Using the onomatopoeia for coughing) -
Expression: 숨은 쉬고 기침하는 거지?
Pronunciation: sum-eun swi-go gi-chim-ha-neun geo-ji?
Meaning: You are breathing between coughs, right? (Sarcastic concern) -
Expression: 할아버지/할머니 기침 소리 같아.
Pronunciation: hal-a-beo-ji/hal-meo-ni gi-chim so-ri gat-a.
Meaning: You sound like a grandpa/grandma coughing. -
Expression: 목에 뭐 걸렸어?
Pronunciation: mok-e mwo geol-lyeot-seo?
Meaning: Is something stuck in your throat? -
Expression: 병원 가 봐야 하는 거 아니야?
Pronunciation: byeong-won ga bwa-ya ha-neun geo a-ni-ya?
Meaning: Shouldn’t you go see a doctor? (Can be genuine concern masked as teasing) -
Expression: 너 때문에 나도 감기 옮겠어.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e na-do gam-gi olm-get-seo.
Meaning: I’m going to catch your cold because of you. -
Expression: 기침 소리 녹음해서 들려줄까?
Pronunciation: gi-chim so-ri nok-eum-hae-seo deul-lyeo-jul-kka?
Meaning: Should I record your coughing and play it back for you?
Complaining About the Noise
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Expression: 너무 시끄러워!
Pronunciation: neo-mu si-kkeu-reo-wo!
Meaning: It’s so noisy! -
Expression: 조용히 좀 해 봐.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi jom hae bwa.
Meaning: Try to be quiet. -
Expression: 온 동네 사람들 다 깨겠다.
Pronunciation: on dong-ne sa-ram-deul da kkae-get-da.
Meaning: You’re going to wake up the whole neighborhood. -
Expression: 방음 좀 신경 써 줘.
Pronunciation: bang-eum jom sin-gyeong sseo jwo.
Meaning: Be mindful of the soundproofing (i.e., keep it down). -
Expression: 네 기침 소리에 잠 다 깼어.
Pronunciation: ne gi-chim so-ri-e jam da kkaet-seo.
Meaning: Your coughing woke me completely up. -
Expression: 무슨 천둥 치는 줄.
Pronunciation: mu-seun cheon-dung chi-neun jul.
Meaning: I thought it was thundering. (Exaggerating the loudness) -
Expression: 귀마개 하고 자야겠네.
Pronunciation: gwi-ma-gae ha-go ja-ya-get-ne.
Meaning: I guess I’ll have to sleep with earplugs. -
Expression: 볼륨 좀 줄여 줄래?
Pronunciation: bol-lyum jom jul-yeo jul-lae?
Meaning: Can you turn down the volume? (Sarcastic) -
Expression: 벽 흔들리는 줄 알았어.
Pronunciation: byeok heun-deul-li-neun jul al-at-seo.
Meaning: I thought the walls were shaking. -
Expression: 새벽에 무슨 공사하는 줄.
Pronunciation: sae-byeok-e mu-seun gong-sa-ha-neun jul.
Meaning: I thought there was construction work going on early in the morning.
Responding to the Teasing
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Expression: 미안해.
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae.
Meaning: Sorry. (Simple apology) -
Expression: 나도 어쩔 수 없어.
Pronunciation: na-do eo-jjeol su eop-seo.
Meaning: I can’t help it either. -
Expression: 아프단 말이야.
Pronunciation: a-peu-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: I’m telling you, I’m sick. -
Expression: 오버하지 마.
Pronunciation: o-beo-ha-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t exaggerate. / Stop overreacting. (Using Konglish ‘over’) -
Expression: 내가 일부러 그러는 거 아니잖아.
Pronunciation: nae-ga il-bu-reo geu-reo-neun geo a-ni-jan-a.
Meaning: It’s not like I’m doing it on purpose. -
Expression: 너도 코 골잖아!
Pronunciation: neo-do ko gol-jan-a!
Meaning: You snore too! (Deflecting the teasing) -
Expression: 알았어, 조용히 할게.
Pronunciation: al-at-seo, jo-yong-hi hal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll try to be quiet. (May or may not be sincere) -
Expression: 물 좀 마시고 올게.
Pronunciation: mul jom ma-si-go ol-ge.
Meaning: I’ll go get some water. (Implying it might help the cough) -
Expression: 신경 쓰이게 해서 미안.
Pronunciation: sin-gyeong sseu-i-ge hae-seo mi-an.
Meaning: Sorry for bothering you. -
Expression: 그만 좀 놀려.
Pronunciation: geu-man jom nol-lyeo.
Meaning: Stop teasing me.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves recognizing the blend of closeness and directness. Teasing (놀리기 – nol-li-gi) is very common between siblings and close friends, often using informal language (반말 – ban-mal).
While the teasing about coughing might sound harsh, it often comes from a place of familiarity rather than malice. Between siblings, direct complaints about noise or annoyance are more acceptable than they would be with acquaintances or elders.
Sometimes, teasing about being sick (“Shouldn’t you go to the doctor?”) can be a way of expressing underlying concern without being overly sentimental, which fits the often less outwardly expressive nature of familial care in some Korean contexts.
In densely populated areas with many apartment buildings, sensitivity to noise (층간 소음 – cheung-gan so-eum, noise between floors) is a common issue. While coughing is unavoidable, extreme loudness might genuinely disturb others, adding a layer to the teasing.
Remember that the specific dynamic depends heavily on the individual family, age difference between siblings, and their personalities. However, playful banter and direct complaints are typical features of Korean sibling relationships.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: It’s morning. Minjun (older brother) confronts his younger sister, Sora, who was coughing loudly throughout the night. They share adjacent rooms.
Roles: A: Minjun (민준), B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 야, 너 어젯밤에 기침 소리 때문에 잠 하나도 못 잤어.
Pronunciation: ya, neo eo-jet-bam-e gi-chim so-ri ttae-mun-e jam ha-na-do mot jat-seo.
Meaning: Hey, I couldn’t sleep at all last night because of your coughing. -
Expression: B: 아, 미안 오빠. 목이 너무 간지러워서…
Pronunciation: a, mi-an op-pa. mok-i neo-mu gan-ji-reo-wo-seo…
Meaning: Ah, sorry Oppa (older brother). My throat was so itchy… -
Expression: A: 간지러운 수준이 아니던데? 무슨 집 무너지는 줄 알았네. 콜록콜록!
Pronunciation: gan-ji-reo-un su-jun-i a-ni-deon-de? mu-seun jip mu-neo-ji-neun jul al-at-ne. kol-lok-kol-lok!
Meaning: It didn’t sound like just itchy! I thought the house was collapsing. Cough cough! (Mimicking) -
Expression: B: 오버하지 마! 나도 어쩔 수 없었다고. 아프단 말이야.
Pronunciation: o-beo-ha-ji ma! na-do eo-jjeol su eop-seot-da-go. a-peu-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: Stop exaggerating! I couldn’t help it. I’m telling you, I’m sick. -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 근데 진짜 시끄러웠어. 병원 가 보든가 약 좀 먹어.
Pronunciation: al-at-seo, al-at-seo. geun-de jin-jja si-kkeu-reo-wot-seo. byeong-won ga bo-deun-ga yak jom meok-eo.
Meaning: Okay, okay. But it was really loud. Go see a doctor or take some medicine. -
Expression: B: 알았다고~ 그만 좀 놀려 이제.
Pronunciation: al-at-da-go~ geu-man jom nol-lyeo i-je.
Meaning: I got it~ Stop teasing me now.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can make your Korean sound much more natural in informal settings! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner, taking turns being the coughing sibling and the teasing one~ Pay attention to the intonation – teasing often involves a slightly playful or exaggerated tone!
Listen for similar interactions in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings. Notice how they use 반말 (ban-mal) and express annoyance or affection through teasing. Remember, these phrases are very informal and best used with people you are very close to, like siblings or childhood friends. Have fun practicing!
