Arguments happen, even on vacation. This guide covers essential Korean phrases for a common travel disagreement: realizing someone forgot to pack the camera. Learn how to express forgetfulness, place blame (or accept it), and try to resolve the situation in Korean, helping you navigate these tricky conversations.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 누가 카메라 챙기기로 했어?
Pronunciation: nu-ga ka-me-ra chaeng-gi-gi-ro hae-sseo?
Meaning: Who was supposed to pack the camera?
Expressing Forgetfulness
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Expression: 깜빡 잊어버렸어.
Pronunciation: kkam-ppak i-jeo-beo-ryeo-sseo.
Meaning: I completely forgot. -
Expression: 내가 챙겼어야 했는데.
Pronunciation: nae-ga chaeng-gyeo-sseo-ya haet-neun-de.
Meaning: I should have packed it. -
Expression: 정신이 없어서 못 챙겼어.
Pronunciation: jeong-si-ni eop-seo-seo mot chaeng-gyeo-sseo.
Meaning: I was so out of it / distracted, I couldn’t pack it. -
Expression: 분명히 챙긴 줄 알았는데.
Pronunciation: bun-myeong-hi chaeng-gin jul a-rat-neun-de.
Meaning: I was sure I packed it. -
Expression: 어디다 뒀는지 기억이 안 나.
Pronunciation: eo-di-da dwot-neun-ji gi-eo-gi an na.
Meaning: I don’t remember where I put it. -
Expression: 미안해, 내 잘못이야.
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae, nae jal-mo-si-ya.
Meaning: Sorry, it’s my fault. -
Expression: 어떻게 그걸 잊어버릴 수가 있어?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke geu-geol i-jeo-beo-ril su-ga i-sseo?
Meaning: How could you forget that? -
Expression: 내가 마지막으로 본 것 같은데.
Pronunciation: nae-ga ma-ji-ma-geu-ro bon geot ga-teun-de.
Meaning: I think I was the last one to see it. -
Expression: 가방에 넣는 걸 깜빡했나 봐.
Pronunciation: ga-bang-e neo-neun geol kkam-ppa-kaen-na bwa.
Meaning: I guess I forgot to put it in the bag. -
Expression: 아차! 카메라 안 가져왔네!
Pronunciation: a-cha! ka-me-ra an ga-jyeo-wan-ne!
Meaning: Oops! We didn’t bring the camera! -
Expression: 집에 두고 온 것 같아.
Pronunciation: ji-be du-go on geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think I left it at home.
Placing Blame
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Expression: 네가 챙긴다고 했잖아!
Pronunciation: ne-ga chaeng-gin-da-go haet-ja-na!
Meaning: You said you’d pack it! -
Expression: 이건 네 책임이야.
Pronunciation: i-geon ne chae-gi-mi-ya.
Meaning: This is your responsibility. -
Expression: 왜 확인 안 했어?
Pronunciation: wae hwa-gin an hae-sseo?
Meaning: Why didn’t you check? -
Expression: 항상 이런 식이야.
Pronunciation: hang-sang i-reon si-gi-ya.
Meaning: It’s always like this. -
Expression: 네 탓이잖아!
Pronunciation: ne ta-si-ja-na!
Meaning: It’s your fault! -
Expression: 내가 너한테 맡긴 게 잘못이지.
Pronunciation: nae-ga neo-han-te mat-gin ge jal-mo-si-ji.
Meaning: It was my mistake to entrust it to you. -
Expression: 분명히 너한테 챙기라고 말했는데.
Pronunciation: bun-myeong-hi neo-han-te chaeng-gi-ra-go mal-haet-neun-de.
Meaning: I definitely told you to pack it. -
Expression: 이제 와서 어쩌라는 거야?
Pronunciation: i-je wa-seo eo-jjeo-ra-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: What are we supposed to do now? (Expressing frustration) -
Expression: 너 때문에 여행 망쳤어.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mu-ne yeo-haeng mang-chyeo-sseo.
Meaning: You ruined the trip because of you. (Harsh) -
Expression: 변명하지 마.
Pronunciation: byeon-myeong-ha-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t make excuses. -
Expression: 제대로 확인 좀 하지 그랬어.
Pronunciation: je-dae-ro hwa-gin jom ha-ji geu-rae-sseo.
Meaning: You should have checked properly. -
Expression: 그럼 누가 챙겨?
Pronunciation: geu-reom nu-ga chaeng-gyeo?
Meaning: Then who packed it? / Whose job was it?
Trying to Resolve the Argument
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Expression: 이제 와서 싸워봤자 소용없어.
Pronunciation: i-je wa-seo ssa-wo-bwat-ja so-yong-eop-seo.
Meaning: There’s no point fighting about it now. -
Expression: 일단 진정하고 얘기하자.
Pronunciation: il-dan jin-jeong-ha-go yae-gi-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s calm down and talk first. -
Expression: 어떻게든 해결 방법을 찾아보자.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke-deun hae-gyeol bang-beo-beul cha-ja-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try to find a solution somehow. -
Expression: 카메라 없이도 즐겁게 여행할 수 있어.
Pronunciation: ka-me-ra eop-si-do jeul-geop-ge yeo-haeng-hal su i-sseo.
Meaning: We can still enjoy the trip without a camera. -
Expression: 휴대폰으로 사진 찍으면 되지.
Pronunciation: hyu-dae-po-neu-ro sa-jin jji-geu-myeon doe-ji.
Meaning: We can just take pictures with our phones. -
Expression: 서로 탓하지 말자.
Pronunciation: seo-ro tat-ha-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not blame each other. -
Expression: 미안해, 내가 너무 심했어.
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae, nae-ga neo-mu sim-hae-sseo.
Meaning: Sorry, I went too far / was too harsh. -
Expression: 우리 그냥 즐겁게 놀자.
Pronunciation: u-ri geu-nyang jeul-geop-ge nol-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just have fun. -
Expression: 다음부터는 꼭 같이 확인하자.
Pronunciation: da-eum-bu-teo-neun kkok ga-chi hwa-gin-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s make sure to check together next time. -
Expression: 이미 엎질러진 물이야.
Pronunciation: i-mi eop-jil-leo-jin mu-ri-ya.
Meaning: It’s spilled milk. (What’s done is done.) -
Expression: 이걸로 여행 기분 망치지 말자.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo yeo-haeng gi-bun mang-chi-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not ruin the vacation mood over this. -
Expression: 화 풀어.
Pronunciation: hwa pu-reo.
Meaning: Calm down / Don’t be angry.
Cultural Tips
Saving Face (체면 – che-myeon): Even during arguments, maintaining ‘face’ or social standing is important. Direct, harsh accusations might be avoided, especially initially or in public. People might use softer language or indirect phrasing even when upset to avoid causing embarrassment.
Indirectness vs. Directness: While direct confrontation happens, Koreans might sometimes express frustration or blame more indirectly. Pay attention to tone and non-verbal cues. However, between close relations like a couple, arguments can become quite direct.
Emphasis on Resolution: Prolonged, unresolved conflict is often seen negatively. There’s generally a cultural preference towards finding a resolution or compromise quickly, even if it means one person takes the blame (sometimes strategically) to move past the issue.
Apologies: Saying “미안해” (mi-an-hae – sorry) can be crucial in de-escalating an argument, even if you don’t feel entirely at fault. It shows willingness to resolve the conflict.
Context Matters: How an argument unfolds heavily depends on the relationship between the people involved and the setting (private vs. public). Couples might argue more openly and directly when alone compared to being around others.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple (Minjun and Sora) arrive at their vacation hotel room and start unpacking.
Role A: Minjun (민준)
Role B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 아, 드디어 도착했다! 짐 풀고 카메라부터 꺼내자. 경치 좋다!
Pronunciation: a, deu-di-eo do-cha-kaet-da! jim pul-go ka-me-ra-bu-teo kkeo-nae-ja. gyeong-chi jo-ta!
Meaning: Ah, we finally arrived! Let’s unpack and get the camera out first. The view is great! -
Expression: B: 카메라? 네 가방에 없어? 난 네가 챙긴 줄 알았는데.
Pronunciation: ka-me-ra? ne ga-bang-e eop-seo? nan ne-ga chaeng-gin jul a-ran-neun-de.
Meaning: The camera? Isn’t it in your bag? I thought you packed it. -
Expression: A: 내 가방? 아니지, 마지막에 네가 충전하고 챙긴다고 했잖아!
Pronunciation: nae ga-bang? a-ni-ji, ma-ji-ma-ge ne-ga chung-jeon-ha-go chaeng-gin-da-go haet-ja-na!
Meaning: My bag? No, you were the last one charging it and said you’d pack it! -
Expression: B: 내가? 아닌데. 충전하고 책상 위에 뒀는데. 네가 넣었어야지!
Pronunciation: nae-ga? a-nin-de. chung-jeon-ha-go chaek-sang wi-e dwot-neun-de. ne-ga neo-eo-sseo-ya-ji!
Meaning: Me? No. I charged it and left it on the desk. You should have put it in! -
Expression: A: 어떻게 그걸 잊어버릴 수가 있어? 제일 중요한 건데! 네 탓이잖아!
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke geu-geol i-jeo-beo-ril su-ga i-sseo? je-il jung-yo-han geon-de! ne ta-si-ja-na!
Meaning: How could you forget that? It’s the most important thing! It’s your fault! -
Expression: B: 왜 나한테 그래! 같이 확인했어야지! 항상 이런 식이야!
Pronunciation: wae na-han-te geu-rae! ga-chi hwa-gi-nae-sseo-ya-ji! hang-sang i-reon si-gi-ya!
Meaning: Why are you blaming me! We should have checked together! It’s always like this! -
Expression: A: 아 진짜… 이제 와서 어쩌라는 거야? 사진 하나도 못 찍겠네.
Pronunciation: a jin-jja… i-je wa-seo eo-jjeo-ra-neun geo-ya? sa-jin ha-na-do mot jjik-gen-ne.
Meaning: Ah seriously… What are we supposed to do now? We can’t take any pictures. -
Expression: B: 미안해… 내가 깜빡했나 봐. 너무 정신이 없었어. 휴대폰으로 찍으면 안 될까?
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae… nae-ga kkam-ppa-kaen-na bwa. neo-mu jeong-si-ni eop-seo-sseo. hyu-dae-po-neu-ro jji-geu-myeon an doel-kka?
Meaning: Sorry… I guess I forgot. I was so distracted. Can’t we just take pictures with our phones? -
Expression: A: 하… 알았어. 이제 와서 싸워봤자 소용없지. 다음부터는 꼭 같이 확인하자.
Pronunciation: ha… a-ra-sseo. i-je wa-seo ssa-wo-bwat-ja so-yong-eop-ji. da-eum-bu-teo-neun kkok ga-chi hwa-gin-ha-ja.
Meaning: Sigh… Okay. There’s no point fighting about it now. Let’s make sure to check together next time. -
Expression: B: 응. 미안해. 이걸로 여행 기분 망치지 말자.
Pronunciation: eung. mi-an-hae. i-geol-lo yeo-haeng gi-bun mang-chi-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Okay. Sorry. Let’s not ruin the vacation mood over this.
Practice Tips
Okay, arguing isn’t fun, but knowing how to express yourself during disagreements is part of learning a language! Try practicing these phrases with a friend or language partner~ Role-playing the scenario can really help solidify the expressions in your mind. Remember context is key; some phrases are harsher than others! Focus on understanding the nuances and maybe start with the phrases for resolving the conflict first. You’ve got this! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
