Family activities like treasure hunts can be fun, but they often spark friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition, especially among siblings arguing over who gets to take charge. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for navigating a common scenario: siblings vying for leadership during a family treasure hunt. Learn how to express your desire to lead, argue your case, and maybe even compromise, all in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 내가 먼저 할래!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo hal-lae!
Meaning: I want to do it first! / I’ll lead! (Informal, often used between siblings)
Starting the Argument: Claiming Leadership
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Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: 내가 대장할 거야.
Pronunciation: nae-ga dae-jang-hal geo-ya.
Meaning: I’m going to be the leader. -
Expression: 내가 길 찾아볼게.
Pronunciation: nae-ga gil cha-ja-bol-ge.
Meaning: I’ll try finding the way. / Let me lead. -
Expression: 지도는 내가 들고 있을게.
Pronunciation: ji-do-neun nae-ga deul-go it-sseul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll hold the map. -
Expression: 나한테 맡겨. 내가 더 잘 찾아.
Pronunciation: na-han-te mat-gyeo. nae-ga deo jal cha-ja.
Meaning: Leave it to me. I’m better at finding things. -
Expression: 내가 먼저 단서 읽을래.
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo dan-seo il-geul-lae.
Meaning: I want to read the clue first. -
Expression: 저번에도 네가 했잖아!
Pronunciation: jeo-beon-e-do ne-ga haet-jan-a!
Meaning: You did it last time too! -
Expression: 내가 오빠/형/누나/언니니까 내가 할게.
Pronunciation: nae-ga o-ppa/hyeong/nu-na/eon-ni-ni-kka nae-ga hal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll do it because I’m the older brother/sister. (Choose appropriate term) -
Expression: 비켜봐, 내가 앞장설게.
Pronunciation: bi-kyeo-bwa, nae-ga ap-jang-seol-ge.
Meaning: Move aside, I’ll take the lead. -
Expression: 이건 내가 제일 잘 알아.
Pronunciation: i-geon nae-ga je-il jal a-ra.
Meaning: I know this best.
Disagreeing and Arguing Back
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Expression: 싫어, 내가 할 거야!
Pronunciation: si-reo, nae-ga hal geo-ya!
Meaning: No, I’m going to do it! -
Expression: 왜 네 맘대로 정해?
Pronunciation: wae ne mam-dae-ro jeong-hae?
Meaning: Why do you get to decide? -
Expression: 말도 안 돼! 공평하지 않아!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae! gong-pyeong-ha-ji an-a!
Meaning: That’s ridiculous! It’s not fair! -
Expression: 너는 맨날 너만 하려고 해.
Pronunciation: neo-neun maen-nal neo-man ha-ryeo-go hae.
Meaning: You always try to do everything yourself. -
Expression: 너 길 잘 못 찾잖아.
Pronunciation: neo gil jal mot chat-jan-a.
Meaning: You’re bad at finding the way. -
Expression: 지난번엔 내가 양보했어.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-en nae-ga yang-bo-haet-sseo.
Meaning: I let you do it last time. -
Expression: 나도 하고 싶단 말이야!
Pronunciation: na-do ha-go sip-dan ma-ri-ya!
Meaning: I want to do it too! -
Expression: 같이 해야지! 왜 혼자 하려고 해?
Pronunciation: ga-chi hae-ya-ji! wae hon-ja ha-ryeo-go hae?
Meaning: We should do it together! Why are you trying to do it alone? -
Expression: 내 말 좀 들어봐!
Pronunciation: nae mal jom deu-reo-bwa!
Meaning: Listen to me! -
Expression: 흥, 치, 뿡이다!
Pronunciation: heung, chi, ppung-i-da!
Meaning: Humph! (Sound expressing displeasure/pouting, common among children/siblings) -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom/Dad!
Suggesting Solutions and Compromises
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Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 번갈아 가면서 하자.
Pronunciation: beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns. -
Expression: 그럼 반반씩 할까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom ban-ban-ssik hal-kka?
Meaning: Then shall we split it half and half? -
Expression: 첫 번째 단서는 네가 읽고, 다음은 내가 읽을게.
Pronunciation: cheot beon-jjae dan-seo-neun ne-ga il-go, da-eum-eun nae-ga il-geul-ge.
Meaning: You read the first clue, and I’ll read the next one. -
Expression: 같이 지도 보자.
Pronunciation: ga-chi ji-do bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s look at the map together. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 누가 할지 물어보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te nu-ga hal-ji mu-reo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom/Dad who should do it. -
Expression: 싸우지 말고 같이 찾자.
Pronunciation: ssa-u-ji mal-go ga-chi chat-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not fight and search together. -
Expression: 알았어, 이번엔 네가 해. 대신 다음번엔 내가 할 거야.
Pronunciation: a-rat-sseo, i-beon-en ne-ga hae. dae-sin da-eum-beon-en nae-ga hal geo-ya.
Meaning: Okay, you do it this time. But next time, I will. -
Expression: 그럼 내가 지도를 보고 네가 단서를 풀어.
Pronunciation: geu-reom nae-ga ji-do-reul bo-go ne-ga dan-seo-reul pu-reo.
Meaning: Then I’ll look at the map, and you solve the clues. -
Expression: 좋아, 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reo-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do that.
Treasure Hunt Vocabulary
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Expression: 보물찾기
Pronunciation: bo-mul-chat-gi
Meaning: Treasure hunt -
Expression: 보물
Pronunciation: bo-mul
Meaning: Treasure -
Expression: 지도
Pronunciation: ji-do
Meaning: Map -
Expression: 단서
Pronunciation: dan-seo
Meaning: Clue -
Expression: 숨기다
Pronunciation: sum-gi-da
Meaning: To hide (something) -
Expression: 찾다
Pronunciation: chat-da
Meaning: To find, to search for -
Expression: 발견하다
Pronunciation: bal-gyeon-ha-da
Meaning: To discover -
Expression: 다음 장소
Pronunciation: da-eum jang-so
Meaning: Next place/location -
Expression: 팀
Pronunciation: tim
Meaning: Team -
Expression: 이기다
Pronunciation: i-gi-da
Meaning: To win -
Expression: 지다
Pronunciation: ji-da
Meaning: To lose
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling dynamics in Korea involves recognizing the importance of age hierarchy. Older siblings (형 – hyeong/오빠 – oppa for males; 누나 – nuna/언니 – eonni for females) often expect a degree of deference from younger siblings (동생 – dongsaeng). This can influence arguments, with older siblings sometimes claiming leadership rights based on age, using phrases like “내가 형/누나니까” (nae-ga hyeong/nuna-ni-kka – “Because I’m the older brother/sister”).
Arguments between siblings, especially younger ones, can be quite direct and expressive, using informal language (반말 – banmal). Phrases ending in -야 (-ya) or -래 (-lae) are common. While disagreements happen, resolving them through compromise, like taking turns (번갈아 가면서 하다 – beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ha-da) or rock-paper-scissors (가위바위보 – ga-wi-ba-wi-bo), is also typical.
Family activities like treasure hunts (보물찾기 – bo-mul-chat-gi) are valued in Korean culture as ways to build bonds. Even amidst arguments, the underlying goal is often shared fun. Sometimes, parents step in to mediate disputes, making appealing to them (엄마/아빠한테 물어보자 – eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te mu-reo-bo-ja) a common tactic.
Playful teasing and slightly dramatic expressions like “흥, 치, 뿡!” (heung, chi, ppung!) are part of sibling interactions. Understanding these nuances helps interpret the tone and dynamics beyond just the literal meaning of the words.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An older sister (Nari) and her younger brother (Minjun) find the first clue for the family treasure hunt.
Roles:
A: Nari (Older Sister)
B: Minjun (Younger Brother)
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Expression: A: 와, 보물찾기 지도다! 내가 먼저 볼래!
Pronunciation: wa, bo-mul-chat-gi ji-do-da! nae-ga meon-jeo bol-lae!
Meaning: Wow, it’s the treasure hunt map! I want to see it first! -
Expression: B: 아니야, 내가 먼저 찾았어! 내가 대장할 거야!
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya, nae-ga meon-jeo cha-jat-sseo! nae-ga dae-jang-hal geo-ya!
Meaning: No, I found it first! I’m going to be the leader! -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야? 내가 누나니까 당연히 내가 해야지! 저번에도 네가 했잖아.
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya? nae-ga nu-na-ni-kka dang-yeon-hi nae-ga hae-ya-ji! jeo-beon-e-do ne-ga haet-jan-a.
Meaning: What are you talking about? Of course, I should do it because I’m the older sister! You did it last time too. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 이번엔 내 차례야! 누나는 길도 잘 못 찾으면서!
Pronunciation: si-reo! i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya! nu-na-neun gil-do jal mot cha-jeu-myeon-seo!
Meaning: No! It’s my turn this time! You’re bad at finding the way anyway, Nuna! -
Expression: A: 야! 말 다 했어? 그럼 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ya! mal da haet-sseo? geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Hey! Are you done talking? Then let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: B: 좋아! 내가 이길걸! 가위, 바위, 보!
Pronunciation: jo-a! nae-ga i-gil-geol! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo!
Meaning: Okay! I’ll probably win! Rock, paper, scissors! -
Expression: A: 아싸, 내가 이겼다! 내가 먼저 지도 볼게!
Pronunciation: a-ssa, nae-ga i-gyeot-da! nae-ga meon-jeo ji-do bol-ge!
Meaning: Yes, I won! I’ll look at the map first! -
Expression: B: 칫… 알았어. 대신 다음 단서는 내가 읽는다!
Pronunciation: chit… a-rat-sseo. dae-sin da-eum dan-seo-neun nae-ga ing-neun-da!
Meaning: Tch… Okay. But I get to read the next clue instead!
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases involves practice! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or family member learning Korean~ Take turns being the older and younger sibling to get used to both sides of the argument. Pay attention to the informal endings like -야 (-ya) and -래 (-lae), which are key in casual sibling conversations!
Listen to Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings. You’ll often hear similar arguments and playful banter. This helps you understand the natural flow and intonation. Don’t be afraid to use gestures and expressive tones, just like real siblings would! Good luck with your treasure hunt practice! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
