Getting children to wear swimming goggles can sometimes be a challenge, but it’s crucial for protecting their eyes in the pool. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for parents needing to persuade their child to wear goggles, ensuring a safe and enjoyable swimming experience.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 수경 써.
Pronunciation: su-gyeong sseo.
Meaning: Wear your goggles. (Informal, direct command often used with children)
Basic Persuasion Phrases
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Expression: 수경 써야 해.
Pronunciation: su-gyeong sseo-ya hae.
Meaning: You have to wear goggles. -
Expression: 눈에 물 들어가면 안 돼.
Pronunciation: nun-e mul deu-reo-ga-myeon an dwae.
Meaning: Water shouldn’t get in your eyes. -
Expression: 눈 아프잖아.
Pronunciation: nun a-peu-jan-a.
Meaning: Your eyes will hurt, you know. -
Expression: 이거 쓰면 수영 더 잘할 수 있어.
Pronunciation: i-geo sseu-myeon su-yeong deo jal-hal su i-sseo.
Meaning: If you wear this, you can swim better. -
Expression: 엄마 말 들어 봐.
Pronunciation: eom-ma mal deu-reo bwa.
Meaning: Listen to Mom. -
Expression: 아빠 말 들어 봐.
Pronunciation: a-ppa mal deu-reo bwa.
Meaning: Listen to Dad. -
Expression: 딱 한 번만 써 보자.
Pronunciation: ttak han beon-man sseo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just try wearing it once. -
Expression: 괜찮을 거야.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eul geo-ya.
Meaning: It’ll be okay. / It’ll be fine. -
Expression: 이거 쓰면 멋있어!
Pronunciation: i-geo sseu-myeon meo-si-sseo!
Meaning: You look cool wearing this! -
Expression: 눈 보호해야지.
Pronunciation: nun bo-ho-hae-ya-ji.
Meaning: You need to protect your eyes, of course. -
Expression: 수경 쓰자.
Pronunciation: su-gyeong sseu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s wear goggles. (Suggestive) -
Expression: 안 불편해, 정말이야.
Pronunciation: an bul-pyeon-hae, jeong-mar-i-ya.
Meaning: It’s not uncomfortable, really.
Explaining the Reason Why
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Expression: 수영장 물은 눈에 안 좋아.
Pronunciation: su-yeong-jang mur-eun nun-e an jo-a.
Meaning: Pool water isn’t good for your eyes. -
Expression: 수경 쓰면 눈이 안 아파.
Pronunciation: su-gyeong sseu-myeon nun-i an a-pa.
Meaning: If you wear goggles, your eyes won’t hurt. -
Expression: 물속에서도 잘 보일 거야.
Pronunciation: mul-sok-e-seo-do jal bo-il geo-ya.
Meaning: You’ll be able to see well underwater too. -
Expression: 눈병 걸릴 수도 있어. 조심해야 해.
Pronunciation: nun-byeong geol-lil su-do i-sseo. jo-sim-hae-ya hae.
Meaning: You might get an eye infection. You have to be careful. -
Expression: 안전하게 수영하려면 꼭 필요해.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-ha-ge su-yeong-ha-ryeo-myeon kkok pil-yo-hae.
Meaning: It’s definitely necessary to swim safely. -
Expression: 다른 친구들도 다 쓰고 있잖아.
Pronunciation: da-reun chin-gu-deul-do da sseu-go it-jan-a.
Meaning: All the other kids are wearing them too, you know. -
Expression: 안 쓰면 눈 따가울 텐데 괜찮겠어?
Pronunciation: an sseu-myeon nun tta-ga-ul ten-de gwaen-chan-ket-sseo?
Meaning: Your eyes will sting if you don’t wear them, will that be okay? -
Expression: 이거 쓰면 잠수도 할 수 있어! 재밌겠다!
Pronunciation: i-geo sseu-myeon jam-su-do hal su i-sseo! jae-mit-get-da!
Meaning: If you wear this, you can dive underwater too! That sounds fun! -
Expression: 소중한 눈을 보호하는 거야.
Pronunciation: so-jung-han nun-eul bo-ho-ha-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: It’s about protecting your precious eyes. -
Expression: 수영 선수들처럼 멋지게 써 보자.
Pronunciation: su-yeong seon-su-deul-cheo-reom meot-ji-ge sseo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s wear them cooly like the swimmers.
Responding to Refusal
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Expression: 왜 안 쓰려고 해? 이유가 뭐야?
Pronunciation: wae an sseu-ryeo-go hae? i-yu-ga mwo-ya?
Meaning: Why don’t you want to wear them? What’s the reason? -
Expression: 어디가 불편해? 엄마/아빠한테 말해봐.
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga bul-pyeon-hae? eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te mar-hae-bwa.
Meaning: Where is it uncomfortable? Tell Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 조금만 참아보자. 금방 익숙해질 거야.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man cham-a-bo-ja. geum-bang ik-suk-hae-jil geo-ya.
Meaning: Let’s try to bear it just a little. You’ll get used to it soon. -
Expression: 수경 안 쓰면 수영 못 들어가. 규칙이야.
Pronunciation: su-gyeong an sseu-myeon su-yeong mot deu-reo-ga. gyu-chig-i-ya.
Meaning: If you don’t wear goggles, you can’t go swimming. It’s the rule. -
Expression: 그럼 잠깐 쉬었다가 다시 써 볼까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom jam-kkan swi-eot-da-ga da-si sseo bol-kka?
Meaning: Then shall we take a short break and try wearing them again? -
Expression: 이렇게 떼쓰면 안 돼.
Pronunciation: i-reo-ke tte-sseu-myeon an dwae.
Meaning: You shouldn’t whine like this. -
Expression: 수영하기 전에 쓰기로 약속했잖아.
Pronunciation: su-yeong-ha-gi jeon-e sseu-gi-ro yak-sok-haet-jan-a.
Meaning: We promised you’d wear them before swimming, didn’t we? -
Expression: 수경 써야 물에 들어갈 수 있어.
Pronunciation: su-gyeong sseo-ya mur-e deu-reo-gal su i-sseo.
Meaning: You can only go in the water if you wear goggles. -
Expression: 혹시 무서워? 괜찮아, 엄마/아빠가 옆에 있을게.
Pronunciation: hok-si mu-seo-wo? gwaen-chan-a, eom-ma/a-ppa-ga yeop-e i-sseul-ge.
Meaning: Are you perhaps scared? It’s okay, Mom/Dad will be right beside you. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠가 쓰는 거 도와줄게. 이리 줘봐.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-ga sseu-neun geo do-wa-jul-ge. i-ri jwo-bwa.
Meaning: Mom/Dad will help you put them on. Give them here.
Positive Reinforcement
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Expression: 우와, 잘 썼네! 정말 잘했어!
Pronunciation: u-wa, jal sseot-ne! jeong-mal jal-haet-sseo!
Meaning: Wow, you put them on well! You did a really great job! -
Expression: 좋았어! 이제 신나게 수영하러 가자!
Pronunciation: jo-a-sseo! i-je sin-na-ge su-yeong-ha-reo ga-ja!
Meaning: Alright! Now let’s go swim excitedly! -
Expression: 어때? 생각보다 괜찮지?
Pronunciation: eo-ttae? saeng-gak-bo-da gwaen-chan-chi?
Meaning: How is it? It’s better than you thought, right? -
Expression: 이제 물속에서도 훨씬 잘 보일 거야!
Pronunciation: i-je mul-sok-e-seo-do hwol-ssin jal bo-il geo-ya!
Meaning: Now you’ll be able to see much better underwater! -
Expression: 수경 쓰니까 정말 멋지다! 수영 선수 같아!
Pronunciation: su-gyeong sseu-ni-kka jeong-mal meot-ji-da! su-yeong seon-su ga-ta!
Meaning: You look really cool wearing goggles! Like a swimmer! -
Expression: 정말 용감하네, 우리 아들/딸!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal yong-gam-ha-ne, u-ri a-deul/ttal!
Meaning: You’re really brave, my son/daughter! -
Expression: 봐봐, 하나도 안 불편하지?
Pronunciation: bwa-bwa, ha-na-do an bul-pyeon-ha-ji?
Meaning: Look, it’s not uncomfortable at all, right? -
Expression: 이제 물에 들어가서 신나게 놀자!
Pronunciation: i-je mur-e deu-reo-ga-seo sin-na-ge nol-ja!
Meaning: Now let’s get in the water and play excitedly! -
Expression: 역시 우리 아들/딸 최고!
Pronunciation: yeok-si u-ri a-deul/ttal choe-go!
Meaning: As expected, my son/daughter is the best! -
Expression: 자, 이제 멋진 수영 실력 보여줘!
Pronunciation: ja, i-je meot-jin su-yeong sil-lyeok bo-yeo-jwo!
Meaning: Okay, now show me your cool swimming skills!
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding Korean parenting styles can be helpful. Communication between parents and young children often uses informal language (반말, ban-mal), which is reflected in the phrases here. While direct, the tone is generally caring and aims to guide the child.
Safety is highly emphasized in Korea, especially concerning children. Parents are typically vigilant about safety measures, and explaining the ‘why’ behind a rule (like wearing goggles) is common.
Public facilities like swimming pools often have strict rules (규칙, gyu-chik) that are expected to be followed. Reminding a child about the rules can be an effective persuasion tactic.
Positive reinforcement and praise (칭찬, ching-chan) are frequently used to encourage desired behavior after the child complies.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (Eomma) is trying to get her young child (Minjun) to wear goggles before entering the swimming pool.
Roles:
A: 엄마 (Eomma – Mom)
B: 민준 (Minjun – Child)
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Expression: A: 민준아, 수영장 들어가기 전에 수경 써야지.
Pronunciation: min-jun-a, su-yeong-jang deu-reo-ga-gi jeon-e su-gyeong sseo-ya-ji.
Meaning: Minjun, you need to wear your goggles before going into the pool. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 안 쓸래! 불편해.
Pronunciation: si-reo! an sseul-lae! bul-pyeon-hae.
Meaning: I don’t want to! I won’t wear them! They’re uncomfortable. -
Expression: A: 왜 안 쓰려고 해? 눈에 물 들어가면 아프잖아. 수경 쓰면 눈 안 아파.
Pronunciation: wae an sseu-ryeo-go hae? nun-e mul deu-reo-ga-myeon a-peu-jan-a. su-gyeong sseu-myeon nun an a-pa.
Meaning: Why don’t you want to wear them? Your eyes will hurt if water gets in, you know. If you wear goggles, your eyes won’t hurt. -
Expression: B: 그래도 싫어. 답답해.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do si-reo. dap-dap-hae.
Meaning: Still, I don’t want to. It feels stuffy/restrictive. -
Expression: A: 조금만 참아보자. 이거 쓰면 물속에서 물고기처럼 잘 볼 수 있어! 그리고 안전하게 수영하려면 꼭 필요해.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man cham-a-bo-ja. i-geo sseu-myeon mul-sok-e-seo mul-go-gi-cheo-reom jal bol su i-sseo! geu-ri-go an-jeon-ha-ge su-yeong-ha-ryeo-myeon kkok pil-yo-hae.
Meaning: Let’s try to bear it just a little. If you wear this, you can see well underwater like a fish! And it’s definitely necessary to swim safely. -
Expression: B: 정말? 물고기처럼?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal? mul-go-gi-cheo-reom?
Meaning: Really? Like a fish? -
Expression: A: 그럼! 자, 엄마가 도와줄게. 한번 써 보자. 와~ 멋있다!
Pronunciation: geu-reom! ja, eom-ma-ga do-wa-jul-ge. han-beon sseo bo-ja. wa~ meo-sit-da!
Meaning: Of course! Okay, Mom will help you. Let’s try wearing them once. Wow~ You look cool! -
Expression: B: 어? 괜찮네. 진짜 잘 보인다!
Pronunciation: eo? gwaen-chan-ne. jin-jja jal bo-in-da!
Meaning: Oh? It’s okay. I can really see well! -
Expression: A: 그렇지? 잘했어! 이제 수영하러 가자!
Pronunciation: geu-reo-chi? jal-haet-sseo! i-je su-yeong-ha-reo ga-ja!
Meaning: Right? Good job! Now let’s go swimming!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing this scenario with someone, taking turns being the parent and the child. Use the phrases naturally in the conversation. You can also practice saying the phrases aloud while imagining the situation at a pool. The more you use them, the more comfortable you’ll become! Remember to adjust the terms for ‘Mom’ (엄마 – eomma) or ‘Dad’ (아빠 – appa) as needed. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
