Convincing a child to take a bath can be a daily challenge, especially when they’d rather keep playing. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and explanations parents can use to gently but firmly communicate why bath time is necessary. Learn how to talk about hygiene, routine, and feeling refreshed, helping you navigate this common parenting scenario in Korean.
Table Of Content
Essential Phrase: Bath Time
-
Expression: 목욕해야지
Pronunciation: mok-yok-hae-ya-ji
Meaning: You need to take a bath / It’s bath time. (Common, slightly directive tone used with children)
Explaining Why Bathing is Necessary
-
Expression: 몸을 깨끗하게 씻어야 해.
Pronunciation: mom-eul kkae-kkeut-ha-ge ssit-eo-ya hae
Meaning: You need to wash your body cleanly. -
Expression: 밖에 나가서 놀았으니까 더러워졌어.
Pronunciation: bakk-e na-ga-seo nol-at-eu-ni-kka deo-reo-wo-jyeot-eo
Meaning: You got dirty because you played outside. -
Expression: 세균들이 몸에 붙어 있을 수 있어.
Pronunciation: se-gyun-deul-i mom-e but-eo it-eul su it-eo
Meaning: Germs might be stuck to your body. -
Expression: 목욕 안 하면 몸이 간지러울 수 있어.
Pronunciation: mok-yok an ha-myeon mom-i gan-ji-reo-ul su it-eo
Meaning: If you don’t bathe, your body might get itchy. -
Expression: 깨끗하게 씻으면 기분이 좋아져.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeut-ha-ge ssit-eu-myeon gi-bun-i jo-a-jyeo
Meaning: You feel better when you wash cleanly. -
Expression: 땀이랑 먼지를 씻어내야지.
Pronunciation: ttam-i-rang meon-ji-reul ssit-eo-nae-ya-ji
Meaning: You need to wash off the sweat and dust. -
Expression: 건강을 위해서 씻는 거야.
Pronunciation: geon-gang-eul wi-hae-seo ssit-neun geo-ya
Meaning: We wash for our health. -
Expression: 매일 목욕하는 건 중요한 습관이야.
Pronunciation: mae-il mok-yok-ha-neun geon jung-yo-han seup-gwan-i-ya
Meaning: Bathing every day is an important habit. -
Expression: 더러운 채로 자면 안 돼.
Pronunciation: deo-reo-un chae-ro ja-myeon an dwae
Meaning: You shouldn’t sleep while dirty. -
Expression: 씻고 나서 상쾌함을 느껴봐.
Pronunciation: ssit-go na-seo sang-kwae-ham-eul neu-kkyeo-bwa
Meaning: Feel the freshness after washing.
Gentle Persuasion and Encouragement
-
Expression: 따뜻한 물에 들어가면 기분 좋을 거야.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han mul-e deul-eo-ga-myeon gi-bun jo-eul geo-ya
Meaning: You’ll feel good once you get in the warm water. -
Expression: 목욕 장난감 가지고 놀자!
Pronunciation: mok-yok jang-nan-gam ga-ji-go nol-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play with bath toys! -
Expression: 거품 목욕 할까?
Pronunciation: geo-pum mok-yok hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we have a bubble bath? -
Expression: 금방 끝날 거야.
Pronunciation: geum-bang kkeut-nal geo-ya
Meaning: It will be over quickly. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠가 도와줄게.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-ga do-wa-jul-ge
Meaning: Mom/Dad will help you. -
Expression: 씻고 나오면 맛있는 간식 먹자.
Pronunciation: ssit-go na-o-myeon mat-it-neun gan-sik meok-ja
Meaning: Let’s have a yummy snack after you wash up. -
Expression: 오늘은 무슨 향 비누 쓸까?
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun mu-seun hyang bi-nu sseul-kka?
Meaning: Which scented soap should we use today? -
Expression: 목욕하면서 노래 부를까?
Pronunciation: mok-yok-ha-myeon-seo no-rae bu-reul-kka?
Meaning: Shall we sing songs while bathing? -
Expression: 따뜻한 물이 피로를 풀어줄 거야.
Pronunciation: tta-tteut-han mul-i pi-ro-reul pul-eo-jul geo-ya
Meaning: The warm water will relieve your tiredness. -
Expression: 깨끗해지면 기분이 상쾌해질 거야.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeut-hae-ji-myeon gi-bun-i sang-kwae-hae-jil geo-ya
Meaning: You’ll feel refreshed when you get clean.
Setting Boundaries Firmly but Kindly
-
Expression: 목욕은 꼭 해야 하는 거야.
Pronunciation: mok-yok-eun kkok hae-ya ha-neun geo-ya
Meaning: Bathing is something you must do. -
Expression: 안 씻고 그냥 잘 수는 없어.
Pronunciation: an ssit-go geu-nyang jal su-neun eop-seo
Meaning: You can’t just go to sleep without washing. -
Expression: 매일 저녁에는 목욕하는 시간이야.
Pronunciation: mae-il jeo-nyeok-e-neun mok-yok-ha-neun si-gan-i-ya
Meaning: Every evening is bath time. -
Expression: 떼쓰지 말고 얼른 씻자.
Pronunciation: tte-sseu-ji mal-go eol-leun ssit-ja
Meaning: Don’t throw a tantrum, let’s wash quickly. -
Expression: 이건 규칙이야.
Pronunciation: i-geon gyu-chik-i-ya
Meaning: This is the rule. -
Expression: 목욕 건너뛸 수는 없어.
Pronunciation: mok-yok geon-neo-ttwil su-neun eop-seo
Meaning: You can’t skip bath time. -
Expression: 깨끗하게 씻고 자야 밤에 잘 자.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeut-ha-ge ssit-go ja-ya bam-e jal ja
Meaning: You sleep well at night if you wash cleanly before bed. -
Expression: 먼저 씻고 나서 놀자.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo ssit-go na-seo nol-ja
Meaning: Let’s wash first, and then play. -
Expression: 싫다고 해도 해야 해.
Pronunciation: sil-ta-go hae-do hae-ya hae
Meaning: Even if you don’t like it, you have to do it. -
Expression: 어서 목욕 준비하자.
Pronunciation: eo-seo mok-yok jun-bi-ha-ja
Meaning: Come on, let’s get ready for your bath.
Korean Culture Notes
Cleanliness (청결 – cheong-gyeol) is highly valued in Korean culture. Maintaining personal hygiene is considered basic etiquette and important for health. Parents generally emphasize regular bathing as part of a child’s routine from a young age.
Parent-child communication in Korea, while affectionate, can often be quite direct, especially regarding routines and rules. Using phrases like ~해야지 (-hae-ya-ji) or ~해야 해 (-hae-ya hae), meaning “you need to / must do~”, is common and generally understood as firm guidance rather than harshness.
The concept of 개운하다 (gae-un-ha-da) is significant. It describes a feeling of being refreshed, light, and revitalized, often experienced after washing, bathing, or a good night’s sleep. Parents might use this idea to encourage bathing, explaining how ‘gae-un-ha-da’ they will feel afterwards.
While public bathhouses (찜질방 – jjimjilbang, 목욕탕 – mogyoktang) are a part of Korean culture, daily hygiene primarily happens at home. The emphasis is on washing away the day’s dirt and sweat before resting.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) is telling their child (B), who just came inside after playing, that it’s time for a bath, but the child wants to keep playing.
-
Expression: A: 자, 이제 목욕할 시간이야. 밖에서 놀아서 땀 많이 흘렸네.
Pronunciation: Ja, i-je mok-yok-hal si-gan-i-ya. Bakk-e-seo nol-a-seo ttam man-i heul-lyeot-ne.
Meaning: Okay, it’s bath time now. You sweated a lot playing outside. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 나 더 놀고 싶어! 목욕 안 할래.
Pronunciation: Sil-eo! Na deo nol-go sip-eo! Mok-yok an hal-lae.
Meaning: No! I want to play more! I don’t want to take a bath. -
Expression: A: 안 돼. 몸에 먼지랑 세균이 많을 텐데. 깨끗하게 씻어야지.
Pronunciation: An dwae. Mom-e meon-ji-rang se-gyun-i man-eul ten-de. Kkae-kkeut-ha-ge ssit-eo-ya-ji.
Meaning: No, you can’t. Your body probably has a lot of dust and germs. You need to wash cleanly. -
Expression: B: 나중에 할래… 지금은 놀고 싶단 말이야.
Pronunciation: Na-jung-e hal-lae… Ji-geum-eun nol-go sip-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: I’ll do it later… I mean I want to play now. -
Expression: A: 목욕 건너뛸 수는 없어. 매일 씻는 건 중요한 습관이야. 얼른 씻고 나오면 엄마가 재미있는 책 읽어줄게.
Pronunciation: Mok-yok geon-neo-ttwil su-neun eop-seo. Mae-il ssit-neun geon jung-yo-han seup-gwan-i-ya. Eol-leun ssit-go na-o-myeon eom-ma-ga jae-mi-it-neun chaek il-geo-jul-ge.
Meaning: You can’t skip bath time. Washing every day is an important habit. If you wash quickly and come out, Mom will read you a fun book. -
Expression: B: 정말? 그럼 빨리 씻고 나올게!
Pronunciation: Jeong-mal? Geu-reom ppal-li ssit-go na-ol-ge!
Meaning: Really? Then I’ll wash quickly and come out!
Practice Tips
Consistency is key! Try using these phrases regularly during bath time routines~. You can make it fun by associating bath time with positive things, like playing with toys or a story afterwards. Role-playing the conversation with your child might also help them understand the routine better!
Remember to adjust the tone based on your child’s age and temperament. Sometimes gentle persuasion works best, while other times a clear, firm explanation is needed. Good luck making bath time a smooth and positive experience! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
