Sibling squabbles are universal, and arguing over the best spot, like a coveted window seat at a cafe, is a common scenario. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and expressions to understand or even participate in (playfully, of course!) such disagreements. You’ll learn how to claim a seat, express annoyance, and understand the nuances of these everyday interactions in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 창가 자리 싸움
Pronunciation: chang-ga ja-ri ssa-um
Meaning: Window seat fight/argument
Basic Argument Phrases
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Expression: 여기 내 자리야!
Pronunciation: yeo-gi nae ja-ri-ya!
Meaning: This is my seat! (Informal) -
Expression: 내가 먼저 봤어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo bwat-sseo!
Meaning: I saw it first! (Informal) -
Expression: 내가 먼저 앉았어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo an-jat-sseo!
Meaning: I sat down first! (Informal) -
Expression: 창가 자리에 앉고 싶어.
Pronunciation: chang-ga ja-ri-e an-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to sit by the window. -
Expression: 비켜!
Pronunciation: bi-kyeo!
Meaning: Move! / Get out of the way! (Very informal) -
Expression: 왜 맨날 너만 창가에 앉아?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal neo-man chang-ga-e an-ja?
Meaning: Why do you always get to sit by the window? (Informal) -
Expression: 나도 창가 좋아해.
Pronunciation: na-do chang-ga jo-a-hae.
Meaning: I like the window seat too. -
Expression: 저리 가!
Pronunciation: jeo-ri ga!
Meaning: Go away! (Informal) -
Expression: 내 말 안 들려?
Pronunciation: nae mal an deul-lyeo?
Meaning: Can’t you hear me? / Are you not listening to me? (Informal) -
Expression: 이 자리 내가 찜했어.
Pronunciation: i ja-ri nae-ga jjim-haet-sseo.
Meaning: I dibsed this seat. / I claimed this seat. (Slang/Informal)
Expressing Annoyance and Frustration
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Expression: 아, 진짜 짜증나!
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja jja-jeung-na!
Meaning: Ah, this is really annoying! (Informal) -
Expression: 너 정말 이기적이다!
Pronunciation: neo jeong-mal i-gi-jeo-gi-da!
Meaning: You’re so selfish! (Informal) -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: No way! / That’s ridiculous! -
Expression: 맨날 네 마음대로야.
Pronunciation: maen-nal ne ma-eum-dae-ro-ya.
Meaning: It’s always your way. / You always do whatever you want. (Informal) -
Expression: 나 화났어!
Pronunciation: na hwa-nat-sseo!
Meaning: I’m angry! (Informal) -
Expression: 그만 좀 해!
Pronunciation: geu-man jom hae!
Meaning: Stop it! / Knock it off! (Informal) -
Expression: 됐어! 너 다 가져!
Pronunciation: dwaet-sseo! neo da ga-jyeo!
Meaning: Fine! You take it all! (Giving up in frustration – Informal) -
Expression: 정말 너무해!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal neo-mu-hae!
Meaning: That’s really too much! / You’re going too far! (Informal) -
Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s unfair! (Informal) -
Expression: 나랑 말 섞기 싫어?
Pronunciation: na-rang mal seok-gi si-reo?
Meaning: You don’t want to talk to me? (Implying stubbornness – Informal)
Making Claims and Negotiating
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Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn this time. (Informal) -
Expression: 지난번에도 네가 앉았잖아.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-e-do ne-ga an-jat-jan-a.
Meaning: You sat here last time too. (Informal) -
Expression: 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play rock-paper-scissors! (Informal) -
Expression: 공평하게 하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s be fair. -
Expression: 반반씩 앉자.
Pronunciation: ban-ban-ssik an-ja.
Meaning: Let’s sit half and half (split the time). (Informal) -
Expression: 내가 양보할게.
Pronunciation: nae-ga yang-bo-hal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll yield. / I’ll let you have it. (Informal) -
Expression: 그럼 다음엔 내가 앉을 거야.
Pronunciation: geu-reom da-eum-en nae-ga an-jeul geo-ya.
Meaning: Then I get to sit here next time. (Informal) -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! (Common sibling threat – Informal) -
Expression: 이 자리가 더 좋아 보여.
Pronunciation: i ja-ri-ga deo jo-a bo-yeo.
Meaning: This seat looks better. -
Expression: 다른 자리 찾아봐.
Pronunciation: da-reun ja-ri cha-ja-bwa.
Meaning: Go find another seat. (Informal)
Korean Culture Notes
Age Hierarchy Matters: Even in informal arguments, age hierarchy (나이 – na-i) often plays a role between siblings. The older sibling (형/오빠/누나/언니 – hyeong/oppa/nuna/eonni) might feel more entitled or expect the younger sibling (동생 – dong-saeng) to yield, although this isn’t always the case, especially in playful fights.
Public Behavior (공공장소 예절 – gong-gong-jang-so ye-jeol): While sibling squabbles happen, arguing loudly in a public place like a cafe is generally frowned upon in Korea. People value maintaining a relatively quiet and respectful atmosphere. The argument might be more subdued or consist of intense whispering and glares rather than shouting.
“Dibs” Culture (찜하기 – Jjim-ha-gi): The concept of calling “dibs” on something (찜하다 – jjim-ha-da) is common, especially among younger people or in informal settings. Saying “내가 찜했어!” (nae-ga jjim-haet-sseo! – I dibsed it!) is a frequent claim in these types of seat arguments.
Using Banmal (반말): Sibling arguments almost always use informal language (반말 – ban-mal). Using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) would sound very strange and unnatural in this context.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Soojin (younger sister), arrive at a cafe and spot a nice window seat.
Characters:
A: Minjun (민준)
B: Soojin (수진)
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Expression: A: 와, 저기 창가 자리 좋다! 내가 앉아야지!
Pronunciation: wa, jeo-gi chang-ga ja-ri jo-ta! nae-ga an-ja-ya-ji!
Meaning: Wow, that window seat looks great! I’m gonna sit there! -
Expression: B: 안돼! 내가 먼저 봤어! 여기 내 자리야!
Pronunciation: an-dwae! nae-ga meon-jeo bwat-sseo! yeo-gi nae ja-ri-ya!
Meaning: No way! I saw it first! This is my seat! -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야? 내가 먼저 찜했거든? 비켜!
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya? nae-ga meon-jeo jjim-haet-geo-deun? bi-kyeo!
Meaning: What are you talking about? I dibsed it first, okay? Move! -
Expression: B: 싫어! 오빠는 맨날 창가 자리 앉잖아! 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: si-reo! o-ppa-neun maen-nal chang-ga ja-ri an-jan-a! i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: No! Oppa, you always sit by the window! It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 아, 진짜 짜증나게 하네. 그럼 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja jja-jeung-na-ge ha-ne. geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: Ah, you’re being really annoying. Fine, let’s play rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: B: 좋아! 지면 다른 데 앉는 거다! 가위, 바위, 보!
Pronunciation: jo-a! ji-myeon da-reun de an-neun geo-da! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo!
Meaning: Okay! If you lose, you sit somewhere else! Rock, paper, scissors!
Practice Tips
Understanding these phrases helps you grasp natural, informal Korean conversations! Try listening for similar exchanges in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring siblings or close friends~ You can practice by playfully arguing with a friend or language partner over small things, using these expressions. Remember the context – these are mostly informal (반말 – ban-mal) phrases used between close relations! Have fun practicing these realistic Korean interactions!
