Handling disagreements within the family, especially between siblings about shared activities like craft night, requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for expressing opinions, arguing playfully (or seriously), and reaching a decision when siblings clash over choosing the next family project.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 다음 공예 활동은 누가 정할 거야?
Pronunciation: da-eum gong-ye hwal-dong-eun nu-ga jeong-hal geo-ya?
Meaning: Who is going to decide the next craft activity?
Argument Phrases
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Expression: 왜 맨날 네 마음대로 해?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal ne ma-eum-dae-ro hae?
Meaning: Why do you always get your way? -
Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: 그건 지난번에 했잖아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon ji-nan-beon-e haet-jan-a.
Meaning: We did that last time. -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: That doesn’t make sense! / No way! -
Expression: 네가 정하면 재미없어.
Pronunciation: ne-ga jeong-ha-myeon jae-mi-eop-seo.
Meaning: It’s boring if you choose. -
Expression: 내가 먼저 말했어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo mal-haet-seo!
Meaning: I said it first! -
Expression: 이건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: This is unfair! -
Expression: 내 말 좀 들어봐!
Pronunciation: nae mal jom deul-eo-bwa!
Meaning: Listen to me! -
Expression: 너랑 말 안 해!
Pronunciation: neo-rang mal an hae!
Meaning: I’m not talking to you! -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom/Dad! -
Expression: 양보 좀 해!
Pronunciation: yang-bo jom hae!
Meaning: Give in a little! / Compromise! -
Expression: 맨날 싸우지 좀 말자.
Pronunciation: maen-nal ssa-u-ji jom mal-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not fight all the time.
Making Suggestions for Craft Night
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Expression: 이번 공예 시간에는 그림 그리기 어때?
Pronunciation: i-beon gong-ye si-gan-e-neun geu-rim geu-ri-gi eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about drawing pictures for this craft time? -
Expression: 도자기 만들기 하자!
Pronunciation: do-ja-gi man-deul-gi ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s do pottery making! -
Expression: 종이접기 하는 거 재미있을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: jong-i-jeop-gi ha-neun geo jae-mi-it-eul geot gat-a.
Meaning: I think doing origami would be fun. -
Expression: 팔찌 만들기는 어때?
Pronunciation: pal-jji man-deul-gi-neun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What about making bracelets? -
Expression: 우리 이번에는 비즈 공예 해보자.
Pronunciation: u-ri i-beon-e-neun bi-jeu gong-ye hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try bead crafts this time. -
Expression: 점토 놀이 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: jeom-to nol-i ha-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to play with clay. -
Expression: 스크랩북 만들면 좋겠다.
Pronunciation: seu-keu-raep-buk man-deul-myeon jo-ket-da.
Meaning: It would be nice if we made a scrapbook. -
Expression: 냅킨 아트는 어때?
Pronunciation: naep-kin a-teu-neun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about napkin art? -
Expression: 뜨개질을 배워보는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: tteu-gae-jil-eul bae-wo-bo-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about learning knitting? -
Expression: 가족 티셔츠 디자인하기 하자.
Pronunciation: ga-jok ti-syeo-cheu di-ja-in-ha-gi ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s design family t-shirts. -
Expression: 양초 만들기는 재미있을 거야.
Pronunciation: yang-cho man-deul-gi-neun jae-mi-it-eul geo-ya.
Meaning: Making candles will be fun. -
Expression: 모자이크 만들자!
Pronunciation: mo-ja-i-keu man-deul-ja!
Meaning: Let’s make a mosaic!
Expressing Preferences
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Expression: 나는 그림 그리는 게 더 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun geu-rim geu-ri-neun ge deo jo-a.
Meaning: I like drawing pictures more. -
Expression: 도자기 만들기는 별로 안 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: do-ja-gi man-deul-gi-neun byeol-lo an ha-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I don’t really want to do pottery making. -
Expression: 그건 너무 어려워 보여.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo bo-yeo.
Meaning: That looks too difficult. -
Expression: 내가 하고 싶은 걸로 하자!
Pronunciation: nae-ga ha-go sip-eun geol-lo ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s do what I want to do! -
Expression: 그건 너무 지루해.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu ji-ru-hae.
Meaning: That’s too boring. -
Expression: 나는 손으로 만드는 게 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun son-eu-ro man-deu-neun ge jo-a.
Meaning: I like making things with my hands. -
Expression: 더 창의적인 걸 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: deo chang-eui-jeok-in geol ha-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to do something more creative. -
Expression: 빨리 끝나는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: ppal-li kkeun-na-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s do something that finishes quickly. -
Expression: 나는 만들기보다 그리기가 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun man-deul-gi-bo-da geu-ri-gi-ga jo-a.
Meaning: I prefer drawing over making things. -
Expression: 그건 준비물이 너무 많아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon jun-bi-mul-i neo-mu man-a.
Meaning: That requires too many materials. -
Expression: 새로운 걸 해보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un geol hae-bo-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to try something new. -
Expression: 네 의견은 존중하지만, 나는 이게 더 좋아.
Pronunciation: ne eui-gyeon-eun jon-jung-ha-ji-man, na-neun i-ge deo jo-a.
Meaning: I respect your opinion, but I like this better.
Compromising and Reaching a Decision
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Expression: 그럼 이번엔 네가 하고 싶은 거 하고, 다음엔 내가 할게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-beon-en ne-ga ha-go sip-eun geo ha-go, da-eum-en nae-ga hal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do what you want this time, and next time I’ll choose. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 여쭤보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te yeo-jjwo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 둘 다 할 수 있는 건 없을까?
Pronunciation: dul da hal su it-neun geon eop-seul-kka?
Meaning: Isn’t there something we can both do? -
Expression: 그럼 중간 지점을 찾아보자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jung-gan ji-jeom-eul chaj-a-bo-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s find a middle ground. -
Expression: 좋아, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do it your way. -
Expression: 서로 조금씩 양보하자.
Pronunciation: seo-ro jo-geum-ssik yang-bo-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s each compromise a little. -
Expression: 제비뽑기로 정하는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: je-bi-ppop-gi-ro jeong-ha-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about deciding by drawing lots? -
Expression: 싸우지 말고 같이 정하자.
Pronunciation: ssa-u-ji mal-go ga-chi jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not fight and decide together. -
Expression: 네 생각도 일리가 있네.
Pronunciation: ne saeng-gak-do il-li-ga it-ne.
Meaning: Your idea makes sense too. -
Expression: 그럼 이렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-reo-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s do this. -
Expression: 결정했어! 이걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong-haet-seo! i-geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: I’ve decided! Let’s do this one.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling dynamics in Korea involves recognizing the importance of age hierarchy. Older siblings (형/hyeong, 오빠/oppa, 누나/nuna, 언니/eonni) often have a sense of responsibility, and younger siblings (동생/dongsaeng) are generally expected to show respect, though playful arguments are common.
Family activities, like a craft night, are valued as opportunities for bonding. While disagreements happen, there’s often an underlying emphasis on maintaining harmony (화목, hwa-mok) within the family unit.
Decision-making might involve parents stepping in to mediate, or siblings might use methods like 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) as a fair way to resolve simple disputes, reflecting a cultural acceptance of chance-based decisions in informal settings.
Expressing strong disagreement directly might sometimes be avoided in favor of more indirect suggestions or compromises, especially if there’s a significant age gap between the siblings.
Sharing and compromise are encouraged, and often the older sibling might be expected to concede to the younger one, or vice versa, depending on the situation and family rules.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are trying to decide what to do for their family’s weekly craft night.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 이번 주 공예 시간에는 뭐 할까?
Pronunciation: i-beon ju gong-ye si-gan-e-neun mwo hal-kka?
Meaning: What should we do for craft time this week? -
Expression: B: 음… 나는 팔찌 만들기 하고 싶어! 예쁜 비즈 많이 사놨단 말이야.
Pronunciation: eum… na-neun pal-jji man-deul-gi ha-go sip-eo! ye-ppeun bi-jeu man-i sa-nwat-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: Hmm… I want to make bracelets! I bought lots of pretty beads. -
Expression: A: 팔찌? 저번에 했잖아. 이번엔 그림 그리기 하자. 내가 새로 산 물감 써보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: pal-jji? jeo-beon-e haet-jan-a. i-beon-en geu-rim geu-ri-gi ha-ja. nae-ga sae-ro san mul-gam sseo-bo-go sip-eo.
Meaning: Bracelets? We did that last time. Let’s draw pictures this time. I want to try the new paints I bought. -
Expression: B: 에이, 그림 그리기는 재미없어. 맨날 오빠 마음대로 정하잖아! 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: e-i, geu-rim geu-ri-gi-neun jae-mi-eop-seo. maen-nal o-ppa ma-eum-dae-ro jeong-ha-jan-a! i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: Aww, drawing is boring. You always decide what you want, Oppa! It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야. 지난번엔 네가 원하는 클레이 했잖아. 이건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya. ji-nan-beon-en ne-ga won-ha-neun keul-le-i haet-jan-a. i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: What are you talking about? Last time we did clay like you wanted. This is unfair! -
Expression: B: 그래도 팔찌 만들기가 더 재밌단 말이야! 그림은 맨날 그려.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do pal-jji man-deul-gi-ga deo jae-mit-dan mal-i-ya! geu-rim-eun maen-nal geu-ryeo.
Meaning: But making bracelets is more fun! We draw all the time. -
Expression: A: 아휴… 그럼 가위바위보로 정하자. 지는 사람이 이기는 사람 소원 들어주기.
Pronunciation: a-hyu… geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja. ji-neun sa-ram-i i-gi-neun sa-ram so-won deul-eo-ju-gi.
Meaning: Sigh… Okay, let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors. Loser has to go along with the winner’s choice. -
Expression: B: 좋아! 가위, 바위, 보!
Pronunciation: jo-a! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo!
Meaning: Okay! Rock, paper, scissors!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases will help you navigate similar situations! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner, taking turns being the sibling who wants one activity versus the other~ Remember to use the correct intonation to convey frustration or insistence playfully!
Listen to Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families and pay attention to how siblings interact and argue. This can provide great real-world examples. Don’t be afraid to try using these phrases in casual conversation practice. Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
