Sibling squabbles are universal, and arguing over who gets to use the gaming console first is a classic scenario. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and expressions to navigate these common arguments, understand cultural nuances, and even negotiate a truce. Learn how to express frustration, claim your turn, and maybe even compromise with your brother or sister in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 내가 먼저 할 거야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo hal geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going first! / I’ll do it first! (This is a common, assertive phrase used to claim the first turn.)
Claiming Your Turn
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Expression: 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn! -
Expression: 이제 내가 할 시간이야.
Pronunciation: i-je nae-ga hal si-gan-i-ya.
Meaning: Now it’s time for me to play. -
Expression: 나 먼저 하기로 했잖아!
Pronunciation: na meon-jeo ha-gi-ro haet-jan-a!
Meaning: We decided I would go first! -
Expression: 너 벌써 오래 했잖아.
Pronunciation: neo beol-sseo o-rae haet-jan-a.
Meaning: You’ve already played for a long time. -
Expression: 비켜 봐!
Pronunciation: bi-kyeo bwa!
Meaning: Move aside! / Get out of the way! -
Expression: 나도 좀 하자!
Pronunciation: na-do jom ha-ja!
Meaning: Let me play too! -
Expression: 언제까지 할 건데?
Pronunciation: eon-je-kka-ji hal geon-de?
Meaning: How long are you going to play? -
Expression: 나 예약했어.
Pronunciation: na ye-yak-haet-seo.
Meaning: I called dibs / I reserved it. -
Expression: 빨리 나와!
Pronunciation: ppal-li na-wa!
Meaning: Get off quickly! -
Expression: 이 게임 내가 먼저 하려고 했어.
Pronunciation: i ge-im nae-ga meon-jeo ha-ryeo-go haet-seo.
Meaning: I was planning to play this game first.
Expressing Frustration and Complaining
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Expression: 아, 짜증나!
Pronunciation: a, jja-jeung-na!
Meaning: Ah, this is annoying! -
Expression: 맨날 너만 해!
Pronunciation: maen-nal neo-man hae!
Meaning: You always play! / It’s always just you playing! -
Expression: 이건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: This is unfair! -
Expression: 왜 너만 계속 하는 거야?
Pronunciation: wae neo-man gye-sok ha-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: Why are you the only one playing continuously? -
Expression: 나도 하고 싶다고!
Pronunciation: na-do ha-go sip-da-go!
Meaning: I want to play too! (emphatic) -
Expression: 너 진짜 치사하다.
Pronunciation: neo jin-jja chi-sa-ha-da.
Meaning: You’re really cheap/unfair. -
Expression: 약속 좀 지켜!
Pronunciation: yak-sok jom ji-kyeo!
Meaning: Keep your promise! -
Expression: 내 말 안 들려?
Pronunciation: nae mal an deul-lyeo?
Meaning: Can’t you hear me? / Are you not listening to me? -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! -
Expression: 너 때문에 못 하잖아!
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e mot ha-jan-a!
Meaning: I can’t play because of you!
Negotiating and Compromising
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Expression: 같이 할래?
Pronunciation: ga-chi hal-lae?
Meaning: Want to play together? -
Expression: 번갈아 가면서 하자.
Pronunciation: beon-gal-a ga-myeon-seo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns. -
Expression: 시간 정해서 하자.
Pronunciation: si-gan jeong-hae-seo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s set a time limit (for playing). -
Expression: 한 판만 하고 비켜줄게.
Pronunciation: han pan-man ha-go bi-kyeo-jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll let you play after just one round/game. -
Expression: 30분만 하고 줄게.
Pronunciation: sam-sip-bun-man ha-go jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll give it to you after playing for just 30 minutes. -
Expression: 이거 끝나면 바로 줄게.
Pronunciation: i-geo kkeut-na-myeon ba-ro jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll give it to you right after this (game/level) finishes. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 그럼 내가 다음 판 할게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom nae-ga da-eum pan hal-ge.
Meaning: Then I’ll play the next round. -
Expression: 오케이, 알았어. 조금만 기다려.
Pronunciation: o-ke-i, ar-at-seo. jo-geum-man gi-da-ryeo.
Meaning: Okay, I got it. Wait just a little bit. -
Expression: 대신 나중에 나 더 오래 하게 해줘.
Pronunciation: dae-sin na-jung-e na deo o-rae ha-ge hae-jwo.
Meaning: Instead, let me play longer later.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling dynamics in Korea involves recognizing age hierarchy. Younger siblings often use specific terms like 형 (hyeong – older brother for males), 오빠 (oppa – older brother for females), 누나 (nuna – older sister for males), and 언니 (eonni – older sister for females). While arguments happen, there’s often an underlying expectation for the younger sibling to show some deference, though this varies greatly between families.
The phrases used in arguments, like 야! (ya! – Hey!) or using informal language (반말 – banmal), are typical between siblings or close friends of similar age. Using formal language would sound very strange in this context.
Gaming is a huge part of youth culture in Korea. While PC bangs (internet cafes) are popular, home consoles and mobile gaming are also very common, making fights over shared devices a familiar scene in many households.
가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) is a very common and accepted way to settle minor disputes fairly, including deciding who gets to go first.
Threatening to tell a parent (엄마한테 이를 거야! – eomma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!) is a classic tactic used by children worldwide, and Korea is no exception. It often signals the peak of the argument.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Ji-hoon (older brother) and Min-ji (younger sister), are arguing because Ji-hoon has been playing the game console for a while, and Min-ji wants her turn.
Characters:
- A: Min-ji (민지)
- B: Ji-hoon (지훈)
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Expression: A: 오빠! 언제까지 할 거야? 이제 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: o-ppa! eon-je-kka-ji hal geo-ya? i-je nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: Oppa! How long are you going to play? It’s my turn now! -
Expression: B: 아, 잠깐만. 이것만 깨고. 거의 다 했어.
Pronunciation: a, jam-kkan-man. i-geot-man kkae-go. geo-ui da haet-seo.
Meaning: Ah, just a moment. Just after I clear this stage. I’m almost done. -
Expression: A: 맨날 그런다! 너 벌써 한 시간 넘게 했잖아! 비켜!
Pronunciation: maen-nal geu-reon-da! neo beol-sseo han si-gan neom-ge haet-jan-a! bi-kyeo!
Meaning: You always say that! You’ve already played for over an hour! Move! -
Expression: B: 알았어, 알았어. 5분만 더. 진짜 5분만!
Pronunciation: ar-at-seo, ar-at-seo. o-bun-man deo. jin-jja o-bun-man!
Meaning: Okay, okay. Just 5 more minutes. Really, just 5 minutes! -
Expression: A: 안돼! 지금 당장! 안 비키면 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: an-dwae! ji-geum dang-jang! an bi-ki-myeon eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: No! Right now! If you don’t move, I’m telling Mom! -
Expression: B: 아, 진짜 짜증나게 하네! 알았어, 비켜줄게. 대신 나중에 나 두 시간 할 거야.
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja jja-jeung-na-ge ha-ne! ar-at-seo, bi-kyeo-jul-ge. dae-sin na-jung-e na du si-gan hal geo-ya.
Meaning: Ah, you’re so annoying! Fine, I’ll move. But later, I get to play for two hours instead. -
Expression: A: 흥! 일단 비키기나 해!
Pronunciation: heung! il-dan bi-ki-gi-na hae!
Meaning: Hmph! Just move first!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member who is also learning Korean~ Pretend one of you is hogging the remote or a game, and use the expressions to argue your case! Pay attention to the informal endings like -야 (ya), -아/어 (a/eo), -자 (ja) which are common in casual speech between siblings or close friends.
Listen to Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or young people – you’ll likely hear similar arguments and phrases! This helps you understand the natural intonation and context. Don’t be afraid to sound a little dramatic when practicing the complaining phrases; it’s part of the fun and helps with memorization! Good luck, and may the best sibling win (or learn to share)!
