Discussing and deciding on family activities, like choosing the next camping destination, often involves some friendly negotiation, especially between siblings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for navigating these conversations, helping you express preferences, suggest compromises, and ultimately decide where the family’s next outdoor adventure will be.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 누가 고를래?
Pronunciation: nu-ga go-reul-lae?
Meaning: Who wants to choose? / Who will choose? (Informal, often used between siblings or close friends)
Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 이번 캠핑 어디로 갈지 정하자.
Pronunciation: i-beon kaem-ping eo-di-ro gal-ji jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide where to go camping this time. -
Expression: 내가 고르고 싶어.
Pronunciation: nae-ga go-reu-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to choose. -
Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn this time. -
Expression: 지난번엔 네가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-en ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: You chose last time. -
Expression: 공평하게 하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s be fair. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we decide by rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 네 의견은 어때?
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeon-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What’s your opinion? -
Expression: 다른 좋은 생각 있어?
Pronunciation: da-reun jo-eun saeng-gak i-sseo?
Meaning: Do you have any other good ideas? -
Expression: 그건 좀 별로인 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon jom byeol-lo-in geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I don’t think that’s very good. -
Expression: 왜 거기가 좋은데?
Pronunciation: wae geo-gi-ga jo-eun-de?
Meaning: Why is that place good? / Why do you like it there? -
Expression: 설득해 봐.
Pronunciation: seol-deuk-hae bwa.
Meaning: Try to persuade me. -
Expression: 번갈아 가면서 정하자.
Pronunciation: beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns deciding.
Stating Preferences for Camping Spots
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Expression: 나는 바다 근처 캠핑장이 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun ba-da geun-cheo kaem-ping-jang-i jo-a.
Meaning: I like campsites near the sea. -
Expression: 산 속 조용한 곳으로 가고 싶어.
Pronunciation: san sok jo-yong-han go-seu-ro ga-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to go to a quiet place in the mountains. -
Expression: 계곡 있는 캠핑장은 어때?
Pronunciation: gye-gok it-neun kaem-ping-jang-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about a campsite with a valley/stream? -
Expression: 거기는 너무 멀어.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun neo-mu meo-reo.
Meaning: That place is too far. -
Expression: 시설 좋은 데로 가자.
Pronunciation: si-seol jo-eun de-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go somewhere with good facilities. -
Expression: 지난번에 갔던 곳은 별로였어.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-e gat-deon go-seun byeol-lo-yeo-sseo.
Meaning: The place we went last time wasn’t very good. -
Expression: 새로운 곳에 가보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un go-se ga-bo-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to try going somewhere new. -
Expression: 거기는 사람이 너무 많을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun sa-ram-i neo-mu ma-neul geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think that place will be too crowded. -
Expression: 좀 더 조용한 곳이 좋아.
Pronunciation: jom deo jo-yong-han go-si jo-a.
Meaning: I prefer a quieter place. -
Expression: 강아지도 데려갈 수 있는 곳이면 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: gang-a-ji-do de-ryeo-gal su it-neun go-si-myeon jo-ke-sseo.
Meaning: It would be nice if it’s a place where we can bring the dog. -
Expression: 불멍하기 좋은 곳으로 가자.
Pronunciation: bul-meong-ha-gi jo-eun go-seu-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go to a place good for spacing out while watching a campfire (bulmeong). -
Expression: 낚시할 수 있는 곳은 어때?
Pronunciation: nak-si-hal su it-neun go-seun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about a place where we can fish?
Compromising and Agreeing
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Expression: 좋아, 그럼 거기 가자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom geo-gi ga-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s go there then. -
Expression: 네 말도 일리가 있네.
Pronunciation: ne mal-do il-li-ga it-ne.
Meaning: What you’re saying makes sense. / You have a point. -
Expression: 그럼 이번엔 네가 고르고, 다음엔 내가 고를게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-beon-en ne-ga go-reu-go, da-eum-en nae-ga go-reul-ge.
Meaning: Then you choose this time, and I’ll choose next time. -
Expression: 타협하자.
Pronunciation: ta-hyeop-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s compromise. -
Expression: 중간 지점을 찾아보자.
Pronunciation: jung-gan ji-jeom-eul cha-ja-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s find a middle ground. -
Expression: 알았어, 네 의견 따를게.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, ne ui-gyeon tta-reul-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll follow your opinion. -
Expression: 그럼 그걸로 결정!
Pronunciation: geu-reom geu-geol-lo gyeol-jeong!
Meaning: Then it’s decided! / Let’s go with that! -
Expression: 나도 거기가 괜찮은 것 같아.
Pronunciation: na-do geo-gi-ga gwaen-cha-neun geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think that place seems okay too. -
Expression: 좋아, 콜!
Pronunciation: jo-a, kol!
Meaning: Okay, deal! (Using the English word “call” as slang for agreement) -
Expression: 엄마 아빠한테 여쭤보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma a-ppa-han-te yeo-jjwo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom and Dad. -
Expression: 후회하기 없기다!
Pronunciation: hu-hoe-ha-gi eop-gi-da!
Meaning: No regrets! (Playful) -
Expression: 결정했으니 이제 예약하자.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong-hae-sseu-ni i-je ye-yak-ha-ja.
Meaning: Since we’ve decided, let’s make a reservation now.
Cultural Tips
Understanding family dynamics in Korea can enhance communication. While siblings often speak informally (반말 – ban-mal) with each other, age hierarchy can still play a role. Older siblings might feel they have more say, while younger siblings might be expected to concede more often, though this varies greatly by family.
Camping (캠핑 – kaem-ping) has become incredibly popular in South Korea, especially “glamping” (글램핑 – geul-laem-ping) and “car camping” (차박 – cha-bak). There’s a wide variety of campsites available, from basic sites in national parks to luxurious glamping resorts with extensive facilities.
Decision-making often involves considering the preferences of the entire family, especially parents. Even if siblings negotiate amongst themselves, the final decision might require parental approval or input, particularly regarding budget or travel distance.
Using 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) is a very common and culturally accepted way to make small, fair decisions between peers or siblings in Korea.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An older sister (Suji) and her younger brother (Minjun) are trying to decide where their family should go camping next weekend.
Characters:
A: Suji (Older Sister)
B: Minjun (Younger Brother)
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Expression: A: 민준아, 다음 주 캠핑 어디로 갈지 정해야지. 누가 고를래?
Pronunciation: Min-jun-a, da-eum ju kaem-ping eo-di-ro gal-ji jeong-hae-ya-ji. Nu-ga go-reul-lae?
Meaning: Minjun, we need to decide where to go camping next week. Who wants to choose? -
Expression: B: 누나, 이번엔 내 차례야! 지난번엔 누나가 골랐잖아. 나는 바다 보이는 캠핑장 가고 싶어.
Pronunciation: Nu-na, i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya! Ji-nan-beon-en nu-na-ga gol-lat-jan-a. Na-neun ba-da bo-i-neun kaem-ping-jang ga-go si-peo.
Meaning: Sis, it’s my turn this time! You chose last time. I want to go to a campsite with an ocean view. -
Expression: A: 바다? 좋긴 한데, 좀 멀지 않아? 나는 산 속에 있는 조용한 데가 좋은데.
Pronunciation: Ba-da? Jo-kin han-de, jom meol-ji a-na? Na-neun san sok-e it-neun jo-yong-han de-ga jo-eun-de.
Meaning: The sea? It’s nice, but isn’t it a bit far? I prefer a quiet place in the mountains. -
Expression: B: 에이, 맨날 산만 가잖아. 이번엔 바다 가자! 거기 새로 생긴 데 시설도 좋대.
Pronunciation: E-i, maen-nal san-man ga-jan-a. I-beon-en ba-da ga-ja! Geo-gi sae-ro saeng-gin de si-seol-do jo-tae.
Meaning: Aw, we always go to the mountains. Let’s go to the sea this time! They say the facilities at that new place are good too. -
Expression: A: 흠… 시설 좋은 건 마음에 드네. 그럼 이번엔 네 말대로 바다 가고, 다음번엔 꼭 내가 고르는 거다?
Pronunciation: Heum… si-seol jo-eun geon ma-eum-e deu-ne. Geu-reom i-beon-en ne mal-dae-ro ba-da ga-go, da-eum-beon-en kkok nae-ga go-reu-neun geo-da?
Meaning: Hmm… I do like the sound of good facilities. Okay, then let’s go to the sea like you suggested this time, but next time, I definitely get to choose, okay? -
Expression: B: 좋아, 콜! 그럼 엄마 아빠한테 말씀드리자.
Pronunciation: Jo-a, kol! Geu-reom eom-ma a-ppa-han-te mal-sseum-deu-ri-ja.
Meaning: Okay, deal! Then let’s tell Mom and Dad.
Practice Tips
Try practicing these phrases with a friend or family member! Role-play the scenario of choosing a vacation spot or even just deciding what to eat for dinner~ Think about your own preferences for camping – do you like mountains (산 – san), the sea (바다 – ba-da), or maybe a lakeside (호숫가 – ho-su-ga)? Practice saying “I want to go to [place]” ([장소] 가고 싶어 – [jang-so] ga-go si-peo) and “How about [place]?” ([장소] 어때? – [jang-so] eo-ttae?). The more you use these negotiation phrases in different contexts, the more natural they will become!
