Sibling dynamics often involve friendly (and sometimes not-so-friendly) negotiations, especially over coveted items like a flashlight on a dark camping trip. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for navigating such situations, focusing on how siblings might argue or agree about who gets to hold the flashlight.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 내가 들게
Pronunciation: nae-ga deul-ge
Meaning: Let me hold it / I’ll hold it. (Informal, common between siblings)
Basic Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 나 줘
Pronunciation: na jwo
Meaning: Give it to me. (Very informal) -
Expression: 이거 내 거야
Pronunciation: i-geo nae geo-ya
Meaning: This is mine. (Informal) -
Expression: 내가 먼저 잡았어
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo ja-ba-sseo
Meaning: I grabbed it first. -
Expression: 내 차례야
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya
Meaning: It’s my turn. -
Expression: 너 아까 했잖아
Pronunciation: neo a-kka haet-ja-na
Meaning: You already did it earlier / You already had a turn. -
Expression: 잠깐만 빌려줘
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man bil-lyeo-jwo
Meaning: Lend it to me for a moment. -
Expression: 같이 쓰자
Pronunciation: ga-chi sseu-ja
Meaning: Let’s use it together / Let’s share. -
Expression: 왜 너만 써?
Pronunciation: wae neo-man sseo?
Meaning: Why do only you get to use it? -
Expression: 나도 쓰고 싶어
Pronunciation: na-do sseu-go si-peo
Meaning: I want to use it too. -
Expression: 손전등 이리 줘
Pronunciation: son-jeon-deung i-ri jwo
Meaning: Give me the flashlight here. (Informal demand) -
Expression: 안 돼, 내가 쓸 거야
Pronunciation: an dwae, nae-ga sseul geo-ya
Meaning: No way, I’m going to use it. -
Expression: 그럼 같이 들자
Pronunciation: geu-reom ga-chi deul-ja
Meaning: Then let’s hold it together.
Camping Specific Phrases
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Expression: 손전등 필요해
Pronunciation: son-jeon-deung pi-ryo-hae
Meaning: I need the flashlight. -
Expression: 너무 어두워
Pronunciation: neo-mu eo-du-wo
Meaning: It’s too dark. -
Expression: 길 좀 비춰봐
Pronunciation: gil jom bi-chwo-bwa
Meaning: Shine the light on the path. -
Expression: 저기 뭐가 있는지 보자
Pronunciation: jeo-gi mwo-ga it-neun-ji bo-ja
Meaning: Let’s see what’s over there. -
Expression: 텐트 안에 비춰줘
Pronunciation: ten-teu a-ne bi-chwo-jwo
Meaning: Shine it inside the tent. -
Expression: 배터리 다 닳겠어
Pronunciation: bae-teo-ri da dal-ket-sseo
Meaning: The battery is going to run out. -
Expression: 밤에는 손전등 필수야
Pronunciation: ba-me-neun son-jeon-deung pil-su-ya
Meaning: A flashlight is essential at night. -
Expression: 화장실 갈 때 필요해
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil gal ttae pi-ryo-hae
Meaning: I need it when I go to the bathroom. -
Expression: 불 좀 꺼봐
Pronunciation: bul jom kkeo-bwa
Meaning: Turn off the light for a second. -
Expression: 무서우니까 내가 들래
Pronunciation: mu-seo-u-ni-kka nae-ga deul-lae
Meaning: I’ll hold it because it’s scary. -
Expression: 캠프파이어 할 때 필요 없어
Pronunciation: kaem-peu-pa-i-eo hal ttae pi-ryo eop-seo
Meaning: We don’t need it during the campfire. -
Expression: 숲 속 탐험할 때 내가 들게
Pronunciation: sup sok tam-heom-hal ttae nae-ga deul-ge
Meaning: I’ll hold it when we explore the forest.
Expressing Fairness and Taking Turns
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Expression: 공평하게 하자
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja
Meaning: Let’s be fair. -
Expression: 번갈아 가면서 하자
Pronunciation: beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ha-ja
Meaning: Let’s take turns. -
Expression: 이제 내 차례 아니야?
Pronunciation: i-je nae cha-rye a-ni-ya?
Meaning: Isn’t it my turn now? -
Expression: 5분씩 번갈아 쓰자
Pronunciation: o-bun-ssik beon-ga-ra sseu-ja
Meaning: Let’s take turns using it for 5 minutes each. -
Expression: 네가 너무 오래 썼어
Pronunciation: ne-ga neo-mu o-rae sseo-sseo
Meaning: You used it for too long. -
Expression: 나한테도 기회를 줘
Pronunciation: na-han-te-do gi-hoe-reul jwo
Meaning: Give me a chance too. -
Expression: 이건 불공평해
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae
Meaning: This is unfair. -
Expression: 순서를 정하자
Pronunciation: sun-seo-reul jeong-ha-ja
Meaning: Let’s decide the order. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we decide with rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 다음엔 네 차례야
Pronunciation: da-eu-men ne cha-rye-ya
Meaning: It’s your turn next. -
Expression: 약속했잖아, 이제 내놔
Pronunciation: yak-so-kaet-ja-na, i-je nae-nwa
Meaning: You promised, now hand it over. -
Expression: 치사하게 굴지 마
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-ge gul-ji ma
Meaning: Don’t be cheap/unfair.
Cultural Tips
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves recognizing age hierarchy, even in informal settings. While siblings often use informal language (반말 – ban-mal) with each other, the older sibling (형 – hyeong/oppa, 누나 – nuna/eonni) often has a slight, unspoken authority or expectation of being respected, though this can vary greatly between families.
Sharing is generally encouraged, but like anywhere, sibling rivalry exists. Phrases like 번갈아 가면서 하자 (beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ha-ja – Let’s take turns) or using 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) are common ways to resolve disputes fairly.
Direct demands like 나 줘 (na jwo – Give it to me) are very common between close siblings but would be considered rude in other contexts. The level of directness often depends on the closeness and age difference between the siblings.
Even in a playful argument, appealing to fairness (공평하게 – gong-pyeong-ha-ge) is a common tactic. Accusing someone of being unfair (불공평해 – bul-gong-pyeong-hae or 치사하다 – chi-sa-ha-da) is also typical sibling banter.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are walking back to their tent at a campsite after dark.
Roles:
A: Minjun (민준)
B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 소라야, 손전등 이리 줘. 내가 들게.
Pronunciation: So-ra-ya, son-jeon-deung i-ri jwo. nae-ga deul-ge.
Meaning: A: Sora, give me the flashlight here. I’ll hold it. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 내가 들 거야. 오빠 아까 계속 들었잖아.
Pronunciation: si-reo! nae-ga deul geo-ya. o-ppa a-kka gye-sok deu-reot-ja-na.
Meaning: B: No! I’m going to hold it. Oppa, you held it the whole time earlier. -
Expression: A: 길이 잘 안 보여서 그래. 내가 앞에 비춰야지.
Pronunciation: gi-ri jal an bo-yeo-seo geu-rae. nae-ga a-pe bi-chwo-ya-ji.
Meaning: A: It’s because I can’t see the path well. I need to shine it ahead. -
Expression: B: 나도 비출 수 있어! 이제 내 차례야. 공평하게 하자.
Pronunciation: na-do bi-chul su i-sseo! i-je nae cha-rye-ya. gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja.
Meaning: B: I can shine it too! It’s my turn now. Let’s be fair. -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 그럼 텐트까지만 네가 들어. 대신 똑바로 비춰.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, a-ra-sseo. geu-reom ten-teu-kka-ji-man ne-ga deu-reo. dae-sin ttok-ba-ro bi-chwo.
Meaning: A: Okay, okay. Then you hold it just until the tent. Shine it straight ahead, though. -
Expression: B: 당연하지! 내가 얼마나 잘하는데.
Pronunciation: dang-yeon-ha-ji! nae-ga eol-ma-na jal-ha-neun-de.
Meaning: B: Of course! You know how good I am at this.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member, pretending you’re siblings arguing over something simple like a remote control or, yes, a flashlight~!
Pay attention to the informal endings like -야 (-ya), -어/아 (-eo/a), -자 (-ja), which are common in casual speech between close relations. Getting used to these will make your Korean sound much more natural in informal settings!
Listen to Korean dramas or reality shows featuring families or siblings. You’ll hear these kinds of negotiations and playful arguments often. Try to pick out the phrases you’ve learned here!
