Sibling rivalries often peak when it comes to controlling the TV remote. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for navigating the common household negotiation of deciding who gets to use the TV remote tonight, helping you express your preferences, suggest compromises, and understand typical interactions between siblings in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Concept
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Expression: 리모컨 협상하기
Pronunciation: ri-mo-keon hyeop-sang-ha-gi
Meaning: Negotiating for the remote control (The act of negotiating)
Stating Your Claim
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Expression: 오늘 밤 리모컨 내가 쓸 거야.
Pronunciation: o-neul bam ri-mo-keon nae-ga sseul geo-ya.
Meaning: I’m going to use the remote tonight. (Informal) -
Expression: 리모컨 이리 줘.
Pronunciation: ri-mo-keon i-ri jwo.
Meaning: Give me the remote here. (Informal command) -
Expression: 내가 먼저 볼래.
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo bol-lae.
Meaning: I want to watch first. (Informal) -
Expression: 나 이거 꼭 봐야 돼.
Pronunciation: na i-geo kkok bwa-ya dwae.
Meaning: I really have to watch this. (Informal) -
Expression: 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn. (Informal) -
Expression: 너 어제 봤잖아!
Pronunciation: neo eo-je bwat-jan-a!
Meaning: You watched yesterday! (Informal accusation) -
Expression: 이거 진짜 재밌는 거란 말이야.
Pronunciation: i-geo jin-jja jae-mit-neun geo-ran mal-i-ya.
Meaning: I’m telling you, this is really fun. (Informal emphasis) -
Expression: 내가 리모컨 찾았어.
Pronunciation: nae-ga ri-mo-keon chat-at-seo.
Meaning: I found the remote. (Implying ownership/right) -
Expression: 비켜, 내가 볼 거야.
Pronunciation: bi-kyeo, nae-ga bol geo-ya.
Meaning: Move, I’m going to watch. (Informal, demanding) -
Expression: 딱 한 시간만 볼게.
Pronunciation: ttak han si-gan-man bol-ge.
Meaning: I’ll just watch for one hour. (Informal promise)
Making Suggestions & Compromises
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Expression: 같이 볼래?
Pronunciation: ga-chi bol-lae?
Meaning: Want to watch together? (Informal suggestion) -
Expression: 순서 정하자.
Pronunciation: sun-seo jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide the order. (Informal suggestion) -
Expression: 가위바위보 할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we play rock-paper-scissors? (Informal suggestion) -
Expression: 번갈아 가면서 보자.
Pronunciation: beon-gal-a ga-myeon-seo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns watching. (Informal suggestion) -
Expression: 네가 보고 싶은 거 먼저 봐.
Pronunciation: ne-ga bo-go sip-eun geo meon-jeo bwa.
Meaning: You watch what you want to watch first. (Informal concession) -
Expression: 그럼 30분씩 보자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom sam-sip-bun-ssik bo-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s watch for 30 minutes each. (Informal compromise) -
Expression: 이거 끝나고 너 봐.
Pronunciation: i-geo kkeun-na-go neo bwa.
Meaning: You can watch after this finishes. (Informal compromise) -
Expression: 채널 돌려가면서 볼까?
Pronunciation: chae-neol dol-lyeo-ga-myeon-seo bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we switch channels back and forth? (Informal suggestion) -
Expression: 알았어, 양보할게.
Pronunciation: ar-at-seo, yang-bo-hal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll yield/give way. (Informal agreement) -
Expression: 뭐 보고 싶은데?
Pronunciation: mwo bo-go sip-eun-de?
Meaning: What do you want to watch? (Informal question)
Expressing Disagreement or Frustration
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Expression: 싫어, 내가 먼저야.
Pronunciation: sil-eo, nae-ga meon-jeo-ya.
Meaning: No, I’m first. (Informal refusal) -
Expression: 안 돼, 지금 중요한 거 한단 말이야.
Pronunciation: an dwae, ji-geum jung-yo-han geo han-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: No way, something important is on right now. (Informal refusal) -
Expression: 맨날 너만 보잖아!
Pronunciation: maen-nal neo-man bo-jan-a!
Meaning: You watch it every day! (Informal complaint) -
Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s unfair! (Informal exclamation) -
Expression: 왜 네 마음대로 해?
Pronunciation: wae ne ma-eum-dae-ro hae?
Meaning: Why do you always do whatever you want? (Informal complaint) -
Expression: 아, 진짜 짜증나!
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja jja-jeung-na!
Meaning: Ah, this is so annoying! (Informal expression of frustration) -
Expression: 내 말 안 들려?
Pronunciation: nae mal an deul-lyeo?
Meaning: Can’t you hear me? / Are you not listening to me? (Informal rhetorical question) -
Expression: 그건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: geu-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: That’s unfair! (Informal statement) -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! (Common threat among siblings) -
Expression: 됐어, 안 봐!
Pronunciation: dwaet-seo, an bwa!
Meaning: Forget it, I won’t watch! (Informal, giving up in frustration)
Korean Culture Notes
Sibling interactions in Korea often involve a mix of affection and rivalry, much like anywhere else. However, age hierarchy can play a subtle role. While informal language (반말 – ban-mal) is common between siblings, the older sibling might sometimes expect a degree of deference, though this is often challenged in playful arguments like fighting over the remote.
Using phrases like 내가 먼저야 (nae-ga meon-jeo-ya – I’m first) or 내 차례야 (nae cha-rye-ya – It’s my turn) are very common and reflect a focus on fairness and taking turns, which is a frequent theme in sibling negotiations.
Suggesting 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) is a very popular and culturally accepted way to resolve minor disputes quickly and fairly among friends and family, including siblings fighting over the remote.
Threatening to involve a parent (엄마한테 이를 거야! – eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!) is a classic sibling tactic worldwide, and it’s certainly used in Korean households too, especially among younger siblings.
Compromises like watching together (같이 보자 – ga-chi bo-ja) or splitting time (30분씩 보자 – sam-sip-bun-ssik bo-ja) show attempts at finding a middle ground, highlighting that negotiation, even amidst bickering, is part of the dynamic.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, an older sister (A) and a younger brother (B), both want to watch different shows at the same time tonight.
Characters:
A: Older Sister (누나 – nu-na)
B: Younger Brother (남동생 – nam-dong-saeng)
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Expression: B: 누나, 리모컨 어디 있어? 나 드라마 봐야 돼.
Pronunciation: nu-na, ri-mo-keon eo-di it-seo? na deu-ra-ma bwa-ya dwae.
Meaning: Sis, where’s the remote? I need to watch my drama. -
Expression: A: 안 돼. 오늘 내가 좋아하는 예능 하는 날이야. 내가 볼 거야.
Pronunciation: an dwae. o-neul nae-ga jo-a-ha-neun ye-neung ha-neun nal-i-ya. nae-ga bol geo-ya.
Meaning: No way. My favorite entertainment show is on today. I’m going to watch it. -
Expression: B: 아 왜! 누나 어제도 봤잖아! 오늘은 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: a wae! nu-na eo-je-do bwat-jan-a! o-neu-reun nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: Ah, why! You watched yesterday too! Today is my turn. -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야? 어제는 네가 축구 봤지! 리모컨 이리 내놔.
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya? eo-je-neun ne-ga chuk-gu bwat-ji! ri-mo-keon i-ri nae-nwa.
Meaning: What are you talking about? Yesterday you watched soccer! Give me the remote here. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 이거 진짜 재밌단 말이야. 잠깐만 보자, 응?
Pronunciation: sil-eo! i-geo jin-jja jae-mit-dan mal-i-ya. jam-kkan-man bo-ja, eung?
Meaning: No! I’m telling you, this is really fun. Let’s just watch for a little while, okay? -
Expression: A: 하… 그럼 가위바위보 하자. 이긴 사람이 먼저 보기.
Pronunciation: ha… geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja. i-gin sa-ram-i meon-jeo bo-gi.
Meaning: Haa… Then let’s play rock-paper-scissors. The winner watches first. -
Expression: B: 좋아! 가위, 바위, 보!
Pronunciation: jo-a! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo!
Meaning: Okay! Rock, paper, scissors! -
Expression: A: 아싸, 내가 이겼다! 1시간만 보고 줄게.
Pronunciation: a-ssa, nae-ga i-gyeot-da! han-si-gan-man bo-go jul-ge.
Meaning: Yes, I won! I’ll watch for just 1 hour and then give it to you. -
Expression: B: 알았어… 대신 채널 돌리지 마.
Pronunciation: ar-at-seo… dae-sin chae-neol dol-li-ji ma.
Meaning: Okay… But don’t flip through the channels.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member who is also learning Korean~ Grab a remote (or any object!) and negotiate who gets control using the expressions you’ve learned. Pay attention to the informal endings like -야 (-ya), -자 (-ja), -ㄹ래 (-llae) which are common in casual conversations between close relations like siblings!
Listen to Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings. You’ll likely hear similar arguments and negotiations play out. Try to catch the phrases used and compare them to what you’ve learned here. Don’t be afraid to sound a little demanding or persuasive when practicing – it’s all part of capturing the natural feeling of these interactions! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
