Setting boundaries and rules is a common part of parenting, and negotiating these rules with children requires specific language. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for parents navigating discussions about new playtime rules with their children, covering how to state the rule, handle objections, negotiate, and reach an agreement.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Setting Rules
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Expression: 규칙 정하기
Pronunciation: gyu-chik jeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Setting rules (The act of establishing rules or guidelines)
Setting the New Rule
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Expression: 이제부터 새로운 규칙이 있어.
Pronunciation: i-je-bu-teo sae-ro-un gyu-chik-i iss-eo.
Meaning: There’s a new rule starting from now. -
Expression: 우리 놀이 시간에 대한 규칙을 정해야 해.
Pronunciation: u-ri nol-i si-gan-e dae-han gyu-chik-eul jeong-hae-ya hae.
Meaning: We need to set a rule about our playtime. -
Expression: 하루에 게임은 한 시간만 할 수 있어.
Pronunciation: ha-ru-e ge-im-eun han si-gan-man hal su iss-eo.
Meaning: You can only play games for one hour a day. -
Expression: 숙제를 다 끝내고 나서 놀 수 있어.
Pronunciation: suk-je-reul da kkeut-nae-go na-seo nol su iss-eo.
Meaning: You can play after you finish all your homework. -
Expression: 저녁 식사 전까지는 TV 보면 안 돼.
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok sik-sa jeon-kka-ji-neun ti-bi bo-myeon an dwae.
Meaning: You can’t watch TV until before dinner. -
Expression: 이건 우리 모두를 위한 규칙이야.
Pronunciation: i-geon u-ri mo-du-reul wi-han gyu-chik-i-ya.
Meaning: This rule is for all of us. -
Expression: 장난감은 다 놀고 나서 정리해야 해.
Pronunciation: jang-nan-gam-eun da nol-go na-seo jeong-ri-hae-ya hae.
Meaning: You have to tidy up your toys after playing. -
Expression: 이 규칙을 지켜야 한다.
Pronunciation: i gyu-chik-eul ji-kyeo-ya han-da.
Meaning: You must follow this rule. -
Expression: 컴퓨터 사용 시간은 정해져 있어.
Pronunciation: keom-pyu-teo sa-yong si-gan-eun jeong-hae-jyeo iss-eo.
Meaning: Computer time is fixed. -
Expression: 왜 이 규칙이 필요한지 설명해줄게.
Pronunciation: wae i gyu-chik-i pil-yo-han-ji seol-myeong-hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll explain why this rule is necessary.
Child’s Perspective and Negotiation
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Expression: 왜요? 왜 그래야 해요?
Pronunciation: wae-yo? wae geu-rae-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Why? Why do I have to do that? -
Expression: 그건 불공평해요!
Pronunciation: geu-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae-yo!
Meaning: That’s unfair! -
Expression: 조금만 더 놀면 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo nol-myeon an dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can’t I play just a little longer? -
Expression: 10분만 더요! 제발요!
Pronunciation: sip-bun-man deo-yo! je-bal-yo!
Meaning: Just 10 more minutes! Please! -
Expression: 지금 너무 재미있단 말이에요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum neo-mu jae-mi-it-dan mal-i-e-yo.
Meaning: But it’s so much fun right now. -
Expression: 친구들은 더 오래 노는데…
Pronunciation: chin-gu-deul-eun deo o-rae no-neun-de…
Meaning: My friends get to play longer… -
Expression: 숙제 나중에 하면 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: suk-je na-jung-e ha-myeon an dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can’t I do my homework later? -
Expression: 이 규칙 싫어요!
Pronunciation: i gyu-chik sil-eo-yo!
Meaning: I don’t like this rule! -
Expression: 그럼 대신에 뭘 할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom dae-sin-e mwol hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Then what can I do instead? -
Expression: 다른 방법은 없어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun bang-beob-eun eop-seo-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t there another way?
Parent’s Negotiation and Compromise
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Expression: 네 마음은 이해하지만, 규칙은 지켜야 해.
Pronunciation: ne ma-eum-eun i-hae-ha-ji-man, gyu-chik-eun ji-kyeo-ya hae.
Meaning: I understand how you feel, but you have to follow the rules. -
Expression: 그럼 이렇게 하는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-reok-ge ha-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about we do this? -
Expression: 만약 네가 숙제를 먼저 끝내면, 30분 더 놀게 해줄게.
Pronunciation: man-yak ne-ga suk-je-reul meon-jeo kkeut-nae-myeon, sam-sip-bun deo nol-ge hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: If you finish your homework first, I’ll let you play for 30 more minutes. -
Expression: 이건 타협안이야.
Pronunciation: i-geon ta-hyeop-an-i-ya.
Meaning: This is a compromise. -
Expression: 규칙을 잘 지키면 주말에는 더 놀 수 있어.
Pronunciation: gyu-chik-eul jal ji-ki-myeon ju-mal-e-neun deo nol su iss-eo.
Meaning: If you follow the rule well, you can play more on the weekend. -
Expression: 더 이상은 안 돼. 이게 마지막이야.
Pronunciation: deo i-sang-eun an dwae. i-ge ma-ji-mak-i-ya.
Meaning: No more than this. This is final. -
Expression: 우리 같이 약속을 정해보자.
Pronunciation: u-ri gat-i yak-sok-eul jeong-hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s set a promise together. -
Expression: 네 생각도 중요하지만, 이것도 중요해.
Pronunciation: ne saeng-gak-do jung-yo-ha-ji-man, i-geot-do jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: Your thoughts are important, but this is important too. -
Expression: 서로 조금씩 양보하자.
Pronunciation: seo-ro jo-geum-ssik yang-bo-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s each compromise a little. -
Expression: 이 규칙이 왜 좋은지 다시 한번 생각해봐.
Pronunciation: i gyu-chik-i wae jo-eun-ji da-si han-beon saeng-gak-hae-bwa.
Meaning: Think again about why this rule is good.
Reaching an Agreement
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Expression: 좋아, 그럼 그렇게 하기로 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom geu-reok-ge ha-gi-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s agree to do it that way then. -
Expression: 이제 이해했니?
Pronunciation: i-je i-hae-haet-ni?
Meaning: Do you understand now? -
Expression: 우리 약속한 거다? 꼭 지켜야 해.
Pronunciation: u-ri yak-sok-han geo-da? kkok ji-kyeo-ya hae.
Meaning: We made a promise, okay? You must keep it. -
Expression: 그럼 합의된 거지?
Pronunciation: geu-reom hap-ui-doen geo-ji?
Meaning: So, we’re agreed? -
Expression: 이 규칙대로 잘 해보자.
Pronunciation: i gyu-chik-dae-ro jal hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try to do well according to this rule. -
Expression: 서로 약속했으니까 이제 불만 없기!
Pronunciation: seo-ro yak-sok-haet-seu-ni-kka i-je bul-man eop-gi!
Meaning: Since we promised each other, no more complaining now! -
Expression: 좋아, 악수!
Pronunciation: jo-a, ak-su!
Meaning: Okay, handshake! (Seal the deal) -
Expression: 이제 규칙이 명확해졌지?
Pronunciation: i-je gyu-chik-i myeong-hwak-hae-jyeot-ji?
Meaning: The rule is clear now, right? -
Expression: 잘 지킬 거라고 믿어.
Pronunciation: jal ji-kil geo-ra-go mid-eo.
Meaning: I trust you’ll follow it well.
Cultural Tips
In Korean families, while parental authority is generally respected, modern parenting often involves more negotiation and explanation, especially regarding rules. Explaining the ‘why’ behind a rule (이유 설명 – i-yu seol-myeong) is common.
Compromise (타협 – ta-hyeop) is often sought, but parents usually have the final say. Offering a conditional reward (e.g., more playtime for finishing homework) is a frequent negotiation tactic.
Using softer language and acknowledging the child’s feelings (네 마음은 이해하지만… – ne ma-eum-eun i-hae-ha-ji-man… “I understand how you feel, but…”) can make the negotiation smoother.
Making a promise (약속 – yak-sok) is taken seriously. Once an agreement is reached and framed as a promise, both parent and child are expected to adhere to it.
Consistency is valued. Once a rule (규칙 – gyu-chik) is set, parents generally try to enforce it consistently to establish clear boundaries.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A mother (엄마 – Eomma) tells her child (아이 – Ai) about a new rule limiting tablet time to 1 hour after homework.
Roles: A: 엄마 (Eomma – Mother), B: 아이 (Ai – Child)
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Expression: A: 민준아, 이제부터 태블릿은 숙제 다 하고 나서 한 시간만 하는 거야. 새로운 규칙이야.
Pronunciation: Min-jun-a, i-je-bu-teo tae-beul-lit-eun suk-je da ha-go na-seo han si-gan-man ha-neun geo-ya. sae-ro-un gyu-chik-i-ya.
Meaning: Minjun, from now on, you can only use the tablet for one hour after finishing your homework. It’s a new rule. -
Expression: B: 네? 왜요? 한 시간은 너무 짧아요! 더 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ne? wae-yo? han si-gan-eun neo-mu jjal-ba-yo! deo ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: What? Why? One hour is too short! I want to play more. -
Expression: A: 네 마음은 이해하지만, 너무 오래 하면 눈도 나빠지고 숙제할 시간도 부족하잖아.
Pronunciation: ne ma-eum-eun i-hae-ha-ji-man, neo-mu o-rae ha-myeon nun-do na-ppa-ji-go suk-je-hal si-gan-do bu-jok-ha-jan-a.
Meaning: I understand how you feel, but if you play too long, it’s bad for your eyes and you don’t have enough time for homework. -
Expression: B: 그럼… 30분만 더 하면 안 돼요? 제발요, 엄마!
Pronunciation: geu-reom… sam-sip-bun-man deo ha-myeon an dwae-yo? je-bal-yo, eom-ma!
Meaning: Then… can’t I just have 30 more minutes? Please, Mom! -
Expression: A: 음… 좋아. 그럼 이렇게 하자. 숙제 빨리 다 끝내고 방 정리까지 잘 하면, 특별히 30분 더 줄게. 어때?
Pronunciation: eum… jo-a. geu-reom i-reok-ge ha-ja. suk-je ppal-li da kkeut-nae-go bang jeong-ri-kka-ji jal ha-myeon, teuk-byeol-hi sam-sip-bun deo jul-ge. eo-ttae?
Meaning: Hmm… Okay. Then let’s do this. If you finish your homework quickly and also tidy up your room well, I’ll give you an extra 30 minutes as a special treat. How about that? -
Expression: B: 정말요? 와, 좋아요! 그럼 그렇게 할게요! 약속!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-yo? wa, jo-a-yo! geu-reom geu-reok-ge hal-ge-yo! yak-sok!
Meaning: Really? Wow, okay! I’ll do that then! Promise! -
Expression: A: 그래, 약속했다! 이제 규칙대로 잘 해보자.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, yak-sok-haet-da! i-je gyu-chik-dae-ro jal hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Yes, we have a promise! Now let’s try to follow the rule well.
Practice Tips
Negotiating rules is a practical skill! Try role-playing these scenarios with a language partner or even by yourself, playing both the parent and child roles~ This helps you internalize the phrases for different perspectives!
Listen to Korean family dramas or reality shows – you’ll often hear parents setting rules and children negotiating! Pay attention to the specific words and tones they use. Remember, understanding the context and the relationship dynamics is key when using these expressions. Good luck practicing! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
