Managing screen time is a common challenge for parents globally. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and sentences for negotiating screen time with your child, setting conditions, offering rewards, and handling their responses. Learn how to communicate clearly and effectively about screen time rules in Korean, fostering understanding and cooperation.
Table Of Content
Core Negotiation Phrase
-
Expression: 이거 다 하면, 30분 동안 태블릿 해도 돼.
Pronunciation: i-geo da ha-myeon, sam-sip-bun dong-an tae-beul-lit hae-do dwae.
Meaning: If you finish this, you can use the tablet for 30 minutes.
Setting Conditions
-
Expression: 먼저 숙제부터 끝내야지.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo suk-je-bu-teo kkeun-nae-ya-ji.
Meaning: You have to finish your homework first. -
Expression: 방 청소 다 하면 보여줄게.
Pronunciation: bang cheong-so da ha-myeon bo-yeo-jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll let you watch after you finish cleaning your room. -
Expression: 밥 다 먹고 나서 보자.
Pronunciation: bap da meok-go na-seo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s watch after you finish your meal. -
Expression: 오늘 할 일 다 했어?
Pronunciation: o-neul hal il da haet-sseo?
Meaning: Did you finish everything you need to do today? -
Expression: 약속한 공부 시간 채우면 허락해 줄게.
Pronunciation: yak-so-kan gong-bu si-gan chae-u-myeon heo-ra-kae jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll allow it if you complete the promised study time. -
Expression: 동생이랑 싸우지 않고 잘 놀면, 이따가 게임하게 해줄게.
Pronunciation: dong-saeng-i-rang ssa-u-ji an-ko jal nol-myeon, i-tta-ga ge-im-ha-ge hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: If you play well with your sibling without fighting, I’ll let you play games later. -
Expression: 채소 다 먹으면 TV 봐도 좋아.
Pronunciation: chae-so da meo-geu-myeon ti-bi bwa-do jo-a.
Meaning: You can watch TV if you eat all your vegetables. -
Expression: 책 한 권 읽고 나서 컴퓨터 하자.
Pronunciation: chaek han gwon il-go na-seo keom-pyu-teo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s use the computer after you read one book. -
Expression: 먼저 양치질부터 하고 와.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo yang-chi-jil-bu-teo ha-go wa.
Meaning: Go brush your teeth first.
Offering Screen Time Rewards
-
Expression: 30분 동안 유튜브 봐도 돼.
Pronunciation: sam-sip-bun dong-an yu-tyu-beu bwa-do dwae.
Meaning: You can watch YouTube for 30 minutes. -
Expression: 게임 한 시간 하게 해줄게.
Pronunciation: ge-im han si-gan ha-ge hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll let you play games for one hour. -
Expression: 대신 딱 한 시간만 하는 거야.
Pronunciation: dae-sin ttak han si-gan-man ha-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: But you can only do it for exactly one hour. -
Expression: 영화 한 편 봐도 괜찮아.
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa han pyeon bwa-do gwaen-cha-na.
Meaning: It’s okay to watch one movie. -
Expression: 숙제 다 하면 원하는 거 20분 동안 봐.
Pronunciation: suk-je da ha-myeon won-ha-neun geo i-sip-bun dong-an bwa.
Meaning: If you finish your homework, watch what you want for 20 minutes. -
Expression: 주말에는 조금 더 길게 해도 좋아.
Pronunciation: ju-ma-re-neun jo-geum deo gil-ge hae-do jo-a.
Meaning: You can do it a bit longer on the weekends. -
Expression: 오늘은 특별히 10분 더 줄게.
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun teuk-byeol-hi sip-bun deo jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll give you an extra 10 minutes today, specially. -
Expression: 알람 맞춰놓고 정확히 그 시간까지만 해.
Pronunciation: al-lam mat-chwo-no-ko jeong-hwa-ki geu si-gan-kka-ji-man hae.
Meaning: Set an alarm and only do it exactly until that time. -
Expression: 이거 끝나면 바로 끄는 거다.
Pronunciation: i-geo kkeun-na-myeon ba-ro kkeu-neun geo-da.
Meaning: You have to turn it off right after this finishes. -
Expression: 스스로 시간 조절 잘 하면 다음에도 허락해줄게.
Pronunciation: seu-seu-ro si-gan jo-jeol jal ha-myeon da-eu-me-do heo-ra-kae-jul-ge.
Meaning: If you manage your time well yourself, I’ll allow it next time too.
Child’s Potential Responses
-
Expression: 네, 알겠어요. 숙제 먼저 할게요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-sseo-yo. suk-je meon-jeo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. I’ll do my homework first. -
Expression: 조금만 더 하면 안 돼요? 딱 10분만요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo ha-myeon an dwae-yo? ttak sip-bun-man-yo.
Meaning: Can’t I do it a little longer? Just 10 more minutes? -
Expression: 아, 왜요! 지금 보고 싶단 말이에요.
Pronunciation: a, wae-yo! ji-geum bo-go sip-dan ma-ri-e-yo.
Meaning: Ah, why! I want to watch it now. -
Expression: 이거 너무 어려운데요. 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo neo-mu eo-ryeo-un-de-yo. do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: This (task) is too difficult. Please help me. -
Expression: 친구는 맨날 게임하는데…
Pronunciation: chin-gu-neun maen-nal ge-im-ha-neun-de…
Meaning: My friend plays games every day… -
Expression: 하기 싫어요. 나중에 할래요.
Pronunciation: ha-gi si-reo-yo. na-jung-e hal-lae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t want to do it. I’ll do it later. -
Expression: 진짜 약속 지킬게요. 한 시간만 하게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jin-jja yak-sok ji-kil-ge-yo. han si-gan-man ha-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll really keep my promise. Please let me do it for just one hour. -
Expression: 네, 다 하고 나서 말씀드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, da ha-go na-seo mal-sseum-deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll let you know after I finish everything. -
Expression: 불공평해요! 동생은 해도 되잖아요.
Pronunciation: bul-gong-pyeong-hae-yo! dong-saeng-eun hae-do doe-ja-na-yo.
Meaning: It’s unfair! My younger sibling gets to do it. -
Expression: 알았어요. 그럼 빨리 할게요.
Pronunciation: a-rat-sseo-yo. geu-reom ppal-li hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay. Then I’ll do it quickly.
Parent’s Firm Responses and Reminders
-
Expression: 안 돼. 약속은 약속이야.
Pronunciation: an dwae. yak-so-geun yak-so-gi-ya.
Meaning: No. A promise is a promise. -
Expression: 더 이상은 안 돼. 이제 그만하자.
Pronunciation: deo i-sang-eun an dwae. i-je geu-man-ha-ja.
Meaning: No more. Let’s stop now. -
Expression: 시간 다 됐어. 이제 꺼야지.
Pronunciation: si-gan da dwaet-sseo. i-je kkeo-ya-ji.
Meaning: Time’s up. You need to turn it off now. -
Expression: 자꾸 이러면 다음부턴 못 하게 할 거야.
Pronunciation: ja-kku i-reo-myeon da-eum-bu-teon mot ha-ge hal geo-ya.
Meaning: If you keep doing this, I won’t let you do it next time. -
Expression: 먼저 할 일부터 끝내는 습관을 들여야 해.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo hal il-bu-teo kkeun-nae-neun seup-gwa-neul deu-ryeo-ya hae.
Meaning: You need to get into the habit of finishing your tasks first. -
Expression: 다른 친구랑 비교하지 마. 우리 집 규칙은 이거야.
Pronunciation: da-reun chin-gu-rang bi-gyo-ha-ji ma. u-ri jip gyu-chi-geun i-geo-ya.
Meaning: Don’t compare yourself to other friends. This is our house rule. -
Expression: 네 눈 건강을 위해서 정해진 시간만 하는 거야.
Pronunciation: ne nun geon-gang-eul wi-hae-seo jeong-hae-jin si-gan-man ha-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: We only do it for the set time for the sake of your eye health. -
Expression: 떼쓰지 말고 약속 지키자.
Pronunciation: tte-sseu-ji mal-go yak-sok ji-ki-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not whine and keep our promise. -
Expression: 엄마(아빠) 말 들어야지.
Pronunciation: eom-ma (a-ppa) mal deu-reo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You need to listen to Mom (Dad). -
Expression: 지금 바로 안 끄면 내일은 없어.
Pronunciation: ji-geum ba-ro an kkeu-myeon nae-i-reun eop-seo.
Meaning: If you don’t turn it off right now, there’s no screen time tomorrow.
Cultural Tips
Understanding Korean parenting nuances can aid communication. Education (교육 – gyo-yuk) is highly valued, so linking screen time to completing studies (공부 – gong-bu) or homework (숙제 – suk-je) is a common and generally accepted practice.
While direct negotiation happens, parents often emphasize rules (규칙 – gyu-chik) and promises (약속 – yak-sok). Breaking a promise is seen negatively, so reminding the child of their agreement is a key tactic.
Using slightly formal or polite speech even with children (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal), especially when setting rules or expressing disapproval, can be common, though informal language (반말 – ban-mal) is typical in daily family interactions. The examples provided mix tones as appropriate for the situation.
Appealing to health reasons, like eye health (눈 건강 – nun geon-gang), is also a frequent approach used by Korean parents to justify screen time limits.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) negotiates tablet time with their child (B) after school.
-
Expression: A: 학교 다녀왔니? 손 씻고 숙제부터 하자.
Pronunciation: A: hak-gyo da-nyeo-wan-ni? son ssit-go suk-je-bu-teo ha-ja.
Meaning: A: Are you back from school? Wash your hands and let’s do homework first. -
Expression: B: 네… 엄마, 숙제 다 하면 태블릿 해도 돼요?
Pronunciation: B: ne… eom-ma, suk-je da ha-myeon tae-beul-lit hae-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes… Mom, can I use the tablet after I finish my homework? -
Expression: A: 음… 수학 문제집 2장 다 풀고, 영어 단어 10개 외우면 30분 하게 해줄게.
Pronunciation: A: eum… su-hak mun-je-jip du-jang da pul-go, yeong-eo da-neo yeol-gae oe-u-myeon sam-sip-bun ha-ge hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: A: Hmm… If you solve 2 pages of the math workbook and memorize 10 English words, I’ll let you use it for 30 minutes. -
Expression: B: 네! 알겠어요! 빨리 할게요!
Pronunciation: B: ne! al-get-sseo-yo! ppal-li hal-ge-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes! Okay! I’ll do it quickly! -
Expression: A: 대신 시간 꼭 지켜야 한다. 30분 지나면 바로 끄는 거야. 약속!
Pronunciation: A: dae-sin si-gan kkok ji-kyeo-ya han-da. sam-sip-bun ji-na-myeon ba-ro kkeu-neun geo-ya. yak-sok!
Meaning: A: But you must keep the time. Turn it off right after 30 minutes. Promise! -
Expression: B: 네! 약속!
Pronunciation: B: ne! yak-sok!
Meaning: B: Yes! Promise!
Practice Tips
Try using these phrases in role-playing scenarios! Practice setting different conditions and offering various screen time rewards~ You can adjust the times (10분 – sip-bun, 1시간 – han si-gan) and the tasks (책 읽기 – chaek il-gi, reading books; 심부름하기 – sim-bu-reum-ha-gi, running errands) to fit your situation.
Listen to how Korean parents talk to their children in dramas or reality shows for more examples. Remember, consistency is key when setting rules. Good luck! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
