Discussing appropriate clothing with children, especially when they resist, is a common parenting challenge. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for parents negotiating with a child about wearing a coat, particularly for heading out into snowy weather. Learn how to persuade, understand refusals, and reach an agreement in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 외투 입어.
Pronunciation: oe-tu ib-eo.
Meaning: Wear your coat/outerwear. (Informal, used with children)
Persuasion Phrases for Parents
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Expression: 밖에 눈 와. 따뜻하게 입어야지.
Pronunciation: bakk-e nun wa. tta-tteut-ha-ge ib-eo-ya-ji.
Meaning: It’s snowing outside. You need to dress warmly. -
Expression: 외투 안 입으면 감기 걸려.
Pronunciation: oe-tu an ib-eu-myeon gam-gi geol-lyeo.
Meaning: If you don’t wear your coat, you’ll catch a cold. -
Expression: 이거 입으면 훨씬 따뜻할 거야.
Pronunciation: i-geo ib-eu-myeon hwol-ssin tta-tteut-hal geo-ya.
Meaning: You’ll be much warmer if you wear this. -
Expression: 눈사람 만들러 갈 건데, 춥지 않게 입자.
Pronunciation: nun-sa-ram man-deul-leo gal geon-de, chup-ji an-ke ip-ja.
Meaning: We’re going to build a snowman, let’s dress so you won’t be cold. -
Expression: 엄마 말 들어야지. 어서 입어.
Pronunciation: eom-ma mal deul-eo-ya-ji. eo-seo ib-eo.
Meaning: You should listen to Mom. Hurry up and wear it. -
Expression: 밖에 나가서 놀려면 따뜻하게 입어야 해.
Pronunciation: bakk-e na-ga-seo nol-lyeo-myeon tta-tteut-ha-ge ib-eo-ya hae.
Meaning: If you want to play outside, you have to dress warmly. -
Expression: 이 외투 정말 예쁘지 않아? 입어보자.
Pronunciation: i oe-tu jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ji an-a? ib-eo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Isn’t this coat really pretty? Let’s try it on. -
Expression: 딱 5분만 입어볼까?
Pronunciation: ttak o-bun-man ib-eo-bol-kka?
Meaning: How about trying it on for just 5 minutes? -
Expression: 안 추우면 그때 벗어도 돼.
Pronunciation: an chu-u-myeon geu-ttae beos-eo-do dwae.
Meaning: If you’re not cold later, you can take it off then. -
Expression: 자, 얼른 입고 나가서 눈 구경하자!
Pronunciation: ja, eol-leun ip-go na-ga-seo nun gu-gyeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Come on, quickly put it on and let’s go out to see the snow!
Child’s Responses and Refusals
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Expression: 싫어! 안 입을 거야!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! an ib-eul geo-ya!
Meaning: No! I won’t wear it! -
Expression: 나 안 추워. 괜찮아.
Pronunciation: na an chu-wo. gwaen-chan-a.
Meaning: I’m not cold. I’m okay. -
Expression: 이거 너무 답답해.
Pronunciation: i-geo neo-mu dap-dap-hae.
Meaning: This is too stuffy/uncomfortable. -
Expression: 다른 옷 입으면 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: da-reun ot ib-eu-myeon an dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can’t I wear different clothes? -
Expression: 조금만 있다가 입을게.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man it-da-ga ib-eul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll wear it a little later. -
Expression: 이거 말고 저거 입을래.
Pronunciation: i-geo mal-go jeo-geo ib-eul-lae.
Meaning: I want to wear that one, not this one. -
Expression: 안 입고 나갈 거야.
Pronunciation: an ip-go na-gal geo-ya.
Meaning: I’m going out without wearing it. -
Expression: 더워!
Pronunciation: deo-wo!
Meaning: It’s hot! -
Expression: 진짜 안 춥다니까!
Pronunciation: jin-jja an chup-da-ni-kka!
Meaning: I’m telling you, I’m really not cold! -
Expression: 그냥 빨리 나가요!
Pronunciation: geu-nyang ppal-li na-ga-yo!
Meaning: Let’s just go out quickly!
Compromise and Agreement Phrases
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Expression: 알았어. 그럼 이것만 입자.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo. geu-reom i-geot-man ip-ja.
Meaning: Okay. Then let’s just wear this one. (Offering an alternative) -
Expression: 그럼 안에 얇은 거 입고 이거 입을까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom an-e yal-eun geo ip-go i-geo ib-eul-kka?
Meaning: Then how about wearing something thin inside and then this coat? -
Expression: 나가서 추우면 꼭 입어야 해. 약속!
Pronunciation: na-ga-seo chu-u-myeon kkok ib-eo-ya hae. yak-sok!
Meaning: If you feel cold outside, you must wear it. Promise! -
Expression: 네, 입을게요.
Pronunciation: ne, ib-eul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll wear it. (Child agreeing) -
Expression: 대신 장갑이랑 모자도 써야 해.
Pronunciation: dae-sin jang-gap-i-rang mo-ja-do sseo-ya hae.
Meaning: Instead, you have to wear gloves and a hat too. (Parent adding conditions) -
Expression: 좋아, 그럼 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom geu-reo-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do that then. (Agreeing to a compromise) -
Expression: 이거 입으면 눈싸움 더 잘할 수 있어!
Pronunciation: i-geo ib-eu-myeon nun-ssa-um deo jal-hal su iss-eo!
Meaning: If you wear this, you can have a better snowball fight! (Incentive) -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 엄마 말 들을게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. eom-ma mal deul-eul-ge-yo.
Meaning: I understand. I’ll listen to you, Mom. (Polite agreement from child) -
Expression: 그럼 나갔다가 추우면 바로 들어올 거야?
Pronunciation: geu-reom na-gat-da-ga chu-u-myeon ba-ro deul-eo-ol geo-ya?
Meaning: Then if we go out and it’s cold, will we come right back in? (Child negotiating) -
Expression: 착하다! 얼른 입고 나가자.
Pronunciation: chak-ha-da! eol-leun ip-go na-ga-ja.
Meaning: Good girl/boy! Let’s quickly put it on and go out. (Parent praising agreement)
Korean Culture Notes
In Korea, parents are generally quite attentive to ensuring children are dressed warmly, especially during cold winters. There’s a common belief (감기 걸린다 – gam-gi geol-lin-da) that being cold directly leads to catching a cold, so layering is emphasized.
While direct commands are common in parent-child interactions, negotiation and explaining the reasons (like preventing sickness or being comfortable for play) are also frequently used tactics, similar to many other cultures.
Using endearing terms or slightly playful language can sometimes be more effective than stern commands when dealing with a reluctant child. Phrases like “우리 아기” (u-ri a-gi – our baby) or adding “~볼까?” (-bol-kka? – shall we try…?) can soften the request.
Respect for elders, including parents, is a core value. While children might resist, outright defiance can be viewed more seriously. Phrases like “엄마 말 들어야지” (eom-ma mal deul-eo-ya-ji – you should listen to Mom) appeal to this cultural norm.
Offering choices, even limited ones (e.g., “this coat or that jacket?”), can give the child a sense of agency and make them more agreeable, a common parenting strategy worldwide but useful in the Korean context too.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A mother (엄마) is trying to get her young child (아이) to wear a thick coat before going outside to play in the snow.
Roles:
A: 엄마 (Eomma – Mother)
B: 아이 (Ai – Child)
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Expression: A: 자, 밖에 눈 온다! 우리 외투 입고 나가서 놀자.
Pronunciation: ja, bakk-e nun on-da! u-ri oe-tu ip-go na-ga-seo nol-ja.
Meaning: A: Look, it’s snowing outside! Let’s put on our coats and go play. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 이거 두꺼워서 싫어! 안 입을래!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! i-geo du-kkeo-wo-seo sil-eo! an ib-eul-lae!
Meaning: B: No! I don’t like it because it’s too thick! I won’t wear it! -
Expression: A: 안 돼. 밖에 엄청 추워. 이거 안 입으면 감기 걸린다니까.
Pronunciation: an dwae. bakk-e eom-cheong chu-wo. i-geo an ib-eu-myeon gam-gi geol-lin-da-ni-kka.
Meaning: A: No way. It’s really cold outside. I’m telling you, you’ll catch a cold if you don’t wear this. -
Expression: B: 나 안 추워! 괜찮아! 그냥 나가자!
Pronunciation: na an chu-wo! gwaen-chan-a! geu-nyang na-ga-ja!
Meaning: B: I’m not cold! I’m okay! Let’s just go out! -
Expression: A: 그럼 이렇게 하자. 나가서 놀다가 조금이라도 추우면 바로 들어와서 이거 입기. 약속?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-reo-ke ha-ja. na-ga-seo nol-da-ga jo-geum-i-ra-do chu-u-myeon ba-ro deul-eo-wa-seo i-geo ip-gi. yak-sok?
Meaning: A: Then let’s do this. If you feel even a little cold while playing outside, we come right back in and you put this on. Promise? -
Expression: B: …알았어. 약속!
Pronunciation: …ar-ass-eo. yak-sok!
Meaning: B: …Okay. Promise! -
Expression: A: 좋아. 대신 모자랑 장갑은 꼭 하고 가자.
Pronunciation: jo-a. dae-sin mo-ja-rang jang-gap-eun kkok ha-go ga-ja.
Meaning: A: Good. But let’s definitely wear a hat and gloves then. -
Expression: B: 네! 빨리 나가요! 눈!
Pronunciation: ne! ppal-li na-ga-yo! nun!
Meaning: B: Okay! Let’s go quickly! Snow!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can make real-life situations much smoother! Try role-playing with a friend or family member, taking turns being the parent and the child~ It helps to mimic the tones too – a firm but kind tone for the parent, and maybe a whiny or reluctant tone for the child!
Listen to Korean dramas or children’s shows featuring family interactions. Pay attention to how parents talk to their children about dressing appropriately for the weather. You’ll hear these phrases in context!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match phrases. Real conversations aren’t scripted! Focus on understanding the core meaning and adapting the phrases to your specific situation. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
