This guide covers essential Korean phrases for a common scenario: a parent trying to convince a child to wear a sweater before going on a hike on a chilly day. You’ll learn expressions for persuasion, resistance, negotiation, and agreement, along with cultural insights into Korean parenting related to health and weather.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 스웨터 입자.
Pronunciation: seu-we-teo ip-ja.
Meaning: Let’s wear a sweater. (A common way a parent might suggest wearing a sweater)
Parent’s Persuasion Phrases
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Expression: 밖에 쌀쌀해. 스웨터 입어야 해.
Pronunciation: bak-ke ssal-ssal-hae. seu-we-teo ip-eo-ya hae.
Meaning: It’s chilly outside. You need to wear a sweater. -
Expression: 감기 걸릴 수 있어.
Pronunciation: gam-gi geol-lil su it-sseo.
Meaning: You might catch a cold. -
Expression: 등산 가면 더 추울 거야.
Pronunciation: deung-san ga-myeon deo chu-ul geo-ya.
Meaning: It will be colder when we go hiking. -
Expression: 엄마 말 들어야지.
Pronunciation: eom-ma mal deul-eo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You should listen to Mom. -
Expression: 아빠 말 듣자.
Pronunciation: a-ppa mal deut-ja.
Meaning: Let’s listen to Dad. -
Expression: 이거 입으면 따뜻할 거야.
Pronunciation: i-geo ip-eu-myeon tta-tteut-hal geo-ya.
Meaning: You’ll be warm if you wear this. -
Expression: 잠깐만 입고 있어 봐.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man ip-go it-sseo bwa.
Meaning: Just try wearing it for a little while. -
Expression: 안 입으면 등산 못 가.
Pronunciation: an ip-eu-myeon deung-san mot ga.
Meaning: If you don’t wear it, we can’t go hiking. -
Expression: 예쁜 스웨터잖아.
Pronunciation: ye-ppeun seu-we-teo-jan-a.
Meaning: It’s a pretty sweater, isn’t it? -
Expression: 네가 좋아하는 파란색 스웨터야.
Pronunciation: ne-ga jo-a-ha-neun pa-ran-saek seu-we-teo-ya.
Meaning: It’s the blue sweater you like. -
Expression: 춥다고 후회할 텐데.
Pronunciation: chup-da-go hu-hoe-hal ten-de.
Meaning: You’ll regret it saying it’s cold later.
Child’s Resistance Phrases
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Expression: 싫어! 안 입을 거야!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! an ip-eul geo-ya!
Meaning: No! I’m not going to wear it! -
Expression: 나 안 추워.
Pronunciation: na an chu-wo.
Meaning: I’m not cold. -
Expression: 답답해.
Pronunciation: dap-dap-hae.
Meaning: It feels stuffy / uncomfortable. -
Expression: 이거 말고 다른 거 입을래.
Pronunciation: i-geo mal-go da-reun geo ip-eul-lae.
Meaning: I want to wear something else, not this. -
Expression: 더워.
Pronunciation: deo-wo.
Meaning: I’m hot. -
Expression: 이 스웨터 싫어.
Pronunciation: i seu-we-teo sil-eo.
Meaning: I don’t like this sweater. -
Expression: 간지러워.
Pronunciation: gan-ji-reo-wo.
Meaning: It’s itchy. -
Expression: 그냥 갈래.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang gal-lae.
Meaning: I’ll just go like this. -
Expression: 괜찮아. 진짜 안 추워.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a. jin-jja an chu-wo.
Meaning: It’s okay. I’m really not cold. -
Expression: 나중에 추우면 입을게.
Pronunciation: na-jung-e chu-u-myeon ip-eul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll wear it later if I get cold.
Negotiation and Compromise Phrases
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Expression: 그럼 이 얇은 걸로 입을래?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i yal-eun geol-lo ip-eul-lae?
Meaning: Then how about wearing this thinner one? (Parent offering alternative) -
Expression: 스웨터 입으면 이따가 간식 사줄게.
Pronunciation: seu-we-teo ip-eu-myeon i-tta-ga gan-sik sa-jul-ge.
Meaning: If you wear the sweater, I’ll buy you a snack later. (Parent offering incentive) -
Expression: 지금 입고, 더우면 그때 벗자.
Pronunciation: ji-geum ip-go, deo-u-myeon geu-ttae beot-ja.
Meaning: Wear it now, and let’s take it off then if you get hot. (Parent suggesting compromise) -
Expression: 그럼 조끼라도 입을래?
Pronunciation: geu-reom jo-kki-ra-do ip-eul-lae?
Meaning: Then will you at least wear a vest? (Parent suggesting alternative) -
Expression: 좋아, 그럼 이것만 입을게.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom i-geot-man ip-eul-ge.
Meaning: Okay, then I’ll just wear this one. (Child accepting alternative) -
Expression: 진짜 간식 사줘야 해?
Pronunciation: jin-jja gan-sik sa-jwo-ya hae?
Meaning: Do I really have to buy you a snack? / You really have to buy me a snack, okay? (Confirming the deal) -
Expression: 약속하는 거야?
Pronunciation: yak-sok-ha-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: Are you promising? / Is that a promise? -
Expression: 알았어, 대신 더우면 바로 벗을 거야.
Pronunciation: al-at-sseo, dae-sin deo-u-myeon ba-ro beos-eul geo-ya.
Meaning: Okay, but I’ll take it off right away if I get hot. (Child setting condition) -
Expression: 그럼 가방에 넣어갈게. 추우면 입을게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom ga-bang-e neoeo-gal-ge. chu-u-myeon ip-eul-ge.
Meaning: Then I’ll put it in my bag. I’ll wear it if I get cold. (Child suggesting carrying it) -
Expression: 그럼 딱 10분만 입을게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom ttak sip-bun-man ip-eul-ge.
Meaning: Okay, then I’ll wear it for just 10 minutes. (Child negotiating duration)
Agreement and Conclusion Phrases
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Expression: 그래, 알았어.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, al-at-sseo.
Meaning: Okay, got it. -
Expression: 좋아, 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reo-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Good, let’s do that. -
Expression: 착하다!
Pronunciation: chak-ha-da!
Meaning: Good boy/girl! (Praising the child) -
Expression: 약속!
Pronunciation: yak-sok!
Meaning: Promise! -
Expression: 자, 이제 가자!
Pronunciation: ja, i-je ga-ja!
Meaning: Okay, let’s go now! -
Expression: 빨리 입어.
Pronunciation: ppal-li ip-eo.
Meaning: Put it on quickly. -
Expression: 다 입었어?
Pronunciation: da ip-eot-sseo?
Meaning: Are you all dressed? / Did you put it all on? -
Expression: 잘했어!
Pronunciation: jal-haet-sseo!
Meaning: Good job! / Well done! -
Expression: 역시 우리 아들/딸!
Pronunciation: yeok-si u-ri a-deul/ttal!
Meaning: That’s my son/daughter! (Expressing pride)
Cultural Tips
In Korea, there’s a strong cultural emphasis on protecting health, especially for children. Parents are often quite proactive about dressing children appropriately for the weather to prevent colds (감기 – gam-gi), which are seen as something to be actively avoided.
Negotiation between parents and children is common, but parents often hold the final authority, especially regarding health and safety. Using phrases like “엄마 말 들어” (eom-ma mal deul-eo – Listen to Mom) is quite typical.
Offering small incentives or compromises, like snacks (간식 – gan-sik) or agreeing the child can remove the clothing later if they feel hot, is a frequent negotiation tactic used by Korean parents.
Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is a very popular family activity in Korea. Preparing properly, including wearing the right clothes, is considered important for enjoying the experience safely.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A mother (Eomma) and her young child (Ai) are getting ready to go hiking on a cool autumn day.
Roles:
A: 엄마 (Eomma – Mother)
B: 아이 (Ai – Child)
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Expression: A: 자, 등산 가기 전에 스웨터 입자. 밖에 쌀쌀해.
Pronunciation: ja, deung-san ga-gi jeon-e seu-we-teo ip-ja. bak-ke ssal-ssal-hae.
Meaning: Okay, let’s put on your sweater before we go hiking. It’s chilly outside. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 안 입을 거야! 나 안 추워!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! an ip-eul geo-ya! na an chu-wo!
Meaning: No! I won’t wear it! I’m not cold! -
Expression: A: 산에 가면 더 추울 텐데? 감기 걸리면 어떡해.
Pronunciation: san-e ga-myeon deo chu-ul ten-de? gam-gi geol-li-myeon eo-tteok-hae.
Meaning: But it will be colder on the mountain? What if you catch a cold? -
Expression: B: 괜찮아! 그냥 갈래! 답답하단 말이야.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a! geu-nyang gal-lae! dap-dap-ha-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: It’s okay! I’ll just go like this! It feels stuffy. -
Expression: A: 그럼, 지금 입고 있다가 더우면 그때 벗을까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom, ji-geum ip-go it-da-ga deo-u-myeon geu-ttae beos-eul-kka?
Meaning: Then, how about wearing it now and taking it off later if you get hot? -
Expression: B: 진짜? 더우면 바로 벗어도 돼?
Pronunciation: jin-jja? deo-u-myeon ba-ro beos-eo-do dwae?
Meaning: Really? Can I take it off right away if I get hot? -
Expression: A: 그럼! 약속! 자, 빨리 입어 보자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom! yak-sok! ja, ppal-li ip-eo bo-ja.
Meaning: Of course! Promise! Okay, let’s put it on quickly. -
Expression: B: 알았어… 그럼 입을게.
Pronunciation: al-at-sseo… geu-reom ip-eul-ge.
Meaning: Okay… Then I’ll wear it. -
Expression: A: 아이고 착하다! 다 입었네. 이제 출발!
Pronunciation: a-i-go chak-ha-da! da ip-eot-ne. i-je chul-bal!
Meaning: Aww, good girl/boy! You’re all dressed. Let’s go now!
Practice Tips
Understanding these phrases can be really helpful if you interact with Korean families or have children learning Korean! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or family member~. One person can be the parent, and the other can be the child. Switch roles to practice both sides of the negotiation!
Listen for these types of interactions in Korean dramas or reality shows featuring families. Pay attention to the tone of voice and the specific words used in different situations. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep trying these phrases out! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
