How to Say: A Ghost Sculptor Negotiating with a Living Mason for a Shadow Chisel Trade

This guide explores the unique and imaginative scenario of a ghost sculptor negotiating with a living mason in Korean. You’ll learn specialized vocabulary and phrases needed to express concepts like ghosts, sculptors, masons, abstract tools like a ‘shadow chisel’, and the language of negotiation in this fantastical context.

Core Concept: Ghost-Mason Negotiation

• Expression: 유령 조각가와 살아있는 석공의 그림자 끌 거래 협상
  Pronunciation: yu-ryeong jo-gak-ga-wa sal-a-it-neun seok-gong-ui geu-rim-ja kkeul geo-rae hyeop-sang
  Meaning: Negotiation for a shadow chisel trade between a ghost sculptor and a living mason

Introducing the Characters and Setting

• Expression: 저는 형체 없는 조각가입니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun hyeong-che eop-neun jo-gak-ga-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: I am a sculptor without form (a ghost sculptor).
• Expression: 당신은 숙련된 석공이시군요.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-eun suk-ryeon-doen seok-gong-i-si-gun-yo.
  Meaning: You are a skilled mason, I see.
• Expression: 저는 영혼의 세계에서 왔습니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun yeong-hon-ui se-gye-e-seo wat-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I come from the spirit world.
• Expression: 이 작업장은 산 자와 죽은 자의 경계에 있군요.
  Pronunciation: i jak-eop-jang-eun san ja-wa juk-eun ja-ui gyeong-gye-e it-gun-yo.
  Meaning: This workshop seems to be on the border between the living and the dead.
• Expression: 저는 보이지 않지만, 제 존재를 느낄 수 있을 겁니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun bo-i-ji an-chi-man, je jon-jae-reul neu-kkil su it-eul geom-ni-da.
  Meaning: I am unseen, but you might feel my presence.
• Expression: 당신의 망치 소리가 저를 이곳으로 이끌었습니다.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-ui mang-chi so-ri-ga jeo-reul i-got-eu-ro i-kkeul-eot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The sound of your hammer led me here.
• Expression: 저는 유령 조각가입니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun yu-ryeong jo-gak-ga-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: I am a ghost sculptor.
• Expression: 당신은 이승의 석공이시죠?
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-eun i-seung-ui seok-gong-i-si-jyo?
  Meaning: You are a mason of this world (the world of the living), right?
• Expression: 제 모습은 보이지 않겠지만, 제 목소리는 들리시나요?
  Pronunciation: je mo-seub-eun bo-i-ji an-ket-ji-man, je mok-so-ri-neun deul-li-si-na-yo?
  Meaning: You may not see my form, but can you hear my voice?
• Expression: 저는 달빛 아래에서만 형상을 잠시 갖출 수 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun dal-bit a-rae-e-seo-man hyeong-sang-eul jam-si gat-chul su it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I can only briefly take form under the moonlight.
• Expression: 당신은 돌을 다루는 장인이시군요.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-eun dol-eul da-ru-neun jang-in-i-si-gun-yo.
  Meaning: You are a craftsman who works with stone.
• Expression: 저는 영적인 재료로 조각을 합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun yeong-jeok-in jae-ryo-ro jo-gak-eul ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I sculpt with spiritual materials.

The Ghost’s Proposal: Requesting the Shadow Chisel

• Expression: 당신에게 제안할 것이 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-e-ge je-an-hal geot-i it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have a proposal for you.
• Expression: 저는 ‘그림자 끌’이라는 것이 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun ‘geu-rim-ja kkeul’-i-ra-neun geot-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I need something called a ‘shadow chisel’.
• Expression: 당신의 도구 중 하나가 특별한 그림자를 드리우는 것을 보았습니다.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-ui do-gu jung ha-na-ga teuk-byeol-han geu-rim-ja-reul deu-ri-u-neun geot-eul bo-at-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I saw that one of your tools casts a special shadow.
• Expression: 그 그림자의 정수가 담긴 끌을 만들 수 있겠습니까?
  Pronunciation: geu geu-rim-ja-ui jeong-su-ga dam-gin kkeul-eul man-deul su it-get-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: Could you create a chisel imbued with the essence of that shadow?
• Expression: 물질적인 끌이 아니라, 그 그림자 자체를 조각할 도구가 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: mul-jil-jeok-in kkeul-i a-ni-ra, geu geu-rim-ja ja-che-reul jo-gak-hal do-gu-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Not a physical chisel, but a tool to sculpt the shadow itself is needed.
• Expression: 그 대가로 귀한 것을 드리겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: geu dae-ga-ro gwi-han geot-eul deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I will give you something valuable in return.
• Expression: 이 거래에 응해주시겠습니까?
  Pronunciation: i geo-rae-e eung-hae-ju-si-get-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: Will you agree to this trade?
• Expression: 저의 예술을 완성하기 위해 그 도구가 꼭 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-ui ye-sul-eul wan-seong-ha-gi wi-hae geu do-gu-ga kkok pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I absolutely need that tool to complete my art.
• Expression: 당신의 도움이 절실합니다.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-ui do-um-i jeol-sil-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I desperately need your help.
• Expression: 그림자 끌을 제게 넘겨주십시오.
  Pronunciation: geu-rim-ja kkeul-eul je-ge neom-gyeo-ju-sip-si-o.
  Meaning: Please hand over the shadow chisel to me.
• Expression: 제가 원하는 것은 바로 그 도구의 그림자입니다.
  Pronunciation: je-ga won-ha-neun geot-eun ba-ro geu do-gu-ui geu-rim-ja-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: What I want is precisely the shadow of that tool.
• Expression: 거래 조건을 제시해 주십시오.
  Pronunciation: geo-rae jo-geon-eul je-si-hae ju-sip-si-o.
  Meaning: Please propose the terms of the trade.

The Mason’s Reaction and Negotiation

• Expression: 누구… 누구시오? 유령이란 말이오?
  Pronunciation: nu-gu… nu-gu-si-o? yu-ryeong-i-ran mal-i-o?
  Meaning: Who… who are you? Did you say a ghost?
• Expression: 그림자 끌이라니, 그런 것을 들어본 적이 없소.
  Pronunciation: geu-rim-ja kkeul-i-ra-ni, geu-reon geot-eul deul-eo-bon jeok-i eop-so.
  Meaning: A shadow chisel? I’ve never heard of such a thing.
• Expression: 내 도구의 그림자를 원한다고? 무슨 뜻인지 모르겠소.
  Pronunciation: nae do-gu-ui geu-rim-ja-reul won-han-da-go? mu-seun tteut-in-ji mo-reu-get-so.
  Meaning: You want the shadow of my tool? I don’t understand what that means.
• Expression: 어떻게 그림자로 끌을 만든단 말이오?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke geu-rim-ja-ro kkeul-eul man-deun-dan mal-i-o?
  Meaning: How can one make a chisel out of a shadow?
• Expression: 대가로 무엇을 줄 수 있소? 산 사람에게 쓸모 있는 것이오?
  Pronunciation: dae-ga-ro mu-eot-eul jul su it-so? san sa-ram-e-ge sseul-mo it-neun geot-i-o?
  Meaning: What can you give in return? Is it something useful to a living person?
• Expression: 이건 매우 이상한 거래요. 신중히 생각해야겠소.
  Pronunciation: i-geon mae-u i-sang-han geo-rae-yo. sin-jung-hi saeng-gak-hae-ya-get-so.
  Meaning: This is a very strange deal. I must think carefully.
• Expression: 당신이 정말 유령이라면, 내게 증명해 보이시오.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-i jeong-mal yu-ryeong-i-ra-myeon, nae-ge jeung-myeong-hae bo-i-si-o.
  Meaning: If you are truly a ghost, prove it to me.
• Expression: 그림자 끌을 만드는 방법을 설명해 주시오.
  Pronunciation: geu-rim-ja kkeul-eul man-deu-neun bang-beob-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-si-o.
  Meaning: Explain the method for making a shadow chisel.
• Expression: 당신의 제안은 흥미롭지만, 위험해 보이기도 하오.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-ui je-an-eun heung-mi-rop-ji-man, wi-heom-hae bo-i-gi-do ha-o.
  Meaning: Your proposal is interesting, but it also seems dangerous.
• Expression: 대가로 무엇을 제안하는지 구체적으로 말해주시오.
  Pronunciation: dae-ga-ro mu-eot-eul je-an-ha-neun-ji gu-che-jeok-eu-ro mal-hae-ju-si-o.
  Meaning: Tell me specifically what you are offering in return.
• Expression: 유령과의 거래는 함부로 하는 것이 아니라고 들었소.
  Pronunciation: yu-ryeong-gwa-ui geo-rae-neun ham-bu-ro ha-neun geot-i a-ni-ra-go deul-eot-so.
  Meaning: I’ve heard that one shouldn’t carelessly make deals with ghosts.
• Expression: 내게 해가 되지 않는다는 보장이 있소?
  Pronunciation: nae-ge hae-ga doe-ji an-neun-da-neun bo-jang-i it-so?
  Meaning: Is there a guarantee that no harm will come to me?

Agreeing or Disagreeing on the Trade

• Expression: 좋소, 당신의 제안을 받아들이겠소.
  Pronunciation: jo-so, dang-sin-ui je-an-eul bad-a-deul-i-get-so.
  Meaning: Alright, I will accept your proposal.
• Expression: 거래합시다. 그림자 끌을 만들어 드리겠소.
  Pronunciation: geo-rae-hap-si-da. geu-rim-ja kkeul-eul man-deul-eo deu-ri-get-so.
  Meaning: Let’s make a deal. I will make the shadow chisel for you.
• Expression: 하지만 조건이 있소.
  Pronunciation: ha-ji-man jo-geon-i it-so.
  Meaning: However, I have conditions.
• Expression: 먼저 약속한 대가를 보여주시오.
  Pronunciation: meon-jeo yak-sok-han dae-ga-reul bo-yeo-ju-si-o.
  Meaning: First, show me the promised payment.
• Expression: 미안하지만, 이 거래는 할 수 없겠소.
  Pronunciation: mi-an-ha-ji-man, i geo-rae-neun hal su eop-get-so.
  Meaning: I’m sorry, but I cannot make this deal.
• Expression: 너무 위험 부담이 크오.
  Pronunciation: neo-mu wi-heom bu-dam-i keu-o.
  Meaning: The risk is too great.
• Expression: 당신을 믿을 수가 없소.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-eul mid-eul su-ga eop-so.
  Meaning: I cannot trust you.
• Expression: 다른 방법을 찾아보시오.
  Pronunciation: da-reun bang-beob-eul chaj-a-bo-si-o.
  Meaning: Please look for another way.
• Expression: 이 거래는 성사되었습니다.
  Pronunciation: i geo-rae-neun seong-sa-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: This deal is concluded.
• Expression: 계약 조건을 다시 확인합시다.
  Pronunciation: gye-yak jo-geon-eul da-si hwa-gin-hap-si-da.
  Meaning: Let’s confirm the terms of the contract again.
• Expression: 당신의 제안이 마음에 들지 않소.
  Pronunciation: dang-sin-ui je-an-i ma-eum-e deul-ji an-so.
  Meaning: I do not like your proposal.
• Expression: 협상이 결렬되었습니다.
  Pronunciation: hyeop-sang-i gyeol-ryeol-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: The negotiation has broken down.

Cultural Insights: Ghosts and Bargaining

In Korean folklore, ghosts (귀신 – gwi-shin or 유령 – yu-ryeong) often appear when they have unfinished business (한 – han) or strong attachments to the living world. A ghost sculptor needing a tool fits this theme of unresolved artistic desire.

The concept of a ‘shadow chisel’ (그림자 끌 – geu-rim-ja kkeul) is fantastical, but it taps into ideas of essence and the intangible. In traditional thought, shadows can sometimes hold a connection to the object or person casting them.

Bargaining or negotiating (협상 – hyeop-sang, 거래 – geo-rae, 흥정 – heung-jeong) is common in traditional markets, but a negotiation between a human and a supernatural being carries inherent risks and requires caution, as reflected in the mason’s hesitation.

Craftsmanship (장인정신 – jang-in-jeong-sin) is highly valued. A mason (석공 – seok-gong) would respect the dedication of another craftsman, even a ghostly one, but would also be wary of requests that seem unnatural or dangerous.

Deals with supernatural entities in folklore often involve specific conditions (조건 – jo-geon) and potential consequences if broken. The mason’s request for proof and clear terms is a sensible precaution in such a situation.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Late at night in his workshop, a mason is startled by a shimmering, translucent figure.

Characters:

• A: 유령 조각가 (yu-ryeong jo-gak-ga) – Ghost Sculptor
• B: 석공 (seok-gong) – Mason

• Expression: A: 석공이시여, 놀라게 해드렸다면 죄송합니다. 저는 형체 없는 조각가입니다.
  Pronunciation: seok-gong-i-si-yeo, nol-la-ge hae-deu-ryeot-da-myeon joe-song-ham-ni-da. jeo-neun hyeong-che eop-neun jo-gak-ga-im-ni-da.
  Meaning: Oh Mason, I apologize if I startled you. I am a sculptor without form.
• Expression: B: 누… 누구시오? 유령이란 말이오? 내 작업실에는 어떻게…
  Pronunciation: nu… nu-gu-si-o? yu-ryeong-i-ran mal-i-o? nae jak-eop-sil-e-neun eo-tteo-ke…
  Meaning: Who… who are you? Did you say a ghost? How did you get into my workshop…
• Expression: A: 저는 당신께 거래를 제안하러 왔습니다. 당신의 도구 중 하나가 드리우는 그림자… 그 그림자의 정수가 담긴 ‘그림자 끌’이 필요합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun dang-sin-kke geo-rae-reul je-an-ha-reo wat-seum-ni-da. dang-sin-ui do-gu jung ha-na-ga deu-ri-u-neun geu-rim-ja… geu geu-rim-ja-ui jeong-su-ga dam-gin ‘geu-rim-ja kkeul’-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I have come to propose a trade. The shadow cast by one of your tools… I need a ‘shadow chisel’ imbued with the essence of that shadow.
• Expression: B: 그림자 끌? 그런 해괴한 소리는 처음 듣소! 어떻게 그림자로 도구를 만든단 말이오?
  Pronunciation: geu-rim-ja kkeul? geu-reon hae-goe-han so-ri-neun cheo-eum deut-so! eo-tteo-ke geu-rim-ja-ro do-gu-reul man-deun-dan mal-i-o?
  Meaning: A shadow chisel? I’ve never heard such a bizarre thing! How can you make a tool from a shadow?
• Expression: A: 산 자의 기술로는 불가능하겠지만, 제게는 가능합니다. 그 대가로, 당신이 잃어버린 영감을 되찾아 드릴 수 있습니다.
  Pronunciation: san ja-ui gi-sul-lo-neun bul-ga-neung-ha-get-ji-man, je-ge-neun ga-neung-ham-ni-da. geu dae-ga-ro, dang-sin-i il-eo-beo-rin yeong-gam-eul doe-cha-ja deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: It might be impossible with the skills of the living, but it is possible for me. In return, I can restore the inspiration you have lost.
• Expression: B: 잃어버린 영감이라… 흥미로운 제안이긴 하오. 하지만 유령과의 거래는 신중해야 하오. 당신을 어떻게 믿을 수 있겠소?
  Pronunciation: il-eo-beo-rin yeong-gam-i-ra… heung-mi-ro-un je-an-i-gin ha-o. ha-ji-man yu-ryeong-gwa-ui geo-rae-neun sin-jung-hae-ya ha-o. dang-sin-eul eo-tteo-ke mid-eul su it-get-so?
  Meaning: Lost inspiration… It is an interesting proposal. But deals with ghosts must be approached cautiously. How can I trust you?
• Expression: A: 제게 해를 끼칠 의도는 없습니다. 오직 제 예술을 위한 도구가 필요할 뿐입니다. 거래에 응해주시겠습니까?
  Pronunciation: je-ge hae-reul kki-chil ui-do-neun eop-seum-ni-da. o-jik je ye-sul-eul wi-han do-gu-ga pil-yo-hal ppun-im-ni-da. geo-rae-e eung-hae-ju-si-get-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: I have no intention of harming you. I only need the tool for my art. Will you agree to the trade?
• Expression: B: …좋소. 한번 믿어보겠소. 그림자 끌을 어떻게 만드는지 알려주시오. 그리고 내 영감을 되찾아 준다는 약속, 꼭 지켜야 하오.
  Pronunciation: …jo-so. han-beon mid-eo-bo-get-so. geu-rim-ja kkeul-eul eo-tteo-ke man-deu-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-si-o. geu-ri-go nae yeong-gam-eul doe-cha-ja jun-da-neun yak-sok, kkok ji-kyeo-ya ha-o.
  Meaning: …Alright. I will trust you this once. Tell me how to make the shadow chisel. And you must keep your promise to restore my inspiration.

Practice and Imagination

While you might not meet a ghost sculptor anytime soon, practicing these phrases can be a fun way to expand your Korean vocabulary for negotiation and abstract concepts! Try imagining other fantastical scenarios~ What if you needed to trade memories with a mountain spirit? Or negotiate passage across a river with a Dokkaebi (도깨비)?

Focus on the structure: introducing yourself/the other party, stating your need/request, discussing the terms (조건 – jo-geon), offering something in return (대가 – dae-ga), and agreeing (동의하다 – dong-ui-ha-da) or disagreeing (거절하다 – geo-jeol-ha-da). Have fun practicing these unique expressions!