Sibling rivalries are universal, and disagreements over choosing the next family game are common occurrences. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for understanding and expressing the dynamics of siblings arguing about game selection, helping you navigate these familiar family moments in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 내가 고를 거야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga go-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to choose! (A common declaration when asserting one’s turn or desire to pick)
Basic Argument Phrases
-
Expression: 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn! -
Expression: 아니야, 내 차례거든!
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya, nae cha-rye-geo-deun!
Meaning: No, it’s my turn! (Slightly more argumentative) -
Expression: 저번엔 네가 골랐잖아!
Pronunciation: jeo-beo-nen ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a!
Meaning: You chose last time! -
Expression: 왜 맨날 너만 골라?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal neo-man gol-la?
Meaning: Why do you always get to choose? -
Expression: 싫어!
Pronunciation: si-reo!
Meaning: No! / I don’t want to! -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: That doesn’t make sense! / No way! -
Expression: 불공평해!
Pronunciation: bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: It’s unfair! -
Expression: 나도 고르고 싶어!
Pronunciation: na-do go-reu-go si-peo!
Meaning: I want to choose too! -
Expression: 네 마음대로 하지 마!
Pronunciation: ne ma-eum-dae-ro ha-ji ma!
Meaning: Don’t just do whatever you want! -
Expression: 이건 너무하잖아!
Pronunciation: i-geon neo-mu-ha-jan-a!
Meaning: This is too much! / This isn’t right! -
Expression: 양보 좀 해!
Pronunciation: yang-bo jom hae!
Meaning: Give in a little! / Compromise! -
Expression: 치사해!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-hae!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s petty!
Game Selection Phrases
-
Expression: 이 게임 하자!
Pronunciation: i ge-im ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play this game! -
Expression: 나는 이거 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun i-geo ha-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to play this one. -
Expression: 그 게임 말고 다른 거 하자.
Pronunciation: geu ge-im mal-go da-reun geo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play something else, not that game. -
Expression: 그거 재미없어.
Pronunciation: geu-geo jae-mi-eop-seo.
Meaning: That’s no fun. / That’s boring. -
Expression: 저번에 했잖아.
Pronunciation: jeo-beo-ne haet-jan-a.
Meaning: We played that last time. -
Expression: 새로운 게임 해보자.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un ge-im hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try a new game. -
Expression: 보드게임 할까, 카드게임 할까?
Pronunciation: bo-deu-ge-im hal-kka, ka-deu-ge-im hal-kka?
Meaning: Should we play a board game or a card game? -
Expression: 네가 고른 게임은 너무 어려워.
Pronunciation: ne-ga go-reun ge-i-meun neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo.
Meaning: The game you picked is too difficult. -
Expression: 이건 너무 오래 걸려.
Pronunciation: i-geon neo-mu o-rae geol-lyeo.
Meaning: This one takes too long. -
Expression: 다 같이 할 수 있는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: da ga-chi hal su it-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s choose something everyone can play together. -
Expression: 그럼 뭐 하고 싶은데?
Pronunciation: geu-reom mwo ha-go si-peun-de?
Meaning: Then what do you want to play?
Resolving the Argument
-
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock, paper, scissors! -
Expression: 그럼 번갈아 가면서 고르자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo go-reu-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s take turns choosing. -
Expression: 이번엔 네가 하고 다음엔 내가 할게.
Pronunciation: i-beo-nen ne-ga ha-go da-eu-men nae-ga hal-ge.
Meaning: You choose this time, and I’ll choose next time. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 물어보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te mu-reo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 알았어, 네가 원하는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, ne-ga won-ha-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s play what you want. (Giving in) -
Expression: 그럼 이건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about this one? (Suggesting an alternative) -
Expression: 공평하게 하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s be fair. -
Expression: 싸우지 말고 정하자.
Pronunciation: ssa-u-ji mal-go jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide without fighting. -
Expression: 제비뽑기로 할까?
Pronunciation: je-bi-ppop-gi-ro hal-kka?
Meaning: Should we draw lots? -
Expression: 좋아, 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reo-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do that. (Agreeing to a solution)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves recognizing certain cultural nuances. While arguments are common everywhere, factors like age hierarchy can sometimes play a role. Traditionally, the older sibling (형, 오빠, 누나, 언니) might expect some deference, though this is changing, and fairness is often emphasized among modern siblings.
Family game time is often valued in Korea as a way to bond. Disagreements over game choice are typical, but resolving them fairly is important. Using 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock, paper, scissors) is an extremely common and culturally accepted way to settle minor disputes like this quickly and impartially.
Parents might intervene if arguments escalate, often encouraging compromise (타협 – ta-hyeop) or taking turns (번갈아 가면서 하기 – beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ha-gi). Learning to negotiate and sometimes yield (양보하다 – yang-bo-ha-da) is seen as part of growing up together.
The language used between siblings is typically informal (반말 – ban-mal), as reflected in the phrases provided (e.g., using -야/-아 endings instead of formal -요/-ㅂ니다). This casual speech level is natural in close family relationships.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Min-jun (older brother) and Ji-hye (younger sister), are trying to decide which board game to play with the family.
Characters:
- A: Min-jun (민준)
- B: Ji-hye (지혜)
-
Expression: A: 자, 이제 무슨 게임 할지 정하자. 내가 고를게!
Pronunciation: ja, i-je mu-seun ge-im hal-ji jeong-ha-ja. nae-ga go-reul-ge!
Meaning: Okay, let’s decide which game to play now. I’ll choose! -
Expression: B: 안돼! 저번에도 오빠가 골랐잖아. 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: an-dwae! jeo-beo-ne-do o-ppa-ga gol-lat-jan-a. i-beo-nen nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: No way! You chose last time too, Oppa. It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야? 저번엔 네가 골랐지! 이거 하자, 새로 나온 거.
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya? jeo-beo-nen ne-ga gol-lat-ji! i-geo ha-ja, sae-ro na-on geo.
Meaning: What are you talking about? You chose last time! Let’s play this, the new one. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 그거 너무 어려워 보여. 나는 저번에 산 카드게임 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: si-reo! geu-geo neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo bo-yeo. na-neun jeo-beo-ne san ka-deu-ge-im ha-go si-peo.
Meaning: No! That looks too difficult. I want to play the card game we bought last time. -
Expression: A: 에이, 카드게임 재미없어. 맨날 똑같잖아.
Pronunciation: e-i, ka-deu-ge-im jae-mi-eop-seo. maen-nal ttok-gat-jan-a.
Meaning: Ugh, card games are boring. It’s always the same. -
Expression: B: 아니거든! 이게 얼마나 재밌는데! 그럼 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: a-ni-geo-deun! i-ge eol-ma-na jae-mit-neun-de! geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: No, it’s not! This is really fun! Then let’s decide with rock, paper, scissors! -
Expression: A: 좋아! 진 사람이 이긴 사람 게임 하는 거다! 가위, 바위, 보!
Pronunciation: jo-a! jin sa-ra-mi i-gin sa-ram ge-im ha-neun geo-da! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo!
Meaning: Okay! The loser has to play the winner’s game! Rock, paper, scissors! -
Expression: B: 앗싸! 내가 이겼다! 카드게임 하는 거야!
Pronunciation: at-ssa! nae-ga i-gyeot-da! ka-deu-ge-im ha-neun geo-ya!
Meaning: Yes! I won! We’re playing the card game! -
Expression: A: 아, 진짜! 알았어, 알았어. 카드게임 하자 그럼.
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja! a-ra-sseo, a-ra-sseo. ka-deu-ge-im ha-ja geu-reom.
Meaning: Ah, seriously! Okay, okay. Let’s play the card game then.
Practice Tips
Practicing these argumentative but common phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member~ Take turns being the sibling who wants to pick the game. You can even use real games you own as props!
Listen for these types of exchanges in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings. Pay attention to the tone of voice and intonation, as this conveys a lot of emotion in arguments!
Remember the quick and easy solution: 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo)! Practicing this phrase and the action itself is a very Korean way to resolve small disagreements fairly. Have fun practicing these lively expressions! Fighting! (Figuratively, of course!)
