Interacting with children at a Korean playground requires specific, friendly phrases suitable for young speakers. This guide provides essential expressions for starting conversations, playing together, and understanding cultural nuances when engaging with kids in Korea. Learning these phrases will help you connect with children in a natural and appropriate way during playtime.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 같이 놀래?
Pronunciation: ga-chi nol-lae?
Meaning: Do you want to play together? (Informal, friendly way to ask a child)
Initiating Conversation
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Expression: 안녕!
Pronunciation: an-nyeong!
Meaning: Hi! / Hello! (Informal) -
Expression: 이름이 뭐야?
Pronunciation: i-reum-i mwo-ya?
Meaning: What’s your name? (Informal) -
Expression: 몇 살이야?
Pronunciation: myeot sal-i-ya?
Meaning: How old are you? (Informal) -
Expression: 뭐 하고 놀아?
Pronunciation: mwo ha-go nol-a?
Meaning: What are you playing? (Informal) -
Expression: 나도 같이 놀아도 돼?
Pronunciation: na-do ga-chi nol-a-do dwae?
Meaning: Can I play with you too? (Informal) -
Expression: 이거 재미있어 보인다!
Pronunciation: i-geo jae-mi-it-sseo bo-in-da!
Meaning: This looks fun! -
Expression: 누구랑 왔어?
Pronunciation: nu-gu-rang wat-sseo?
Meaning: Who did you come with? (Informal) -
Expression: 여기 자주 와?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi ja-ju wa?
Meaning: Do you come here often? (Informal) -
Expression: 나는 [이름]이야.
Pronunciation: na-neun [i-reum]-i-ya.
Meaning: I’m [Name]. (Informal) -
Expression: 만나서 반가워.
Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-ga-wo.
Meaning: Nice to meet you. (Informal)
Playing Together
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Expression: 그네 밀어줄까?
Pronunciation: geu-ne mil-eo-jul-kka?
Meaning: Shall I push you on the swing? -
Expression: 미끄럼틀 타자!
Pronunciation: mi-kkeu-reom-teul ta-ja!
Meaning: Let’s go down the slide! -
Expression: 시소 탈래?
Pronunciation: si-so tal-lae?
Meaning: Do you want to ride the seesaw? -
Expression: 조심해!
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hae!
Meaning: Be careful! -
Expression: 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn. -
Expression: 네 차례야.
Pronunciation: ne cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s your turn. -
Expression: 같이 만들자!
Pronunciation: ga-chi man-deul-ja!
Meaning: Let’s build it together! (e.g., sandcastle) -
Expression: 술래잡기 할까?
Pronunciation: sul-lae-jap-gi hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we play tag? -
Expression: 누가 이기나 보자!
Pronunciation: nu-ga i-gi-na bo-ja!
Meaning: Let’s see who wins! -
Expression: 잠깐 쉬자.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan swi-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take a short break. -
Expression: 더 높이!
Pronunciation: deo nop-i!
Meaning: Higher! (e.g., on the swing)
Asking Simple Questions
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Expression: 재미있어?
Pronunciation: jae-mi-it-sseo?
Meaning: Is it fun? / Are you having fun? -
Expression: 이거 좋아해?
Pronunciation: i-geo jo-a-hae?
Meaning: Do you like this? -
Expression: 제일 좋아하는 놀이가 뭐야?
Pronunciation: je-il jo-a-ha-neun nol-i-ga mwo-ya?
Meaning: What’s your favorite game/play activity? -
Expression: 그네 타는 거 좋아해?
Pronunciation: geu-ne ta-neun geo jo-a-hae?
Meaning: Do you like riding the swing? -
Expression: 미끄럼틀 무섭지 않아?
Pronunciation: mi-kkeu-reom-teul mu-seop-ji an-a?
Meaning: Isn’t the slide scary? / Aren’t you scared of the slide? -
Expression: 목 말라?
Pronunciation: mok mal-la?
Meaning: Are you thirsty? -
Expression: 배고파?
Pronunciation: bae-go-pa?
Meaning: Are you hungry? -
Expression: 어디 살아?
Pronunciation: eo-di sal-a?
Meaning: Where do you live? (Use cautiously, might be too personal) -
Expression: 또 뭐 하고 싶어?
Pronunciation: tto mwo ha-go sip-eo?
Meaning: What else do you want to do? -
Expression: 이거 어떻게 하는 거야?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: How do you do this? / How does this work?
Praising and Encouraging
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Expression: 잘한다!
Pronunciation: jal-han-da!
Meaning: Good job! / You’re doing well! -
Expression: 우와!
Pronunciation: u-wa!
Meaning: Wow! -
Expression: 대단하다!
Pronunciation: dae-dan-ha-da!
Meaning: Amazing! / Incredible! -
Expression: 정말 빠르다!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal ppa-reu-da!
Meaning: You’re really fast! -
Expression: 멋지다!
Pronunciation: meot-ji-da!
Meaning: Cool! / Awesome! -
Expression: 최고야!
Pronunciation: choe-go-ya!
Meaning: You’re the best! -
Expression: 괜찮아, 다시 해보자.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a, da-si hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: It’s okay, let’s try again. -
Expression: 거의 다 왔어!
Pronunciation: geo-ui da wat-sseo!
Meaning: You’re almost there! -
Expression: 힘내!
Pronunciation: him-nae!
Meaning: Cheer up! / You can do it! -
Expression: 아주 잘했어!
Pronunciation: a-ju jal-haet-sseo!
Meaning: You did very well!
Korean Culture Notes
When interacting with children at a Korean playground, keep these cultural points in mind. Koreans often address children they don’t know by adding 아 (a) or 야 (ya) after their name, depending on whether the name ends in a consonant or vowel (e.g., 민준아 – Minjun-ah, 수지야 – Suji-ya). However, asking for their name first (이름이 뭐야? – i-reum-i mwo-ya?) is essential.
Age is significant in Korean culture, even among children. Asking “몇 살이야?” (myeot sal-i-ya? – How old are you?) is common and helps establish how to interact. Children often naturally defer to slightly older kids.
Sharing snacks is quite common at playgrounds. Parents might offer snacks to other children playing nearby. If offered, accepting politely is usual, perhaps with a “감사합니다” (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) from the adult and encouraging the child to say thanks too.
Korean parents tend to be very attentive and safety-conscious. While friendly interaction is generally welcome, be mindful of the child’s parents or guardians nearby. A brief nod or greeting to the parent can be a good gesture.
Using informal language (반말 – ban-mal), like the phrases listed here, is generally appropriate when an adult speaks to a young child. However, always maintain a respectful and friendly tone.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An adult (A) sees a young child (B) playing near the sandbox and decides to initiate a friendly conversation.
Roles: A = Adult, B = Child
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Expression: A: 안녕! 혼자 놀고 있네?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong! hon-ja nol-go it-ne?
Meaning: A: Hi! Are you playing by yourself? -
Expression: B: 네. 엄마는 저기 계세요.
Pronunciation: ne. eom-ma-neun jeo-gi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes. My mom is over there. -
Expression: A: 그렇구나. 이름이 뭐야?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ku-na. i-reum-i mwo-ya?
Meaning: A: I see. What’s your name? -
Expression: B: 지우예요.
Pronunciation: ji-u-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: I’m Jiwoo. -
Expression: A: 지우구나. 만나서 반가워. 나는 [이름]이야. 지우는 몇 살이야?
Pronunciation: ji-u-gu-na. man-na-seo ban-ga-wo. na-neun [i-reum]-i-ya. ji-u-neun myeot sal-i-ya?
Meaning: A: Oh, Jiwoo. Nice to meet you. I’m [Name]. How old are you, Jiwoo? -
Expression: B: 다섯 살이요.
Pronunciation: da-seot sal-i-yo.
Meaning: B: I’m five years old. -
Expression: A: 다섯 살이구나! 모래놀이 재미있어?
Pronunciation: da-seot sal-i-gu-na! mo-rae-nol-i jae-mi-it-sseo?
Meaning: A: You’re five! Is playing in the sand fun? -
Expression: B: 네! 성 만들고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne! seong man-deul-go it-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes! I’m building a castle. -
Expression: A: 우와, 멋지다! 같이 놀래?
Pronunciation: u-wa, meot-ji-da! ga-chi nol-lae?
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s cool! Do you want to play together? -
Expression: B: 좋아요!
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo!
Meaning: B: Okay!
Practice Tips
Now you have a great set of phrases for talking with children at a Korean playground! Remember, the key is to be friendly, approachable, and use simple language~ Practice the pronunciations, paying attention to the syllable breaks. Try listening to how Korean parents or other adults interact with children in parks or public spaces if you get the chance. Don’t be afraid to try using these phrases – kids are often forgiving language partners! Have fun connecting and playing! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
