Sibling relationships often involve playful teasing, and music taste is a common topic for lighthearted jabs. This guide provides Korean phrases and expressions you can use to jokingly tease your sibling about their music preferences at home, along with common replies and cultural context.
Table Of Content
Core Teasing Expression
-
Expression: 음악 취향 진짜 이상해.
Pronunciation: eum-ak chwi-hyang jin-jja i-sang-hae.
Meaning: Your music taste is really weird. (This is a direct and common way to tease someone about their preferences.)
Common Teasing Phrases
-
Expression: 이런 노래를 어떻게 들어?
Pronunciation: i-reon no-rae-reul eo-tteo-ke deu-reo?
Meaning: How can you listen to songs like this? -
Expression: 네 플레이리스트 완전 구려.
Pronunciation: ne peu-le-i-ri-seu-teu wan-jeon gu-ryeo.
Meaning: Your playlist totally sucks. (Casual/informal) -
Expression: 귀 괜찮아? 이런 걸 듣게.
Pronunciation: gwi gwaen-cha-na? i-reon geol deut-ge.
Meaning: Are your ears okay? Listening to stuff like this. -
Expression: 이게 노래야 소음이야?
Pronunciation: i-ge no-rae-ya so-eum-i-ya?
Meaning: Is this music or noise? -
Expression: 너 때문에 내 귀가 썩겠어.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mu-ne nae gwi-ga sseok-ge-sseo.
Meaning: My ears are going to rot because of you. (Exaggerated teasing) -
Expression: 또 그 이상한 노래 듣네.
Pronunciation: tto geu i-sang-han no-rae deut-ne.
Meaning: You’re listening to that weird song again. -
Expression: 음악 취향 좀 바꿔봐.
Pronunciation: eum-ak chwi-hyang jom ba-kkwo-bwa.
Meaning: Try changing your music taste a bit. -
Expression: 이 가수는 누구야? 처음 들어봐.
Pronunciation: i ga-su-neun nu-gu-ya? cheo-eum deu-reo-bwa.
Meaning: Who is this singer? I’ve never heard of them. (Implying they are obscure/unpopular) -
Expression: 이 노래 들으면 잠 와.
Pronunciation: i no-rae deu-reu-myeon jam wa.
Meaning: This song makes me sleepy. -
Expression: 제발 볼륨 좀 줄여줘.
Pronunciation: je-bal bol-lyum jom ju-ryeo-jwo.
Meaning: Please turn the volume down. -
Expression: 이런 유행 지난 노래를 아직도 듣니?
Pronunciation: i-reon yu-haeng ji-nan no-rae-reul a-jik-do deut-ni?
Meaning: Are you still listening to outdated songs like this?
Defensive Replies
-
Expression: 내 취향이야! 신경 꺼.
Pronunciation: nae chwi-hyang-i-ya! sin-gyeong kkeo.
Meaning: It’s my taste! Mind your own business. -
Expression: 네가 뭘 알아?
Pronunciation: ne-ga mwol a-ra?
Meaning: What do you know (about music)? -
Expression: 이 노래 얼마나 좋은데!
Pronunciation: i no-rae eol-ma-na jo-eun-de!
Meaning: This song is so good! -
Expression: 듣기 싫으면 네가 나가.
Pronunciation: deut-gi si-reu-myeon ne-ga na-ga.
Meaning: If you don’t want to hear it, you leave. -
Expression: 너나 잘 해. 네 취향은 좋고?
Pronunciation: neo-na jal hae. ne chwi-hyang-eun jo-ko?
Meaning: Worry about yourself. Is your taste any better? -
Expression: 이게 요즘 유행이야, 몰랐어?
Pronunciation: i-ge yo-jeum yu-haeng-i-ya, mol-la-sseo?
Meaning: This is what’s trendy these days, didn’t you know? -
Expression: 취향 존중 좀 해줘.
Pronunciation: chwi-hyang jon-jung jom hae-jwo.
Meaning: Please respect my taste. (Often said playfully) -
Expression: 명곡인데 뭘 모르네.
Pronunciation: myeong-gok-in-de mwol mo-reu-ne.
Meaning: It’s a masterpiece, you just don’t get it. -
Expression: 시끄러워.
Pronunciation: si-kkeu-reo-wo.
Meaning: Be quiet / Shut up. (Common sibling retort) -
Expression: 흥, 너랑 말 안 해.
Pronunciation: heung, neo-rang mal an hae.
Meaning: Hmph, I’m not talking to you. (Childish/playful retort)
General Sibling Banter at Home
-
Expression: 내 방에서 나가!
Pronunciation: nae bang-e-seo na-ga!
Meaning: Get out of my room! -
Expression: 내 물건 만지지 마.
Pronunciation: nae mul-geon man-ji-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t touch my stuff. -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! -
Expression: 네가 내 과자 먹었지?
Pronunciation: ne-ga nae gwa-ja meo-geot-ji?
Meaning: You ate my snacks, didn’t you? -
Expression: 리모컨 어디 있어?
Pronunciation: ri-mo-keon eo-di i-sseo?
Meaning: Where’s the remote control? -
Expression: 나 좀 내버려 둬.
Pronunciation: na jom nae-beo-ryeo dwo.
Meaning: Leave me alone. -
Expression: 이따가 같이 게임할래?
Pronunciation: i-tta-ga ga-chi ge-im-hal-lae?
Meaning: Want to play games together later? -
Expression: 방 청소 좀 해라.
Pronunciation: bang cheong-so jom hae-ra.
Meaning: Clean your room. -
Expression: 뭐 재미있는 거 없어?
Pronunciation: mwo jae-mi-in-neun geo eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there anything fun (to do/watch)? -
Expression: 용돈 좀 빌려줘.
Pronunciation: yong-don jom bil-lyeo-jwo.
Meaning: Lend me some allowance money.
Cultural Tips
Sibling relationships in Korea, like anywhere, involve a mix of affection and rivalry. Teasing (장난 – jang-nan) is very common, especially between siblings close in age. While the phrases here are typical, the level of directness or harshness depends heavily on the specific family dynamic and age difference.
Using informal language (반말 – ban-mal) is standard between siblings, regardless of age difference, unless there’s a very large gap or a particularly formal family upbringing. The expressions listed use this informal speech level.
Hierarchy can still play a subtle role. An older sibling (형/오빠/누나/언니 – hyeong/oppa/nuna/eonni) might tease more freely, while a younger sibling (동생 – dong-saeng) might use slightly less direct teasing or more defensive replies, though this is becoming less rigid.
Sharing space and belongings is common in Korean households, leading to frequent, minor conflicts and banter over things like music volume, room tidiness, or using each other’s items, making these phrases quite relevant to everyday life.
While teasing is common, it’s generally understood to be playful. However, be mindful of tone. Saying something like “음악 취향 진짜 이상해” (eum-ak chwi-hyang jin-jja i-sang-hae) with a genuinely disgusted tone could be hurtful, whereas a light, joking tone makes it acceptable banter.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Ji-hoon (older brother) and Min-seo (younger sister), are in the living room. Min-seo is playing music Ji-hoon doesn’t like.
Characters:
- A: Ji-hoon (지훈)
- B: Min-seo (민서)
-
Expression: A: 아, 또 이 노래야? 제발 좀 꺼라.
Pronunciation: A, tto i no-rae-ya? je-bal jom kkeo-ra.
Meaning: A: Ugh, this song again? Please turn it off. -
Expression: B: 왜? 이 노래 얼마나 좋은데! 오빠가 뭘 알아.
Pronunciation: Wae? i no-rae eol-ma-na jo-eun-de! o-ppa-ga mwol a-ra.
Meaning: B: Why? This song is so good! What do you know, Oppa? -
Expression: A: 시끄럽기만 하고 가사도 이상하잖아. 네 음악 취향 진짜 독특하다니까.
Pronunciation: Si-kkeu-reop-gi-man ha-go ga-sa-do i-sang-ha-ja-na. ne eum-ak chwi-hyang jin-jja dok-teu-ka-da-ni-kka.
Meaning: A: It’s just loud and the lyrics are weird. I’m telling you, your music taste is really peculiar. -
Expression: B: 흥! 오빠가 듣는 옛날 노래보다는 훨씬 나아. 취향 존중 좀 해줘!
Pronunciation: Heung! o-ppa-ga deut-neun yen-nal no-rae-bo-da-neun hwol-ssin na-a. chwi-hyang jon-jung jom hae-jwo!
Meaning: B: Hmph! It’s way better than those old songs you listen to, Oppa. Respect my taste! -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 대신 볼륨 좀 줄여. 귀 아파.
Pronunciation: A-ra-sseo, a-ra-sseo. dae-sin bol-lyum jom ju-ryeo. gwi a-pa.
Meaning: A: Okay, okay. Just turn the volume down a bit instead. My ears hurt. -
Expression: B: 알았다고~ 조금만 줄일게.
Pronunciation: A-rat-da-go~ jo-geum-man ju-ril-ge.
Meaning: B: Alright~ I’ll turn it down just a little.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases requires understanding the playful context of sibling banter! Try using them with Korean-speaking friends you’re comfortable joking with, or even practice saying them aloud to get the intonation right~.
Listen to Korean dramas or variety shows featuring siblings to hear how they interact and tease each other naturally. Pay attention not just to the words, but also the tone of voice and reactions!
Remember, the key is usually lightheartedness. Mix teasing phrases with defensive replies to practice both sides of the conversation. Have fun with it, and soon you’ll be able to engage in some friendly Korean sibling-style teasing! Fighting!~
