Communicating safety rules clearly is essential when caring for children. This guide provides Korean phrases for parents or guardians needing to explain to a child why climbing on the kitchen counter is not allowed and dangerous. You’ll learn how to give clear instructions, explain the risks, and suggest safer alternatives.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 올라가지 마
Pronunciation: ol-la-ga-ji ma
Meaning: Don’t climb up (informal command)
Basic Commands and Warnings
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Expression: 주방 조리대에 올라가면 안 돼.
Pronunciation: ju-bang jo-ri-dae-e ol-la-ga-myeon an dwae.
Meaning: You shouldn’t climb on the kitchen counter. -
Expression: 거기 올라가지 마세요.
Pronunciation: geo-gi ol-la-ga-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Please don’t climb up there. (Slightly more polite) -
Expression: 내려와!
Pronunciation: nae-ryeo-wa!
Meaning: Come down! -
Expression: 얼른 내려와.
Pronunciation: eol-leun nae-ryeo-wa.
Meaning: Come down quickly / right now. -
Expression: 안 돼!
Pronunciation: an dwae!
Meaning: No! / Don’t do that! -
Expression: 그만해.
Pronunciation: geu-man-hae.
Meaning: Stop it. -
Expression: 위험해!
Pronunciation: wi-heom-hae!
Meaning: It’s dangerous! -
Expression: 조심해야지.
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hae-ya-ji.
Meaning: You have to be careful. -
Expression: 엄마 말 들어야지.
Pronunciation: eom-ma mal deu-reo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You should listen to Mom. -
Expression: 아빠 말 잘 들어.
Pronunciation: a-ppa mal jal deu-reo.
Meaning: Listen carefully to Dad. -
Expression: 거기는 노는 곳이 아니야.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun no-neun go-si a-ni-ya.
Meaning: That’s not a place to play. -
Expression: 발 디디면 안 돼.
Pronunciation: bal di-di-myeon an dwae.
Meaning: You shouldn’t step there.
Explaining the Danger
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Expression: 거기 올라가면 위험해.
Pronunciation: geo-gi ol-la-ga-myeon wi-heom-hae.
Meaning: It’s dangerous if you climb up there. -
Expression: 떨어질 수 있어.
Pronunciation: tteo-reo-jil su i-sseo.
Meaning: You could fall. -
Expression: 넘어지면 다쳐.
Pronunciation: neo-meo-ji-myeon da-chyeo.
Meaning: If you fall, you’ll get hurt. -
Expression: 크게 다칠 수도 있어.
Pronunciation: keu-ge da-chil su-do i-sseo.
Meaning: You could get seriously hurt. -
Expression: 뜨거운 것이 있을 수 있어.
Pronunciation: tteu-geo-un geo-si i-sseul su i-sseo.
Meaning: There might be hot things there. -
Expression: 칼 같은 날카로운 것도 있어.
Pronunciation: kal ga-teun nal-ka-ro-un geot-do i-sseo.
Meaning: There are also sharp things like knives. -
Expression: 부엌은 위험한 곳이야.
Pronunciation: bu-eo-ke-neun wi-heom-han go-si-ya.
Meaning: The kitchen is a dangerous place. -
Expression: 조리대는 음식을 만드는 곳이지, 노는 곳이 아니야.
Pronunciation: jo-ri-dae-neun eum-si-geul man-deu-neun go-si-ji, no-neun go-si a-ni-ya.
Meaning: The counter is where food is made, not a place to play. -
Expression: 발 헛디디면 큰일 나.
Pronunciation: bal heot-di-di-myeon keun-il na.
Meaning: If you misstep, something bad could happen. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠가 걱정돼.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-ga geok-jeong-dwae.
Meaning: Mom/Dad is worried. -
Expression: 다치면 병원에 가야 해.
Pronunciation: da-chi-myeon byeong-won-e ga-ya hae.
Meaning: If you get hurt, you have to go to the hospital. -
Expression: 약속했잖아, 위험한 행동 안 하기로.
Pronunciation: yak-so-kaet-jan-a, wi-heom-han haeng-dong an ha-gi-ro.
Meaning: We promised, didn’t we? Not to do dangerous things.
Offering Alternatives and Positive Guidance
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Expression: 바닥에서 놀자.
Pronunciation: ba-da-ge-seo nol-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play on the floor. -
Expression: 거실에 가서 놀까?
Pronunciation: geo-si-re ga-seo nol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we go play in the living room? -
Expression: 엄마/아빠랑 같이 다른 놀이 하자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-rang ga-chi da-reun no-ri ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play something else together with Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 장난감 가지고 놀자.
Pronunciation: jang-nan-gam ga-ji-go nol-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play with your toys. -
Expression: 책 읽어 줄까?
Pronunciation: chaek il-geo jul-kka?
Meaning: Shall I read you a book? -
Expression: 그림 그릴까?
Pronunciation: geu-rim geu-ril-kka?
Meaning: Shall we draw pictures? -
Expression: 도움이 필요하면 엄마/아빠한테 말해.
Pronunciation: do-u-mi pi-ryo-ha-myeon eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te mal-hae.
Meaning: If you need help, tell Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 높은 곳에 있는 거 꺼내 줄게.
Pronunciation: no-peun go-se it-neun geo kkeo-nae jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll get down the thing that’s in a high place for you. -
Expression: 착하다, 말 잘 들어서.
Pronunciation: cha-ka-da, mal jal deu-reo-seo.
Meaning: Good job, for listening well. -
Expression: 안전하게 노는 게 제일 중요해.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-ha-ge no-neun ge je-il jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: Playing safely is the most important thing. -
Expression: 여기 말고 저기서 놀자.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi mal-go jeo-gi-seo nol-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play over there, not here. -
Expression: 궁금한 게 있으면 물어봐. 올라가지 말고.
Pronunciation: gung-geum-han ge i-sseu-myeon mu-reo-bwa. ol-la-ga-ji mal-go.
Meaning: If you’re curious about something, ask. Don’t climb up.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding cultural context helps in communication. In Korea, there’s a strong emphasis on safety, especially for children. Parents often explain dangers clearly and expect children to listen to warnings.
Direct commands like “하지 마” (ha-ji ma – don’t do it) or “안 돼” (an dwae – no/don’t) are common and generally accepted when setting boundaries for children’s safety, though often followed by explanations.
Respect for elders, including parents, is a core value. Phrases like “엄마/아빠 말 들어” (eom-ma/a-ppa mal deu-reo – listen to Mom/Dad) reinforce this expectation.
While directness is used for safety, Korean parenting also involves explaining the reasoning behind rules, helping children understand *why* certain actions are forbidden, fostering understanding rather than just obedience.
Offering alternative activities is a common strategy to redirect a child’s behavior positively after giving a prohibition.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A parent (A) sees their young child (B) trying to climb onto the kitchen counter.
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Expression: A: 어? 민준아, 거기 올라가면 안 돼! 위험해!
Pronunciation: eo? min-jun-a, geo-gi ol-la-ga-myeon an dwae! wi-heom-hae!
Meaning: A: Huh? Minjun, you shouldn’t climb up there! It’s dangerous! -
Expression: B: 쿠키… 저기 위에 쿠키 있어요.
Pronunciation: ku-ki… jeo-gi wi-e ku-ki i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Cookies… there are cookies up there. -
Expression: A: 알아. 하지만 조리대에 올라가면 넘어져서 다칠 수 있어. 얼른 내려와.
Pronunciation: a-ra. ha-ji-man jo-ri-dae-e ol-la-ga-myeon neo-meo-jyeo-seo da-chil su i-sseo. eol-leun nae-ryeo-wa.
Meaning: A: I know. But if you climb on the counter, you could fall and get hurt. Come down quickly. -
Expression: B: (내려오면서) 쿠키 먹고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: (nae-ryeo-o-myeon-seo) ku-ki meok-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: B: (While coming down) I want to eat cookies. -
Expression: A: 그래, 쿠키 먹고 싶구나. 엄마한테 말하면 꺼내 줄 텐데. 올라가면 정말 위험해. 다음부터는 꼭 말로 해줘, 알았지?
Pronunciation: geu-rae, ku-ki meok-go sip-gu-na. eom-ma-han-te mal-ha-myeon kkeo-nae jul ten-de. ol-la-ga-myeon jeong-mal wi-heom-hae. da-eum-bu-teo-neun kkok mal-lo hae-jwo, a-rat-ji?
Meaning: A: Okay, so you want cookies. If you tell Mom, I’ll get them down for you. Climbing up is really dangerous. Next time, make sure to ask me with words, okay? -
Expression: B: 네…
Pronunciation: ne…
Meaning: B: Yes… -
Expression: A: 착하다. 자, 손 씻고 와서 쿠키 먹자. 거실에서 먹는 거야.
Pronunciation: cha-ka-da. ja, son ssit-go wa-seo ku-ki meok-ja. geo-sil-e-seo meong-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: A: Good boy. Now, wash your hands and let’s eat cookies. We’ll eat them in the living room.
Practice Tips
Practice saying these phrases aloud, imagining the situation! Pay attention to the intonation – warnings often have a firmer, slightly louder tone~. Role-playing with someone else can be very helpful. Try using the commands first, then the explanations, and finally suggesting an alternative. Remember, consistency is key when setting rules for children. Good luck! 화이팅!
