Learning how to express frustration or discuss forgotten items is useful for navigating everyday situations in Korean, even uncomfortable ones like a minor argument. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for a common scenario: a couple arguing because someone forgot to pack the sunscreen for a trip. You’ll learn how to express blame, defend yourself, show frustration, and potentially resolve the issue.
Table Of Content
Core Issue: Forgetting Sunscreen
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Expression: 선크림 챙기는 것을 잊다
Pronunciation: seon-keu-rim chaeng-gi-neun geo-seul it-da
Meaning: To forget to pack the sunscreen (dictionary form) -
Expression: 선크림 안 챙겼어?
Pronunciation: seon-keu-rim an chaeng-gyeo-sseo?
Meaning: You didn’t pack the sunscreen? / Didn’t you pack the sunscreen?
Phrases for Accusation and Blame
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Expression: 당신이 선크림 챙기기로 했잖아요!
Pronunciation: dang-sin-i seon-keu-rim chaeng-gi-gi-ro haet-jan-a-yo!
Meaning: You were supposed to pack the sunscreen! -
Expression: 왜 선크림 안 챙겼어요?
Pronunciation: wae seon-keu-rim an chaeng-gyeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Why didn’t you pack the sunscreen? -
Expression: 내가 당신한테 맡겼는데.
Pronunciation: nae-ga dang-sin-han-te mat-gyeot-neun-de.
Meaning: I left it up to you. / I entrusted you with it. -
Expression: 분명히 당신 담당이었어요.
Pronunciation: bun-myeong-hi dang-sin dam-dang-i-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was definitely your responsibility. -
Expression: 또 깜빡한 거예요?
Pronunciation: tto kkam-ppa-kan geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did you forget again? -
Expression: 이거 당신 잘못이에요.
Pronunciation: i-geo dang-sin jal-mo-si-e-yo.
Meaning: This is your fault. -
Expression: 어떻게 이걸 잊어버릴 수가 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke i-geol i-jeo-beo-ril su-ga i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How could you forget this? -
Expression: 여행 시작부터 기분 망치네.
Pronunciation: yeo-haeng si-jak-bu-teo gi-bun mang-chi-ne.
Meaning: You’re ruining the mood right from the start of the trip. -
Expression: 내가 확인하라고 말했잖아요.
Pronunciation: nae-ga hwa-gin-ha-ra-go mal-haet-jan-a-yo.
Meaning: I told you to check!
Phrases for Defense and Denial
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Expression: 제 담당 아니었어요.
Pronunciation: je dam-dang a-ni-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It wasn’t my responsibility. -
Expression: 당신이 챙긴다고 했잖아요.
Pronunciation: dang-sin-i chaeng-gin-da-go haet-jan-a-yo.
Meaning: You said you would pack it. -
Expression: 저는 다른 거 챙기느라 바빴어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun da-reun geo chaeng-gi-neu-ra ba-ppa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I was busy packing other things. -
Expression: 왜 제 탓만 해요?
Pronunciation: wae je tat-man hae-yo?
Meaning: Why are you only blaming me? -
Expression: 같이 확인했어야죠.
Pronunciation: ga-chi hwa-gin-hae-sseo-ya-jyo.
Meaning: We should have checked together. -
Expression: 저도 깜빡했어요. 미안해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do kkam-ppa-kae-sseo-yo. mi-an-hae-yo.
Meaning: I forgot too. I’m sorry. -
Expression: 서로 확인 안 한 우리 잘못이죠.
Pronunciation: seo-ro hwa-gin an han u-ri jal-mo-si-jyo.
Meaning: It’s our fault for not checking with each other. -
Expression: 기억이 안 나요.
Pronunciation: gi-eo-gi an na-yo.
Meaning: I don’t remember (being told to pack it). -
Expression: 제가 챙기기로 했었나요?
Pronunciation: je-ga chaeng-gi-gi-ro hae-sseon-na-yo?
Meaning: Was I supposed to pack it? -
Expression: 너무 정신이 없었어요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu jeong-sin-i eop-seo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I was too scatterbrained / It was too hectic.
Expressing Frustration and Annoyance
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Expression: 아, 진짜! 어떡해요 이제?
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja! eo-tteo-kae-yo i-je?
Meaning: Ah, really! What do we do now? -
Expression: 선크림 없이 어떻게 다녀요?
Pronunciation: seon-keu-rim eop-si eo-tteo-ke da-nyeo-yo?
Meaning: How can we go around without sunscreen? -
Expression: 피부 다 탈 텐데.
Pronunciation: pi-bu da tal ten-de.
Meaning: Our skin is going to burn. -
Expression: 정말 짜증나네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal jja-jeung-na-ne-yo.
Meaning: This is really annoying. -
Expression: 중요한 걸 빼먹으면 어떡해요.
Pronunciation: jung-yo-han geol ppae-meo-geu-myeon eo-tteo-kae-yo.
Meaning: What are we supposed to do if we forget something important? -
Expression: 이것 때문에 기분 다 상했어요.
Pronunciation: i-geot ttae-mu-ne gi-bun da sang-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My mood is completely ruined because of this. -
Expression: 매번 이런 식이에요.
Pronunciation: mae-beon i-reon si-gi-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s always like this. -
Expression: 좀 더 신경 썼어야죠.
Pronunciation: jom deo sin-gyeong sseo-sseo-ya-jyo.
Meaning: You should have paid more attention. -
Expression: 답답하네요 정말.
Pronunciation: dap-da-pa-ne-yo jeong-mal.
Meaning: It’s so frustrating, really. -
Expression: 이제 와서 어쩔 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-je wa-seo eo-jjeol geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are you going to do about it now?
Phrases for Resolution or Moving On
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Expression: 알았어요, 그만 싸우고 가서 사요.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo-yo, geu-man ssa-u-go ga-seo sa-yo.
Meaning: Okay, let’s stop fighting and go buy some. -
Expression: 이미 엎질러진 물이에요.
Pronunciation: i-mi eop-jil-leo-jin mu-ri-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s already spilled milk. (What’s done is done.) -
Expression: 화내지 말아요. 해결 방법을 찾아요.
Pronunciation: hwa-nae-ji ma-ra-yo. hae-gyeol bang-beo-beul cha-ja-yo.
Meaning: Don’t be angry. Let’s find a solution. -
Expression: 그럼 지금이라도 사러 갈까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom ji-geu-mi-ra-do sa-reo gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Then shall we go buy some now? -
Expression: 다음부터는 꼭 같이 확인해요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-bu-teo-neun kkok ga-chi hwa-gin-hae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s make sure to check together next time. -
Expression: 제 실수예요. 미안해요.
Pronunciation: je sil-su-ye-yo. mi-an-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s my mistake. I’m sorry. -
Expression: 이걸로 계속 기분 나빠하지 말아요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo gye-sok gi-bun na-ppa-ha-ji ma-ra-yo.
Meaning: Let’s not stay upset over this. -
Expression: 근처 편의점에서 사면 되죠.
Pronunciation: geun-cheo pyeon-ui-jeom-e-seo sa-myeon doe-jyo.
Meaning: We can just buy it at a nearby convenience store. -
Expression: 서로 탓하지 맙시다.
Pronunciation: seo-ro tat-ha-ji map-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s not blame each other. -
Expression: 여행 즐겁게 해야죠.
Pronunciation: yeo-haeng jeul-geop-ge hae-ya-jyo.
Meaning: We should enjoy the trip.
Korean Culture Notes
Arguments happen in any relationship, but cultural nuances can affect how they unfold. In Korea, direct confrontation might be less common initially, but frustration can build up. Pointing blame (탓하다 – tat-ha-da) is direct, and while possible, often couples might try to find shared responsibility or focus on solutions.
Shared responsibility is often emphasized. Phrases like 같이 확인했어야죠 (ga-chi hwa-gin-hae-sseo-ya-jyo – We should have checked together) reflect this idea. Blaming only one person might be seen as harsh, depending on the couple’s dynamic.
Saving face (체면 – che-myeon) can play a role, even in private arguments. Admitting fault quickly with 미안해요 (mi-an-hae-yo – I’m sorry) can sometimes de-escalate the situation faster than prolonged denial.
Practicality often wins. While frustration is normal, Koreans tend to be pragmatic. Suggesting a quick solution like buying the forgotten item (가서 사요 – ga-seo sa-yo – Let’s go buy it) is a common way to move past the argument and focus on enjoying the trip.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Minjun and Sora, arrive at their beach destination and realize they don’t have sunscreen.
Characters:
- A: Sora (Slightly annoyed)
- B: Minjun (Defensive at first, then conciliatory)
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Expression: A: 어? 가방에 선크림이 없네. 당신이 챙긴다고 하지 않았어요?
Pronunciation: eo? ga-bang-e seon-keu-ri-mi eom-ne. dang-sin-i chaeng-gin-da-go ha-ji a-na-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Huh? There’s no sunscreen in the bag. Didn’t you say you’d pack it? -
Expression: B: 네? 제가요? 저는 당신이 챙기는 줄 알았는데.
Pronunciation: ne? je-ga-yo? jeo-neun dang-sin-i chaeng-gi-neun jul a-ran-neun-de.
Meaning: What? Me? I thought you were packing it. -
Expression: A: 아니에요. 분명히 어제 당신한테 선크림 담당이라고 말했잖아요!
Pronunciation: a-ni-e-yo. bun-myeong-hi eo-je dang-sin-han-te seon-keu-rim dam-dang-i-ra-go mal-haet-jan-a-yo!
Meaning: No. I definitely told you yesterday that sunscreen was your responsibility! -
Expression: B: 아… 그랬나? 기억이 잘 안 나요. 다른 거 챙기느라 정신이 없었어요.
Pronunciation: a… geu-raen-na? gi-eo-gi jal an na-yo. da-reun geo chaeng-gi-neu-ra jeong-sin-i eop-seo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Ah… Did I? I don’t remember well. I was too busy packing other things. -
Expression: A: 정말 짜증나네요. 선크림 없이 어떻게 해변에 가요? 피부 다 탈 텐데.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal jja-jeung-na-ne-yo. seon-keu-rim eop-si eo-tteo-ke hae-byeon-e ga-yo? pi-bu da tal ten-de.
Meaning: This is really annoying. How can we go to the beach without sunscreen? Our skin will burn. -
Expression: B: 미안해요. 제 실수예요. 너무 화내지 말아요. 지금 가서 사면 되죠.
Pronunciation: mi-an-hae-yo. je sil-su-ye-yo. neo-mu hwa-nae-ji ma-ra-yo. ji-geum ga-seo sa-myeon doe-jyo.
Meaning: I’m sorry. It’s my mistake. Don’t be too angry. We can just go buy some now. -
Expression: A: 하… 알았어요. 그럼 빨리 가서 사 와요. 다음부터는 꼭 같이 확인해요.
Pronunciation: ha… a-ra-sseo-yo. geu-reom ppal-li ga-seo sa wa-yo. da-eum-bu-teo-neun kkok ga-chi hwa-gin-hae-yo.
Meaning: Sigh… Okay. Then let’s go buy it quickly. Next time, let’s definitely check together. -
Expression: B: 네, 그럽시다. 미안해요, 다시는 안 그럴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reop-si-da. mi-an-hae-yo, da-si-neun an geu-reol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, let’s do that. I’m sorry, I won’t let it happen again.
Practice Tips
Understanding these phrases is the first step! Try practicing them out loud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Pay attention to the intonation used in arguments – it often rises when accusing and might soften when apologizing or suggesting a solution.
Imagine yourself in this situation (hopefully you won’t be, but it’s good practice!). How would you react? Try forming sentences using the vocabulary here. You could even practice with a friend or language partner, taking turns playing each role in the conversation example!
Remember, even learning phrases for arguments helps you understand natural Korean conversation better. Keep practicing, and these expressions will become more familiar! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
