Sibling dynamics often involve friendly (and sometimes not-so-friendly) negotiations, especially when it comes to sharing popular devices like tablets. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and sentences siblings might use when deciding who gets to use the tablet, helping you understand or even participate in these common household interactions.
Table Of Content
Core Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 오늘 밤 태블릿 누가 쓸 거야?
Pronunciation: o-neul bam tae-beul-lit nu-ga sseul geo-ya?
Meaning: Who is going to use the tablet tonight? -
Expression: 우리 순서 정하자.
Pronunciation: u-ri sun-seo jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide the order.
Claiming Your Turn
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Expression: 오늘 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: o-neul nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn today! -
Expression: 어제 네가 썼잖아.
Pronunciation: eo-je ne-ga sseot-jan-a.
Meaning: You used it yesterday. -
Expression: 내가 먼저 쓸 거야.
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo sseul geo-ya.
Meaning: I’m going to use it first. -
Expression: 나 아직 안 썼어.
Pronunciation: na a-jik an sseot-eo.
Meaning: I haven’t used it yet. -
Expression: 이번엔 내가 쓸 차례라고!
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae-ga sseul cha-rye-ra-go!
Meaning: I told you it’s my turn this time! -
Expression: 내가 먼저 예약했어.
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo ye-yak-haet-eo.
Meaning: I called dibs first / I reserved it first. -
Expression: 기다려, 내가 먼저 하기로 했잖아.
Pronunciation: gi-da-ryeo, nae-ga meon-jeo ha-gi-ro haet-jan-a.
Meaning: Wait, we agreed I would go first. -
Expression: 내 순서 건너뛰지 마.
Pronunciation: nae sun-seo geon-neo-ttwi-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t skip my turn. -
Expression: 이거 내가 쓰려고 했어.
Pronunciation: i-geo nae-ga sseu-ryeo-go haet-eo.
Meaning: I was planning on using this.
Suggesting Compromises and Sharing
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Expression: 같이 쓰자.
Pronunciation: ga-chi sseu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s use it together. -
Expression: 시간 정해서 쓰자.
Pronunciation: si-gan jeong-hae-seo sseu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s set a time and use it then. -
Expression: 한 시간씩 번갈아 가면서 쓰자.
Pronunciation: han si-gan-ssik beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo sseu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns using it for an hour each. -
Expression: 네가 먼저 30분 쓰고, 그다음에 내가 쓸게.
Pronunciation: ne-ga meon-jeo sam-sip-bun sseu-go, geu-da-eum-e nae-ga sseul-ge.
Meaning: You use it for 30 minutes first, and then I’ll use it. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we decide with rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 나 이거 잠깐만 보면 안 돼?
Pronunciation: na i-geo jam-kkan-man bo-myeon an dwae?
Meaning: Can’t I just look at this for a moment? -
Expression: 내일은 너 먼저 써.
Pronunciation: nae-il-eun neo meon-jeo sseo.
Meaning: You use it first tomorrow. -
Expression: 조금만 양보해 줘.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man yang-bo-hae jwo.
Meaning: Please compromise a little. -
Expression: 나 게임 한 판만 하고 줄게.
Pronunciation: na ge-im han pan-man ha-go jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll give it to you after just one round of the game. -
Expression: 반반씩 쓰면 되잖아.
Pronunciation: ban-ban-ssik sseu-myeon doe-jan-a.
Meaning: We can just use it half and half.
Expressing Disagreement and Frustration
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Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: No way! / That’s ridiculous! -
Expression: 왜 너만 써?
Pronunciation: wae neo-man sseo?
Meaning: Why do only you get to use it? -
Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s unfair! / That’s cheap! -
Expression: 맨날 너만 하잖아!
Pronunciation: maen-nal neo-man ha-jan-a!
Meaning: You use it every day! -
Expression: 싫어, 내가 먼저야.
Pronunciation: sil-eo, nae-ga meon-jeo-ya.
Meaning: No, I’m first. -
Expression: 너 너무 오래 썼어.
Pronunciation: neo neo-mu o-rae sseot-eo.
Meaning: You used it for too long. -
Expression: 이건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: This is unfair! -
Expression: 내 말 좀 들어봐!
Pronunciation: nae mal jom deul-eo-bwa!
Meaning: Listen to me! -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! -
Expression: 너 진짜 욕심쟁이다.
Pronunciation: neo jin-jja yok-sim-jaeng-i-da.
Meaning: You’re really greedy.
Setting Time Limits
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Expression: 딱 1시간만 할게.
Pronunciation: ttak han-si-gan-man hal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll use it for just 1 hour. -
Expression: 시간 다 됐어. 이제 내놔.
Pronunciation: si-gan da dwaet-eo. i-je nae-nwa.
Meaning: Time’s up. Hand it over now. -
Expression: 10분만 더 하면 안 돼?
Pronunciation: sip-bun-man deo ha-myeon an dwae?
Meaning: Can’t I use it for just 10 more minutes? -
Expression: 우리 저녁 먹기 전까지만 하자.
Pronunciation: u-ri jeo-nyeok meok-gi jeon-kka-ji-man ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just use it until before we eat dinner. -
Expression: 약속 시간 지켜.
Pronunciation: yak-sok si-gan ji-kyeo.
Meaning: Keep your promise about the time. -
Expression: 타이머 맞추자.
Pronunciation: ta-i-meo mat-chu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s set a timer. -
Expression: 너 벌써 한 시간 넘게 했어.
Pronunciation: neo beol-sseo han si-gan neom-ge haet-eo.
Meaning: You’ve already been using it for over an hour. -
Expression: 이 게임만 끝내고 줄게.
Pronunciation: i ge-im-man kkeun-nae-go jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll give it to you right after I finish this game. -
Expression: 정해진 시간만 써야 돼.
Pronunciation: jeong-hae-jin si-gan-man sseo-ya dwae.
Meaning: You have to use it only for the agreed time.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves some cultural context. Age hierarchy often plays a role; older siblings (형 – hyeong, 오빠 – oppa, 누나 – nuna, 언니 – eonni) might traditionally expect some deference or priority from younger siblings (동생 – dongsaeng), though this varies greatly by family.
Sharing is generally encouraged, but like anywhere, conflicts over desirable items like tablets are common. Using phrases like 같이 쓰자 (ga-chi sseu-ja – Let’s use it together) or suggesting compromises like 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) are frequent ways to resolve disputes.
Parents often set rules regarding screen time (스크린 타임 – seu-keu-rin ta-im) or device usage (기기 사용 – gi-gi sa-yong). Threatening to involve a parent (엄마한테 이를 거야! – eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!) is a classic sibling tactic worldwide, including Korea.
While direct confrontation happens, siblings might also use slightly more indirect ways to express frustration or make requests, depending on their relationship and age difference.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are deciding who gets to use the family tablet after dinner.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 소라야, 오늘 밤 태블릿 내가 써도 돼? 숙제 리서치 좀 해야 돼서.
Pronunciation: So-ra-ya, o-neul bam tae-beul-lit nae-ga sseo-do dwae? suk-je ri-seo-chi jom hae-ya dwae-seo.
Meaning: Sora, can I use the tablet tonight? I need to do some research for homework. -
Expression: B: 아 오빠! 어제도 오빠가 썼잖아! 오늘은 내 차례야. 나 게임하기로 했단 말이야.
Pronunciation: a op-ppa! eo-je-do op-ppa-ga sseot-jan-a! o-neul-eun nae cha-rye-ya. na ge-im-ha-gi-ro haet-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: Ah, Oppa! You used it yesterday too! It’s my turn today. I planned to play games. -
Expression: A: 알아, 근데 숙제가 급해서 그래. 한 시간만 쓰고 줄게. 응?
Pronunciation: ar-a, geun-de suk-je-ga geup-hae-seo geu-rae. han si-gan-man sseu-go jul-ge. eung?
Meaning: I know, but my homework is urgent. I’ll just use it for an hour and give it to you. Okay? -
Expression: B: 싫어! 맨날 오빠만 먼저 쓰고! 그럼 30분만 해. 30분 뒤에는 무조건 나 줘야 돼!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! maen-nal op-ppa-man meon-jeo sseu-go! geu-reom sam-sip-bun-man hae. sam-sip-bun dwi-e-neun mu-jo-kkeon na jwo-ya dwae!
Meaning: No! You always use it first! Then just use it for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, you absolutely have to give it to me! -
Expression: A: 아 진짜… 알았어. 30분만 빨리 할게. 타이머 맞추자.
Pronunciation: a jin-jja… ar-at-eo. sam-sip-bun-man ppal-li hal-ge. ta-i-meo mat-chu-ja.
Meaning: Ah really… Okay. I’ll do it quickly in just 30 minutes. Let’s set a timer. -
Expression: B: 그래! 약속 시간 꼭 지켜!
Pronunciation: geu-rae! yak-sok si-gan kkok ji-kyeo!
Meaning: Okay! Make sure you keep the promised time!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member who is also learning Korean~ Imagine you’re siblings arguing over the tablet and use the expressions naturally. You can also listen for these phrases in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings. Pay attention to the intonation and context! Remember, knowing how to negotiate (even playfully!) is a useful real-life skill in any language. Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
