Discussing who gets extra sleep on the weekend is a common scenario for couples. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and expressions for navigating the friendly (or sometimes not-so-friendly) argument about sleeping in, helping you express your desire for rest, negotiate turns, and understand cultural nuances related to weekend relaxation in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 늦잠 자다
Pronunciation: neut-jam ja-da
Meaning: To sleep in, oversleep
Expressing Desire to Sleep In
-
Expression: 나 오늘 늦잠 잘래.
Pronunciation: na o-neul neut-jam jal-lae.
Meaning: I want to sleep in today. -
Expression: 이번 주말에는 푹 자고 싶어.
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e-neun puk ja-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to sleep soundly this weekend. -
Expression: 나 너무 피곤해. 좀 더 잘게.
Pronunciation: na neo-mu pi-gon-hae. jom deo jal-ge.
Meaning: I’m so tired. I’m going to sleep a bit more. -
Expression: 깨우지 마세요.
Pronunciation: kkae-u-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Please don’t wake me up. -
Expression: 주말에는 늦잠 자는 게 최고야.
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e-neun neut-jam ja-neun ge choe-go-ya.
Meaning: Sleeping in on the weekend is the best. -
Expression: 알람 껐어.
Pronunciation: al-lam kkeot-eo.
Meaning: I turned off the alarm. -
Expression: 오늘은 그냥 침대에 있을래.
Pronunciation: o-neul-eun geu-nyang chim-dae-e it-eul-lae.
Meaning: I just want to stay in bed today. -
Expression: 잠 좀 보충해야 돼.
Pronunciation: jam jom bo-chung-hae-ya dwae.
Meaning: I need to catch up on sleep. -
Expression: 나 아직 졸려.
Pronunciation: na a-jik jol-lyeo.
Meaning: I’m still sleepy. -
Expression: 일어나기 싫어.
Pronunciation: il-eo-na-gi sil-eo.
Meaning: I don’t want to get up.
Negotiating and Arguing
-
Expression: 이번 주말에는 내가 늦잠 잘 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e-neun nae-ga neut-jam jal cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn to sleep in this weekend. -
Expression: 지난주에 당신이 늦잠 잤잖아.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-ju-e dang-sin-i neut-jam jat-jan-a.
Meaning: You slept in last week. -
Expression: 그건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: geu-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: That’s not fair! -
Expression: 우리 번갈아 가면서 늦잠 자자.
Pronunciation: u-ri beon-gal-a ga-myeon-seo neut-jam ja-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns sleeping in. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 왜 맨날 나만 일찍 일어나야 해?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal na-man il-jjik il-eo-na-ya hae?
Meaning: Why do I always have to wake up early? -
Expression: 토요일은 내가, 일요일은 당신이 자.
Pronunciation: to-yo-il-eun nae-ga, il-yo-il-eun dang-sin-i ja.
Meaning: I’ll sleep in on Saturday, you sleep in on Sunday. -
Expression: 약속했잖아!
Pronunciation: yak-sok-haet-jan-a!
Meaning: We promised! / You promised! -
Expression: 말도 안 돼.
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae.
Meaning: That doesn’t make sense. / No way. -
Expression: 타협 좀 하자.
Pronunciation: ta-hyeop jom ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s compromise a little. -
Expression: 누가 먼저 일어날 거야?
Pronunciation: nu-ga meon-jeo il-eo-nal geo-ya?
Meaning: Who’s going to get up first? -
Expression: 이기적이네.
Pronunciation: i-gi-jeok-i-ne.
Meaning: You’re being selfish.
Making Excuses or Justifying
-
Expression: 나 이번 주에 진짜 열심히 일했어.
Pronunciation: na i-beon ju-e jin-jja yeol-sim-hi il-haet-eo.
Meaning: I worked really hard this week. -
Expression: 어젯밤에 잠을 잘 못 잤어.
Pronunciation: eo-jet-bam-e jam-eul jal mot jat-eo.
Meaning: I didn’t sleep well last night. -
Expression: 딱 30분만 더 잘게.
Pronunciation: ttak sam-sip-bun-man deo jal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll just sleep for 30 more minutes. -
Expression: 몸이 좀 안 좋아.
Pronunciation: mom-i jom an jo-a.
Meaning: I’m not feeling well. -
Expression: 어차피 주말인데 뭐 어때.
Pronunciation: eo-cha-pi ju-mal-in-de mwo eo-ttae.
Meaning: It’s the weekend anyway, so what does it matter? -
Expression: 피로가 안 풀렸어.
Pronunciation: pi-ro-ga an pul-lyeot-eo.
Meaning: My fatigue hasn’t gone away. -
Expression: 조금만 봐줘.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man bwa-jwo.
Meaning: Cut me some slack. / Let me off easy this time. -
Expression: 오늘은 정말 일어나기 힘들어.
Pronunciation: o-neul-eun jeong-mal il-eo-na-gi him-deul-eo.
Meaning: It’s really hard to get up today. -
Expression: 나한테 휴식이 필요해.
Pronunciation: na-han-te hyu-sik-i pil-yo-hae.
Meaning: I need rest. -
Expression: 다음 주에는 내가 일찍 일어날게.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-e-neun nae-ga il-jjik il-eo-nal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll wake up early next week.
Reaching a Compromise (or Not)
-
Expression: 알았어, 알았어. 당신이 자.
Pronunciation: al-at-eo, al-at-eo. dang-sin-i ja.
Meaning: Okay, okay. You sleep in. -
Expression: 그럼 같이 늦잠 자자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom ga-chi neut-jam ja-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s sleep in together. -
Expression: 다음 주말은 내 차례다!
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-mal-eun nae cha-rye-da!
Meaning: Next weekend is my turn! -
Expression: 내가 졌어.
Pronunciation: nae-ga jyeot-eo.
Meaning: I lost. / I give up. -
Expression: 대신 저녁은 당신이 해.
Pronunciation: dae-sin jeo-nyeok-eun dang-sin-i hae.
Meaning: You make dinner instead, then. -
Expression: 좋아, 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reok-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do that. -
Expression: 딱 한 시간만 더 자.
Pronunciation: ttak han si-gan-man deo ja.
Meaning: Sleep just one more hour. -
Expression: 정했으니까 불만 갖지 마.
Pronunciation: jeong-haet-eu-ni-kka bul-man gat-ji ma.
Meaning: We decided, so don’t complain. -
Expression: 결국 내가 일어나네.
Pronunciation: gyeol-guk nae-ga il-eo-na-ne.
Meaning: In the end, I’m the one getting up. -
Expression: 그래, 이번만 봐준다.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, i-beon-man bwa-jun-da.
Meaning: Alright, I’ll let it slide just this once.
Cultural Tips
Understanding weekend culture in Korea can add context to these phrases. While relaxing is important, weekends can also be busy with family obligations, errands, or social activities. Sleeping in (늦잠 – neut-jam) is a cherished luxury for many, especially those with demanding work or study schedules during the week.
Negotiating household chores or weekend privileges like sleeping in often involves a mix of direct requests, playful bargaining (애교 – ae-gyo, or cute behavior, might sometimes be used jokingly), and appeals to fairness or past actions. Referencing who did what last time is a common tactic.
Using rock-paper-scissors (가위바위보 – ga-wi-ba-wi-bo) is a very common and culturally accepted way to make small, impartial decisions in Korea, even between couples for things like chores or who gets the last piece of food.
While expressing tiredness is universal, in Korea’s fast-paced society, acknowledging someone’s hard work during the week (이번 주에 진짜 열심히 일했어 – i-beon ju-e jin-jja yeol-sim-hi il-haet-eo) can be an effective way to justify needing extra rest.
Compromise is often key. Agreeing to split the weekend (one person sleeps in Saturday, the other Sunday) or trading off weekends are common solutions couples might reach.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: It’s Saturday morning. Both partners are still in bed, but one starts to stir.
Characters:
- A: Wants to sleep in.
- B: Thinks it’s their turn to sleep in.
-
Expression: B: 으음… 몇 시야? 일어나야지 이제.
Pronunciation: eu-eum… myeot si-ya? il-eo-na-ya-ji i-je.
Meaning: Ugh… What time is it? We should get up now. -
Expression: A: 아직 졸려… 나 오늘 늦잠 잘래.
Pronunciation: a-jik jol-lyeo… na o-neul neut-jam jal-lae.
Meaning: I’m still sleepy… I want to sleep in today. -
Expression: B: 안 돼. 지난주에 당신이 늦잠 잤잖아. 이번 주는 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: an dwae. ji-nan-ju-e dang-sin-i neut-jam jat-jan-a. i-beon ju-neun nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: No way. You slept in last week. This week is my turn. -
Expression: A: 아닌데? 저번 주는 당신이 더 늦게 일어났어.
Pronunciation: a-nin-de? jeo-beon ju-neun dang-sin-i deo neut-ge il-eo-nat-eo.
Meaning: That’s not right. Last week you woke up later. -
Expression: B: 말도 안 돼! 내가 먼저 일어나서 아침 준비했잖아.
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae! nae-ga meon-jeo il-eo-na-seo a-chim jun-bi-haet-jan-a.
Meaning: No way! I got up first and prepared breakfast. -
Expression: A: 나 이번 주 진짜 피곤했단 말이야. 딱 1시간만 더 잘게, 응?
Pronunciation: na i-beon ju jin-jja pi-gon-haet-dan mal-i-ya. ttak han si-gan-man deo jal-ge, eung?
Meaning: But I was really tired this week. I’ll just sleep one more hour, okay? -
Expression: B: 맨날 당신만 피곤해? 나도 피곤해! 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: maen-nal dang-sin-man pi-gon-hae? na-do pi-gon-hae! ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: Are you the only one who’s tired all the time? I’m tired too! Let’s do rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: A: 아… 귀찮아… 알았어, 알았어. 당신이 자. 대신 내일은 내가 잘 거야!
Pronunciation: a… gwi-chan-a… al-at-eo, al-at-eo. dang-sin-i ja. dae-sin nae-il-eun nae-ga jal geo-ya!
Meaning: Ah… too much trouble… Okay, okay. You sleep in. But tomorrow, I’m sleeping in! -
Expression: B: 콜! 그럼 난 더 잔다~ 깨우지 마!
Pronunciation: kol! geu-reom nan deo jan-da~ kkae-u-ji ma!
Meaning: Deal! Then I’m sleeping more~ Don’t wake me up!
Practice Tips
Now you have the phrases to navigate the weekend sleep-in discussion! Try practicing these expressions with a friend or language partner~ Role-playing the conversation example is a great way to start! Listen for these phrases in Korean dramas or reality shows featuring couples; you’ll be surprised how often they come up! Remember, taking turns (번갈아 가면서 – beon-gal-a ga-myeon-seo) is often the fairest way. Good luck getting your extra sleep! Fighting!
