Sibling dynamics often involve friendly (and sometimes not-so-friendly) disagreements, especially when it comes to shared treats. This guide explores common Korean phrases used when siblings argue about who gets to choose the dessert for family dessert night, providing practical vocabulary for understanding and participating in such everyday interactions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 내가 고를 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn to choose!
Basic Argument Phrases
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Expression: 이번엔 내 차례잖아!
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-jan-a!
Meaning: It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: 네가 지난번에 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: ne-ga ji-nan-beon-e gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: You chose last time. -
Expression: 왜 맨날 네 마음대로 해?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal ne ma-eum-dae-ro hae?
Meaning: Why do you always get your way? -
Expression: 이건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: This is unfair! -
Expression: 내가 먼저 말했어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo mal-haess-eo!
Meaning: I said it first! -
Expression: 양보 좀 해.
Pronunciation: yang-bo jom hae.
Meaning: Give in a little / Compromise. -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! -
Expression: 내 말 좀 들어봐.
Pronunciation: nae mal jom deul-eo-bwa.
Meaning: Listen to me. -
Expression: 네가 항상 이기려고 해.
Pronunciation: ne-ga hang-sang i-gi-ryeo-go hae.
Meaning: You always try to win. -
Expression: 순서대로 하자.
Pronunciation: sun-seo-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s do it in order / Let’s take turns. -
Expression: 기억 안 나?
Pronunciation: gi-eok an na?
Meaning: Don’t you remember?
Stating Dessert Preferences
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Expression: 나는 케이크 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun ke-i-keu meok-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to eat cake. -
Expression: 아이스크림으로 하자.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim-eu-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go with ice cream. -
Expression: 과일이 더 좋지 않아?
Pronunciation: gwa-il-i deo jo-chi an-a?
Meaning: Isn’t fruit better? -
Expression: 초콜릿 디저트 먹자.
Pronunciation: cho-kol-lit di-jeo-teu meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s eat a chocolate dessert. -
Expression: 떡은 어때?
Pronunciation: tteok-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about rice cake (tteok)? -
Expression: 나는 무조건 [디저트 이름]이야.
Pronunciation: na-neun mu-jo-kkeon [di-jeo-teu i-reum]-i-ya.
Meaning: For me, it’s definitely [Dessert Name]. -
Expression: [디저트 이름] 먹은 지 오래됐잖아.
Pronunciation: [di-jeo-teu i-reum] meok-eun ji o-rae-dwaet-jan-a.
Meaning: It’s been a long time since we ate [Dessert Name]. -
Expression: 이번에는 새로운 거 먹어보자.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e-neun sae-ro-un geo meok-eo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try something new this time. -
Expression: 그건 별로 안 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: geu-geon byeol-lo an meok-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I don’t really want to eat that. -
Expression: 내가 제일 좋아하는 거야.
Pronunciation: nae-ga je-il jo-a-ha-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: That’s my favorite.
Disagreeing and Complaining
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Expression: 싫어, 그거 말고 다른 거!
Pronunciation: sil-eo, geu-geo mal-go da-reun geo!
Meaning: No, not that, something else! -
Expression: 또 그거야? 지겨워.
Pronunciation: tto geu-geo-ya? ji-gyeo-wo.
Meaning: That again? I’m tired of it. -
Expression: 네 입맛만 생각하지 마.
Pronunciation: ne im-mat-man saeng-gak-ha-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t just think about your own taste. -
Expression: 그건 너무 달아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu dal-a.
Meaning: That’s too sweet. -
Expression: 나는 그거 안 좋아해.
Pronunciation: na-neun geu-geo an jo-a-hae.
Meaning: I don’t like that. -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: That doesn’t make sense! / No way! -
Expression: 왜 항상 네가 정해?
Pronunciation: wae hang-sang ne-ga jeong-hae?
Meaning: Why do you always decide? -
Expression: 그건 너무 비싸.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu bi-ssa.
Meaning: That’s too expensive. -
Expression: 다른 사람 의견도 들어봐야지.
Pronunciation: da-reun sa-ram ui-gyeon-do deul-eo-bwa-ya-ji.
Meaning: You should listen to other people’s opinions too. -
Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s petty!
Making Deals or Compromising
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Expression: 그럼 다음번엔 내가 고를게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom da-eum-beon-en nae-ga go-reul-ge.
Meaning: Then I’ll choose next time. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 반반씩 사면 안 돼?
Pronunciation: ban-ban-ssik sa-myeon an dwae?
Meaning: Can’t we buy half and half? (e.g., two smaller different desserts) -
Expression: 이번에 양보하면 다음에 네가 원하는 거 해줄게.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e yang-bo-ha-myeon da-eum-e ne-ga won-ha-neun geo hae-jul-ge.
Meaning: If you give in this time, I’ll do what you want next time. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 물어보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te mul-eo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 그럼 중간 지점에서 타협하자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jung-gan ji-jeom-e-seo ta-hyeop-ha-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s compromise somewhere in the middle. -
Expression: 네가 이거 양보하면 내가 숙제 도와줄게.
Pronunciation: ne-ga i-geo yang-bo-ha-myeon nae-ga suk-je do-wa-jul-ge.
Meaning: If you give in on this, I’ll help you with your homework. -
Expression: 둘 다 좋아하는 걸로 고르자.
Pronunciation: dul da jo-a-ha-neun geol-lo go-reu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s choose something we both like. -
Expression: 알았어, 이번엔 네 말 들을게.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, i-beon-en ne mal deul-eul-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll listen to you this time. -
Expression: 공평하게 제비뽑기 하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge je-bi-ppop-gi ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s draw lots fairly.
Cultural Tips
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves recognizing certain cultural nuances. Age hierarchy often plays a role; older siblings (형/hyeong, 오빠/oppa for males; 누나/nuna, 언니/eonni for females) might expect some deference, though modern dynamics vary greatly. However, younger siblings often use their perceived cuteness or status as the ‘baby’ of the family (막내/maknae) to get their way.
Sharing is a significant aspect of Korean culture, extending to food. While arguments over choices happen, the underlying expectation is often that whatever is chosen will ultimately be shared among the family members present.
Dessert culture in Korea is diverse, ranging from traditional options like 떡 (tteok – rice cakes) and 과일 (gwail – fruit) to Western-style cakes, pastries, ice cream (especially 빙수/bingsu – shaved ice), and trendy cafe desserts. The specific dessert being argued over can reflect current trends or family traditions.
Playful bickering (티격태격/ti-gyeok-tae-gyeok) is common among close siblings and doesn’t necessarily indicate deep conflict. It’s often a way they interact and express their individual desires within the family unit.
Appealing to parents (“엄마한테 이를 거야!”) is a classic tactic used by children worldwide, and Korea is no exception. Parents might step in to mediate or make the final decision.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are deciding what dessert to get for their family’s Friday dessert night.
Roles: A = Minjun (민준), B = Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 오늘 디저트는 내가 고를 차례야!
Pronunciation: o-neul di-jeo-teu-neun nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: A: It’s my turn to choose the dessert today! -
Expression: B: 아니거든! 오빠가 지난주에 골랐잖아. 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: a-ni-geo-deun! o-ppa-ga ji-nan-ju-e gol-lat-jan-a. i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: B: No way! You chose last week, Oppa. It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 기억 안 나? 지난주는 네가 좋아하는 아이스크림 케이크 먹었잖아.
Pronunciation: gi-eok an na? ji-nan-ju-neun ne-ga jo-a-ha-neun a-i-seu-keu-rim ke-i-keu meok-eot-jan-a.
Meaning: A: Don’t you remember? Last week we had that ice cream cake you like. -
Expression: B: 그건 엄마 생신이라서 그런 거고! 순서상으로는 내 차례 맞다고! 나는 오늘 꼭 초코 퐁듀 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: geu-geon eom-ma saeng-sin-i-ra-seo geu-reon geo-go! sun-seo-sang-eu-ro-neun nae cha-rye mat-da-go! na-neun o-neul kkok cho-ko pong-dyu meok-go sip-eo.
Meaning: B: That was because it was Mom’s birthday! According to the order, it’s definitely my turn! I really want to have chocolate fondue today. -
Expression: A: 초코 퐁듀? 그건 준비하기 귀찮아. 그냥 빵집 가서 맛있는 롤케이크 사 오자.
Pronunciation: cho-ko pong-dyu? geu-geon jun-bi-ha-gi gwi-chan-a. geu-nyang ppang-jip ga-seo mas-it-neun rol-ke-i-keu sa o-ja.
Meaning: A: Chocolate fondue? That’s annoying to prepare. Let’s just go to the bakery and get a delicious roll cake. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 롤케이크는 맨날 먹잖아! 왜 맨날 오빠 마음대로 하려고 해? 불공평해!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! rol-ke-i-keu-neun maen-nal meok-jan-a! wae maen-nal o-ppa ma-eum-dae-ro ha-ryeo-go hae? bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: B: No! We always eat roll cake! Why do you always try to get your way? It’s unfair! -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 그럼 가위바위보 할까?
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, ar-ass-eo. geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo hal-kka?
Meaning: A: Okay, okay. Then shall we play rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: B: 좋아! 내가 이기면 무조건 초코 퐁듀다!
Pronunciation: jo-a! nae-ga i-gi-myeon mu-jo-kkeon cho-ko pong-dyu-da!
Meaning: B: Okay! If I win, it’s definitely chocolate fondue!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can make your Korean sound much more natural in everyday situations! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner, taking turns being the sibling who wants one dessert versus another~ Remember whose “turn” it is (내 차례야! / 네 차례야!) and use phrases for stating preferences (나는 ~ 먹고 싶어) and disagreeing (싫어! / 그거 말고!). Don’t forget the classic compromise tool: 가위바위보! Have fun practicing these common sibling interactions!
