Exploring traditional games is a fantastic way to connect with Korean culture and practice your language skills in a fun, interactive setting. This guide introduces essential vocabulary and phrases for learning and playing popular Korean traditional games, helping you participate confidently and understand the cultural context behind them.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 한국 놀이 배우기
Pronunciation: han-guk nol-i bae-u-gi
Meaning: Learning Korean games (This phrase literally means “Korea game learning”)
Common Korean Traditional Game Names
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Expression: 윷놀이
Pronunciation: yut-no-ri
Meaning: Yut Nori (A traditional board game played with four sticks) -
Expression: 제기차기
Pronunciation: je-gi-cha-gi
Meaning: Jegichagi (A game similar to hacky sack, played with a ‘jegi’) -
Expression: 투호
Pronunciation: tu-ho
Meaning: Tuho (Arrow throwing game into a pot) -
Expression: 널뛰기
Pronunciation: neol-ttwi-gi
Meaning: Neolttwigi (Korean seesaw jumping) -
Expression: 씨름
Pronunciation: ssi-reum
Meaning: Ssireum (Korean traditional wrestling) -
Expression: 연날리기
Pronunciation: yeon-nal-li-gi
Meaning: Kite flying -
Expression: 팽이치기
Pronunciation: paeng-i-chi-gi
Meaning: Top spinning -
Expression: 공기놀이
Pronunciation: gong-gi-no-ri
Meaning: Gonggi Nori (A game played with five small pebbles or plastic pieces, similar to jacks) -
Expression: 비석치기
Pronunciation: bi-seok-chi-gi
Meaning: Bisukchigi (Stone hitting game) -
Expression: 고누
Pronunciation: go-nu
Meaning: Gonu (A type of traditional Korean board game) -
Expression: 딱지치기
Pronunciation: ttak-ji-chi-gi
Meaning: Ttakjichigi (Paper flipping game) -
Expression: 강강술래
Pronunciation: gang-gang-sul-lae
Meaning: Ganggangsullae (A traditional circle dance and game)
Expressions for Learning Games
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Expression: 이 놀이 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i no-ri i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this game? -
Expression: 이거 어떻게 하는 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: How do you play this? -
Expression: 규칙을 설명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyu-chik-eul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please explain the rules. -
Expression: 저도 같이 해도 돼요?
Pronunciation: jeo-do ga-chi hae-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I join in too? -
Expression: 한 번 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: han beon bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me once. -
Expression: 이해가 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t quite understand. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it again? -
Expression: 몇 명이서 하는 놀이예요?
Pronunciation: myeot myeong-i-seo ha-neun no-ri-ye-yo?
Meaning: How many people play this game? -
Expression: 뭐가 필요해요?
Pronunciation: mwo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo?
Meaning: What do we need (to play)? -
Expression: 이 놀이 재미있어 보여요.
Pronunciation: i no-ri jae-mi-i-sseo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: This game looks fun. -
Expression: 어디서 배울 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo bae-ul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I learn it? -
Expression: 가르쳐 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ga-reu-chyeo ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for teaching me.
Expressions for Playing Games
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Expression: 시작합시다!
Pronunciation: si-ja-kap-si-da!
Meaning: Let’s start! -
Expression: 누구 차례예요?
Pronunciation: nu-gu cha-rye-ye-yo?
Meaning: Whose turn is it? -
Expression: 제 차례예요.
Pronunciation: je cha-rye-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s my turn. -
Expression: 다음은 당신 차례예요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-eun dang-sin cha-rye-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s your turn next. -
Expression: 제가 이겼어요!
Pronunciation: je-ga i-gyeot-sseo-yo!
Meaning: I won! -
Expression: 제가 졌어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga jyeot-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I lost. -
Expression: 아깝다!
Pronunciation: a-kkap-tta!
Meaning: So close! / What a shame! -
Expression: 잘했어요!
Pronunciation: jal-hae-sseo-yo!
Meaning: Well done! / Good job! -
Expression: 한 번 더 해요!
Pronunciation: han beon deo hae-yo!
Meaning: Let’s play one more time! -
Expression: 이거 정말 재미있네요!
Pronunciation: i-geo jeong-mal jae-mi-in-ne-yo!
Meaning: This is really fun! -
Expression: 규칙을 어겼어요.
Pronunciation: gyu-chik-eul eo-gyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: You broke the rules. -
Expression: 다시 던지세요. / 다시 하세요.
Pronunciation: da-si deon-ji-se-yo. / da-si ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Throw again. / Do it again.
Cultural Tips
Korean traditional games, known as 민속놀이 (min-sok-no-ri), are often played during major holidays like Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) and Seollal (Lunar New Year). They serve as a way for families and communities to bond and celebrate together.
Many games like Yut Nori have deep cultural roots, sometimes related to ancient divination practices or agricultural cycles. Understanding this background adds another layer of appreciation when playing.
While some games are competitive, the emphasis is often on participation and having fun together rather than solely on winning. Showing good sportsmanship and enjoying the process is highly valued.
These games are not just for children; adults actively participate, especially during holidays. It’s common to see multiple generations playing together in parks or family gatherings.
Learning these games can be a great icebreaker and a way to connect with locals, especially during festive seasons or at cultural experience centers.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Anna, a foreign student, sees a group of Korean friends playing Yut Nori during a Chuseok gathering and wants to learn.
Characters:
A: Anna (Foreign student)
B: Minjun (Korean friend)
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Expression: A: 민준 씨, 지금 뭐 하고 있어요? 아주 재미있어 보여요.
Pronunciation: min-jun ssi, ji-geum mwo ha-go i-sseo-yo? a-ju jae-mi-i-sseo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: Minjun, what are you doing now? It looks very fun. -
Expression: B: 아, 안나 씨. 이건 윷놀이라고 하는 한국 전통 놀이예요. 설날이나 추석 때 많이 해요.
Pronunciation: a, an-na ssi. i-geon yun-no-ri-ra-go ha-neun han-guk jeon-tong no-ri-ye-yo. seol-nal-i-na chu-seok ttae ma-ni hae-yo.
Meaning: Oh, Anna. This is a traditional Korean game called Yut Nori. We play it a lot during Seollal or Chuseok. -
Expression: A: 윷놀이요? 저도 한번 해보고 싶어요! 어떻게 하는 거예요?
Pronunciation: yun-no-ri-yo? jeo-do han-beon hae-bo-go si-peo-yo! eo-tteo-ke ha-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Yut Nori? I want to try it too! How do you play it? -
Expression: B: 좋아요! 규칙은 간단해요. 이 윷가락 네 개를 던져서 나온 결과대로 말을 움직이는 거예요. 제가 설명해 줄게요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! gyu-chik-eun gan-dan-hae-yo. i yut-ga-rak ne gae-reul deon-jyeo-seo na-on gyeol-gwa-dae-ro mal-eul um-ji-gi-neun geo-ye-yo. je-ga seol-myeong-hae jul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay! The rules are simple. You throw these four yut sticks and move your game pieces (‘horses’) according to the result. I’ll explain it to you. -
Expression: A: 네, 가르쳐 주세요! 같이 해도 돼요?
Pronunciation: ne, ga-reu-chyeo ju-se-yo! ga-chi hae-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Yes, please teach me! Can I join in? -
Expression: B: 그럼요! 이리 와서 앉으세요. 같이 팀 할까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo! i-ri wa-seo an-jeu-se-yo. ga-chi tim hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Of course! Come here and sit down. Shall we be on the same team?
Practice Tips
Learning about Korean traditional games is a wonderful way to deepen your cultural understanding! Try watching videos of people playing games like 윷놀이 or 제기차기 to see how they’re played in action~ You can practice the phrases by explaining the rules of a simple game you know in Korean, even if it’s just to yourself!
If you get a chance to visit Korea, especially during holidays, look for opportunities to participate in traditional game events often held in folk villages or public squares. Don’t be shy to ask “같이 해도 돼요?” (ga-chi hae-do dwae-yo? – Can I join?) – people are usually happy to share their culture. Have fun playing and learning!
