Deciding on a theme for a shared event like a birthday party can often lead to friendly (or sometimes not-so-friendly) negotiations, especially between siblings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary to help you navigate discussions about choosing a party theme, express your preferences, make suggestions, and reach a compromise.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Deciding the Theme
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Expression: 테마 정하기
Pronunciation: te-ma jeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Deciding the theme
Basic Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 이번 생일 파티 테마는 뭘로 할까?
Pronunciation: i-beon saeng-il pa-ti te-ma-neun mwol-lo hal-kka?
Meaning: What should the theme be for this birthday party? -
Expression: 나는 [테마 이름] 테마가 좋은데.
Pronunciation: na-neun [te-ma i-reum] te-ma-ga jo-eun-de.
Meaning: I like the [Theme Name] theme. -
Expression: 네 생각은 어때?
Pronunciation: ne saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What do you think? (Informal) -
Expression: 그건 좀 별로인 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon jom byeol-lo-in geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I don’t think that’s very good. / That seems a bit lame. -
Expression: 다른 아이디어 있어?
Pronunciation: da-reun a-i-di-eo i-sseo?
Meaning: Do you have any other ideas? -
Expression: 우리 번갈아 가면서 정하는 거 어때?
Pronunciation: u-ri beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo jeong-ha-neun geo eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about we take turns deciding? -
Expression: 작년에는 네가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: jang-nyeon-e-neun ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: You chose last year. -
Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn this time. -
Expression: 공평하게 하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s be fair. -
Expression: 그럼 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Then should we decide with rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 좋아, 그걸로 결정하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-geol-lo gyeol-jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s decide with that.
Expressing Preferences
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Expression: 나는 공주 테마로 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun gong-ju te-ma-ro ha-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to do a princess theme. -
Expression: 해적 테마가 더 재미있을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: hae-jeok te-ma-ga deo jae-mi-i-sseul geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think a pirate theme would be more fun. -
Expression: 내 생각엔 슈퍼히어로 테마가 최고야.
Pronunciation: nae saeng-ga-gen syu-peo-hi-eo-ro te-ma-ga choe-go-ya.
Meaning: In my opinion, a superhero theme is the best. -
Expression: 동물 테마는 어때? 귀엽잖아.
Pronunciation: dong-mul te-ma-neun eo-ttae? gwi-yeop-jan-a.
Meaning: How about an animal theme? It’s cute. -
Expression: 나는 우주 테마가 마음에 들어.
Pronunciation: na-neun u-ju te-ma-ga ma-eu-me deu-reo.
Meaning: I like the space theme. -
Expression: 그 테마는 너무 유치해.
Pronunciation: geu te-ma-neun neo-mu yu-chi-hae.
Meaning: That theme is too childish. -
Expression: 좀 더 멋있는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: jom deo meo-sin-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s do something cooler. -
Expression: 내가 원하는 건 이거야.
Pronunciation: nae-ga won-ha-neun geon i-geo-ya.
Meaning: This is what I want. -
Expression: 네가 좋아하는 테마는 뭔데?
Pronunciation: ne-ga jo-a-ha-neun te-ma-neun mwon-de?
Meaning: What theme do you like? -
Expression: 나는 [테마 이름]가 제일 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun [te-ma i-reum]-ga je-il jo-a.
Meaning: I like [Theme Name] the best.
Making Suggestions and Compromises
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Expression: 그러면 이렇게 하는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-myeon i-reo-ke ha-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about doing this? -
Expression: 두 가지 테마를 섞는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: du ga-ji te-ma-reul seok-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about mixing the two themes? -
Expression: 네 의견도 일리가 있네.
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeon-do il-li-ga in-ne.
Meaning: Your opinion makes sense too. -
Expression: 그럼 중간 지점에서 만나자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jung-gan ji-jeom-e-seo man-na-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s meet in the middle (compromise). -
Expression: 네가 이걸 양보하면, 내가 다음에 양보할게.
Pronunciation: ne-ga i-geol yang-bo-ha-myeon, nae-ga da-eu-me yang-bo-hal-ge.
Meaning: If you concede on this, I’ll concede next time. -
Expression: 좋아, 그럼 [타협안]으로 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom [ta-hyeop-an]-eu-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, then let’s go with [Compromise]. -
Expression: 이건 어때? [대안] 테마는 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-ttae? [dae-an] te-ma-neun gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: How about this? Is the [Alternative] theme okay? -
Expression: 결정하기 어려우면 엄마/아빠한테 물어볼까?
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong-ha-gi eo-ryeo-u-myeon eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te mu-reo-bol-kka?
Meaning: If it’s hard to decide, should we ask Mom/Dad? -
Expression: 우리 둘 다 만족할 만한 걸로 찾아보자.
Pronunciation: u-ri dul da man-jo-kal man-han geol-lo cha-ja-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try to find something we’ll both be happy with. -
Expression: 그래, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do as you say. -
Expression: 합의 보자.
Pronunciation: ha-bui bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s reach an agreement.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling dynamics in Korea can add context to these negotiations. While individual families vary, traditionally, age plays a significant role in relationships. Older siblings (형/오빠 – hyeong/oppa for males, 누나/언니 – nuna/eonni for females) often have a degree of authority or expectation to lead, while younger siblings (동생 – dongsaeng) might be expected to follow or concede more easily, though this is changing in modern families.
Birthday celebrations (생일 잔치 – saeng-il jan-chi) are important family events. While themed parties are popular, the focus is often on celebrating together with family and close friends. Sometimes, compromises are made not just between siblings but also considering parents’ preferences or budget.
Using playful methods like 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) to settle minor disputes is very common among children and even adults in casual settings. It’s seen as a fair and quick way to make a decision when opinions differ.
Direct confrontation might be avoided in favour of suggesting alternatives or finding a middle ground. Persuasion often involves appealing to fairness (공평하게 – gong-pyeong-ha-ge) or taking turns (번갈아 가면서 – beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are trying to decide the theme for their joint birthday party.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 소라야, 우리 생일 파티 테마 정해야지. 뭘로 할까?
Pronunciation: So-ra-ya, u-ri saeng-il pa-ti te-ma jeong-hae-ya-ji. Mwol-lo hal-kka?
Meaning: Sora, we need to decide our birthday party theme. What should we do? -
Expression: B: 나는 무조건 공주 테마! 드레스 입고 싶어.
Pronunciation: Na-neun mu-jo-kkeon gong-ju te-ma! Deu-re-seu ip-go si-peo.
Meaning: I definitely want a princess theme! I want to wear a dress. -
Expression: A: 에이, 공주 테마는 너무 유치하잖아. 나는 해적 테마가 좋은데. 멋있잖아!
Pronunciation: E-i, gong-ju te-ma-neun neo-mu yu-chi-ha-jan-a. Na-neun hae-jeok te-ma-ga jo-eun-de. Meo-sit-jan-a!
Meaning: Aw, the princess theme is too childish. I like the pirate theme. It’s cool! -
Expression: B: 해적은 싫어! 작년에도 오빠가 좋아하는 로봇 테마로 했잖아. 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: Hae-jeo-geun si-reo! Jang-nyeon-e-do o-ppa-ga jo-a-ha-neun ro-bot te-ma-ro haet-jan-a. I-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: I don’t like pirates! Last year we did the robot theme that you like. It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 음… 그건 그렇네. 그럼 공주랑 해적이랑 섞는 건 어때? 공주 해적단!
Pronunciation: Eum… geu-geon geu-reon-ne. Geu-reom gong-ju-rang hae-jeo-gi-rang seok-neun geon eo-ttae? Gong-ju hae-jeok-dan!
Meaning: Hmm… you have a point. Then how about mixing princess and pirate? Princess pirates! -
Expression: B: 공주 해적단? 그게 뭐야 이상해… 그냥 가위바위보로 정하자! 공평하게.
Pronunciation: Gong-ju hae-jeok-dan? Geu-ge mwo-ya i-sang-hae… Geu-nyang ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja! Gong-pyeong-ha-ge.
Meaning: Princess pirates? What’s that, it’s weird… Let’s just decide with rock-paper-scissors! Fairly. -
Expression: A: 좋아! 가위바위보! 진 사람이 이긴 사람 테마 따르기다!
Pronunciation: Jo-a! Ga-wi-ba-wi-bo! Jin sa-ra-mi i-gin sa-ram te-ma tta-reu-gi-da!
Meaning: Okay! Rock-paper-scissors! The loser follows the winner’s theme! -
Expression: B: 콜! 안 내면 진 거 가위바위보!
Pronunciation: Kol! An nae-myeon jin geo ga-wi-ba-wi-bo!
Meaning: Deal! Ready or not, here I come, rock-paper-scissors! (Common phrase for starting)
Practice Tips
Practicing these negotiation phrases is key! Try role-playing with a friend or family member~ Imagine you’re siblings deciding on a movie, a game, or even dinner, not just a party theme. Use phrases like “나는 ~하고 싶어” (na-neun ~ha-go si-peo – I want to do ~) and “~는 어때?” (~neun eo-ttae? – How about ~?).
Listen carefully to Korean dramas or variety shows where families or friends make decisions together. Pay attention to how they express preferences, disagree, and compromise! You’ll hear these phrases used naturally. Don’t be afraid to try using them, even if it’s just practicing saying them out loud. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
