Deciding on family activities often involves some friendly negotiation, especially between siblings. This guide covers essential Korean phrases and expressions you can use when discussing and deciding where to go for your next family picnic, focusing on common sibling interactions.
Table Of Content
Core Negotiation Phrase
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Expression: 어디로 갈까?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro gal-kka?
Meaning: Where should we go? (A common way to start the discussion)
Basic Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn this time. -
Expression: 내가 정할래.
Pronunciation: nae-ga jeong-hal-lae.
Meaning: I’ll decide. / I want to decide. -
Expression: 네 생각은 어때?
Pronunciation: ne saeng-gak-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What do you think? -
Expression: 그건 좀 별로인 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon jom byeol-lo-in geot gat-a.
Meaning: I don’t think that’s very good. -
Expression: 다른 데는 없어?
Pronunciation: da-reun de-neun eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there anywhere else? -
Expression: 좋아, 거기 가자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geo-gi ga-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s go there. -
Expression: 그럼 이렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-reo-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s do this. (Suggesting a compromise) -
Expression: 공평하게 정하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide fairly. -
Expression: 왜 항상 네 마음대로 하려고 해?
Pronunciation: wae hang-sang ne ma-eum-dae-ro ha-ryeo-go hae?
Meaning: Why do you always try to get your way? -
Expression: 지난번엔 네가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-en ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: You chose last time. -
Expression: 양보 좀 해.
Pronunciation: yang-bo jom hae.
Meaning: Give in a little. / Compromise a bit.
Suggesting Picnic Locations
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Expression: 한강 공원 어때?
Pronunciation: han-gang gong-won eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about Han River Park? -
Expression: 서울숲으로 가는 거 어때?
Pronunciation: seo-ul-sup-eu-ro ga-neun geo eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about going to Seoul Forest? -
Expression: 바닷가 근처 공원에 가고 싶어.
Pronunciation: ba-dat-ga geun-cheo gong-won-e ga-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to go to a park near the beach. -
Expression: 지난번에 갔던 데 말고 새로운 데 가자.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-e gat-deon de mal-go sae-ro-un de ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go somewhere new, not the place we went last time. -
Expression: 거기 가면 자전거도 탈 수 있어.
Pronunciation: geo-gi ga-myeon ja-jeon-geo-do tal su is-seo.
Meaning: If we go there, we can also ride bikes. -
Expression: 조용한 곳으로 가고 싶어.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han got-eu-ro ga-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to go somewhere quiet. -
Expression: 넓은 잔디밭이 있는 곳이 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: neol-beun jan-di-bat-i it-neun got-i jo-ket-sseo.
Meaning: A place with a wide lawn would be good. -
Expression: 집에서 가까운 데로 가자.
Pronunciation: jip-e-seo ga-kka-un de-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go somewhere close to home. -
Expression: 그늘이 많은 공원이 좋아.
Pronunciation: geu-neul-i man-eun gong-won-i jo-a.
Meaning: I like parks with lots of shade. -
Expression: 아이들 놀이터도 있는 곳이면 좋겠는데.
Pronunciation: a-i-deul nol-i-teo-do it-neun got-i-myeon jo-ken-neun-de.
Meaning: It would be nice if it’s a place that also has a kids’ playground. -
Expression: 경치 좋은 곳으로 가자.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi jo-eun got-eu-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go somewhere with a nice view.
Expressing Preferences and Dislikes
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Expression: 나는 거기는 별로 가고 싶지 않아.
Pronunciation: na-neun geo-gi-neun byeol-lo ga-go sip-ji an-a.
Meaning: I don’t really want to go there. -
Expression: 거긴 너무 멀어.
Pronunciation: geo-gin neo-mu meor-eo.
Meaning: That place is too far. -
Expression: 거기 사람 너무 많을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geo-gi sa-ram neo-mu man-eul geot gat-a.
Meaning: I think there will be too many people there. -
Expression: 지난번에 갔을 때 재미없었어.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-e ga-sseul ttae jae-mi-eop-seoss-eo.
Meaning: It wasn’t fun when we went last time. -
Expression: 나는 좀 더 활동적인 곳이 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun jom deo hwal-dong-jeok-in got-i jo-a.
Meaning: I prefer a more active place. -
Expression: 그냥 쉬고 싶어.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang swi-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I just want to relax. -
Expression: 네가 말한 곳도 괜찮네.
Pronunciation: ne-ga mal-han got-do gwaen-chan-ne.
Meaning: The place you mentioned is okay too. -
Expression: 벌레 많은 곳은 싫어.
Pronunciation: beol-le man-eun got-eun sir-eo.
Meaning: I don’t like places with lots of bugs. -
Expression: 주차하기 편한 곳이었으면 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: ju-cha-ha-gi pyeon-han got-i-eoss-eu-myeon jo-ket-sseo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a place where parking is convenient. -
Expression: 이번에는 산 말고 강가로 가자.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e-neun san mal-go gang-ga-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go to the riverside this time, not the mountains. -
Expression: 나는 어디든 상관없어.
Pronunciation: na-neun eo-di-deun sang-gwan-eop-seo.
Meaning: I don’t mind wherever we go.
Compromising and Deciding
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Expression: 그럼 중간 지점에서 만날까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom jung-gan ji-jeom-e-seo man-nal-kka?
Meaning: Then shall we meet at a midpoint? (Figurative compromise) -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 이번엔 네가 양보해. 다음엔 내가 양보할게.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en ne-ga yang-bo-hae. da-eum-en nae-ga yang-bo-hal-ge.
Meaning: You give in this time. I’ll give in next time. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 여쭤보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te yeo-jjwo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 그래, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do as you say. -
Expression: 그럼 [장소]로 결정!
Pronunciation: geu-reom [jang-so]-ro gyeol-jeong!
Meaning: Then it’s decided! We’re going to [Place]! -
Expression: 더 이상 싸우지 말고 그냥 정하자.
Pronunciation: deo i-sang ssa-u-ji mal-go geu-nyang jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s stop fighting and just decide. -
Expression: 두 군데 다 좋은데… 어디가 더 나을까?
Pronunciation: du gun-de da jo-eun-de… eo-di-ga deo na-eul-kka?
Meaning: Both places are good… which one would be better? -
Expression: 알았어, 이번 소풍은 [장소]로 가자.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, i-beon so-pung-eun [jang-so]-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Alright, let’s go to [Place] for this picnic. -
Expression: 다음번에는 꼭 내가 정할 거야.
Pronunciation: da-eum-beon-e-neun kkok nae-ga jeong-hal geo-ya.
Meaning: I’ll definitely decide next time.
Korean Culture Notes
Sibling relationships in Korea often involve a mix of closeness and rivalry, similar to many cultures. Negotiation styles can vary based on age hierarchy (나이, nai – age). Older siblings might feel entitled to decide, while younger siblings might use persuasion or appeal to parents.
Picnics (소풍, so-pung) are a popular family activity, especially during spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant. Popular spots include large parks like Han River Park (한강 공원, Han-gang Gong-won) or Seoul Forest (서울숲, Seo-ul-sup), mountainsides, or beaches.
Using informal language (반말, ban-mal) is common between siblings, regardless of age difference, though sometimes younger siblings might use slightly more respectful forms depending on the family dynamic or age gap.
Fairness is often emphasized. Using methods like 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors) to settle disputes is very common, even among adults in casual settings.
Bringing parents into the decision (엄마/아빠한테 여쭤보자, eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te yeo-jjwo-bo-ja) is a frequent tactic, especially for younger siblings, leveraging parental authority to resolve disagreements.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An older sister (A) and her younger brother (B) are trying to decide where the family should go for their weekend picnic.
Characters:
- A: Older Sister (누나, Nu-na)
- B: Younger Brother (남동생, Nam-dong-saeng)
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Expression: A: 주말에 소풍 가기로 했잖아. 어디로 갈까?
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e so-pung ga-gi-ro haet-jan-a. eo-di-ro gal-kka?
Meaning: We decided to go on a picnic this weekend, right? Where should we go? -
Expression: B: 음… 이번엔 내가 정할래! 지난번엔 누나가 정했잖아.
Pronunciation: eum… i-beon-en nae-ga jeong-hal-lae! ji-nan-beon-en nu-na-ga jeong-haet-jan-a.
Meaning: Um… I want to decide this time! You decided last time, sis. -
Expression: A: 그랬나? 알았어. 어디 가고 싶은데?
Pronunciation: geu-raet-na? ar-ass-eo. eo-di ga-go sip-eun-de?
Meaning: Did I? Okay. Where do you want to go? -
Expression: B: 나는 올림픽 공원 가고 싶어. 거기서 자전거 타고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun ol-lim-pik gong-won ga-go sip-eo. geo-gi-seo ja-jeon-geo ta-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to go to Olympic Park. I want to ride bikes there. -
Expression: A: 올림픽 공원? 거긴 너무 멀고 사람도 많잖아. 다른 데는 없어?
Pronunciation: ol-lim-pik gong-won? geo-gin neo-mu meol-go sa-ram-do man-jan-a. da-reun de-neun eop-seo?
Meaning: Olympic Park? That place is too far and crowded. Isn’t there anywhere else? -
Expression: B: 그럼 누나는 어디 가고 싶은데? 맨날 내 의견은 별로래.
Pronunciation: geu-reom nu-na-neun eo-di ga-go sip-eun-de? maen-nal nae ui-gyeon-eun byeol-lo-rae.
Meaning: Then where do you want to go, sis? You always say my ideas aren’t good. -
Expression: A: 아니, 그냥 좀 더 가까운 데가 좋지 않을까 해서. 집 근처 하늘 공원은 어때?
Pronunciation: a-ni, geu-nyang jom deo ga-kka-un de-ga jo-chi an-eul-kka hae-seo. jip geun-cheo ha-neul gong-won-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: No, I just thought somewhere closer might be better. How about Haneul Park near our house? -
Expression: B: 거긴 자전거 못 타잖아! 싫어. 그럼 가위바위보로 정하자! 공평하게!
Pronunciation: geo-gin ja-jeon-geo mot ta-jan-a! sir-eo. geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja! gong-pyeong-ha-ge!
Meaning: You can’t ride bikes there! No way. Then let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! Fairly! -
Expression: A: 하아… 알았어. 가위바위보!
Pronunciation: ha-a… ar-ass-eo. ga-wi-ba-wi-bo!
Meaning: Sigh… Okay. Rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: B: (이긴 후) 아싸! 내가 이겼다! 올림픽 공원으로 결정!
Pronunciation: (i-gin hu) a-ssa! nae-ga i-gyeot-da! ol-lim-pik gong-won-eu-ro gyeol-jeong!
Meaning: (After winning) Yes! I won! It’s decided! Olympic Park! -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 대신 다음번엔 꼭 내가 정할 거야!
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, ar-ass-eo. dae-sin da-eum-beon-en kkok nae-ga jeong-hal geo-ya!
Meaning: Okay, okay. But next time, I’m definitely deciding!
Practice Tips
Practicing these negotiation phrases is key! Try role-playing with a friend or family member~ Imagine you’re siblings deciding on various things, not just picnic spots, like what movie to watch or what to eat for dinner. Pay attention to the informal endings like -야 (ya), -어/아 (eo/a), -ㄹ래 (llae) used in casual speech between close relations like siblings. Listen to how siblings interact in Korean dramas or variety shows to catch more natural expressions! Good luck~!
