Sibling interactions often involve negotiation, especially when sharing items during activities like birdwatching. This guide covers essential Korean phrases siblings might use when deciding who gets to use the binoculars first, focusing on informal language commonly used between close family members.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 내가 먼저 볼래!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo bol-lae!
Meaning: I want to look first! / Let me see first! (Informal demand)
Basic Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 나도 좀 보자.
Pronunciation: na-do jom bo-ja.
Meaning: Let me see too. / Let me have a look. -
Expression: 이제 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-je nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn now. -
Expression: 너 너무 오래 봤어.
Pronunciation: neo neo-mu o-rae bwat-seo.
Meaning: You looked for too long. -
Expression: 잠깐만, 이것만 보고.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man, i-geot-man bo-go.
Meaning: Just a moment, let me just see this. -
Expression: 같이 보자.
Pronunciation: ga-chi bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s look together. (Though difficult with binoculars) -
Expression: 망원경 이리 줘.
Pronunciation: mang-won-gyeong i-ri jwo.
Meaning: Give me the binoculars. -
Expression: 언제 줄 거야?
Pronunciation: eon-je jul geo-ya?
Meaning: When are you going to give it to me? -
Expression: 빨리 줘!
Pronunciation: ppal-li jwo!
Meaning: Give it to me quickly! / Hurry up and give it! -
Expression: 내가 찾았으니까 내가 먼저 볼 거야.
Pronunciation: nae-ga cha-jat-seu-ni-kka nae-ga meon-jeo bol geo-ya.
Meaning: I found it, so I’m going to look first. -
Expression: 그럼 1분만 더 보고 줄게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom il-bun-man deo bo-go jul-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll look for just one more minute and then give it to you.
Taking Turns Phrases
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Expression: 번갈아 가면서 보자.
Pronunciation: beon-gal-a ga-myeon-seo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns looking. -
Expression: 5분씩 번갈아 가면서 쓰는 거 어때?
Pronunciation: o-bun-ssik beon-gal-a ga-myeon-seo sseu-neun geo eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about we take turns using it for 5 minutes each? -
Expression: 네 차례 끝나면 나 줘.
Pronunciation: ne cha-rye kkeun-na-myeon na jwo.
Meaning: Give it to me when your turn is over. -
Expression: 순서 정하자.
Pronunciation: sun-seo jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide the order. -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정할까?
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we decide with rock-paper-scissors? -
Expression: 공평하게 하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s be fair. -
Expression: 시간 재면서 보자.
Pronunciation: si-gan jae-myeon-seo bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s time ourselves while looking. -
Expression: 다음엔 내가 먼저야.
Pronunciation: da-eum-en nae-ga meon-jeo-ya.
Meaning: Next time, I’m first. -
Expression: 약속했잖아, 내 차례라고.
Pronunciation: yak-sok-haet-jan-a, nae cha-rye-ra-go.
Meaning: You promised, it’s my turn. -
Expression: 너 다음에 바로 나야.
Pronunciation: neo da-eum-e ba-ro na-ya.
Meaning: I’m right after you.
Complaining and Expressing Impatience
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Expression: 아, 진짜! 나도 좀 보자고!
Pronunciation: a, jin-jja! na-do jom bo-ja-go!
Meaning: Ah, seriously! I said let me see too! -
Expression: 언제까지 볼 거야?
Pronunciation: eon-je-kka-ji bol geo-ya?
Meaning: How long are you going to look? -
Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s unfair! -
Expression: 너 혼자 다 보냐?
Pronunciation: neo hon-ja da bo-nya?
Meaning: Are you going to look at everything by yourself? -
Expression: 빨리 좀 줘봐!
Pronunciation: ppal-li jom jwo-bwa!
Meaning: Give it here quickly! -
Expression: 나도 보고 싶단 말이야.
Pronunciation: na-do bo-go sip-dan mal-i-ya.
Meaning: I want to see too, you know. -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! (A classic sibling threat) -
Expression: 재미없어. 너 혼자 다 해.
Pronunciation: jae-mi-eop-seo. neo hon-ja da hae.
Meaning: This isn’t fun. You do it all by yourself. (Said sarcastically or out of frustration) -
Expression: 계속 너만 볼 거면 나 집에 갈래.
Pronunciation: gye-sok neo-man bol geo-myeon na jib-e gal-lae.
Meaning: If you’re just going to keep looking, I’m going home. -
Expression: 왜 이렇게 욕심 부려?
Pronunciation: wae i-reo-ke yok-sim bu-ryeo?
Meaning: Why are you being so greedy?
Birdwatching Related Phrases
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Expression: 저 새 좀 봐!
Pronunciation: jeo sae jom bwa!
Meaning: Look at that bird! -
Expression: 망원경으로 보면 더 잘 보여.
Pronunciation: mang-won-gyeong-eu-ro bo-myeon deo jal bo-yeo.
Meaning: You can see it better with the binoculars. -
Expression: 무슨 새지?
Pronunciation: mu-seun sae-ji?
Meaning: What kind of bird is it? -
Expression: 와, 진짜 예쁘다.
Pronunciation: wa, jin-jja ye-ppeu-da.
Meaning: Wow, it’s really pretty. -
Expression: 어디? 어디? 안 보여.
Pronunciation: eo-di? eo-di? an bo-yeo.
Meaning: Where? Where? I can’t see it. -
Expression: 저 나뭇가지 위에 앉아있어.
Pronunciation: jeo na-mut-ga-ji wi-e an-ja-i-sseo.
Meaning: It’s sitting on that branch. -
Expression: 망원경 초점 좀 맞춰봐.
Pronunciation: mang-won-gyeong cho-jeom jom mat-chwo-bwa.
Meaning: Try focusing the binoculars. -
Expression: 새 날아갔다!
Pronunciation: sae nal-a-gat-da!
Meaning: The bird flew away! -
Expression: 조용히 해야 돼. 새들이 놀라.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi hae-ya dwae. sae-deul-i nol-la.
Meaning: We have to be quiet. The birds will get startled. -
Expression: 이 망원경 진짜 좋다.
Pronunciation: i mang-won-gyeong jin-jja jo-ta.
Meaning: These binoculars are really good.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves recognizing the use of informal language (반말, ban-mal) and the dynamics of age hierarchy, although the latter might be less strict in playful arguments like this. Siblings, especially those close in age, typically drop formal speech levels used with elders or strangers.
Direct demands and expressions of frustration (내가 먼저 볼래!, 빨리 줘!) are common and generally acceptable between siblings, reflecting closeness rather than rudeness in this context.
Negotiation tactics like suggesting turns (번갈아 가면서 보자) or using rock-paper-scissors (가위바위보) are universal and frequently employed by Korean children and even adults in informal settings.
Threatening to tell a parent (엄마한테 이를 거야!) is a classic sibling tactic worldwide, including Korea, highlighting the familiar dynamics of childhood disputes.
Birdwatching (탐조, tam-jo) is a growing hobby in Korea, with many appreciating the country’s diverse bird species found in parks, mountains, and coastal areas. Sharing equipment like binoculars (망원경, mang-won-gyeong) naturally leads to these kinds of lighthearted negotiations.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older) and Sora (younger), are on a birdwatching trip. Sora spots an interesting bird and wants the binoculars Minjun is holding.
Characters:
- A: Sora (Younger sister)
- B: Minjun (Older brother)
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Expression: A: 오빠! 저기 저 새 좀 봐! 완전 신기하게 생겼어! 망원경 이리 줘 봐!
Pronunciation: o-ppa! jeo-gi jeo sae jom bwa! wan-jeon sin-gi-ha-ge saeng-gyeot-seo! mang-won-gyeong i-ri jwo bwa!
Meaning: Oppa! Look at that bird over there! It looks really unusual! Give me the binoculars! -
Expression: B: 잠깐만, 나 지금 보고 있잖아. 와, 진짜네. 저게 무슨 새지?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man, na ji-geum bo-go it-jan-a. wa, jin-jja-ne. jeo-ge mu-seun sae-ji?
Meaning: Just a second, I’m looking right now. Wow, you’re right. What kind of bird is that? -
Expression: A: 나도 좀 보자! 빨리! 날아가기 전에 봐야 돼!
Pronunciation: na-do jom bo-ja! ppal-li! nal-a-ga-gi jeon-e bwa-ya dwae!
Meaning: Let me see too! Quickly! I need to see it before it flies away! -
Expression: B: 알았어, 알았어. 조금만 더 보고 줄게. 초점 맞추고… 자, 이제 너 봐.
Pronunciation: a-rat-seo, a-rat-seo. jo-geum-man deo bo-go jul-ge. cho-jeom mat-chu-go… ja, i-je neo bwa.
Meaning: Okay, okay. I’ll look just a little longer and give it to you. Focusing… Here, now you look. -
Expression: A: 와! 진짜 예쁘다! 깃털 색깔 봐. 아, 날아갔다! 오빠가 너무 오래 봤잖아!
Pronunciation: wa! jin-jja ye-ppeu-da! git-teol saek-kkal bwa. a, nal-a-gat-da! o-ppa-ga neo-mu o-rae bwat-jan-a!
Meaning: Wow! It’s so pretty! Look at the feather colors. Ah, it flew away! You looked for too long, Oppa! -
Expression: B: 내가 뭘 오래 봐! 금방 줬구만. 다음 새 찾으면 네가 먼저 봐. 됐지?
Pronunciation: nae-ga mwol o-rae bwa! geum-bang jwot-gu-man. da-eum sae cha-jeu-myeon ne-ga meon-jeo bwa. dwaet-ji?
Meaning: What do you mean I looked too long? I gave it to you right away. When we find the next bird, you can look first. Okay?
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases with a friend or family member can be really helpful! Try role-playing the birdwatching scenario~ Imagine you really want those binoculars! Pay attention to the informal endings like -야 (ya), -어/아 (eo/a), and -자 (ja), which are key to sounding natural in casual conversation between siblings or close friends.
Listen to how Korean siblings interact in dramas or variety shows (though be mindful that some interactions might be exaggerated for entertainment!). This can give you a better feel for the tone and rhythm of these types of exchanges. Good luck practicing! Fighting!
