Establishing effective homework routines often requires negotiation between parents and children. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for discussing, setting, and adjusting homework rules with your child, fostering cooperation and understanding within the family.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Setting Homework Rules
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Expression: 숙제 규칙 정하기
Pronunciation: suk-je gyu-chik jeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Setting homework rules
Setting Expectations
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Expression: 이제부터 숙제 규칙을 새로 정해야 할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: i-je-bu-teo suk-je gyu-chi-geul sae-ro jeong-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think we need to set new homework rules starting now. -
Expression: 매일 저녁 7시에는 숙제를 시작하는 거야.
Pronunciation: mae-il jeo-nyeok il-gop-si-e-neun suk-je-reul si-jak-ha-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: You need to start your homework at 7 PM every evening. -
Expression: 숙제 다 끝내기 전에는 게임 못 해.
Pronunciation: suk-je da kkeun-nae-gi jeo-ne-neun ge-im mot hae.
Meaning: You can’t play games before finishing all your homework. -
Expression: 우리 같이 숙제 계획을 세워볼까?
Pronunciation: u-ri ga-chi suk-je gye-hoe-geul se-wo-bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we make a homework plan together? -
Expression: 하루에 얼마나 숙제하는 게 좋을까?
Pronunciation: ha-ru-e eol-ma-na suk-je-ha-neun ge jo-eul-kka?
Meaning: How much homework do you think is good to do per day? -
Expression: 숙제하는 동안에는 TV 끄는 게 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: suk-je-ha-neun dong-a-ne-neun ti-bi kkeu-neun ge jo-ke-sseo.
Meaning: It would be better to turn off the TV while doing homework. -
Expression: 먼저 해야 할 일부터 끝내자.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo hae-ya hal il-bu-teo kkeun-nae-ja.
Meaning: Let’s finish what needs to be done first. -
Expression: 숙제 시간을 잘 지키는 게 중요해.
Pronunciation: suk-je si-ga-neul jal ji-ki-neun ge jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: It’s important to stick to your homework time. -
Expression: 새로운 규칙에 대해 이야기 좀 하자.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un gyu-chi-ge dae-hae i-ya-gi jom ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s talk a bit about the new rules. -
Expression: 왜 새로운 규칙이 필요한지 설명해 줄게.
Pronunciation: wae sae-ro-un gyu-chi-gi pi-ryo-han-ji seol-myeong-hae jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll explain why new rules are necessary. -
Expression: 이것은 너를 위한 거야.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun neo-reul wi-han geo-ya.
Meaning: This is for your own good.
Negotiating Terms
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Expression: 네 생각은 어때?
Pronunciation: ne saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae?
Meaning: What do you think? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 좋은 방법이 있을까?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun jo-eun bang-beo-bi i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Is there perhaps another good way? -
Expression: 숙제 먼저 하고 30분 놀면 어떨까?
Pronunciation: suk-je meon-jeo ha-go sam-sip-bun nol-myeon eo-tteol-kka?
Meaning: How about doing homework first and then playing for 30 minutes? -
Expression: 그럼 이렇게 합의하는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-reo-ke ha-bui-ha-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about we agree on this? -
Expression: 네 의견도 중요해.
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeo-do jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: Your opinion is important too. -
Expression: 조금만 양보해 줄 수 있니?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man yang-bo-hae jul su in-ni?
Meaning: Can you compromise a little? -
Expression: 엄마(아빠) 생각은 이런데, 너는 어떻게 생각해?
Pronunciation: eom-ma (a-ppa) saeng-ga-geun i-reon-de, neo-neun eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-hae?
Meaning: Mom’s (Dad’s) thought is this, what do you think? -
Expression: 이 규칙이 너무 힘들면 다시 이야기하자.
Pronunciation: i gyu-chi-gi neo-mu him-deul-myeon da-si i-ya-gi-ha-ja.
Meaning: If this rule is too hard, let’s talk again. -
Expression: 어떤 점이 마음에 안 들어?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jeo-mi ma-eu-me an deu-reo?
Meaning: What part don’t you like? -
Expression: 서로 조금씩 양보해서 규칙을 정하자.
Pronunciation: seo-ro jo-geum-ssik yang-bo-hae-seo gyu-chi-geul jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s each compromise a little and set the rules. -
Expression: 이 조건은 받아들일 수 있겠니?
Pronunciation: i jo-geo-neun ba-da-deu-ril su it-gen-ni?
Meaning: Can you accept this condition?
Encouraging Cooperation
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Expression: 약속 잘 지키면 주말에 놀러 가자.
Pronunciation: yak-sok jal ji-ki-myeon ju-ma-re nol-leo ga-ja.
Meaning: If you keep your promise well, let’s go out on the weekend. -
Expression: 숙제 다 하면 칭찬 스티커 줄게.
Pronunciation: suk-je da ha-myeon ching-chan seu-ti-keo jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll give you a praise sticker when you finish your homework. -
Expression: 스스로 숙제하는 모습이 보기 좋다.
Pronunciation: seu-seu-ro suk-je-ha-neun mo-seu-bi bo-gi jo-ta.
Meaning: It’s good to see you doing homework on your own. -
Expression: 규칙을 안 지키면 어떻게 될까?
Pronunciation: gyu-chi-geul an ji-ki-myeon eo-tteo-ke doel-kka?
Meaning: What will happen if you don’t follow the rules? -
Expression: 네가 협조해주면 엄마(아빠)도 기쁠 거야.
Pronunciation: ne-ga hyeop-jo-hae-ju-myeon eom-ma (a-ppa)-do gi-ppeul geo-ya.
Meaning: Mom (Dad) will be happy if you cooperate. -
Expression: 우리 같이 노력해보자.
Pronunciation: u-ri ga-chi no-ryeo-kae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try hard together. -
Expression: 힘든 거 알지만, 조금만 참아보자.
Pronunciation: him-deun geo al-ji-man, jo-geum-man cha-ma-bo-ja.
Meaning: I know it’s hard, but let’s endure it a little bit. -
Expression: 네가 책임감을 가지는 게 중요해.
Pronunciation: ne-ga chae-gim-ga-meul ga-ji-neun ge jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: It’s important for you to have responsibility. -
Expression: 잘 하고 있어! 계속 이렇게만 하자.
Pronunciation: jal ha-go i-sseo! gye-sok i-reo-ke-man ha-ja.
Meaning: You’re doing great! Let’s keep doing it like this. -
Expression: 규칙을 지키면 네게도 좋은 일이 생길 거야.
Pronunciation: gyu-chi-geul ji-ki-myeon ne-ge-do jo-eun i-ri saeng-gil geo-ya.
Meaning: If you follow the rules, good things will happen for you too. -
Expression: 도움이 필요하면 언제든지 말해줘.
Pronunciation: do-u-mi pi-ryo-ha-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mal-hae-jwo.
Meaning: Tell me anytime if you need help.
Korean Culture Notes
Education (교육 – gyo-yuk) is highly valued in Korean society, and homework (숙제 – suk-je) is generally seen as a crucial part of learning. Parents often take an active role in their children’s studies.
While traditionally, communication might have been more directive, modern Korean parenting increasingly involves dialogue and negotiation (협상 – hyeop-sang), especially regarding routines and rules (규칙 – gyu-chik).
Using terms of endearment or gentle persuasion is common, but parents also emphasize responsibility (책임감 – chae-gim-gam) and the consequences of not following agreed-upon rules.
Offering small rewards (보상 – bo-sang) like praise stickers (칭찬 스티커 – ching-chan seu-ti-keo) or weekend outings for consistent effort is a frequent motivational tactic.
Expressing understanding of the child’s feelings while firmly setting boundaries is key to maintaining a positive relationship during these negotiations.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A mother (Eomma) talks to her child (Minjun) about establishing a new homework routine after dinner.
Characters:
- A: 엄마 (Eomma – Mother)
- B: 민준 (Minjun – Child)
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Expression: A: 민준아, 이제 저녁 먹고 나서는 바로 숙제하는 걸로 규칙을 정해야 할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: min-ju-na, i-je jeo-nyeok meok-go na-seo-neun ba-ro suk-je-ha-neun geol-lo gyu-chi-geul jeong-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: A: Minjun, I think we need to set a rule that you do your homework right after dinner from now on. -
Expression: B: 네? 왜요? 저녁 먹고 좀 쉬고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: ne? wae-yo? jeo-nyeok meok-go jom swi-go si-peun-de-yo.
Meaning: B: What? Why? I want to rest a bit after dinner. -
Expression: A: 요즘 숙제를 너무 늦게 시작해서 잠도 부족하잖아. 먼저 숙제 끝내고 쉬는 게 더 좋지 않을까?
Pronunciation: yo-jeum suk-je-reul neo-mu neut-ge si-ja-kae-seo jam-do bu-jo-ka-ja-na. meon-jeo suk-je kkeun-nae-go swi-neun ge deo jo-chi a-neul-kka?
Meaning: A: Lately, you start your homework too late and don’t get enough sleep. Wouldn’t it be better to finish homework first and then rest? -
Expression: B: 그래도… 30분만 쉬고 하면 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do… sam-sip-bun-man swi-go ha-myeon an dwae-yo?
Meaning: B: Still… can’t I rest for just 30 minutes and then do it? -
Expression: A: 음… 좋아. 그럼 저녁 먹고 딱 30분 쉬고, 그 다음엔 바로 책상에 앉아서 숙제 시작하는 거야. 약속할 수 있지?
Pronunciation: eum… jo-a. geu-reom jeo-nyeok meok-go ttak sam-sip-bun swi-go, geu da-eu-men ba-ro chaek-sang-e an-ja-seo suk-je si-ja-ka-neun geo-ya. yak-so-kal su it-ji?
Meaning: A: Hmm… okay. Then rest for exactly 30 minutes after dinner, and right after that, sit at your desk and start homework. Can you promise? -
Expression: B: 네, 약속할게요! 대신 숙제 다 하면 게임 1시간 해도 돼요?
Pronunciation: ne, yak-so-kal-ge-yo! dae-sin suk-je da ha-myeon ge-im han-si-gan hae-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, I promise! Instead, if I finish all my homework, can I play games for 1 hour? -
Expression: A: 좋아. 숙제 다 끝내고 검사 맡으면 1시간 게임 시간 줄게. 우리 이 규칙 잘 지켜보자!
Pronunciation: jo-a. suk-je da kkeun-nae-go geom-sa ma-teu-myeon han-si-gan ge-im si-gan jul-ge. u-ri i gyu-chik jal ji-kyeo-bo-ja!
Meaning: A: Okay. If you finish all your homework and get it checked, I’ll give you 1 hour of game time. Let’s try to follow this rule well!
Practice Tips
Negotiating with children requires patience and clear communication! Try role-playing these scenarios with family members or language partners~ Practice asking for your child’s opinion (네 생각은 어때? – ne saeng-ga-geun eo-ttae?) and suggesting compromises (이렇게 합의하는 건 어때? – i-reo-ke ha-bui-ha-neun geon eo-ttae?). Remember to use encouraging words (잘 하고 있어! – jal ha-go i-sseo!) to foster cooperation. Adapting these phrases to your specific family situation will make them even more useful. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
