Discussing and adjusting plans with children requires clear communication. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for parents needing to negotiate a new playdate time with their child this weekend, covering suggestions, reasons, and understanding their preferences.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Playdate Negotiation
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Expression: 친구랑 노는 시간 조정하기
Pronunciation: chin-gu-rang no-neun shi-gan jo-jeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Adjusting playtime with a friend (Negotiating playdate time)
Starting the Conversation
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Expression: 우리 얘기 좀 할까?
Pronunciation: u-ri yae-gi jom hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we talk for a bit? -
Expression: 이번 주말 친구랑 놀기로 한 거 말이야.
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal chin-gu-rang nol-gi-ro han geo mal-i-ya.
Meaning: About playing with your friend this weekend… -
Expression: 혹시 이번 주말 약속 시간 바꿀 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: hok-shi i-beon ju-mal yak-sok shi-gan ba-kkul su it-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Could we possibly change the appointment time this weekend? -
Expression: 잠깐만, 엄마(아빠) 말 좀 들어볼래?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man, eom-ma (a-ppa) mal jom deul-eo-bol-lae?
Meaning: Hold on, will you listen to Mom (Dad) for a moment? -
Expression: 주말 계획에 대해 이야기해야 할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: ju-mal gye-hoek-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-hae-ya hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think we need to talk about the weekend plans. -
Expression: 토요일(일요일)에 친구 만나는 거 있잖아.
Pronunciation: to-yo-il (il-yo-il)-e chin-gu man-na-neun geo it-jan-a.
Meaning: You know how you’re meeting your friend on Saturday (Sunday). -
Expression: 그 약속 시간을 조금 바꿔야 할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geu yak-sok shi-gan-eul jo-geum ba-kkwo-ya hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think we need to change that appointment time a little. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 시간은 어때?
Pronunciation: hok-shi da-reun shi-gan-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about another time, perhaps? -
Expression: 시간이 괜찮은지 확인해 봐야 해.
Pronunciation: shi-gan-i gwaen-chan-eun-ji hwa-gin-hae bwa-ya hae.
Meaning: We need to check if the time works. -
Expression: 친구 엄마(아빠)랑 다시 얘기해봐야 할 것 같아.
Pronunciation: chin-gu eom-ma (a-ppa)-rang da-shi yae-gi-hae-bwa-ya hal geot ga-ta.
Meaning: I think I need to talk to your friend’s mom (dad) again.
Suggesting Alternatives and Explaining
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Expression: 미안한데, 그 시간에는 다른 일이 생겼어.
Pronunciation: mi-an-han-de, geu shi-gan-e-neun da-reun il-i saeng-gyeot-sseo.
Meaning: Sorry, but something else came up at that time. -
Expression: 토요일 오후 대신 일요일 오전에 만나는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: to-yo-il o-hu dae-shin il-yo-il o-jeon-e man-na-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Instead of Saturday afternoon, how about meeting on Sunday morning? -
Expression: 혹시 조금 더 일찍 (늦게) 만날 수 있을까?
Pronunciation: hok-shi jo-geum deo il-jjik (neut-ge) man-nal su it-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Could we possibly meet a little earlier (later)? -
Expression: 그때는 가족 행사가 있어서 어려울 것 같아.
Pronunciation: geu-ttae-neun ga-jok haeng-sa-ga it-sseo-seo eo-ryeo-ul geot ga-ta.
Meaning: It seems difficult because there’s a family event at that time. -
Expression: 네 생각은 어때? 다른 시간도 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: ne saeng-gak-eun eo-ttae? da-reun shi-gan-do gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: What do you think? Are other times okay too? -
Expression: 친구한테도 시간이 괜찮은지 물어봐야겠다.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-han-te-do shi-gan-i gwaen-chan-eun-ji mul-eo-bwa-ya-get-tta.
Meaning: We should also ask your friend if the time is okay. -
Expression: 시간을 바꾸면 더 오래 놀 수 있을지도 몰라.
Pronunciation: shi-gan-eul ba-kku-myeon deo o-rae nol su it-sseul-ji-do mol-la.
Meaning: If we change the time, maybe you can play longer. -
Expression: 엄마(아빠)가 그때 꼭 해야 할 일이 있어서 그래.
Pronunciation: eom-ma (a-ppa)-ga geu-ttae kkok hae-ya hal il-i it-sseo-seo geu-rae.
Meaning: It’s because Mom (Dad) has something they absolutely must do then. -
Expression: 그럼 토요일 몇 시가 좋을까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom to-yo-il myeot shi-ga jo-eul-kka?
Meaning: Then what time on Saturday would be good? -
Expression: 일요일은 어때? 일요일은 시간 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: il-yo-il-eun eo-ttae? il-yo-il-eun shi-gan gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: How about Sunday? Is Sunday’s time okay? -
Expression: 다른 날로 바꾸는 건 어떨까?
Pronunciation: da-reun nal-lo ba-kku-neun geon eo-tteol-kka?
Meaning: How about changing it to a different day?
Potential Child Responses
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Expression: 네, 좋아요. 다른 시간도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. da-reun shi-gan-do gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, okay. Another time is fine too. -
Expression: 왜 바꿔야 해요?
Pronunciation: wae ba-kkwo-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: Why do we have to change it? -
Expression: 싫어요! 그 시간에 놀고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: shil-eo-yo! geu shi-gan-e nol-go ship-eo-yo.
Meaning: No! I want to play at that time. -
Expression: 친구한테 물어볼게요.
Pronunciation: chin-gu-han-te mul-eo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll ask my friend. -
Expression: 그럼 언제 만날 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom eon-je man-nal su it-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Then when can we meet? -
Expression: 일요일은 안 돼요. 다른 약속 있어요.
Pronunciation: il-yo-il-eun an dwae-yo. da-reun yak-sok it-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Sunday is not okay. I have other plans. -
Expression: 조금 일찍 만나는 건 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum il-jjik man-na-neun geon gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Meeting a little earlier is okay. -
Expression: 아쉽지만 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: a-swip-ji-man al-get-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s disappointing, but I understand. -
Expression: 그럼 토요일 늦게 만나요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom to-yo-il neut-ge man-na-yo.
Meaning: Then let’s meet late on Saturday. -
Expression: 꼭 만나야 해요!
Pronunciation: kkok man-na-ya hae-yo!
Meaning: We must meet!
Confirming the New Plan
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Expression: 그럼 [새로운 시간]에 만나기로 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom [sae-ro-un shi-gan]-e man-na-gi-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s agree to meet at [new time]. (e.g., 일요일 오전에 – il-yo-il o-jeon-e – Sunday morning) -
Expression: 친구 엄마(아빠)한테 다시 연락할게.
Pronunciation: chin-gu eom-ma (a-ppa)-han-te da-shi yeol-lak-hal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll contact your friend’s mom (dad) again. -
Expression: 시간 바꿔줘서 고마워.
Pronunciation: shi-gan ba-kkwo-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.
Meaning: Thanks for changing the time. -
Expression: 이해해줘서 고마워.
Pronunciation: i-hae-hae-jwo-seo go-ma-wo.
Meaning: Thanks for understanding. -
Expression: 그럼 [새로운 날짜/시간]으로 확정된 거야.
Pronunciation: geu-reom [sae-ro-un nal-jja/shi-gan]-eu-ro hwak-jeong-doen geo-ya.
Meaning: Then it’s confirmed for [new date/time]. -
Expression: 잊지 마, [새로운 시간]이야.
Pronunciation: it-ji ma, [sae-ro-un shi-gan]-i-ya.
Meaning: Don’t forget, it’s [new time]. -
Expression: 약속 시간 잘 기억하고 있어.
Pronunciation: yak-sok shi-gan jal gi-eok-ha-go it-sseo.
Meaning: Remember the appointment time well. -
Expression: 좋아, 그럼 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom geu-reok-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, then let’s do that. -
Expression: 문제 해결!
Pronunciation: mun-je hae-gyeol!
Meaning: Problem solved!
Cultural Tips
In Korea, schedules can sometimes be quite packed, even for children involved in various activities or academies (학원 – hak-won). Therefore, arranging playdates often requires advance planning and coordination between parents.
While direct negotiation like this happens, parents often handle the rescheduling directly with the other child’s parents first to avoid disappointing the child if the new time doesn’t work for the other family.
Explaining the reason for the change (e.g., family event, unavoidable appointment) is generally seen as polite and helps the child understand why the adjustment is necessary, fostering better communication.
Using gentle and understanding language, even when setting boundaries (like explaining why a certain time is impossible), is common in parent-child communication, balancing authority with affection.
Confirming the final plan clearly is important, as misunderstandings about time or date can easily happen with busy schedules.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A mother needs to change the time for her daughter’s playdate scheduled for Saturday afternoon because of an unexpected family gathering.
Characters:
A: 엄마 (Eomma – Mother)
B: 딸 (Ttal – Daughter)
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Expression: A: 민지야, 잠깐 얘기 좀 할까? 이번 주 토요일 오후에 수현이랑 놀기로 한 거 말이야.
Pronunciation: A: min-ji-ya, jam-kkan yae-gi jom hal-kka? i-beon ju to-yo-il o-hu-e su-hyeon-i-rang nol-gi-ro han geo mal-i-ya.
Meaning: A: Minji, can we talk for a moment? About playing with Suhyeon this Saturday afternoon. -
Expression: B: 네, 엄마. 왜요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eom-ma. wae-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, Mom. Why? -
Expression: A: 미안한데, 그 시간에 갑자기 할머니 댁에 가야 할 일이 생겼어. 그래서 혹시 수현이랑 만나는 시간을 바꿀 수 있을까 해서.
Pronunciation: A: mi-an-han-de, geu shi-gan-e gap-ja-gi hal-meo-ni daek-e ga-ya hal il-i saeng-gyeot-sseo. geu-rae-seo hok-shi su-hyeon-i-rang man-na-neun shi-gan-eul ba-kkul su it-sseul-kka hae-seo.
Meaning: A: Sorry, but something came up suddenly, and we have to go to Grandma’s house at that time. So I was wondering if we could possibly change the time you meet Suhyeon. -
Expression: B: 네? 바꿔야 해요? 저 수현이랑 꼭 놀고 싶은데…
Pronunciation: B: ne? ba-kkwo-ya hae-yo? jeo su-hyeon-i-rang kkok nol-go ship-eun-de…
Meaning: B: What? We have to change it? I really want to play with Suhyeon… -
Expression: A: 그럼. 놀 수 있지. 시간만 조금 바꾸면 돼. 혹시 일요일 오전은 어때? 그때는 엄마 시간 괜찮은데.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reom. nol su it-ji. shi-gan-man jo-geum ba-kku-myeon dwae. hok-shi il-yo-il o-jeon-eun eo-ttae? geu-ttae-neun eom-ma shi-gan gwaen-chan-eun-de.
Meaning: A: Of course. You can still play. We just need to change the time a bit. How about Sunday morning, perhaps? Mom is free then. -
Expression: B: 일요일 오전이요? 음… 잠깐만요, 수현이한테 물어봐야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: B: il-yo-il o-jeon-i-yo? eum… jam-kkan-man-yo, su-hyeon-i-han-te mul-eo-bwa-ya hal geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: B: Sunday morning? Hmm… Hold on, I think I need to ask Suhyeon. -
Expression: A: 그래, 수현이 엄마한테 엄마가 전화해서 물어볼게. 만약 일요일 오전이 괜찮다고 하면 그때 만나자. 이해해줘서 고마워, 민지야.
Pronunciation: A: geu-rae, su-hyeon-i eom-ma-han-te eom-ma-ga jeon-hwa-hae-seo mul-eo-bol-ge. man-yak il-yo-il o-jeon-i gwaen-chan-ta-go ha-myeon geu-ttae man-na-ja. i-hae-hae-jwo-seo go-ma-wo, min-ji-ya.
Meaning: A: Okay, Mom will call Suhyeon’s mom and ask. If Sunday morning is okay, let’s meet then. Thanks for understanding, Minji. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠어요. 꼭 시간 괜찮았으면 좋겠다!
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-get-sseo-yo. kkok shi-gan gwaen-chan-at-sseu-myeon jot-get-tta!
Meaning: B: Yes, I understand. I really hope the time works out!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing these conversations with family members or friends learning Korean. You can pretend to be the parent or the child to practice both sides of the negotiation!
Listen carefully to how native Korean parents talk to their children in dramas or reality shows when discussing plans. Pay attention to the tone and specific vocabulary they use~!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match phrases. Start with explaining the situation, suggest an alternative, ask for their opinion, and confirm the final plan. You’ve got this!
