Deciding on meals, especially during fun activities like camping, often involves some friendly negotiation among family members. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for siblings discussing and choosing what food to enjoy on their next camping trip. Learn how to express preferences, make suggestions, and reach a delicious agreement.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 우리 캠핑 가서 뭐 먹을까?
Pronunciation: u-ri kaem-ping ga-seo mwo meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: What should we eat when we go camping?
Basic Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 이번 캠핑 메뉴는 내가 정할래.
Pronunciation: i-beon kaem-ping me-nyu-neun nae-ga jeong-hal-lae.
Meaning: I’ll decide the menu for this camping trip. -
Expression: 네가 원하는 거 있어?
Pronunciation: ne-ga won-ha-neun geo i-sseo?
Meaning: Is there anything you want? -
Expression: 그럼 이건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about this? -
Expression: 나는 그거 별로 안 좋아해.
Pronunciation: na-neun geu-geo byeol-lo an jo-a-hae.
Meaning: I don’t really like that. -
Expression: 다른 거 먹자.
Pronunciation: da-reun geo meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s eat something else. -
Expression: 좋아, 그걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s go with that. -
Expression: 우리 합의 보자.
Pronunciation: u-ri ha-bui bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s reach an agreement / Let’s compromise. -
Expression: 번갈아 가면서 정하는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo jeong-ha-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about we take turns deciding? -
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 네 의견도 존중할게.
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeon-do jon-jung-hal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll respect your opinion too. -
Expression: 그럼 중간 지점을 찾자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jung-gan ji-jeom-eul chat-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s find a middle ground. -
Expression: 이번엔 네가 양보해 줘.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en ne-ga yang-bo-hae jwo.
Meaning: Please yield this time / Let me have my way this time.
Expressing Preferences
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Expression: 나는 바비큐 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun ba-bi-kyu meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to eat barbecue. -
Expression: 김치찌개가 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: gim-chi-jji-gae-ga jo-ke-sseo.
Meaning: Kimchi stew would be good. -
Expression: 라면은 꼭 있어야 해.
Pronunciation: ra-myeon-eun kkok i-sseo-ya hae.
Meaning: We definitely need to have ramen. -
Expression: 난 매운 거 잘 못 먹어.
Pronunciation: nan mae-un geo jal mot meo-geo.
Meaning: I can’t eat spicy food well. -
Expression: 고기 종류는 뭐로 할까?
Pronunciation: go-gi jong-nyu-neun mwo-ro hal-kka?
Meaning: What kind of meat should we get? -
Expression: 삼겹살이 최고지!
Pronunciation: sam-gyeop-sa-ri choe-go-ji!
Meaning: Pork belly is the best! -
Expression: 해산물은 어때?
Pronunciation: hae-san-mu-reun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about seafood? -
Expression: 나는 아무거나 괜찮아.
Pronunciation: na-neun a-mu-geo-na gwaen-cha-na.
Meaning: Anything is fine with me. -
Expression: 지난번에 그거 먹었잖아.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beo-ne geu-geo meo-geot-ja-na.
Meaning: We ate that last time. -
Expression: 뭔가 새로운 걸 먹어보자.
Pronunciation: mwon-ga sae-ro-un geol meo-geo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try something new. -
Expression: 그건 준비하기 너무 번거로워.
Pronunciation: geu-geon jun-bi-ha-gi neo-mu beon-geo-ro-wo.
Meaning: That’s too much hassle to prepare. -
Expression: 간단하게 먹을 수 있는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-ha-ge meo-geul su it-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go with something simple to eat.
Camping Food Specific Phrases
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Expression: 캠핑에는 역시 고기지!
Pronunciation: kaem-ping-e-neun yeok-si go-gi-ji!
Meaning: Meat is definitely the best for camping! -
Expression: 숯불에 구워 먹는 삼겹살
Pronunciation: sut-bu-re gu-wo meong-neun sam-gyeop-sal
Meaning: Pork belly grilled over charcoal -
Expression: 따끈한 부대찌개
Pronunciation: tta-kkeun-han bu-dae-jji-gae
Meaning: Hot Budae Jjigae (Army Stew) -
Expression: 밤에 먹는 라면이 최고야.
Pronunciation: ba-me meong-neun ra-myeon-i choe-go-ya.
Meaning: Ramen eaten at night is the best. -
Expression: 소시지랑 버섯도 굽자.
Pronunciation: so-si-ji-rang beo-seot-do gup-ja.
Meaning: Let’s grill sausages and mushrooms too. -
Expression: 마시멜로 구워 먹을까?
Pronunciation: ma-si-mel-lo gu-wo meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: Shall we roast marshmallows? -
Expression: 옥수수 버터구이
Pronunciation: ok-su-su beo-teo-gu-i
Meaning: Grilled corn with butter -
Expression: 아침에는 간단하게 빵이랑 커피 어때?
Pronunciation: a-chi-me-neun gan-dan-ha-ge ppang-i-rang keo-pi eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about simple bread and coffee for breakfast? -
Expression: 밥이랑 같이 먹을 국도 필요해.
Pronunciation: ba-bi-rang ga-chi meo-geul guk-do pi-ryo-hae.
Meaning: We also need soup to eat with rice. -
Expression: 캠핑 요리 재료 사러 가자.
Pronunciation: kaem-ping yo-ri jae-ryo sa-reo ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go buy ingredients for camping cooking. -
Expression: 아이스박스에 잘 챙겨야 해.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-bak-seu-e jal chaeng-gyeo-ya hae.
Meaning: We need to pack it well in the icebox. -
Expression: 꼬치구이 해 먹자.
Pronunciation: kko-chi-gu-i hae meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s make and eat skewers.
Cultural Tips
In Korean families, deciding on meals, especially for special occasions like camping, is often a collaborative process. While older siblings might traditionally have more say, younger siblings’ opinions are usually considered, especially in modern families. Negotiation is common, sometimes involving playful arguments or compromises.
Sharing food is a fundamental part of Korean culture (‘jeong’ – 정). Camping meals are typically communal, with everyone sharing dishes like barbecue, stews, and side dishes. Choosing a menu often involves considering dishes that are easy to share and enjoyed by the group.
Certain foods are strongly associated with camping in Korea. Barbecue (especially pork belly – 삼겹살) is almost synonymous with camping. Ramen enjoyed late at night or a hearty stew like Kimchi Jjigae (김치찌개) or Budae Jjigae (부대찌개) are also popular choices that evoke a sense of togetherness and comfort during outdoor activities.
Playful methods like ‘Gawibawibo’ (가위바위보 – rock-paper-scissors) are frequently used to settle minor disagreements, including choosing food. This reflects a lighthearted approach to resolving small conflicts among siblings or friends.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: An older sister (A) and her younger brother (B) are planning the main meal for their upcoming family camping trip.
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Expression: A: 주말 캠핑 때 저녁 뭐 먹을지 정해야지. 뭐 먹고 싶어?
Pronunciation: ju-mal kaem-ping ttae jeo-nyeok mwo meo-geul-ji jeong-hae-ya-ji. mwo meok-go si-peo?
Meaning: We need to decide what to eat for dinner during the weekend camping trip. What do you want to eat? -
Expression: B: 음… 나는 무조건 삼겹살! 캠핑엔 삼겹살이지!
Pronunciation: eum… na-neun mu-jo-kkeon sam-gyeop-sal! kaem-ping-en sam-gyeop-sa-ri-ji!
Meaning: Hmm… Definitely pork belly for me! Camping means pork belly! -
Expression: A: 아, 또 삼겹살? 지난번에도 먹었잖아. 이번엔 닭갈비 어때?
Pronunciation: a, tto sam-gyeop-sal? ji-nan-beon-e-do meo-geot-ja-na. i-beon-en dak-gal-bi eo-ttae?
Meaning: Ah, pork belly again? We ate that last time. How about Dakgalbi (spicy stir-fried chicken) this time? -
Expression: B: 닭갈비? 싫어. 캠핑 분위기엔 삼겹살이 더 어울려.
Pronunciation: dak-gal-bi? si-reo. kaem-ping bu-nwi-gi-en sam-gyeop-sa-ri deo eo-ul-lyeo.
Meaning: Dakgalbi? No way. Pork belly fits the camping atmosphere better. -
Expression: A: 그럼 목살은 어때? 삼겹살보다 기름도 적고 괜찮잖아.
Pronunciation: geu-reom mok-sa-reun eo-ttae? sam-gyeop-sal-bo-da gi-reum-do jeok-go gwaen-chan-ja-na.
Meaning: Then how about pork neck? It’s less fatty than pork belly and it’s good. -
Expression: B: 으음… 목살도 좋긴 한데… 그럼 소시지랑 버섯도 많이 사 가야 해!
Pronunciation: eu-eum… mok-sal-do jo-kin han-de… geu-reom so-si-ji-rang beo-seot-do ma-ni sa ga-ya hae!
Meaning: Ummm… Pork neck is okay too… But then we have to buy lots of sausages and mushrooms too! -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 목살이랑 소시지, 버섯 많이 사 가자. 그럼 된 거지?
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, a-ra-sseo. mok-sa-ri-rang so-si-ji, beo-seot ma-ni sa ga-ja. geu-reom doen geo-ji?
Meaning: Okay, okay. Let’s buy lots of pork neck, sausages, and mushrooms. So we’re agreed then? -
Expression: B: 좋아! 대신 밤에 라면은 내가 끓인다!
Pronunciation: jo-a! dae-sin ba-me ra-myeon-eun nae-ga kkeu-rin-da!
Meaning: Okay! But in return, I get to cook the ramen at night!
Practice Tips
Try role-playing this kind of negotiation with a friend or family member learning Korean with you! Take turns suggesting different foods and using the phrases for agreeing, disagreeing, and compromising~ You can even use ‘Gawibawibo’ (가위바위보) to make the final decision for fun!
Think about your favorite camping foods and practice saying you want to eat them using “나는 [food] 먹고 싶어” (na-neun [food] meok-go si-peo). The more you practice expressing your preferences and responding to others, the more natural these conversations will become. Enjoy planning your next delicious camping meal! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
