Communicating with children, especially when trying to convince them to do something they don’t want to, requires specific language skills. This guide focuses on Korean phrases parents can use when negotiating with a child about wearing a coat, particularly for an outdoor activity like a snowy hike, covering persuasion, common protests, and ways to reach a compromise.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 외투 입자
Pronunciation: oe-tu ip-ja
Meaning: Let’s put on your coat. (A common, slightly informal suggestion used with children)
Basic Persuasion Phrases
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Expression: 밖에 추워.
Pronunciation: ba-kke chu-wo.
Meaning: It’s cold outside. -
Expression: 감기 걸릴 거야.
Pronunciation: gam-gi geol-lil geo-ya.
Meaning: You’ll catch a cold. -
Expression: 외투 입어야지.
Pronunciation: oe-tu i-beo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You should wear your coat. (Implies expectation) -
Expression: 따뜻하게 입자.
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-ta-ge ip-ja.
Meaning: Let’s dress warmly. -
Expression: 눈 오잖아.
Pronunciation: nun o-jan-a.
Meaning: It’s snowing, you know. -
Expression: 우리 눈길 하이킹 갈 거잖아.
Pronunciation: u-ri nun-kkil ha-i-king gal geo-jan-a.
Meaning: We’re going for a snowy hike, remember? -
Expression: 엄마/아빠 말 들어야지.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa mal deu-reo-ya-ji.
Meaning: You should listen to Mom/Dad. -
Expression: 잠깐만 입고 있어.
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man ip-go i-sseo.
Meaning: Just wear it for a little while. -
Expression: 이거 입으면 맛있는 거 줄게.
Pronunciation: i-geo i-beu-myeon ma-sin-neun geo jul-kke.
Meaning: If you wear this, I’ll give you something yummy. -
Expression: 춥지 않아?
Pronunciation: chup-ji an-a?
Meaning: Aren’t you cold? -
Expression: 손이 차갑네.
Pronunciation: so-ni cha-gam-ne.
Meaning: Your hands are cold. -
Expression: 고집부리지 마.
Pronunciation: go-jip-bu-ri-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t be stubborn.
Child’s Responses and Protests
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Expression: 입기 싫어요!
Pronunciation: ip-kki si-reo-yo!
Meaning: I don’t want to wear it! -
Expression: 안 추워요.
Pronunciation: an chu-wo-yo.
Meaning: I’m not cold. -
Expression: 불편해요.
Pronunciation: bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s uncomfortable. -
Expression: 이 외투 싫어요.
Pronunciation: i oe-tu si-reo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t like this coat. -
Expression: 조금만 있다가요!
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man it-tta-ga-yo!
Meaning: Just a little later! / In a little bit! -
Expression: 더워요.
Pronunciation: deo-wo-yo.
Meaning: I’m hot. -
Expression: 싫어!
Pronunciation: si-reo!
Meaning: No! / I don’t want to! -
Expression: 왜 입어야 돼요?
Pronunciation: wae i-beo-ya dwae-yo?
Meaning: Why do I have to wear it? -
Expression: 다른 거 입으면 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: da-reun geo i-beu-myeon an dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can’t I wear a different one? -
Expression: 나중에 입을게요.
Pronunciation: na-jung-e i-beul-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll wear it later. -
Expression: 하나도 안 추운데요.
Pronunciation: ha-na-do an chu-un-de-yo.
Meaning: I’m not cold at all. -
Expression: 간지러워요.
Pronunciation: gan-ji-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s itchy.
Negotiation and Compromise Phrases
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Expression: 그럼 이건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about this? -
Expression: 외투 입으면, 우리 하이킹 끝나고 핫초코 마시자.
Pronunciation: oe-tu i-beu-myeon, u-ri ha-i-king kkeun-na-go hat-cho-ko ma-si-ja.
Meaning: If you wear your coat, let’s drink hot chocolate after our hike. -
Expression: 몸이 따뜻해질 때까지만 입자.
Pronunciation: mo-mi tta-tteu-tae-jil ttae-kka-ji-man ip-ja.
Meaning: Let’s wear it just until you get warm. -
Expression: 너무 더우면 그때 벗어도 돼.
Pronunciation: neo-mu deo-u-myeon geu-ttae beo-seo-do dwae.
Meaning: You can take it off then if you get too hot. -
Expression: 네가 입고 싶은 외투 골라봐.
Pronunciation: ne-ga ip-go si-peun oe-tu gol-la-bwa.
Meaning: Choose the coat you want to wear. -
Expression: 우리 약속하자.
Pronunciation: u-ri yak-sok-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s make a deal / promise. -
Expression: 그럼 외투 말고 조끼 입을래?
Pronunciation: geu-reom oe-tu mal-go jo-kki i-beul-lae?
Meaning: Then, instead of the coat, do you want to wear a vest? -
Expression: 딱 10분만 입고 있자.
Pronunciation: ttak sip-bun-man ip-go it-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just wear it for 10 minutes. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠가 입는 거 도와줄까?
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-ga im-neun geo do-wa-jul-kka?
Meaning: Shall Mom/Dad help you put it on? -
Expression: 따뜻하게 입는 게 중요해.
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-ta-ge im-neun ge jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: It’s important to dress warmly. -
Expression: 우리 타협하자.
Pronunciation: u-ri ta-hyeop-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s compromise. -
Expression: 알았어, 하지만…
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, ha-ji-man…
Meaning: Okay, I understand, but…
Korean Culture Notes
In Korea, there’s a strong cultural emphasis on health and preventing illness, especially the common cold (감기 – gam-gi). Parents are often quite insistent that children dress warmly in cold weather to avoid getting sick. This concern is seen as a sign of care.
While negotiation happens, there’s also a general expectation that children should listen to their parents (부모님 말씀 잘 듣다 – bu-mo-nim mal-sseum jal deut-tta). Direct instructions like “입어” (i-beo – Wear it) are common, though often softened with particles like -자 (-ja – let’s) or -지 (-ji – implying expectation).
Using incentives or compromises, like offering a treat (맛있는 거 – ma-sin-neun geo) or allowing the child some choice (e.g., picking the coat), is a common parenting tactic worldwide, including in Korea.
Expressing concern about physical sensations like being cold (춥다 – chup-tta) or having cold hands (손이 차갑다 – so-ni cha-gap-tta) is a frequent way parents justify the need for warmer clothes.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A mother (A) is trying to convince her young son, Minjun (B), to wear his thick winter coat before they leave for a hike on a snowy day.
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Expression: A: 민준아, 밖에 눈 많이 와. 우리 하이킹 가려면 이 두꺼운 외투 입어야 해.
Pronunciation: min-ju-na, ba-kke nun ma-ni wa. u-ri ha-i-king ga-ryeo-myeon i du-kkeo-un oe-tu i-beo-ya hae.
Meaning: A: Minjun, it’s snowing a lot outside. If we’re going hiking, you need to wear this thick coat. -
Expression: B: 싫어요! 이거 너무 불편해요. 안 입을래요.
Pronunciation: si-reo-yo! i-geo neo-mu bul-pyeon-hae-yo. an i-beul-lae-yo.
Meaning: B: I don’t want to! This is too uncomfortable. I don’t want to wear it. -
Expression: A: 안 돼. 밖에 엄청 추워. 감기 걸리면 어떡해?
Pronunciation: an dwae. ba-kke eom-cheong chu-wo. gam-gi geol-li-myeon eo-tteo-kae?
Meaning: A: No way. It’s really cold outside. What if you catch a cold? -
Expression: B: 안 추워요! 괜찮아요!
Pronunciation: an chu-wo-yo! gwaen-chan-a-yo!
Meaning: B: I’m not cold! I’m fine! -
Expression: A: 자, 그럼 이렇게 하자. 하이킹 시작할 때까지만 입고, 걷다가 더우면 그때 벗자. 어때?
Pronunciation: ja, geu-reom i-reo-ke ha-ja. ha-i-king si-ja-kal ttae-kka-ji-man ip-go, geot-tta-ga deo-u-myeon geu-ttae beot-ja. eo-ttae?
Meaning: A: Okay, let’s do this then. Wear it just until we start hiking, and if you get hot while walking, let’s take it off then. How about that? -
Expression: B: 정말요? 더우면 바로 벗어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? deo-u-myeon ba-ro beo-seo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: B: Really? Can I take it off right away if I get hot? -
Expression: A: 그럼. 약속! 대신 지금은 꼭 입어야 해. 알았지?
Pronunciation: geu-reom. yak-sok! dae-sin ji-geu-meun kkok i-beo-ya hae. a-rat-ji?
Meaning: A: Of course. Promise! But you must wear it now instead. Got it? -
Expression: B: 네… 알았어요. 입을게요.
Pronunciation: ne… a-ra-sseo-yo. i-beul-kke-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes… Okay. I’ll wear it.
Practice Tips
Parent-child interactions are full of negotiations! Try role-playing these scenarios, taking turns being the parent and the child~. If you have children, try using some of these simpler phrases in context. Listening to Korean children’s shows or family dramas can also expose you to natural dialogue between parents and kids. Remember, tone is very important when speaking to children, so practice sounding both firm and gentle! Good luck~!
