Sibling interactions often involve disagreements, especially when it comes to shared activities like choosing a game. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for understanding and expressing the common scenario of siblings arguing over which trivia game the family should play next. Learn how to state preferences, argue your case, and maybe even compromise, all in Korean.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 내가 고를 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn to choose!
Basic Argument Phrases
-
Expression: 싫어!
Pronunciation: sil-eo!
Meaning: No! / I don’t want to! -
Expression: 왜 안 돼?
Pronunciation: wae an dwae?
Meaning: Why not? -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: That’s ridiculous! / No way! -
Expression: 불공평해!
Pronunciation: bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: It’s unfair! -
Expression: 네 마음대로 하지 마!
Pronunciation: ne ma-eum-dae-ro ha-ji ma!
Meaning: Don’t just do whatever you want! -
Expression: 내가 먼저 말했어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo mal-haess-eo!
Meaning: I said it first! -
Expression: 맨날 너만 해!
Pronunciation: maen-nal neo-man hae!
Meaning: You always get your way! / You always do it! -
Expression: 흥!
Pronunciation: heung!
Meaning: Hmph! (Sound of pouting or displeasure) -
Expression: 치사해!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-hae!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s petty! -
Expression: 됐어!
Pronunciation: dwaess-eo!
Meaning: Forget it! / Whatever!
Phrases for Choosing Games
-
Expression: 우리 무슨 퀴즈 게임 할까?
Pronunciation: u-ri mu-seun kwi-jeu ge-im hal-kka?
Meaning: What trivia game should we play? -
Expression: 이거 하자!
Pronunciation: i-geo ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play this one! -
Expression: 나는 저거 하고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun jeo-geo ha-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to play that one. -
Expression: 이 게임 재밌어 보여.
Pronunciation: i ge-im jae-miss-eo bo-yeo.
Meaning: This game looks fun. -
Expression: 다른 게임은 없어?
Pronunciation: da-reun ge-im-eun eops-eo?
Meaning: Aren’t there any other games? -
Expression: 이거 말고 다른 거 하자.
Pronunciation: i-geo mal-go da-reun geo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play something else instead of this. -
Expression: 어떤 종류 퀴즈가 좋아?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu kwi-jeu-ga jo-a?
Meaning: What kind of trivia do you like? -
Expression: 이건 너무 어려워/쉬워.
Pronunciation: i-geon neo-mu eo-ryeo-wo / swi-wo.
Meaning: This one is too hard/easy. -
Expression: 새로운 게임 해보자.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un ge-im hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try a new game. -
Expression: 전에 했던 거 또 하자.
Pronunciation: jeon-e haett-deon geo tto ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s play the one we played before again.
Stating Preference and Turn
-
Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: It’s my turn this time. -
Expression: 지난번엔 네가 골랐잖아!
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-en ne-ga gol-latt-jan-a!
Meaning: You chose last time! -
Expression: 내가 이거 하고 싶다고 했잖아.
Pronunciation: nae-ga i-geo ha-go sip-da-go haett-jan-a.
Meaning: I told you I wanted to play this one. -
Expression: 나는 이게 더 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun i-ge deo jo-a.
Meaning: I like this one better. -
Expression: 그 게임은 재미없어.
Pronunciation: geu ge-im-eun jae-mi-eops-eo.
Meaning: That game isn’t fun. -
Expression: 내 말 좀 들어봐!
Pronunciation: nae mal jom deul-eo-bwa!
Meaning: Listen to me! -
Expression: 왜 맨날 네 마음대로야?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal ne ma-eum-dae-ro-ya?
Meaning: Why is it always your way? -
Expression: 이번 한 번만 내가 고를게.
Pronunciation: i-beon han beon-man nae-ga go-reul-ge.
Meaning: Just this once, let me choose. -
Expression: 네가 고른 건 지겨워.
Pronunciation: ne-ga go-reun geon ji-gyeo-wo.
Meaning: I’m tired of the one you chose. -
Expression: 내 의견도 중요해!
Pronunciation: nae ui-gyeon-do jung-yo-hae!
Meaning: My opinion matters too!
Phrases for Compromise and Resolution
-
Expression: 가위바위보로 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 그럼 이번엔 이거 하고, 다음엔 네가 고르는 거 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-beon-en i-geo ha-go, da-eum-en ne-ga go-reu-neun geo ha-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s play this one this time, and next time, let’s play the one you choose. -
Expression: 둘 다 조금씩 할까?
Pronunciation: dul da jo-geum-ssik hal-kka?
Meaning: Should we play a little bit of both? -
Expression: 알았어, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do it your way. -
Expression: 싸우지 말자.
Pronunciation: ssa-u-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not fight. -
Expression: 공평하게 순서를 정하자.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge sun-seo-reul jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide the order fairly. -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 물어볼까?
Pronunciation: eom-ma / a-ppa-han-te mul-eo-bol-kka?
Meaning: Should we ask Mom/Dad? -
Expression: 좋아, 그럼 그렇게 하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geu-reom geu-reok-ke ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, then let’s do that. -
Expression: 대신 다음에 내 말 들어줘야 해.
Pronunciation: dae-sin da-eum-e nae mal deul-eo-jwo-ya hae.
Meaning: But you have to listen to me next time. -
Expression: 화해하자.
Pronunciation: hwa-hae-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s make up.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling dynamics in Korea involves recognizing age hierarchy. Older siblings (형/오빠/누나/언니 – hyeong/oppa/nuna/eonni) often have a degree of authority, but younger siblings (동생 – dongsaeng) might push back, especially in informal family settings. While arguments happen, outright disrespect towards an older sibling is generally less common than in some Western cultures, though banter is frequent.
Even during arguments, the level of politeness (반말 – banmal vs. 존댓말 – jondaetmal) usually remains consistent with the established family dynamic. Siblings typically use 반말 (informal language) with each other, regardless of the argument’s intensity.
Resolving conflicts often involves compromise, parental intervention, or common methods like 가위바위보 (ga-wi-ba-wi-bo – rock-paper-scissors), which is a very popular way to make fair decisions among children and even adults in casual situations.
Sharing and taking turns are emphasized values. The concept of whose ‘turn’ it is (차례 – cha-rye) is a common point in negotiations and arguments among siblings.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are trying to pick a trivia game for family game night.
Roles: A = Minjun (민준), B = Sora (소라)
-
Expression: A: 자, 무슨 퀴즈 게임 할까? 역사 퀴즈 어때?
Pronunciation: ja, mu-seun kwi-jeu ge-im hal-kka? yeok-sa kwi-jeu eo-ttae?
Meaning: Okay, what trivia game should we play? How about the history trivia? -
Expression: B: 싫어! 역사 퀴즈는 재미없어. 내가 고를 차례야! 지난번엔 오빠가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: sil-eo! yeok-sa kwi-jeu-neun jae-mi-eops-eo. nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya! ji-nan-beon-en o-ppa-ga gol-latt-jan-a.
Meaning: No! History trivia is boring. It’s my turn to choose! You chose last time, Oppa. -
Expression: A: 그래도 이건 새로 나온 거야. 재밌을 것 같은데.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-do i-geon sae-ro na-on geo-ya. jae-miss-eul geot gat-eun-de.
Meaning: But this one is new. I think it looks fun. -
Expression: B: 아니야! 나는 동물 퀴즈 하고 싶어! 이거 하자!
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya! na-neun dong-mul kwi-jeu ha-go sip-eo! i-geo ha-ja!
Meaning: No! I want to play the animal trivia! Let’s play this one! -
Expression: A: 맨날 너 하고 싶은 것만 하려고 해! 불공평해!
Pronunciation: maen-nal neo ha-go sip-eun geot-man ha-ryeo-go hae! bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: You always try to do only what you want! It’s unfair! -
Expression: B: 오빠야말로 맨날 자기 마음대로 하잖아! 이번엔 내 차례라고!
Pronunciation: o-ppa-ya-mal-lo maen-nal ja-gi ma-eum-dae-ro ha-jan-a! i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ra-go!
Meaning: You’re the one who always does whatever they want, Oppa! I told you it’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 하… 알았어. 그럼 가위바위보로 정하자. 이기는 사람이 고르는 거야.
Pronunciation: ha… ar-ass-eo. geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo-ro jeong-ha-ja. i-gi-neun sa-ram-i go-reu-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: Ugh… okay. Then let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors. The winner gets to choose. -
Expression: B: 좋아! 가위, 바위, 보!
Pronunciation: jo-a! ga-wi, ba-wi, bo!
Meaning: Okay! Rock, paper, scissors!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member, taking turns being the sibling who wants a specific game~ You can also listen for similar arguments in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings. Pay attention to the tone of voice and gestures used! Remember, repetition is key, so try using phrases like 내 차례야! (nae cha-rye-ya!) or 이거 하자! (i-geo ha-ja!) in playful situations. Good luck with your practice!
