Understanding how siblings interact, especially during common disagreements like choosing dessert, offers valuable insight into everyday Korean conversation. This guide provides essential phrases and expressions used when Korean siblings argue over who gets to pick the next sweet treat for the family, covering everything from stating preferences to expressing frustration.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 내가 고를 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn to choose!
Basic Phrases for Choosing
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Expression: 뭐 먹을까?
Pronunciation: mwo meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: What should we eat? -
Expression: 디저트 뭐 먹고 싶어?
Pronunciation: di-jeo-teu mwo meok-go si-peo?
Meaning: What dessert do you want to eat? -
Expression: 이번엔 내가 고를게.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae-ga go-reul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll choose this time. -
Expression: 저번에 네가 골랐잖아.
Pronunciation: jeo-beon-e ne-ga gol-lat-jan-a.
Meaning: You chose last time. -
Expression: 순서대로 하자.
Pronunciation: sun-seo-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns. -
Expression: 누가 고를지 정하자.
Pronunciation: nu-ga go-reul-ji jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide who will choose. -
Expression: 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 공평하게 해야지.
Pronunciation: gong-pyeong-ha-ge hae-ya-ji.
Meaning: We have to be fair. -
Expression: 내 차례인 것 같은데.
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-in geot ga-teun-de.
Meaning: I think it’s my turn. -
Expression: 왜 네 마음대로 정해?
Pronunciation: wae ne ma-eum-dae-ro jeong-hae?
Meaning: Why are you deciding on your own? -
Expression: 엄마한테 물어보자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te mul-eo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom. -
Expression: 아빠가 정해주시면 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: a-ppa-ga jeong-hae-ju-si-myeon an dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can’t Dad decide for us?
Expressing Dessert Preferences
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Expression: 나는 케이크 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun ke-i-keu meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to eat cake. -
Expression: 아이스크림이 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim-i jo-ket-sseo.
Meaning: Ice cream would be good. -
Expression: 과일 먹자.
Pronunciation: gwa-il meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s eat fruit. -
Expression: 초콜릿 맛으로 하자.
Pronunciation: cho-kol-lit mat-eu-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go with the chocolate flavor. -
Expression: 나는 빵 종류가 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun ppang jong-nyu-ga jo-a.
Meaning: I like bread-type desserts (pastries). -
Expression: 떡은 어때?
Pronunciation: tteok-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about rice cake (tteok)? -
Expression: 쿠키 먹고 싶다.
Pronunciation: ku-ki meok-go sip-da.
Meaning: I want to eat cookies. -
Expression: 빙수 먹으러 갈까?
Pronunciation: bing-su meok-eu-reo gal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we go eat shaved ice (bingsu)? -
Expression: 그거 말고 다른 거.
Pronunciation: geu-geo mal-go da-reun geo.
Meaning: Something else, not that. -
Expression: 상큼한 게 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han ge meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to eat something refreshing/tangy. -
Expression: 달콤한 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: dal-kom-han geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s choose something sweet. -
Expression: 내가 제일 좋아하는 거야.
Pronunciation: nae-ga je-il jo-a-ha-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: That’s my favorite.
Disagreeing and Arguing Phrases
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Expression: 싫어, 그거 말고!
Pronunciation: sil-eo, geu-geo mal-go!
Meaning: No, not that! -
Expression: 왜 맨날 네가 골라?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal ne-ga gol-la?
Meaning: Why do you always choose? -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: That doesn’t make sense! / No way! -
Expression: 내 말 좀 들어봐!
Pronunciation: nae mal jom deul-eo-bwa!
Meaning: Listen to me! -
Expression: 너 진짜 이기적이다.
Pronunciation: neo jin-jja i-gi-jeok-i-da.
Meaning: You’re really selfish. -
Expression: 그건 맛없어.
Pronunciation: geu-geon mat-eop-seo.
Meaning: That doesn’t taste good. -
Expression: 저번에 먹었잖아.
Pronunciation: jeo-beon-e meok-eot-jan-a.
Meaning: We ate that last time. -
Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / That’s unfair! -
Expression: 양보 좀 해!
Pronunciation: yang-bo jom hae!
Meaning: Give in a little! / Compromise! -
Expression: 네 마음대로 하지 마.
Pronunciation: ne ma-eum-dae-ro ha-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t just do whatever you want. -
Expression: 나 화났어!
Pronunciation: na hwa-nat-sseo!
Meaning: I’m angry! -
Expression: 됐어, 안 먹어!
Pronunciation: dwaet-sseo, an meok-eo!
Meaning: Forget it, I’m not eating!
Making Suggestions and Compromising
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Expression: 그럼 이건 어때?
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: Then how about this? -
Expression: 반반씩 고르자.
Pronunciation: ban-ban-ssik go-reu-ja.
Meaning: Let’s each choose half (or choose two things). -
Expression: 다음엔 네가 골라.
Pronunciation: da-eum-en ne-ga gol-la.
Meaning: You choose next time. -
Expression: 둘 다 좋아하는 걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: dul da jo-a-ha-neun geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s choose something we both like. -
Expression: 새로운 거 먹어볼까?
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un geo meok-eo-bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we try something new? -
Expression: 그래, 네 말대로 하자.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, ne mal-dae-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s do as you say. -
Expression: 이걸로 타협하자.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ta-hyeop-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s compromise with this. -
Expression: 그럼 내가 양보할게.
Pronunciation: geu-reom nae-ga yang-bo-hal-ge.
Meaning: Then I’ll give in / yield. -
Expression: 다른 가게 가볼까?
Pronunciation: da-reun ga-ge ga-bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we try a different store/cafe? -
Expression: 네 의견도 존중할게.
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeon-do jon-jung-hal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll respect your opinion too. -
Expression: 그럼 이걸로 결정하자.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geol-lo gyeol-jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Then let’s decide on this. -
Expression: 싸우지 말고 정하자.
Pronunciation: ssa-u-ji mal-go jeong-ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s decide without fighting.
Cultural Tips
Sibling Dynamics: Sibling relationships in Korea, like anywhere, involve rivalry and affection. Arguments over small things like dessert choices are common. Older siblings might sometimes be expected to yield, or conversely, they might assert authority based on age.
Importance of Sharing: Sharing food is a significant part of Korean culture, even within the family. While arguments happen, the underlying expectation is often that treats will ultimately be shared or enjoyed together.
“Bbal-li Bbal-li” Culture: Korea’s “fast-paced” (빨리 빨리 – bbal-li bbal-li) culture can sometimes extend to decisions, even minor ones. Siblings might get impatient if the choice takes too long, adding fuel to the argument.
Involving Parents: It’s common for Korean children to appeal to parents (especially Mom – 엄마, eom-ma) to resolve disputes, as seen in some example phrases. Parents often act as the final arbiters in sibling disagreements.
Popular Desserts: Common dessert choices in Korea range from traditional items like 떡 (tteok – rice cakes) and 과일 (gwa-il – fruit) to Western-style cakes, ice cream, pastries, and the very popular 빙수 (bingsu – shaved ice).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Soomin (younger sister), are deciding what dessert to buy after dinner.
Characters:
A: Minjun (민준)
B: Soomin (수민)
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Expression: A: 자, 디저트 사러 가자. 이번엔 내가 고를 차례야.
Pronunciation: ja, di-jeo-teu sa-reo ga-ja. i-beon-en nae-ga go-reul cha-rye-ya.
Meaning: A: Okay, let’s go buy dessert. It’s my turn to choose this time. -
Expression: B: 무슨 소리야? 저번에 오빠가 골랐잖아! 오늘은 내가 고를 거야. 케이크 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya? jeo-beon-e o-ppa-ga gol-lat-jan-a! o-neul-eun nae-ga go-reul geo-ya. ke-i-keu meok-go si-peo.
Meaning: B: What are you talking about? You chose last time, Oppa! I’m going to choose today. I want to eat cake. -
Expression: A: 아니야, 저번엔 네가 아이스크림 고집해서 그거 먹었잖아. 오늘은 내가 좋아하는 빵 살 거야.
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya, jeo-beon-en ne-ga a-i-seu-keu-rim go-jip-hae-seo geu-geo meok-eot-jan-a. o-neul-eun nae-ga jo-a-ha-neun ppang sal geo-ya.
Meaning: A: No, last time you insisted on ice cream, so we ate that. Today I’m buying the pastry I like. -
Expression: B: 싫어! 맨날 오빠 마음대로야! 치사해! 나 케이크 아니면 안 먹어!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! maen-nal o-ppa ma-eum-dae-ro-ya! chi-sa-hae! na ke-i-keu a-ni-myeon an meok-eo!
Meaning: B: No! You always get your way, Oppa! That’s unfair! If it’s not cake, I’m not eating! -
Expression: A: 아 진짜… 그럼 가위바위보 하자. 공평하게.
Pronunciation: a jin-jja… geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja. gong-pyeong-ha-ge.
Meaning: A: Ah, seriously… Then let’s play rock-paper-scissors. To be fair. -
Expression: B: 좋아! 내가 이기면 무조건 케이크야!
Pronunciation: jo-a! nae-ga i-gi-myeon mu-jo-kkeon ke-i-keu-ya!
Meaning: B: Okay! If I win, it’s definitely cake!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases will make your Korean sound much more natural in everyday situations! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner~ Imagine you’re siblings and really get into the argument (in a fun way, of course!). Pay attention to the intonation used in disagreements. You can also try thinking about your favorite desserts and practice saying you want them in Korean. Remember, even small arguments are great opportunities to use conversational Korean! Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be able to navigate any dessert decision like a local! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
