Sibling squabbles are universal, and arguing over who gets the first turn with a new toy is a classic scenario. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for expressing ‘I want to go first!’, negotiating turns, and engaging in typical sibling banter, specifically focusing on the common argument over who gets to ride the new bike first in the driveway.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: Claiming First Turn
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Expression: 내가 먼저 탈 거야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo tal geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to ride first! (Informal)
Basic Phrases for Arguing
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Expression: 아니야, 내가 먼저야!
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya, nae-ga meon-jeo-ya!
Meaning: No, I’m first! -
Expression: 왜 네가 먼저 타?
Pronunciation: wae ne-ga meon-jeo ta?
Meaning: Why do you get to ride first? -
Expression: 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn! -
Expression: 비켜!
Pronunciation: bi-kyeo!
Meaning: Move! / Out of the way! -
Expression: 이리 줘!
Pronunciation: i-ri jwo!
Meaning: Give it here! -
Expression: 안 돼!
Pronunciation: an dwae!
Meaning: No way! / You can’t! -
Expression: 나도 타고 싶단 말이야!
Pronunciation: na-do ta-go sip-dan mal-i-ya!
Meaning: I said I want to ride too! -
Expression: 내려!
Pronunciation: nae-ryeo!
Meaning: Get off! -
Expression: 이건 불공평해!
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: This is unfair! -
Expression: 맨날 너만 먼저 하잖아!
Pronunciation: maen-nal neo-man meon-jeo ha-jan-a!
Meaning: You always go first!
Negotiating and Taking Turns
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Expression: 번갈아 가면서 타자.
Pronunciation: beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ta-ja.
Meaning: Let’s take turns riding. -
Expression: 너 다음에 내가 탈게.
Pronunciation: neo da-eum-e nae-ga tal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll ride after you. -
Expression: 가위바위보 해서 정하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo hae-seo jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide with rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 딱 한 바퀴만 탈게.
Pronunciation: ttak han ba-kwi-man tal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll just ride one lap. -
Expression: 조금만 타고 줄게.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man ta-go jul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll ride just a little bit and then give it to you. -
Expression: 5분만 타고 바꿔주기.
Pronunciation: o-bun-man ta-go ba-kkwo-ju-gi.
Meaning: Ride for 5 minutes then switch. -
Expression: 약속!
Pronunciation: yak-sok!
Meaning: Promise! -
Expression: 먼저 타도 돼?
Pronunciation: meon-jeo ta-do dwae?
Meaning: Can I ride first? -
Expression: 같이 타면 안 돼?
Pronunciation: ga-chi ta-myeon an dwae?
Meaning: Can’t we ride together? (If applicable) -
Expression: 오빠/형/누나/언니 먼저 타.
Pronunciation: o-ppa/hyeong/nu-na/eon-ni meon-jeo ta.
Meaning: Older brother/sister, you ride first. (Depending on who is speaking to whom)
Common Sibling Banter
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Expression: 치사하다!
Pronunciation: chi-sa-ha-da!
Meaning: That’s cheap! / Unfair! -
Expression: 욕심쟁이!
Pronunciation: yok-sim-jaeng-i!
Meaning: Greedy! -
Expression: 흥!
Pronunciation: heung!
Meaning: Hmph! (Sound of pouting/displeasure) -
Expression: 나 삐졌어.
Pronunciation: na ppi-jyeoss-eo.
Meaning: I’m sulking now. / I’m mad. -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! -
Expression: 너 진짜 느리다!
Pronunciation: neo jin-jja neu-ri-da!
Meaning: You’re so slow! -
Expression: 내가 더 잘 타!
Pronunciation: nae-ga deo jal ta!
Meaning: I ride better! -
Expression: 메롱!
Pronunciation: me-rong!
Meaning: Neener neener! (Sticking tongue out sound/action) -
Expression: 바보!
Pronunciation: ba-bo!
Meaning: Idiot! / Dummy! (Common playful insult between siblings) -
Expression: 내가 찜했어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga jjim-haess-eo!
Meaning: I called dibs!
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling dynamics in Korea involves recognizing the importance of age hierarchy. Often, the older sibling (형/오빠 for boys, 누나/언니 for girls) is expected to be more mature and sometimes gets priority, but they are also expected to look after the younger sibling (동생).
Younger siblings might use their age to their advantage, perhaps by whining or appealing to parents, using phrases like “엄마한테 이를 거야!” (eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya! – I’m telling Mom!). While direct confrontation happens, appealing to authority (parents) is a common tactic.
Sharing is generally encouraged, but sibling rivalry over new items is just as common in Korea as anywhere else. The concept of “내 것” (nae geot – my thing) and “네 것” (ne geot – your thing) is clear, but negotiation skills using phrases like “번갈아 가면서 타자” (beon-ga-ra ga-myeon-seo ta-ja – Let’s take turns) are essential.
Using playful insults like “바보” (ba-bo – dummy) or “욕심쟁이” (yok-sim-jaeng-i – greedy person) is typical banter between close siblings and doesn’t usually carry serious weight in this context.
Rock-paper-scissors (가위바위보 – ga-wi-ba-wi-bo) is a very common and accepted way to settle simple disputes like who goes first.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, an older sister (Minji) and a younger brother (Junho), see their new bicycle in the driveway.
Characters:
- A: Minji (Older Sister)
- B: Junho (Younger Brother)
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Expression: A: 와, 새 자전거다! 내가 먼저 탈 거야!
Pronunciation: wa, sae ja-jeon-geo-da! nae-ga meon-jeo tal geo-ya!
Meaning: Wow, a new bike! I’m going to ride first! -
Expression: B: 안 돼! 내가 먼저 탈 거야! 내가 먼저 봤어!
Pronunciation: an dwae! nae-ga meon-jeo tal geo-ya! nae-ga meon-jeo bwass-eo!
Meaning: No way! I’m going to ride first! I saw it first! -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야, 내가 누나잖아. 내가 먼저 타야지. 비켜!
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya, nae-ga nu-na-jan-a. nae-ga meon-jeo ta-ya-ji. bi-kyeo!
Meaning: What are you talking about, I’m the older sister. I should ride first. Move! -
Expression: B: 싫어! 나도 타고 싶어! 맨날 누나만 먼저 타잖아! 치사해!
Pronunciation: sil-eo! na-do ta-go si-peo! maen-nal nu-na-man meon-jeo ta-jan-a! chi-sa-hae!
Meaning: No! I want to ride too! You always ride first! That’s unfair! -
Expression: A: 알았어, 알았어. 그럼 가위바위보 하자! 이기는 사람이 먼저 타기!
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, ar-ass-eo. geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja! i-gi-neun sa-ram-i meon-jeo ta-gi!
Meaning: Okay, okay. Then let’s do rock-paper-scissors! The winner rides first! -
Expression: B: 좋아! 가위! 바위! 보! … 아싸, 내가 이겼다! 내가 먼저 탄다!
Pronunciation: jo-a! ga-wi! ba-wi! bo! … a-ssa, nae-ga i-gyeot-da! nae-ga meon-jeo tan-da!
Meaning: Okay! Rock! Paper! Scissors! … Yes, I won! I ride first! -
Expression: A: 흥! 딱 한 바퀴만 타고 나 줘야 해! 약속!
Pronunciation: heung! ttak han ba-kwi-man ta-go na jwo-ya hae! yak-sok!
Meaning: Hmph! You have to give it to me after just one lap! Promise! -
Expression: B: 알았어~ 메롱!
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo~ me-rong!
Meaning: Okay~ Neener neener!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or family member who is also learning Korean. Take turns being the older and younger sibling~!
Pay attention to the intonation. Whining, demanding, and negotiating all have different tones in Korean, just like in English. Listen to native speakers if possible, perhaps in dramas or variety shows featuring families or siblings.
Remember that these expressions are mostly informal (반말 – ban-mal) because they are used between close siblings. Using them with strangers or elders would be inappropriate. Have fun practicing these realistic sibling interactions!
