Sibling disagreements are universal, and fighting over something as simple as a movie night snack is a common scenario. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for understanding and expressing opinions (or arguing!) about snack choices, specifically within a family setting like choosing for movie night.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 내가 고를 거야!
Pronunciation: nae-ga go-reul kkeo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to choose! / I’ll pick! (Informal, often used between siblings)
Basic Argument Phrases
-
Expression: 왜 맨날 너만 골라?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal neo-man gol-la?
Meaning: Why do you always get to choose? -
Expression: 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: 불공평해!
Pronunciation: bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: It’s unfair! -
Expression: 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s do rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: 나는 팝콘 먹고 싶어.
Pronunciation: na-neun pap-kon meok-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to eat popcorn. -
Expression: 아니야, 나는 과자 먹을래.
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya, na-neun gwa-ja meog-eul-lae.
Meaning: No, I want chips/snacks. -
Expression: 엄마가 이번엔 내가 골라도 된댔어.
Pronunciation: eom-ma-ga i-beon-en nae-ga gol-la-do dwaen-daess-eo.
Meaning: Mom said I could choose this time. -
Expression: 지난번엔 네가 골랐잖아!
Pronunciation: ji-nan-beon-en ne-ga gol-lass-jan-a!
Meaning: You chose last time! -
Expression: 그냥 둘 다 사면 안 돼?
Pronunciation: geu-nyang dul da sa-myeon an dwae?
Meaning: Can’t we just buy both? -
Expression: 욕심 부리지 마.
Pronunciation: yok-sim bu-ri-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t be greedy. -
Expression: 유치하게 굴지 마.
Pronunciation: yu-chi-ha-ge gul-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t be childish. -
Expression: 알았어, 네가 골라.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, ne-ga gol-la.
Meaning: Fine, you choose.
Escalating the Argument
-
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te i-reul kkeo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom/Dad! -
Expression: 너 진짜 짜증나!
Pronunciation: neo jin-jja jja-jeung-na!
Meaning: You’re so annoying! -
Expression: 내놔!
Pronunciation: nae-nwa!
Meaning: Give it back! / Hand it over! (If one snatches something) -
Expression: 너랑 같이 영화 안 봐!
Pronunciation: neo-rang gat-i yeong-hwa an bwa!
Meaning: I’m not watching the movie with you! -
Expression: 너는 왜 맨날 그 모양이야?
Pronunciation: neo-neun wae maen-nal geu mo-yang-i-ya?
Meaning: Why are you always like this? -
Expression: 이건 너무하잖아!
Pronunciation: i-geon neo-mu-ha-jan-a!
Meaning: This is too much! / This isn’t fair at all! -
Expression: 너 진짜 싫어!
Pronunciation: neo jin-jja sil-eo!
Meaning: I really hate you! (Often an exaggeration in sibling fights) -
Expression: 그만 징징거려!
Pronunciation: geu-man jing-jing-geo-ryeo!
Meaning: Stop whining! -
Expression: 너랑 안 나눠 먹어.
Pronunciation: neo-rang an na-nwo meog-eo.
Meaning: I’m not sharing with you. -
Expression: 항상 네 멋대로 하잖아.
Pronunciation: hang-sang ne meot-dae-ro ha-jan-a.
Meaning: You always get your way / do whatever you want. -
Expression: 말도 안 돼.
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae.
Meaning: This is ridiculous / Nonsense.
Suggesting Compromises
-
Expression: 같이 고르는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: gat-i go-reu-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about we choose together? -
Expression: 엄마/아빠한테 정해달라고 하자.
Pronunciation: eom-ma/a-ppa-han-te jeong-hae-dal-la-go ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s ask Mom/Dad to decide. -
Expression: 이번엔 이거 먹고 다음엔 저거 먹으면 어때?
Pronunciation: i-beon-en i-geo meok-go da-eum-en jeo-geo meog-eu-myeon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about we eat this one this time and that one next time? -
Expression: 우리 합의 좀 보자.
Pronunciation: u-ri hap-ui jom bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s reach an agreement. -
Expression: 좋아, 좋아, 타협하자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, jo-a, ta-hyeop-ha-ja.
Meaning: Okay, okay, let’s compromise. -
Expression: [과자 A] 아니면 [과자 B]는 어때?
Pronunciation: [gwa-ja A] a-ni-myeon [gwa-ja B]-neun eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about [Snack A] or [Snack B]? -
Expression: 동전 던지기 할까?
Pronunciation: dong-jeon deon-ji-gi hal-kka?
Meaning: Should we flip a coin? -
Expression: 나눠 먹으면 되잖아, 그렇지?
Pronunciation: na-nwo meog-eu-myeon dwae-jan-a, geu-reot-ji?
Meaning: We can just share, right? -
Expression: 이런 걸로 싸우지 말자.
Pronunciation: i-reon geol-lo ssa-u-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Let’s not fight over something like this. -
Expression: 다음엔 꼭 네가 골라.
Pronunciation: da-eum-en kkok ne-ga gol-la.
Meaning: Next time, you can definitely choose. -
Expression: 우리 둘 다 좋아하는 거 없어?
Pronunciation: u-ri dul da jo-a-ha-neun geo eops-eo?
Meaning: Isn’t there something we both like?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding sibling interactions in Korea involves some cultural context. Age hierarchy often plays a role, with older siblings (형/오빠/누나/언니 – hyeong/o-ppa/nu-na/eon-ni) sometimes expected to lead or concede, while younger siblings (동생 – dong-saeng) might be expected to listen, though this dynamic varies greatly between families. Despite arguments, sharing (나누다 – na-nu-da) is generally encouraged.
Common Korean snacks (과자 – gwa-ja) that might fuel such debates include shrimp crackers (새우깡 – sae-u-kkang), Pepero (빼빼로 – ppae-ppae-ro), Choco Pies (초코파이 – cho-ko-pa-i), and various chips and sweet biscuits. Popcorn (팝콘 – pap-kon) is also popular for movies.
Parental intervention is common in settling sibling disputes. Sometimes, appealing to a parent (엄마한테 이를 거야! – eom-ma-han-te i-reul kkeo-ya!) is a tactic used by children.
The concept of ‘nunchi’ (눈치), or the subtle art of sensing others’ feelings and the social atmosphere, can also influence interactions. A sibling might eventually give in simply because they sense the other’s strong desire or the growing tension.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Ji-hoon (older brother) and Soo-min (younger sister), are trying to pick a snack for their family movie night.
Roles: A = Ji-hoon (지훈), B = Soo-min (수민)
-
Expression: A: 영화 볼 때 뭐 먹을까? 팝콘 먹자.
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa bol ttae mwo meog-eul-kka? pap-kon meok-ja.
Meaning: What should we eat while watching the movie? Let’s eat popcorn. -
Expression: B: 아니야, 나는 초코 과자 먹고 싶어! 지난번에도 오빠가 골랐잖아. 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: a-ni-ya, na-neun cho-ko gwa-ja meok-go sip-eo! ji-nan-beon-e-do o-ppa-ga gol-lat-jan-a. i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: No, I want to eat chocolate snacks! You chose last time too, Oppa. It’s my turn this time! -
Expression: A: 영화엔 팝콘이지! 왜 맨날 너만 먹고 싶은 거 골라?
Pronunciation: yeong-hwa-en pap-kon-i-ji! wae maen-nal neo-man meok-go sip-eun geo gol-la?
Meaning: Popcorn is for movies! Why do you always only choose what you want to eat? -
Expression: B: 불공평해! 그럼 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: bul-gong-pyeong-hae! geu-reom ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: It’s unfair! Then let’s do rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: A: 됐어. 귀찮아. 그냥 둘 다 사달라고 엄마한테 말해보자.
Pronunciation: dwaess-eo. gwi-chan-a. geu-nyang dul da sa-dal-la-go eom-ma-han-te mal-hae-bo-ja.
Meaning: Forget it. It’s annoying. Let’s just ask Mom to buy both. -
Expression: B: 진짜? 좋아! 그럼 싸우지 말자.
Pronunciation: jin-jja? jo-a! geu-reom ssa-u-ji mal-ja.
Meaning: Really? Okay! Then let’s not fight.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing this exact scenario with a friend or language partner~ Take turns being the older and younger sibling to practice different tones and arguments!
Listen for similar arguments in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families. Pay attention to the intonation and speed used in real conversations. You can even try playfully arguing with yourself in Korean when deciding on your own snacks! Remember, repetition and real-life application (even pretend!) are key. 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
