Family dynamics often involve friendly disagreements, and choosing dessert is a classic scenario for siblings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and expressions you might hear or use when siblings argue playfully (or seriously!) about who gets to pick the next sweet treat for the family.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 디저트 뭐 먹을지 정하자!
Pronunciation: di-jeo-teu mwo meo-geul-ji jeong-ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s decide what dessert to eat! (A common starting point for the discussion/argument)
Basic Argument Phrases
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Expression: 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: It’s my turn! -
Expression: 네가 지난번에 골랐잖아!
Pronunciation: ne-ga ji-nan-beo-ne gol-lat-jan-a!
Meaning: You picked last time! -
Expression: 말도 안 돼!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae!
Meaning: No way! / That doesn’t make sense! -
Expression: 왜 맨날 너만 골라?
Pronunciation: wae maen-nal neo-man gol-la?
Meaning: Why do you always get to choose? -
Expression: 내가 먼저 말했어!
Pronunciation: nae-ga meon-jeo mal-hae-sseo!
Meaning: I said it first! -
Expression: 불공평해!
Pronunciation: bul-gong-pyeong-hae!
Meaning: It’s unfair! -
Expression: 나도 먹고 싶은 거 있어.
Pronunciation: na-do meok-go si-peun geo i-sseo.
Meaning: I have something I want to eat too. -
Expression: 양보 좀 해!
Pronunciation: yang-bo jom hae!
Meaning: Give in a little! / Compromise! -
Expression: 흥! 너랑 말 안 해!
Pronunciation: heung! neo-rang mal an hae!
Meaning: Hmph! I’m not talking to you! -
Expression: 엄마한테 이를 거야!
Pronunciation: eom-ma-han-te i-reul geo-ya!
Meaning: I’m going to tell Mom! -
Expression: 가위바위보 하자!
Pronunciation: ga-wi-ba-wi-bo ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s play rock-paper-scissors! (A common way to settle disputes)
Choosing the Dessert
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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 더 좋아!
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim-i deo jo-a!
Meaning: Ice cream is better! -
Expression: 과일 먹자. 그게 더 건강해.
Pronunciation: gwa-il meok-ja. geu-ge deo geon-gang-hae.
Meaning: Let’s eat fruit. That’s healthier. -
Expression: 초콜릿 맛으로 하자.
Pronunciation: cho-kol-lit ma-seu-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go with chocolate flavor. -
Expression: 나는 그거 싫어!
Pronunciation: na-neun geu-geo si-reo!
Meaning: I don’t like that! -
Expression: 맨날 똑같은 것만 먹잖아.
Pronunciation: maen-nal ttok-ga-teun geot-man meok-jan-a.
Meaning: We always eat the same thing. -
Expression: 새로운 거 먹어보자.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un geo meo-geo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try something new. -
Expression: 이번엔 내가 고를게.
Pronunciation: i-beon-en nae-ga go-reul-ge.
Meaning: I’ll choose this time. -
Expression: 그럼 반반씩 시킬까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom ban-ban-ssik si-kil-kka?
Meaning: Then should we order half and half? -
Expression: 네가 먹고 싶은 거 골라.
Pronunciation: ne-ga meok-go si-peun geo gol-la.
Meaning: You choose what you want to eat. (Can be genuine or sarcastic) -
Expression: 결정 못 하겠어.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong mot ha-ge-sseo.
Meaning: I can’t decide.
Expressing Wants and Dislikes
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Expression: 난 무조건 이거야!
Pronunciation: nan mu-jo-kkeon i-geo-ya!
Meaning: It absolutely has to be this one for me! -
Expression: 그건 너무 달아.
Pronunciation: geu-geon neo-mu da-ra.
Meaning: That’s too sweet. -
Expression: 다른 맛은 없어?
Pronunciation: da-reun ma-seun eop-seo?
Meaning: Aren’t there any other flavors? -
Expression: 이거 진짜 맛있어 보여!
Pronunciation: i-geo jin-jja ma-si-sseo bo-yeo!
Meaning: This looks really delicious! -
Expression: 내 취향 아니야.
Pronunciation: nae chwi-hyang a-ni-ya.
Meaning: It’s not my taste/style. -
Expression: 너 때문에 못 먹잖아!
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mu-ne mot meok-jan-a!
Meaning: I can’t eat it because of you! -
Expression: 나 삐졌어.
Pronunciation: na ppi-jyeo-sseo.
Meaning: I’m sulking. / I’m upset. -
Expression: 그냥 아무거나 먹자.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang a-mu-geo-na meok-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just eat whatever. (Giving up) -
Expression: 제발 이것만은 안 돼!
Pronunciation: je-bal i-geon-ma-neun an dwae!
Meaning: Please, anything but this! -
Expression: 나 이거 꼭 먹어야 해.
Pronunciation: na i-geo kkok meo-geo-ya hae.
Meaning: I really have to eat this. -
Expression: 네 의견은 중요하지 않아.
Pronunciation: ne ui-gyeon-eun jung-yo-ha-ji an-a.
Meaning: Your opinion doesn’t matter. (Harsh, used in arguments)
Korean Culture Notes
Age Hierarchy: Even in playful arguments, age hierarchy (나이, na-i) often plays a role between siblings. The older sibling (형/오빠/누나/언니, hyeong/oppa/nuna/eonni) might expect the younger one (동생, dong-saeng) to yield, though this isn’t always the case, especially over small things like dessert.
Sharing Culture: Sharing food, including desserts, is very common in Korea. Arguments might arise not just about *what* to eat, but also about getting a fair share or one sibling wanting something the other dislikes, preventing a shared experience.
Playful Teasing: Sibling arguments in Korean can involve a lot of teasing (놀리기, nol-li-gi) and banter. Phrases that sound harsh might be delivered playfully, depending on the relationship and tone.
Rock-Paper-Scissors (가위바위보): This is a very common and accepted way to resolve minor disputes fairly among friends and family, including siblings deciding on choices like dessert.
Involving Parents: Threatening to tell a parent (엄마한테 이를 거야!) is a classic tactic used by younger siblings or when an argument escalates, similar to Western cultures.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are deciding what dessert to order after dinner.
Characters:
* A: Minjun (민준)
* B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 자, 이제 디저트 시키자. 뭐 먹을래?
Pronunciation: ja, i-je di-jeo-teu si-ki-ja. mwo meo-geul-lae?
Meaning: Okay, let’s order dessert now. What do you want to eat? -
Expression: B: 나 초코 케이크! 지난번에 오빠가 골랐으니까 이번엔 내 차례야!
Pronunciation: na cho-ko ke-i-keu! ji-nan-beo-ne o-ppa-ga gol-la-sseu-ni-kka i-beon-en nae cha-rye-ya!
Meaning: I want chocolate cake! Oppa, you picked last time, so it’s my turn! -
Expression: A: 무슨 소리야? 지난번엔 네가 좋아하는 떡 먹었잖아. 내가 양보했지.
Pronunciation: mu-seun so-ri-ya? ji-nan-beon-en ne-ga jo-a-ha-neun tteok meo-geo-jan-a. nae-ga yang-bo-haet-ji.
Meaning: What are you talking about? Last time we ate tteok, which you like. I compromised. -
Expression: B: 말도 안 돼! 그건 엄마가 사 오신 거였고! 오늘은 내가 고를 거야! 아이스크림 먹자!
Pronunciation: mal-do an dwae! geu-geon eom-ma-ga sa o-sin geo-yeot-go! o-neu-reun nae-ga go-reul geo-ya! a-i-seu-keu-rim meok-ja!
Meaning: No way! Mom bought that! Today I’m choosing! Let’s eat ice cream! -
Expression: A: 아이스크림? 난 케이크 먹고 싶은데. 왜 맨날 너만 골라?
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim? nan ke-i-keu meok-go si-peun-de. wae maen-nal neo-man gol-la?
Meaning: Ice cream? But I want cake. Why do you always get to choose? -
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 play rock-paper-scissors! -
Expression: A: 그래, 좋아. 진 사람이 아이스크림 사는 거다!
Pronunciation: geu-rae, jo-a. jin sa-ram-i a-i-seu-keu-rim sa-neun geo-da!
Meaning: Okay, fine. The loser buys the ice cream! -
Expression: B: 콜! 가위바위보!
Pronunciation: kol! ga-wi-ba-wi-bo!
Meaning: Deal! Rock-paper-scissors!
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner~ Imagine you’re siblings and really get into the playful argument! Pay attention to the intonation – whining, demanding, or teasing tones make a big difference. You can also watch Korean dramas or variety shows featuring families to see how siblings interact in these situations. Don’t be afraid to sound a little childish when practicing the complaints; it’s part of the scenario! Good luck, and may the best sibling win the dessert choice! 😉
