Sibling banter often involves playful teasing, and loud singing in the car is a classic scenario. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for teasing a sibling about their enthusiastic, albeit perhaps off-key, car performances. Learn how to express annoyance playfully, react to the teasing, and understand the nuances of sibling interactions in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Teasing Expression
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Expression: 목소리 너무 커!
Pronunciation: mok-so-ri neo-mu keo!
Meaning: Your voice is too loud! (A direct way to point out the volume)
Basic Teasing Phrases
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Expression: 시끄러워!
Pronunciation: si-kkeu-reo-wo!
Meaning: It’s noisy! / You’re loud! -
Expression: 귀 아파!
Pronunciation: gwi a-pa!
Meaning: My ears hurt! -
Expression: 제발 조용히 좀 해.
Pronunciation: je-bal jo-yong-hi jom hae.
Meaning: Please be quiet. (Can sound pleading or annoyed depending on tone) -
Expression: 노래 좀 그만 불러!
Pronunciation: no-rae jom geu-man bul-leo!
Meaning: Stop singing already! -
Expression: 너 때문에 집중이 안 돼.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e jip-jung-i an dwae.
Meaning: I can’t concentrate because of you. -
Expression: 완전 민폐야.
Pronunciation: wan-jeon min-pye-ya.
Meaning: You’re being a total nuisance. -
Expression: 누구 놀리는 거야?
Pronunciation: nu-gu nol-li-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: Are you making fun of someone? / Who are you teasing? (Can be used sarcastically about their singing) -
Expression: 참아줄 수가 없네.
Pronunciation: cham-a-jul su-ga eom-ne.
Meaning: I can’t stand it anymore. -
Expression: 어휴, 정말!
Pronunciation: eo-hyu, jeong-mal!
Meaning: Ugh, seriously! (An expression of exasperation) -
Expression: 너 때문에 창피해.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e chang-pi-hae.
Meaning: I’m embarrassed because of you.
Phrases About Singing (Teasingly)
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Expression: 가수 납셨네!
Pronunciation: ga-su nap-syeot-ne!
Meaning: Look who thinks they’re a singer! (Sarcastic) -
Expression: 음치 아니야?
Pronunciation: eum-chi a-ni-ya?
Meaning: Aren’t you tone-deaf? -
Expression: 그 노래 그렇게 부르는 거 아닌데.
Pronunciation: geu no-rae geu-reok-ke bu-reu-neun geo a-nin-de.
Meaning: That’s not how that song goes. -
Expression: 무슨 자신감으로 부르는 거야?
Pronunciation: mu-seun ja-sin-gam-eu-ro bu-reu-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: Where do you get the confidence to sing like that? -
Expression: 고막 테러 중이야?
Pronunciation: go-mak te-reo jung-i-ya?
Meaning: Are you committing eardrum terrorism? (Playful exaggeration) -
Expression: 목소리 갈라지는 것 좀 봐.
Pronunciation: mok-so-ri gal-la-ji-neun geot jom bwa.
Meaning: Look at your voice cracking. -
Expression: 박자 좀 맞춰 봐.
Pronunciation: bak-ja jom mat-chwo bwa.
Meaning: Try to keep the rhythm. -
Expression: 음정 다 틀렸어.
Pronunciation: eum-jeong da teul-lyeoss-eo.
Meaning: The pitch is all wrong. -
Expression: 차라리 내가 부르는 게 낫겠다.
Pronunciation: cha-ra-ri nae-ga bu-reu-neun ge nat-get-da.
Meaning: It would be better if I sang instead. -
Expression: 노래방 온 줄 알았네.
Pronunciation: no-rae-bang on jul a-rat-ne.
Meaning: I thought we were at a karaoke room. (Sarcastic)
Car-Related Phrases
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Expression: 차 안에서 조용히 해.
Pronunciation: cha an-e-seo jo-yong-hi hae.
Meaning: Be quiet in the car. -
Expression: 창문 열고 불러!
Pronunciation: chang-mun yeol-go bul-leo!
Meaning: Open the window and sing! (Implying it’s too loud inside) -
Expression: 운전 중이니까 조용히 해줘.
Pronunciation: un-jeon jung-i-ni-kka jo-yong-hi hae-jwo.
Meaning: I’m driving, so please be quiet. -
Expression: 라디오 소리나 키우자.
Pronunciation: ra-di-o so-ri-na ki-u-ja.
Meaning: Let’s just turn up the radio instead. (Implying the radio is better than the singing) -
Expression: 다른 차 사람들이 다 쳐다보겠어.
Pronunciation: da-reun cha sa-ram-deul-i da chyeo-da-bo-gess-eo.
Meaning: People in other cars are going to stare. -
Expression: 차가 울리는 것 같아.
Pronunciation: cha-ga ul-li-neun geot gat-a.
Meaning: It feels like the car is vibrating (from the loud singing). -
Expression: 여기서 이러시면 안 됩니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo i-reo-si-myeon an doem-ni-da.
Meaning: You shouldn’t act like this here. (Formal phrase used jokingly) -
Expression: 도착할 때까지 참아.
Pronunciation: do-chak-hal ttae-kka-ji cham-a.
Meaning: Hold it in until we arrive. -
Expression: 음악이나 듣자 그냥.
Pronunciation: eu-mak-i-na deut-ja geu-nyang.
Meaning: Let’s just listen to music instead.
Reacting to Teasing
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Expression: 내버려 둬! / 신경 꺼!
Pronunciation: nae-beo-ryeo dwo! / sin-gyeong kkeo!
Meaning: Leave me alone! / Mind your own business! -
Expression: 너나 잘해!
Pronunciation: neo-na jal-hae!
Meaning: Worry about yourself! / You’re one to talk! -
Expression: 뭐가 어때서?
Pronunciation: mwo-ga eo-ttae-seo?
Meaning: What’s wrong with it? -
Expression: 듣기 싫으면 귀 막아.
Pronunciation: deut-gi sil-eu-myeon gwi mak-a.
Meaning: Cover your ears if you don’t want to hear it. -
Expression: 그냥 장난치는 거지?
Pronunciation: geu-nyang jang-nan-chi-neun geo-ji?
Meaning: You’re just kidding, right? -
Expression: 질투하는 거야?
Pronunciation: jil-tu-ha-neun geo-ya?
Meaning: Are you jealous? (Of my singing talent) -
Expression: 나 노래 잘하는데?
Pronunciation: na no-rae jal-ha-neun-de?
Meaning: But I sing well? (Defensive) -
Expression: 그래서 뭐.
Pronunciation: geu-rae-seo mwo.
Meaning: So what? -
Expression: 알았어, 알았어. 조용히 할게.
Pronunciation: ar-ass-eo, ar-ass-eo. jo-yong-hi hal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, okay. I’ll be quiet. -
Expression: 흥!
Pronunciation: heung!
Meaning: Hmph! (Sound of pouting or defiance)
Korean Culture Notes
Sibling relationships in Korea, like anywhere, involve a mix of affection and playful annoyance (장난, jang-nan). Teasing is common, especially between close siblings, but the level of directness can vary. Using informal language (반말, ban-mal) is typical between siblings.
While teasing about loud singing in a private space like a car is generally acceptable between siblings, be mindful of volume in public spaces. Causing a disturbance (민폐, min-pye) is generally frowned upon in Korean culture.
The concept of 눈치 (nunchi), or sensing the mood and social cues, is important. Even in playful teasing, pay attention to your sibling’s reaction to ensure you aren’t genuinely upsetting them.
Karaoke (노래방, no-rae-bang) is incredibly popular in Korea, so singing (both good and bad) is a common topic and activity. Teasing about singing skills often references this cultural context.
Direct confrontation can sometimes be avoided. Instead of saying “You’re a bad singer,” Koreans might use more indirect phrases or sarcasm like 가수 납셨네! (ga-su nap-syeot-ne!).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Ji-hoon (older brother, driving) and Min-ji (younger sister, passenger), are in the car. Min-ji is singing along loudly and off-key to the radio.
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Expression: B (Min-ji): (Singing loudly) 라라라~ 이 노래 너무 좋아!
Pronunciation: B: la-la-la~ i no-rae neo-mu jo-a!
Meaning: B: Lalala~ I love this song so much! -
Expression: A (Ji-hoon): 야, 목소리 너무 커! 귀 아프다 진짜.
Pronunciation: A: ya, mok-so-ri neo-mu keo! gwi a-peu-da jin-jja.
Meaning: A: Hey, your voice is too loud! My ears really hurt. -
Expression: B (Min-ji): 뭐가 어때서? 신나는데! 오빠도 같이 불러!
Pronunciation: B: mwo-ga eo-ttae-seo? sin-na-neun-de! o-ppa-do ga-chi bul-leo!
Meaning: B: What’s wrong with it? It’s exciting! Oppa, sing along too! -
Expression: A (Ji-hoon): 됐어. 그리고 너 음정 다 틀렸거든? 완전 음치네.
Pronunciation: A: dwaess-eo. geu-ri-go neo eum-jeong da teul-lyeot-geo-deun? wan-jeon eum-chi-ne.
Meaning: A: No thanks. And besides, your pitch is all wrong? You’re totally tone-deaf. -
Expression: B (Min-ji): 뭐래! 너나 잘해! 듣기 싫으면 귀 막든지. 흥!
Pronunciation: B: mwo-rae! neo-na jal-hae! deut-gi sil-eu-myeon gwi mak-deun-ji. heung!
Meaning: B: Whatever! Worry about yourself! Cover your ears if you don’t want to listen. Hmph! -
Expression: A (Ji-hoon): 어휴, 시끄러워. 창문 열고 불러, 제발.
Pronunciation: A: eo-hyu, si-kkeu-reo-wo. chang-mun yeol-go bul-leo, je-bal.
Meaning: A: Ugh, so noisy. Open the window and sing, please.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try role-playing with a friend or family member who is also learning Korean~ Imagine you’re on a road trip and start playfully teasing each other’s singing!
Listen to Korean dramas or variety shows featuring siblings. Pay attention to how they interact and tease each other (장난치다, jang-nan-chi-da). You’ll hear many of these expressions used naturally!
Don’t be afraid to use exaggeration and tone to make the teasing sound playful rather than genuinely mean. Remember, context and delivery are key! Good luck, and have fun with your sibling banter practice! 화이팅!
