Sibling interactions often involve playful teasing, and meal times are no exception. This guide covers essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for when you need to gently (or not so gently!) point out a sibling’s loud slurping or eating noises, particularly during breakfast.
Table Of Content
Core Expression for Slurping Sound
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Expression: 후루룩
Pronunciation: hu-ru-ruk
Meaning: Slurp (This is an onomatopoeia representing the sound of slurping liquids or noodles.)
Phrases for Teasing About Loud Eating
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Expression: 후루룩 소리 너무 커!
Pronunciation: hu-ru-ruk so-ri neo-mu keo!
Meaning: Your slurping sound is too loud! -
Expression: 좀 조용히 먹어.
Pronunciation: jom jo-yong-hi meo-geo.
Meaning: Eat a bit more quietly. (Informal) -
Expression: 쩝쩝 소리 내지 마.
Pronunciation: jjeop-jjeop so-ri nae-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t make smacking sounds. (쩝쩝 refers to lip-smacking sounds) -
Expression: 너 먹는 소리 때문에 시끄러워.
Pronunciation: neo meok-neun so-ri ttae-mu-ne si-kkeu-reo-wo.
Meaning: It’s noisy because of your eating sounds. -
Expression: 누가 보면 굶은 줄 알겠다.
Pronunciation: nu-ga bo-myeon gul-meun jul al-get-da.
Meaning: Anyone watching would think you were starving. (Implies eating very noisily/quickly) -
Expression: 국물 좀 살살 마셔.
Pronunciation: guk-mul jom sal-sal ma-syeo.
Meaning: Drink the soup/broth more gently. -
Expression: 온 동네 사람들이 다 듣겠다.
Pronunciation: on dong-ne sa-ram-deu-ri da deut-get-da.
Meaning: The whole neighborhood will hear you. (Exaggeration for teasing) -
Expression: 먹는 소리 좀 줄여줄래?
Pronunciation: meok-neun so-ri jom jul-yeo-jul-lae?
Meaning: Can you reduce your eating noise a bit? (Slightly softer teasing) -
Expression: 아침부터 무슨 소리야?
Pronunciation: a-chim-bu-teo mu-seun so-ri-ya?
Meaning: What’s with all the noise so early in the morning? -
Expression: 귀 아파!
Pronunciation: gwi a-pa!
Meaning: My ears hurt! (Playful exaggeration) -
Expression: 천천히 먹어, 아무도 안 뺏어 먹어.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi meo-geo, a-mu-do an ppaet-eo meo-geo.
Meaning: Eat slowly, nobody’s going to steal your food.
Related Breakfast and Eating Vocabulary
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Expression: 아침 식사
Pronunciation: a-chim sik-sa
Meaning: Breakfast -
Expression: 국
Pronunciation: guk
Meaning: Soup -
Expression: 시리얼
Pronunciation: si-ri-eol
Meaning: Cereal -
Expression: 우유
Pronunciation: u-yu
Meaning: Milk -
Expression: 밥
Pronunciation: bap
Meaning: Rice (also means ‘meal’) -
Expression: 먹다
Pronunciation: meok-da
Meaning: To eat -
Expression: 마시다
Pronunciation: ma-si-da
Meaning: To drink -
Expression: 소리
Pronunciation: so-ri
Meaning: Sound, noise -
Expression: 시끄럽다
Pronunciation: si-kkeu-reop-da
Meaning: To be noisy, loud -
Expression: 조용하다
Pronunciation: jo-yong-ha-da
Meaning: To be quiet -
Expression: 쩝쩝거리다
Pronunciation: jjeop-jjeop-geo-ri-da
Meaning: To make smacking sounds while eating -
Expression: 후루룩거리다
Pronunciation: hu-ru-ruk-geo-ri-da
Meaning: To slurp continuously
Possible Responses from the Sibling
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Expression: 뭐 어때! 맛있는데.
Pronunciation: mwo eo-ttae! ma-sin-neun-de.
Meaning: So what! It’s delicious. -
Expression: 배고파서 그래.
Pronunciation: bae-go-pa-seo geu-rae.
Meaning: It’s because I’m hungry. -
Expression: 알았어, 조용히 먹을게.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, jo-yong-hi meo-geul-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll eat quietly. -
Expression: 신경 쓰지 마.
Pronunciation: sin-gyeong sseu-ji ma.
Meaning: Don’t worry about it / Mind your own business. -
Expression: 너나 잘해.
Pronunciation: neo-na jal-hae.
Meaning: Worry about yourself. / Look who’s talking. -
Expression: 원래 이렇게 먹는 거야.
Pronunciation: won-lae i-reo-ke meong-neun geo-ya.
Meaning: This is how you’re supposed to eat it. (Especially for noodles) -
Expression: 소리가 나야 맛있지!
Pronunciation: so-ri-ga na-ya ma-sit-ji!
Meaning: It tastes better when you make noise! (Playful justification) -
Expression: 미안, 미안.
Pronunciation: mi-an, mi-an.
Meaning: Sorry, sorry. (Casual apology) -
Expression: 너는 안 그래?
Pronunciation: neo-neun an geu-rae?
Meaning: And you don’t? (Turning the tease back) -
Expression: 일부러 그러는 거 아닌데.
Pronunciation: il-bu-reo geu-reo-neun geo a-nin-de.
Meaning: I’m not doing it on purpose.
Korean Culture Notes
Slurping Noodles: In Korea, slurping noodles (like ramen or naengmyeon) is generally acceptable and often seen as a sign of enjoyment. It helps cool the hot noodles and enhances the flavor. So, teasing about slurping noodles might be met with the response that it’s the ‘correct’ way to eat them.
Other Eating Sounds: While noodle slurping is common, loud chewing, lip-smacking (쩝쩝 – jjeop-jjeop), or excessive noise with other foods might be considered less polite, especially in more formal settings. However, within the family, rules are often relaxed.
Sibling Teasing Culture: Playful teasing (장난 – jang-nan) between siblings is very common in Korean culture, much like elsewhere. Teasing about eating habits is a typical part of this dynamic. The level of teasing acceptable varies greatly from family to family.
Context Matters: The appropriateness of pointing out someone’s eating sounds depends heavily on the relationship and context. Teasing a close sibling at home is very different from commenting on a stranger’s or elder’s eating habits, which would be considered rude.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are eating breakfast. Minjun is eating cereal with milk quite loudly.
Characters:
- A: Sora (Younger Sister)
- B: Minjun (Older Brother)
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Expression: A: 오빠, 아침부터 후루룩 소리 장난 아니다.
Pronunciation: o-ppa, a-chim-bu-teo hu-ru-ruk so-ri jang-nan a-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Oppa, your slurping sound is no joke this morning. -
Expression: B: 왜? 배고파서 그래. 시리얼 맛있네.
Pronunciation: wae? bae-go-pa-seo geu-rae. si-ri-eol ma-sin-ne.
Meaning: B: Why? It’s ’cause I’m hungry. This cereal is tasty. -
Expression: A: 알겠는데, 좀 조용히 먹으면 안 돼? 옆에서 다 들려.
Pronunciation: al-gen-neun-de, jom jo-yong-hi meo-geu-myeon an dwae? yeop-e-seo da deul-lyeo.
Meaning: A: I get it, but can’t you eat a bit more quietly? I can hear everything next to you. -
Expression: B: 에이, 뭘 그런 걸 가지고 그래. 너도 국 먹을 때 소리 내잖아.
Pronunciation: e-i, mwol geu-reon geol ga-ji-go geu-rae. neo-do guk meo-geul ttae so-ri nae-ja-na.
Meaning: B: Ah, why make a fuss about that? You make noise when you eat soup too. -
Expression: A: 이 정도는 아니거든! 아무튼 소리 좀 줄여줘~
Pronunciation: i jeong-do-neun a-ni-geo-deun! a-mu-teun so-ri jom jul-yeo-jwo~
Meaning: A: Not this much! Anyway, please lower the volume~ -
Expression: B: 알았어, 알았어. 노력해볼게.
Pronunciation: a-ra-sseo, a-ra-sseo. no-ryeok-hae-bol-ge.
Meaning: B: Okay, okay. I’ll try.
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun, especially if you have siblings or close friends! Try playfully using the teasing phrases during a meal (but know your audience!). Listen for eating sounds like 후루룩 (hu-ru-ruk) or 쩝쩝 (jjeop-jjeop) in Korean dramas or movies to get used to them. You can also practice the responses so you’re ready if someone teases you! Remember, tone is key in teasing – keep it light and friendly unless you genuinely intend to express annoyance. Good luck and have fun practicing~!
