Playful banter between siblings is common everywhere, and knowing how to tease gently in Korean can make interactions more natural. This guide focuses on expressions used when one sibling sneezes loudly, especially during a quiet activity like a game, disrupting the peace and providing a perfect opportunity for some lighthearted teasing.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 재채기 소리 크다!
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi so-ri keu-da!
Meaning: Your sneeze is loud! (A direct statement about the volume of the sneeze.)
Basic Teasing Phrases
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Expression: 너 재채기 소리 진짜 크다!
Pronunciation: neo jae-chae-gi so-ri jin-jja keu-da!
Meaning: Your sneeze sound is really loud! -
Expression: 깜짝이야! 놀랐잖아!
Pronunciation: kkam-jjak-i-ya! nol-lat-jan-a!
Meaning: Goodness! You scared me! -
Expression: 그렇게 크게 재채기 해야 돼?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ke keu-ge jae-chae-gi hae-ya dwae?
Meaning: Do you have to sneeze that loudly? -
Expression: 귀 아파!
Pronunciation: gwi a-pa!
Meaning: My ears hurt! (Playful exaggeration) -
Expression: 괜찮아? 목 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a? mok gwaen-chan-a?
Meaning: Are you okay? Is your throat okay? (Slightly sarcastic concern) -
Expression: 온 동네 사람들이 다 들었겠다.
Pronunciation: on dong-ne sa-ram-deu-ri da deu-reot-get-da.
Meaning: The whole neighborhood probably heard that. -
Expression: 재채기 소리 좀 줄여 봐.
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi so-ri jom jul-yeo bwa.
Meaning: Try to lower the volume of your sneeze. -
Expression: 와, 재채기 한번 시원하게 하네.
Pronunciation: wa, jae-chae-gi han-beon si-won-ha-ge ha-ne.
Meaning: Wow, you really let out a refreshing sneeze. (Can be sarcastic) -
Expression: 재채기 하기 전에 미리 말 좀 해줘.
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi ha-gi jeon-e mi-ri mal jom hae-jwo.
Meaning: Give me some warning before you sneeze next time. -
Expression: 너 때문에 집중 깨졌잖아.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e jip-jung kkae-jeot-jan-a.
Meaning: You broke my concentration.
Phrases During a Quiet Game
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Expression: 아, 조용히 좀 해! 게임 중이잖아!
Pronunciation: a, jo-yong-hi jom hae! ge-im jung-i-jan-a!
Meaning: Ah, be quiet! We’re playing a game! -
Expression: 너 때문에 게임 망쳤어!
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e ge-im mang-chyeot-seo!
Meaning: You ruined the game because of that! -
Expression: 조용히 해야 하는 게임인데!
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi hae-ya ha-neun ge-im-in-de!
Meaning: This is a game where we need to be quiet! -
Expression: 재채기 때문에 다 흔들렸잖아! (e.g., Jenga)
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi ttae-mun-e da heun-deul-lyeot-jan-a!
Meaning: Everything shook because of your sneeze! -
Expression: 다음부터 재채기 나올 것 같으면 나가서 해.
Pronunciation: da-eum-bu-teo jae-chae-gi na-ol geot ga-teu-myeon na-ga-seo hae.
Meaning: Next time, if you feel a sneeze coming, go outside to do it. -
Expression: 조용히 재채기 할 수는 없어?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi jae-chae-gi hal su-neun eop-seo?
Meaning: Can’t you possibly sneeze quietly? -
Expression: 게임에 집중 좀 하자!
Pronunciation: ge-im-e jip-jung jom ha-ja!
Meaning: Let’s focus on the game! -
Expression: 너 때문에 분위기 다 깼어.
Pronunciation: neo ttae-mun-e bun-wi-gi da kkaet-seo.
Meaning: You totally ruined the atmosphere. -
Expression: 입 좀 막고 재채기 해!
Pronunciation: ip jom mak-go jae-chae-gi hae!
Meaning: Cover your mouth when you sneeze! -
Expression: 숨 막히는 순간이었는데!
Pronunciation: sum mak-hi-neun sun-gan-i-eot-neun-de!
Meaning: It was such a suspenseful moment! (Implying the sneeze ruined it)
Playful Exaggerations
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Expression: 천둥 치는 줄 알았네!
Pronunciation: cheon-dung chi-neun jul a-rat-ne!
Meaning: I thought it was thundering! -
Expression: 집 무너지는 줄 알았다!
Pronunciation: jip mu-neo-ji-neun jul a-rat-da!
Meaning: I thought the house was collapsing! -
Expression: 지진 난 줄!
Pronunciation: ji-jin nan jul!
Meaning: I thought there was an earthquake! -
Expression: 무슨 재채기가 폭탄 터지는 소리 같아?
Pronunciation: mu-seun jae-chae-gi-ga pok-tan teo-ji-neun so-ri ga-ta?
Meaning: Why does your sneeze sound like a bomb exploding? -
Expression: 공룡이 재채기 하는 줄.
Pronunciation: gong-nyong-i jae-chae-gi ha-neun jul.
Meaning: I thought a dinosaur sneezed. -
Expression: 창문 깨지는 줄 알았어.
Pronunciation: chang-mun kkae-ji-neun jul a-rat-seo.
Meaning: I thought the windows were going to break. -
Expression: 재채기 소리로 사람 잡겠다.
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi so-ri-ro sa-ram jap-get-da.
Meaning: You could kill someone with that sneeze sound. (Extreme exaggeration) -
Expression: 스피커 터진 줄 알았네.
Pronunciation: seu-pi-keo teo-jin jul a-ran-ne.
Meaning: I thought the speakers blew out. -
Expression: 재채기 한번 요란하게 하네!
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi han-beon yo-ran-ha-ge ha-ne!
Meaning: You sure sneeze boisterously! -
Expression: 저기 멀리서도 들리겠다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi meol-li-seo-do deul-li-get-da.
Meaning: They could probably hear that far away.
Responding to the Teasing
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Expression: 아, 어쩔 수 없어! 갑자기 나왔어.
Pronunciation: a, eo-jjeol su eop-seo! gap-ja-gi na-wat-seo.
Meaning: Ah, I can’t help it! It came out suddenly. -
Expression: 미안, 미안!
Pronunciation: mi-an, mi-an!
Meaning: Sorry, sorry! -
Expression: 나도 조용히 하고 싶다고!
Pronunciation: na-do jo-yong-hi ha-go sip-da-go!
Meaning: I want to be quiet too! -
Expression: 일부러 그런 거 아니야.
Pronunciation: il-bu-reo geu-reon geo a-ni-ya.
Meaning: I didn’t do it on purpose. -
Expression: 그만 놀려!
Pronunciation: geu-man nol-lyeo!
Meaning: Stop teasing me! -
Expression: 알았어, 다음엔 조심할게.
Pronunciation: a-rat-seo, da-eum-en jo-sim-hal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll be careful next time. -
Expression: 재채기가 내 맘대로 되니?
Pronunciation: jae-chae-gi-ga nae mam-dae-ro doe-ni?
Meaning: Can I control my sneezes? (Rhetorical) -
Expression: 너무하네 진짜!
Pronunciation: neo-mu-ha-ne jin-jja!
Meaning: You’re being too much, really! -
Expression: 코가 간지러운 걸 어떡해.
Pronunciation: ko-ga gan-ji-reo-un geol eo-tteo-kae.
Meaning: What can I do if my nose is itchy? -
Expression: 너도 한번 크게 재채기 해봐!
Pronunciation: neo-do han-beon keu-ge jae-chae-gi hae-bwa!
Meaning: You try sneezing loudly once! (Turning the tease back)
Cultural Tips
Sibling relationships in Korea often involve a mix of affection and playful teasing (장난 – jang-nan). Teasing about something involuntary like a loud sneeze is usually taken lightheartedly, especially between close siblings.
While politeness and avoiding loud noises in public are generally valued, the expectations within a family home are more relaxed. However, interrupting a quiet activity like a game or study session with a loud noise might still elicit playful complaints.
Using exaggerated phrases is a common form of humor in casual Korean conversation, especially among friends and family. Comparing a sneeze to thunder or an earthquake is understood as humorous hyperbole, not genuine criticism.
Responding with phrases like “어쩔 수 없어” (eo-jjeol su eop-seo – I can’t help it) or “그만 놀려” (geu-man nol-lyeo – Stop teasing me) shows that the person understands it’s teasing and plays along or asks for it to stop gently.
Covering the mouth when sneezing is considered good manners, so phrases like “입 좀 막고 재채기 해!” (ip jom mak-go jae-chae-gi hae! – Cover your mouth when you sneeze!) can be both a tease and a genuine reminder of etiquette, depending on the tone.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two siblings, Minjun (older brother) and Sora (younger sister), are playing a tense game of Jenga, trying to be very quiet.
Characters:
- A: Sora (The one who sneezes)
- B: Minjun (The one who teases)
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Expression: B: 조용… 조용히… 이거 빼면 될 것 같은데…
Pronunciation: jo-yong… jo-yong-hi… i-geo ppae-myeon doel geot ga-teun-de…
Meaning: B: Quiet… quietly… I think I can pull this one out… -
Expression: A: (Concentrating) … 엣… 에취이이이이!!!!
Pronunciation: et… e-chwi-i-i-i-i!!!!
Meaning: A: (Concentrating) … Ah… ACHOOOOOOOO!!!! (Loud sneeze) -
Expression: (Jenga tower wobbles precariously)
Pronunciation: (Jenga tower wobbles precariously)
Meaning: (Jenga tower wobbles precariously) -
Expression: B: 야! 깜짝이야! 너 때문에 무너질 뻔 했잖아!
Pronunciation: ya! kkam-jjak-i-ya! neo ttae-mun-e mu-neo-jil ppeon haet-jan-a!
Meaning: B: Hey! Goodness! It almost collapsed because of you! -
Expression: A: 미안! 갑자기 나왔어…
Pronunciation: mi-an! gap-ja-gi na-wat-seo…
Meaning: A: Sorry! It came out suddenly… -
Expression: B: 무슨 재채기 소리가 천둥 치는 줄 알았네! 조용히 좀 하지!
Pronunciation: mu-seun jae-chae-gi so-ri-ga cheon-dung chi-neun jul a-ran-ne! jo-yong-hi jom ha-ji!
Meaning: B: I thought your sneeze was thunder! Be a bit quieter! -
Expression: A: 아, 어쩔 수 없었다고! 그만 놀려!
Pronunciation: a, eo-jjeol su eop-seot-da-go! geu-man nol-lyeo!
Meaning: A: Ah, I couldn’t help it! Stop teasing me! -
Expression: B: 알았어, 알았어. 근데 진짜 컸다. 다음엔 입 막고 해! 자, 내 차례지?
Pronunciation: a-rat-seo, a-rat-seo. geun-de jin-jja keot-da. da-eum-en ip mak-go hae! ja, nae cha-rye-ji?
Meaning: B: Okay, okay. But it was really loud. Cover your mouth next time! Okay, my turn, right?
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases can be fun! Try using some of the milder teasing expressions if a friend or family member (who you have a playful relationship with!) sneezes loudly~ Remember context is key; these are mostly for informal, close relationships!
Listen for similar interactions in Korean dramas or variety shows featuring siblings or close friends. You’ll often hear this kind of playful banter. Pay attention to their tone of voice – it’s usually light and joking, not genuinely angry.
You can even practice the responses by yourself when you sneeze! It helps internalize the phrases. Have fun adding these natural-sounding expressions to your Korean toolkit!
