Exploring historical sites often involves delving into stories that aren’t immediately visible, like those of forgotten battlefields. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wishing to inquire about such locations, particularly when speaking with a guide about battles that took place in plains or open areas. Learn how to ask questions respectfully and understand the historical significance of these sites.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 잊혀진 전쟁터
Pronunciation: ich-hyeo-jin jeon-jaeng-teo
Meaning: Forgotten battlefield
Asking Your Guide
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Expression: 가이드님, 이 근처에 혹시 옛날 전쟁터가 있었나요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, i geun-cheo-e hok-si yet-nal jeon-jaeng-teo-ga iss-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Guide, was there perhaps an old battlefield near here? -
Expression: 이 평야에서 전투가 벌어졌다는 이야기를 들었어요.
Pronunciation: i pyeong-ya-e-seo jeon-tu-ga beol-eo-jyeot-da-neun i-ya-gi-reul deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard a story that a battle took place on this plain. -
Expression: 여기가 혹시 역사적인 전투 장소인가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga hok-si yeok-sa-jeok-in jeon-tu jang-so-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this perhaps a historical battle site? -
Expression: 이 지역의 전투 역사에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok-ui jeon-tu yeok-sa-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the battle history of this area? -
Expression: 잊혀진 전쟁터에 대해 더 알고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ich-hyeo-jin jeon-jaeng-teo-e dae-hae deo al-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to know more about the forgotten battlefield. -
Expression: 어떤 전투가 여기서 일어났는지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jeon-tu-ga yeo-gi-seo il-eo-nat-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me what kind of battle happened here. -
Expression: 이 평원에 얽힌 역사적 사건이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i pyeong-won-e eol-kin yeok-sa-jeok sa-geon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any historical events related to this plain? -
Expression: 전쟁 기념비나 표지판 같은 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-jaeng gi-nyeom-bi-na pyo-ji-pan gat-eun geos-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything like a war memorial or sign? -
Expression: 이 장소의 중요성에 대해 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i jang-so-ui jung-yo-seong-e dae-hae mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me about the significance of this place. -
Expression: 사람들이 잘 모르는 전투 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i jal mo-reu-neun jeon-tu i-ya-gi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any battle stories that people don’t know well?
Describing the Battlefield Location
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Expression: 이 넓은 평야를 보니 역사가 느껴져요.
Pronunciation: i neol-beun pyeong-ya-reul bo-ni yeok-sa-ga neu-kkyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: Looking at this wide plain, I can feel the history. -
Expression: 이곳은 매우 조용하고 평화로워 보이네요.
Pronunciation: i-gos-eun mae-u jo-yong-ha-go pyeong-hwa-ro-wo bo-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: This place looks very quiet and peaceful. -
Expression: 과거에 여기서 큰 전투가 있었다니 믿기 어려워요.
Pronunciation: gwa-geo-e yeo-gi-seo keun jeon-tu-ga iss-eot-da-ni mit-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s hard to believe a big battle took place here in the past. -
Expression: 전쟁의 흔적을 찾아볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jeon-jaeng-ui heun-jeok-eul chaj-a-bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can we find any traces of the war? -
Expression: 이 평원에서 많은 사람들이 희생되었겠군요.
Pronunciation: i pyeong-won-e-seo man-eun sa-ram-deul-i hui-saeng-doe-eot-get-gun-yo.
Meaning: Many people must have been sacrificed on this plain. -
Expression: 이 장소는 어떤 역사적 의미를 가지고 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jang-so-neun eo-tteon yeok-sa-jeok ui-mi-reul ga-ji-go it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of historical meaning does this place hold? -
Expression: 전쟁 당시의 상황을 상상해 봅니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-jaeng dang-si-ui sang-hwang-eul sang-sang-hae bom-ni-da.
Meaning: I try to imagine the situation during the war. -
Expression: 지금은 아무것도 없는 들판처럼 보여요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum-eun a-mu-geot-do eop-neun deul-pan-cheo-reom bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: Now it looks just like an empty field. -
Expression: 이곳의 분위기가 숙연하게 느껴집니다.
Pronunciation: i-got-ui bun-wi-gi-ga suk-yeon-ha-ge neu-kkyeo-jim-ni-da.
Meaning: The atmosphere here feels solemn. -
Expression: 역사의 아픔이 서려 있는 곳 같아요.
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-ui a-peum-i seo-ryeo it-neun got gat-a-yo.
Meaning: It feels like a place imbued with the pain of history.
Understanding the Explanation
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Expression: 아, 그렇군요. 이해했어요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reot-gun-yo. i-hae-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Ah, I see. I understand. -
Expression: 자세한 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se-han seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the detailed explanation. -
Expression: 정말 흥미로운(슬픈) 역사네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal heung-mi-ro-un (seul-peun) yeok-sa-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s truly an interesting (sad) history. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please explain that again? -
Expression: 그 전투의 결과는 어땠나요?
Pronunciation: geu jeon-tu-ui gyeol-gwa-neun eo-ttaet-na-yo?
Meaning: What was the outcome of that battle? -
Expression: 기억해야 할 중요한 사건이군요.
Pronunciation: gi-eok-hae-ya hal jung-yo-han sa-geon-i-gun-yo.
Meaning: It’s an important event to remember. -
Expression: 이곳에 대해 더 배울 수 있는 자료가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-got-e dae-hae deo bae-ul su it-neun ja-ryo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any materials where I can learn more about this place? -
Expression: 가이드님의 설명을 들으니 더 잘 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim-ui seol-myeong-eul deu-reu-ni deo jal al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Listening to your explanation, Guide, helps me understand better. -
Expression: 그 당시 사람들의 삶은 어땠을까요?
Pronunciation: geu dang-si sa-ram-deul-ui salm-eun eo-ttaess-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: What must life have been like for people at that time? -
Expression: 역사를 잊지 않는 것이 중요하겠네요.
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-reul it-ji an-neun geos-i jung-yo-ha-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: It must be important not to forget history.
Cultural Tips
When discussing historical battlefields or sensitive historical events in Korea, it’s important to approach the topic with respect and sensitivity. Many historical events, especially those involving conflict, carry deep emotional weight for Koreans.
Use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daet-mal) when speaking with guides or elders about history. Phrases like ~해주실 수 있나요? (-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo? – Could you please…?) show respect.
Listen attentively to the guide’s explanation. Showing genuine interest and acknowledging the gravity of the events demonstrates cultural awareness.
Avoid making lighthearted comments or comparisons that might trivialize the historical suffering or sacrifices associated with the site.
Koreans generally have a strong connection to their history. Expressing a sincere desire to learn and understand will be appreciated.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is with a guide (B) looking out over a wide, seemingly empty plain.
Roles: A = Tourist, B = Guide
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Expression: A: 가이드님, 이 넓은 평야는 정말 인상적이네요. 혹시 이곳과 관련된 특별한 역사가 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, i neol-beun pyeong-ya-neun jeong-mal in-sang-jeok-i-ne-yo. hok-si i-got-gwa gwan-lyeon-doen teuk-byeol-han yeok-sa-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Guide, this wide plain is really impressive. Is there perhaps any special history related to this place? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 사실 이곳은 오래전 큰 전투가 벌어졌던 잊혀진 전쟁터 중 하나입니다. 많은 사람들이 잘 모르지요.
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. sa-sil i-gos-eun o-rae-jeon keun jeon-tu-ga beol-eo-jyeot-deon ich-hyeo-jin jeon-jaeng-teo jung ha-na-im-ni-da. man-eun sa-ram-deul-i jal mo-reu-ji-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s correct. Actually, this place is one of the forgotten battlefields where a large battle took place long ago. Many people don’t know about it. -
Expression: A: 아, 정말요? 잊혀진 전쟁터라니… 어떤 전투였는지 조금 더 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? ich-hyeo-jin jeon-jaeng-teo-ra-ni… eo-tteon jeon-tu-yeot-neun-ji jo-geum deo seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? A forgotten battlefield… Could you explain a bit more about what kind of battle it was? -
Expression: B: 네, 약 500년 전 조선 시대에 있었던 중요한 전투였습니다. 이 평원에서 치열한 싸움이 벌어졌다고 기록되어 있습니다. 지금은 평화로워 보이지만, 역사의 아픔이 서려 있는 곳이죠.
Pronunciation: ne, yak o-baek-nyeon jeon jo-seon si-dae-e iss-eot-deon jung-yo-han jeon-tu-yeot-seum-ni-da. i pyeong-won-e-seo chi-yeol-han ssa-um-i beol-eo-jyeot-da-go gi-rok-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da. ji-geum-eun pyeong-hwa-ro-wo bo-i-ji-man, yeok-sa-ui a-peum-i seo-ryeo it-neun got-i-jyo.
Meaning: Yes, it was an important battle during the Joseon Dynasty about 500 years ago. Records state that a fierce fight took place on this plain. It looks peaceful now, but it’s a place imbued with the pain of history. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요… 설명을 들으니 이곳이 다르게 보이네요. 자세한 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reot-gun-yo… seol-myeong-eul deu-reu-ni i-got-i da-reu-ge bo-i-ne-yo. ja-se-han seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I see… Hearing the explanation makes this place look different. Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases requires practice! Try imagining yourself visiting a historical site in Korea and asking these questions~ You can also watch Korean historical dramas or documentaries that feature battles or historical locations to hear similar vocabulary used in context.
Practice the pronunciations carefully, paying attention to the syllable breaks. Record yourself speaking and compare it to the provided pronunciations. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases when you have the opportunity – guides often appreciate visitors showing interest in deeper history! Good luck with your studies!
