Exploring remote areas often sparks curiosity about hidden landmarks. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask their guide about a rumored or forgotten temple, possibly located deep within a jungle or forested area. Learn how to inquire about its existence, location, accessibility, and history, enabling richer interactions during your adventures in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 근처 정글에 잊혀진 사원이 있다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo jeong-geul-e ich-hyeo-jin sa-won-i it-da-go deul-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard there is a forgotten temple in the jungle near here.
Asking Your Guide
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Expression: 혹시 이 지역에 숨겨진 사원에 대해 아시나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i ji-yeok-e sum-gyeo-jin sa-won-e dae-hae a-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know about a hidden temple in this area? -
Expression: 이 정글 안에 오래된 사원이 있다는 소문이 사실인가요?
Pronunciation: i jeong-geul an-e o-rae-doen sa-won-i it-da-neun so-mun-i sa-sil-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the rumor that there’s an old temple inside this jungle true? -
Expression: 잊혀진 사원을 찾아볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ich-hyeo-jin sa-won-eul cha-ja-bol su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be possible to look for the forgotten temple? -
Expression: 그 사원은 어디쯤에 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu sa-won-eun eo-di-jjeum-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: About where is that temple located? -
Expression: 거기까지 가는 길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-kka-ji ga-neun gil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a path to get there? -
Expression: 그 사원에 얽힌 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu sa-won-e eol-kin i-ya-gi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a story related to that temple? -
Expression: 지금도 그 사원에 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum-do geu sa-won-e gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can we still go to that temple now? -
Expression: 방문하기에 안전한가요?
Pronunciation: bang-mun-ha-gi-e an-jeon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it safe to visit? -
Expression: 그 사원에 대해 좀 더 자세히 알려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu sa-won-e dae-hae jom deo ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you tell me a bit more detail about that temple? -
Expression: 현지인들만 아는 비밀 장소인가요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-ji-in-deul-man a-neun bi-mil jang-so-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a secret place known only to locals? -
Expression: 지도가 있다면 보여주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-ga it-da-myeon bo-yeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: If there’s a map, could you show me?
Describing the Temple
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Expression: 오래되고 버려진 사원이라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: o-rae-doe-go beo-ryeo-jin sa-won-i-ra-go deul-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s an old and abandoned temple. -
Expression: 정글 깊숙이 숨겨져 있다고 해요.
Pronunciation: jeong-geul gip-suk-i sum-gyeo-jyeo it-da-go hae-yo.
Meaning: They say it’s hidden deep in the jungle. -
Expression: 아무도 찾지 않는 곳이라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: a-mu-do chat-ji an-neun got-i-ra-go deul-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s a place nobody visits. -
Expression: 전설 속에 나오는 사원인가요?
Pronunciation: jeon-seol sok-e na-o-neun sa-won-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a temple from legends? -
Expression: 폐허가 된 사원이라고 하던데요.
Pronunciation: pye-heo-ga doen sa-won-i-ra-go ha-deon-de-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s a temple in ruins. -
Expression: 신비로운 분위기의 장소라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: sin-bi-ro-un bun-wi-gi-ui jang-so-ra-go deul-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s a place with a mysterious atmosphere. -
Expression: 길이 험해서 접근하기 어렵다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: gil-i heom-hae-seo jeop-geun-ha-gi eo-ryeop-da-go deul-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard the path is rough, making it difficult to access. -
Expression: 역사적으로 중요한 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-eu-ro jung-yo-han got-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a historically important place? -
Expression: 오래된 불교 사찰인가요?
Pronunciation: o-rae-doen bul-gyo sa-chal-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it an old Buddhist temple? -
Expression: 자연 속에 묻힌 곳 같아요.
Pronunciation: ja-yeon sok-e mut-hin got ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like a place buried in nature.
Guide’s Potential Responses
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Expression: 네, 그런 이야기가 있긴 합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reon i-ya-gi-ga it-gin ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, there is such a story. -
Expression: 글쎄요, 저도 듣기만 했지 가본 적은 없습니다.
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo, jeo-do deut-gi-man haet-ji ga-bon jeok-eun eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Well, I’ve only heard about it, I haven’t been there myself. -
Expression: 그곳은 길이 없어서 가기 매우 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-got-eun gil-i eop-seo-seo ga-gi mae-u eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s very difficult to get there because there’s no path. -
Expression: 아마 전설일 뿐일 겁니다.
Pronunciation: a-ma jeon-seol-il ppun-il geom-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s probably just a legend. -
Expression: 정확한 위치는 아무도 모릅니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-han wi-chi-neun a-mu-do mo-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: Nobody knows the exact location. -
Expression: 위험할 수 있어서 추천하지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: wi-heom-hal su it-eo-seo chu-cheon-ha-ji an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t recommend it because it could be dangerous. -
Expression: 특별 허가가 필요한 지역일 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol heo-ga-ga pil-yo-han ji-yeok-il su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It might be an area that requires special permission. -
Expression: 시간이 허락한다면 한번 찾아볼 수도 있겠지만, 장담은 못합니다.
Pronunciation: si-gan-i heo-rak-han-da-myeon han-beon cha-ja-bol su-do it-get-ji-man, jang-dam-eun mot-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: If time permits, we could try looking for it, but I can’t guarantee anything. -
Expression: 현지 주민들에게 한번 물어볼까요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-ji ju-min-deul-e-ge han-beon mul-eo-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we ask the local residents? -
Expression: 그곳에 대한 기록은 거의 남아있지 않습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-got-e dae-han gi-rok-eun geo-ui nam-a-it-ji an-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There are almost no records remaining about that place. -
Expression: 안전을 위해 정해진 경로로만 이동하는 것이 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-eul wi-hae jeong-hae-jin gyeong-ro-ro-man i-dong-ha-neun geot-i jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: For safety, it’s best to only travel on the designated route.
Cultural Tips
When inquiring about potentially unknown or sacred sites, approach the topic with respect. Understand that some locations might be intentionally kept private by locals or may be considered dangerous or inaccessible for valid reasons.
Guides often prioritize safety and official routes. Pushing too hard to venture off-trail into unknown territory might be met with resistance, not out of unwillingness, but due to responsibility for your well-being and respect for local regulations or beliefs.
Legends and local stories are part of the cultural fabric. Even if a “forgotten temple” is just a myth, showing genuine interest in the story itself can lead to fascinating conversations and deeper cultural understanding.
Be mindful that some remote historical sites in Korea, even if seemingly abandoned, might still hold cultural or religious significance. Always follow your guide’s instructions regarding behavior and access.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) and their local guide (B) are trekking through a densely forested area known for its historical significance.
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Expression: A: 가이드님, 제가 듣기로 이 숲 속에 아주 오래되고 잊혀진 사원이 있다고 하던데요. 혹시 아시는 정보가 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, je-ga deut-gi-ro i sup sok-e a-ju o-rae-doe-go ich-hyeo-jin sa-won-i it-da-go ha-deon-de-yo. hok-si a-si-neun jeong-bo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Guide, I heard that there’s a very old, forgotten temple somewhere in this forest. Do you happen to have any information about it? -
Expression: B: 아, 그 ‘숨겨진 사원’ 이야기 말씀이시군요. 네, 그런 전설이 있긴 합니다. 하지만 실제로 본 사람은 거의 없다고 알려져 있어요.
Pronunciation: a, geu ‘sum-gyeo-jin sa-won’ i-ya-gi mal-sseum-i-si-gun-yo. ne, geu-reon jeon-seol-i it-gin ham-ni-da. ha-ji-man sil-je-ro bon sa-ram-eun geo-ui eop-da-go al-lyeo-jyeo it-eo-yo.
Meaning: Ah, you mean the story of the ‘hidden temple’. Yes, such a legend does exist. However, it’s known that almost no one has actually seen it. -
Expression: A: 전설일 뿐인가요? 정말 가보고 싶은데, 혹시 대략적인 위치라도 아시나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-seol-il ppun-in-ga-yo? jeong-mal ga-bo-go sip-eun-de, hok-si dae-ryak-jeok-in wi-chi-ra-do a-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it just a legend? I’d really like to visit, do you perhaps know even the approximate location? -
Expression: B: 정확한 위치는 불분명하고, 이 지역은 길이 험하고 미개발된 곳이라서 탐험하는 것은 매우 위험합니다. 안전상의 이유로 저희는 정해진 등산로만 이용하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-han wi-chi-neun bul-bun-myeong-ha-go, i ji-yeok-eun gil-i heom-ha-go mi-gae-bal-doen got-i-ra-seo tam-heom-ha-neun geot-eun mae-u wi-heom-ham-ni-da. an-jeon-sang-ui i-yu-ro jeo-hui-neun jeong-hae-jin deung-san-ro-man i-yong-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The exact location is unclear, and this area has rough paths and is undeveloped, so exploring it is very dangerous. For safety reasons, we only use the designated hiking trails. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 안전이 중요하죠. 그럼 그 전설에 대해서라도 좀 더 들려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: a, geu-reot-gun-yo. an-jeon-i jung-yo-ha-jyo. geu-reom geu jeon-seol-e dae-hae-seo-ra-do jom deo deul-lyeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Ah, I see. Safety is important. In that case, could you perhaps tell me a bit more about the legend itself? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 이 지역에 전해 내려오는 이야기가 몇 가지 있습니다. 제가 아는 범위 내에서 설명해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. i ji-yeok-e jeon-hae nae-ryeo-o-neun i-ya-gi-ga myeot ga-ji it-seum-ni-da. je-ga a-neun beom-wi nae-e-seo seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, of course. There are several stories passed down in this region. I’ll explain what I know.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases by imagining you’re on a guided tour in Korea! Try asking about different kinds of hidden or lesser-known places, not just temples~ You could ask about old fortresses, hidden waterfalls, or legendary spots mentioned in folklore. Listen carefully to potential responses and think about how you would react. Role-playing with a language partner can be really helpful! Good luck with your adventurous inquiries!
