Exploring the mountains of Korea can lead to fascinating discoveries and questions about the past. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists asking a guide about rumored or known lost settlements hidden within the mountainous terrain, covering how to inquire about their existence, location, history, and significance.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Lost Settlement
-
Expression: 사라진 마을
Pronunciation: sa-ra-jin ma-eul
Meaning: Lost village / Disappeared settlement (Literally: disappeared village) -
Expression: 폐허
Pronunciation: pye-heo
Meaning: Ruins
Basic Questions to Ask Your Guide
-
Expression: 이 근처에 사라진 마을이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e sa-ra-jin ma-eul-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a lost village around here? -
Expression: 이 산에 오래된 마을 터가 있다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: i san-e o-rae-doen ma-eul teo-ga it-da-go deul-eot-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard there’s an old village site on this mountain. -
Expression: 그 사라진 마을에 대해 아시는 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu sa-ra-jin ma-eul-e dae-hae a-si-neun geot-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you know anything about that lost village? -
Expression: 그 마을은 언제 사라졌나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul-eun eon-je sa-ra-jyeot-na-yo?
Meaning: When did that village disappear? -
Expression: 왜 마을이 없어졌는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: wae ma-eul-i eop-seo-jyeot-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know why the village disappeared? -
Expression: 그 마을 이름이 뭐였나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul i-reum-i mwo-yeot-na-yo?
Meaning: What was the name of that village? -
Expression: 혹시 그곳으로 가볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si geu-got-eu-ro ga-bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to visit that place? -
Expression: 그 마을 터까지 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul teo-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to get to the village site? -
Expression: 그곳에 대한 전설이나 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu-got-e dae-han jeon-seol-i-na i-ya-gi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any legends or stories about that place? -
Expression: 지금도 그곳에 흔적이 남아 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum-do geu-got-e heun-jeok-i nam-a it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there still traces left there now?
Inquiring About Location and Remains
-
Expression: 사라진 마을은 정확히 어디에 있었나요?
Pronunciation: sa-ra-jin ma-eul-eun jeong-hwak-hi eo-di-e it-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Where exactly was the lost village located? -
Expression: 지도에 표시되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-e pyo-si-doe-eo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it marked on the map? -
Expression: 그곳까지 가는 길이 안전한가요?
Pronunciation: geu-got-kka-ji ga-neun gil-i an-jeon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the path to that place safe? -
Expression: 지금 가면 무엇을 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum ga-myeon mu-eot-eul bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: What can we see if we go there now? -
Expression: 집터나 유물이 남아 있나요?
Pronunciation: jip-teo-na yu-mul-i nam-a it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there house sites or artifacts remaining? -
Expression: 산속 깊은 곳에 있나요?
Pronunciation: san-sok gip-eun got-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it deep in the mountains? -
Expression: 그 지역은 접근이 제한되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu ji-yeok-eun jeop-geun-i je-han-doe-eo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is access to that area restricted? -
Expression: 주변 경치는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: ju-byeon gyeong-chi-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the surrounding scenery like? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 등산로에서 얼마나 떨어져 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un deung-san-ro-e-seo eol-ma-na tteol-eo-jyeo it-na-yo?
Meaning: How far is it from the nearest hiking trail? -
Expression: 사진을 찍어도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin-eul jjik-eo-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be okay to take pictures?
Asking About History and People
-
Expression: 그 마을에는 누가 살았었나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul-e-neun nu-ga sal-at-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Who used to live in that village? -
Expression: 사람들은 왜 그곳을 떠났나요?
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-eun wae geu-got-eul tteo-nat-na-yo?
Meaning: Why did the people leave that place? -
Expression: 그 마을의 역사에 대해 더 자세히 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul-ui yeok-sa-e dae-hae deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain more about the history of that village? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 생활을 했을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui saeng-hwal-eul haet-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: What kind of life might they have lived? -
Expression: 전쟁이나 재해와 관련이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-jaeng-i-na jae-hae-wa gwan-ryeon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it related to war or disaster? -
Expression: 그 마을이 번성했던 시기가 있었나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul-i beon-seong-haet-deon si-gi-ga it-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Was there a time when the village prospered? -
Expression: 마지막으로 사람이 살았던 게 언제쯤인가요?
Pronunciation: ma-ji-mak-eu-ro sa-ram-i sal-at-deon ge eon-je-jjeum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Around when was the last time people lived there? -
Expression: 그곳에 살았던 사람들의 후손이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu-got-e sal-at-deon sa-ram-deul-ui hu-son-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there descendants of the people who lived there? -
Expression: 마을이 사라진 것에 대한 기록이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ma-eul-i sa-ra-jin geot-e dae-han gi-rok-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any records about the village disappearing? -
Expression: 그 마을만의 특별한 문화가 있었나요?
Pronunciation: geu ma-eul-man-ui teuk-byeol-han mun-hwa-ga it-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Did that village have its own unique culture?
Cultural Tips
Respect for Nature and History: Mountains (산 – san) hold deep cultural and spiritual significance in Korea. When exploring historical sites like lost settlements, approach them with respect. Avoid disturbing any ruins or natural surroundings.
Listen to Your Guide: Korean mountain guides (산악 가이드 – san-ak ga-i-deu or 안내인 – an-nae-in) often possess extensive local knowledge, including oral histories and legends not found in books. Listen attentively to their stories.
Safety First: Exploring remote mountain areas or ruins can be hazardous. Always follow your guide’s instructions regarding safety, designated paths, and restricted areas. Some sites may be unstable or difficult to access.
Sensitivity to Past Events: Some settlements may have disappeared due to tragic events like war, famine, or forced relocation. Be mindful and respectful when inquiring about the reasons for a village’s demise.
Preservation Efforts: Some historical sites might be part of preservation efforts or archaeological studies. Be aware that access might be limited, and removing anything (even small stones or shards) is strictly prohibited.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) hiking with a local guide (B) asks about a rumored lost settlement in the mountains they are exploring.
-
Expression: A: 가이드님, 이 산 어딘가에 오래전에 사라진 마을이 있다는 이야기를 들었어요. 혹시 아시는 게 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, i san eo-din-ga-e o-rae-jeon-e sa-ra-jin ma-eul-i it-da-neun i-ya-gi-reul deul-eot-eo-yo. hok-si a-si-neun ge it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Guide, I heard a story that there’s a village somewhere in this mountain that disappeared a long time ago. Do you happen to know anything about it? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 맞아요. 저쪽 능선 너머에 예전에 작은 화전민 마을 터가 있습니다. 지금은 폐허만 남았죠.
Pronunciation: a, ne. ma-ja-yo. jeo-jjok neung-seon neo-meo-e ye-jeon-e jak-eun hwa-jeon-min ma-eul teo-ga it-seum-ni-da. ji-geum-eun pye-heo-man nam-at-jyo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. That’s correct. Beyond that ridge over there, there’s a site of a small slash-and-burn farming village from the past. Only ruins remain now. -
Expression: A: 화전민 마을이요? 왜 없어졌나요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jeon-min ma-eul-i-yo? wae eop-seo-jyeot-na-yo?
Meaning: A slash-and-burn village? Why did it disappear? -
Expression: B: 1970년대 산림 녹화 정책 때문에 주민들이 이주해야 했어요. 지금은 가끔 등산객들이나 찾지만, 가는 길이 좀 험합니다.
Pronunciation: cheon-gu-baek-chil-sim-nyeon-dae san-rim nok-hwa jeong-chaek ttae-mun-e ju-min-deul-i i-ju-hae-ya haet-eo-yo. ji-geum-eun ga-kkeum deung-san-gaek-deul-i-na chat-ji-man, ga-neun gil-i jom heom-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Because of the forest greening policies in the 1970s, the residents had to relocate. Nowadays, only occasional hikers visit, but the path there is a bit rough. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 혹시 그곳에 가볼 수 있을까요? 흔적이라도 보고 싶어서요.
Pronunciation: geu-reot-gun-yo. hok-si geu-got-e ga-bol su it-eul-kka-yo? heun-jeok-i-ra-do bo-go sip-eo-seo-yo.
Meaning: I see. Would it be possible to visit there? I’d like to see even just the traces. -
Expression: B: 오늘은 시간이 부족하고 길이 위험해서 어렵겠네요. 다음에 기회가 되면 안전하게 안내해 드릴 수 있습니다. 대신 이 근처에서 볼 수 있는 다른 역사적인 장소가 있어요.
Pronunciation: o-neul-eun si-gan-i bu-jok-ha-go gil-i wi-heom-hae-seo eo-ryeop-get-ne-yo. da-eum-e gi-hoe-ga doe-myeon an-jeon-ha-ge an-nae-hae deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da. dae-sin i geun-cheo-e-seo bol su it-neun da-reun yeok-sa-jeok-in jang-so-ga it-eo-yo.
Meaning: It would be difficult today as we lack time and the path is dangerous. If there’s a chance next time, I can guide you safely. Instead, there are other historical places we can see nearby.
Practice Tips
Learning these phrases is just the start! Try imagining yourself hiking in Korea and asking these questions~ Practice saying the phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation. You could even watch documentaries or read articles about Korean mountains and history to familiarize yourself with the context. If you ever get the chance to hike with a guide in Korea, don’t hesitate to ask about local history and legends using these expressions!
