Asking About a Mysterious Pillar in the Forest in Korean

Discovering unexpected structures while exploring nature can spark curiosity. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists asking their guides about mysterious objects, specifically focusing on how to inquire about an unusual pillar found in a forest setting. Learn how to ask what it is, describe it, and inquire about its history or purpose.

Core Question

• Expression: 저 기둥은 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: jeo gi-dung-eun mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is that pillar?

Basic Questions for Tourists

• Expression: 저기요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
  Meaning: Excuse me. / Hey there.
• Expression: 질문 하나 해도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: jil-mun ha-na hae-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: May I ask a question?
• Expression: 저건 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: jeo-geon mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is that over there?
• Expression: 저쪽에 있는 거요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-e it-neun geo-yo.
  Meaning: The thing over there.
• Expression: 숲 속에 있는 저것 좀 보세요.
  Pronunciation: sup sok-e it-neun jeo-geot jom bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Look at that thing in the forest.
• Expression: 저 기둥에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jeo gi-dung-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can you explain about that pillar?
• Expression: 가까이 가봐도 돼요?
  Pronunciation: ga-kka-i ga-bwa-do dwae-yo?
  Meaning: Is it okay to go closer?
• Expression: 저게 뭔지 궁금해요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-ge mwon-ji gung-geum-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I’m curious about what that is.
• Expression: 이런 걸 처음 봐요.
  Pronunciation: i-reon geol cheo-eum bwa-yo.
  Meaning: I’ve never seen something like this before.
• Expression: 저 기둥 이름이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: jeo gi-dung i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the name of that pillar?
• Expression: 여기서 흔히 볼 수 있는 건가요?
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo heun-hi bol su it-neun geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is this something commonly seen around here?
• Expression: 사진 찍어도 괜찮아요?
  Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-eo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
  Meaning: Is it okay to take a picture?

Describing the Pillar

• Expression: 저 이상한 기둥이요.
  Pronunciation: jeo i-sang-han gi-dung-i-yo.
  Meaning: That strange pillar.
• Expression: 숲 속에 있는 저 기둥 말이에요.
  Pronunciation: sup sok-e it-neun jeo gi-dung mal-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: I mean that pillar in the forest.
• Expression: 돌로 만들어진 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: dol-lo man-deur-eo-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: It looks like it’s made of stone.
• Expression: 오래돼 보여요.
  Pronunciation: o-rae-dwae bo-yeo-yo.
  Meaning: It looks old.
• Expression: 뭔가 신비로워 보여요.
  Pronunciation: mwon-ga sin-bi-ro-wo bo-yeo-yo.
  Meaning: It looks somewhat mysterious.
• Expression: 표면에 글씨 같은 게 있나요?
  Pronunciation: pyo-myeon-e geul-ssi ga-teun ge in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there something like writing on the surface?
• Expression: 꽤 커 보이네요.
  Pronunciation: kkwae keo bo-i-ne-yo.
  Meaning: It looks quite large.
• Expression: 나무들 사이에 있어요.
  Pronunciation: na-mu-deul sa-i-e is-seo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s between the trees.
• Expression: 혼자 서 있네요.
  Pronunciation: hon-ja seo in-ne-yo.
  Meaning: It’s standing alone.
• Expression: 색깔이 특이해요.
  Pronunciation: saek-kkal-i teu-gi-hae-yo.
  Meaning: The color is unusual.
• Expression: 모양이 독특해요.
  Pronunciation: mo-yang-i dok-teuk-hae-yo.
  Meaning: The shape is unique.
• Expression: 이끼가 껴 있어요.
  Pronunciation: i-kki-ga kkyeo is-seo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s covered in moss.

Inquiring About History and Purpose

• Expression: 이 기둥에 얽힌 이야기가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i gi-dung-e eol-kin i-ya-gi-ga in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a story related to this pillar?
• Expression: 왜 여기에 이게 세워져 있나요?
  Pronunciation: wae yeo-gi-e i-ge se-wo-jyeo in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Why was this erected here?
• Expression: 이거 고대 유물인가요?
  Pronunciation: i-geo go-dae yu-mul-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is this an ancient relic?
• Expression: 언제 만들어진 건가요?
  Pronunciation: eon-je man-deur-eo-jin geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When was it made?
• Expression: 무슨 용도로 사용되었나요?
  Pronunciation: mu-seun yong-do-ro sa-yong-doe-eon-na-yo?
  Meaning: What purpose was it used for?
• Expression: 누가 만들었는지 아세요?
  Pronunciation: nu-ga man-deur-eon-neun-ji a-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you know who made it?
• Expression: 역사적으로 중요한 건가요?
  Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-eu-ro jung-yo-han geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is it historically significant?
• Expression: 이 지역 전설과 관련이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i ji-yeok jeon-seol-gwa gwan-ryeon-i in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is it related to local legends?
• Expression: 이런 기둥이 다른 곳에도 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i-reon gi-dung-i da-reun got-e-do in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there other pillars like this elsewhere?
• Expression: 어떤 의미를 가지고 있나요?
  Pronunciation: eo-tteon ui-mi-reul ga-ji-go in-na-yo?
  Meaning: What kind of meaning does it hold?
• Expression: 종교적인 의미가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jong-gyo-jeok-in ui-mi-ga in-na-yo?
  Meaning: Does it have religious significance?
• Expression: 보호되고 있는 유적인가요?
  Pronunciation: bo-ho-doe-go it-neun yu-jeok-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is it a protected historical site?

Cultural Insights

Mountains and forests hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning in Korea. Many are considered sacred spaces, often home to temples, shrines, or sites related to folklore and historical events. Showing respect when visiting these areas is important.

Koreans often have a deep appreciation for nature (자연 – ja-yeon). Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is a popular national pastime. When encountering unusual natural formations or man-made objects in these settings, locals might associate them with local legends or historical significance.

Guides (안내원 – an-nae-won or 가이드 – ga-i-deu) are usually knowledgeable about the history and stories of the areas they cover. Asking questions politely shows genuine interest and respect for the local culture and history.

Be mindful of designated paths and restricted areas, especially around historical artifacts or natural monuments. Some sites might be protected, and touching or disturbing them could be prohibited. Always follow your guide’s instructions.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A tourist (A) is hiking in a Korean forest with a local guide (B) and spots an old, moss-covered stone pillar among the trees.

Roles: A – Tourist, B – Guide

• Expression: A: 저기요, 가이드님. 잠시만요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, ga-i-deu-nim. jam-si-man-yo.
  Meaning: A: Excuse me, Guide. Just a moment.
• Expression: B: 네, 무슨 일이신가요?
  Pronunciation: ne, mu-seun ir-i-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: B: Yes, what is it?
• Expression: A: 저쪽에 나무들 사이에 있는 저 기둥은 뭐예요? 뭔가 신비로워 보여요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-e na-mu-deul sa-i-e it-neun jeo gi-dung-eun mwo-ye-yo? mwon-ga sin-bi-ro-wo bo-yeo-yo.
  Meaning: A: What is that pillar over there between the trees? It looks somewhat mysterious.
• Expression: B: 아, 저거요? 저건 오래된 경계석이에요. 옛날에 마을과 사찰의 경계를 표시하던 돌기둥이죠.
  Pronunciation: a, jeo-geo-yo? jeo-geon o-rae-doen gyeong-gye-seok-i-e-yo. yen-nal-e ma-eul-gwa sa-chal-ui gyeong-gye-reul pyo-si-ha-deon dol-gi-dung-i-jyo.
  Meaning: B: Oh, that? That’s an old boundary stone. It’s a stone pillar that used to mark the boundary between the village and the temple long ago.
• Expression: A: 와, 그렇군요! 언제 만들어진 건가요? 꽤 오래돼 보여요.
  Pronunciation: wa, geu-reot-kun-yo! eon-je man-deur-eo-jin geon-ga-yo? kkwae o-rae-dwae bo-yeo-yo.
  Meaning: A: Wow, I see! When was it made? It looks quite old.
• Expression: B: 정확한 연대는 알 수 없지만, 아마 수백 년은 되었을 거라고 추정해요. 이끼가 많이 껴 있죠?
  Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-han yeon-dae-neun al su eop-ji-man, a-ma su-baek nyeon-eun doe-eot-eul geo-ra-go chu-jeong-hae-yo. i-kki-ga man-i kkyeo it-jyo?
  Meaning: B: We don’t know the exact date, but it’s estimated to be several hundred years old. See how much moss is on it?
• Expression: A: 네. 역사적으로 중요한 건가요? 가까이 가봐도 돼요?
  Pronunciation: ne. yeok-sa-jeok-eu-ro jung-yo-han geon-ga-yo? ga-kka-i ga-bwa-do dwae-yo?
  Meaning: A: Yes. Is it historically significant? Is it okay to go closer?
• Expression: B: 지역사적으로는 의미가 있지만, 공식적인 문화재는 아니에요. 네, 가까이 가서 보셔도 괜찮아요. 하지만 만지지는 말아주세요.
  Pronunciation: ji-yeok-sa-jeok-eu-ro-neun ui-mi-ga it-ji-man, gong-sik-jeok-in mun-hwa-jae-neun a-ni-e-yo. ne, ga-kka-i ga-seo bo-syeo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo. ha-ji-man man-ji-ji-neun mal-a-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: B: It has local historical significance, but it’s not an official cultural property. Yes, you can go closer to look. But please don’t touch it.

Practice and Explore!

Now you have the phrases to ask about interesting things you might encounter while exploring Korea’s beautiful natural landscapes! Don’t hesitate to ask your guide questions~ It’s a great way to learn more about the local history and culture.

Try practicing these questions aloud. Imagine spotting something unusual on a hike and asking about it. The more you practice, the more natural it will feel when you use these expressions in a real situation. Enjoy your explorations in Korea!