Asking About a Secret Path to an Old Stone Bridge in Korean

Finding hidden gems often requires asking locals for directions, especially when looking for less-common routes like a secret path to an old stone bridge. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists seeking specific, potentially hidden locations, focusing on polite interaction with local residents to uncover those special spots.

Core Expression

• Expression: 오래된 돌다리로 가는 숨겨진 길이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: o-rae-doen dol-da-ri-ro ga-neun sum-gyeo-jin gil-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a hidden path leading to the old stone bridge?

Initiating the Conversation and Asking About the Bridge

• Expression: 실례합니다.
  Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Excuse me.
• Expression: 말씀 좀 여쭙겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: mal-sseum jom yeo-jjup-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: May I ask you something? (Polite)
• Expression: 이 근처에 오래된 돌다리가 있다고 들었어요.
  Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e o-rae-doen dol-da-ri-ga it-da-go deul-eo-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I heard there’s an old stone bridge near here.
• Expression: 혹시 오래된 돌다리가 어디 있는지 아세요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si o-rae-doen dol-da-ri-ga eo-di it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
  Meaning: Do you happen to know where the old stone bridge is?
• Expression: 저 오래된 돌다리를 찾고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: jeo o-rae-doen dol-da-ri-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: I am looking for that old stone bridge.
• Expression: 그 돌다리로 가는 길을 알려주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: geu dol-da-ri-ro ga-neun gil-eul al-lyeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Could you tell me the way to that stone bridge?
• Expression: 관광객들이 잘 모르는 길로 가보고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-gaek-deul-i jal mo-reu-neun gil-lo ga-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to try a path that tourists don’t know well.
• Expression: 혹시 그 다리로 가는 다른 길이나 숨겨진 길이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si geu da-ri-ro ga-neun da-reun gil-i-na sum-gyeo-jin gil-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there perhaps another way or a hidden path to that bridge?
• Expression: 지름길이 있는지 궁금합니다.
  Pronunciation: ji-reum-gil-i it-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: I am curious if there is a shortcut.
• Expression: 이 지도를 보고 설명해주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i ji-do-reul bo-go seol-myeong-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Could you explain while looking at this map?
• Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있는 거리인가요?
  Pronunciation: geol-eo-seo gal su it-neun geo-ri-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is it within walking distance?
• Expression: 여기서 얼마나 걸릴까요?
  Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
  Meaning: How long will it take from here?

Understanding Directions Given

• Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Yes, I understand.
• Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
  Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo.
  Meaning: Ah, I see. / Oh, is that so.
• Expression: 조금 더 자세히 설명해주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: jo-geum deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you explain in a little more detail?
• Expression: 오른쪽으로 가라는 말씀이시죠?
  Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-ra-neun mal-sseum-i-si-jyo?
  Meaning: You mean I should go to the right?
• Expression: 왼쪽으로 돌면 되나요?
  Pronunciation: oen-jjok-eu-ro dol-myeon doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Should I turn left?
• Expression: 계속 직진하면 되는 건가요?
  Pronunciation: gye-sok jik-jin-ha-myeon doe-neun geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Should I just keep going straight?
• Expression: 저기 보이는 표지판을 따라가면 되나요?
  Pronunciation: jeo-gi bo-i-neun pyo-ji-pan-eul tta-ra-ga-myeon doe-na-yo?
  Meaning: Should I follow the sign I see over there?
• Expression: 길이 찾기 쉬운가요, 아니면 좀 복잡한가요?
  Pronunciation: gil-i chat-gi swi-un-ga-yo, a-ni-myeon jom bok-jap-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is the path easy to find, or is it a bit complicated?
• Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you please say that again?
• Expression: 그 길은 안전한가요?
  Pronunciation: geu gil-eun an-jeon-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is that path safe?
• Expression: 혹시 지도에 표시해주실 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si ji-do-e pyo-si-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Could you possibly mark it on the map?
• Expression: 대략 몇 분 정도 걸어가면 나올까요?
  Pronunciation: dae-ryak myeot bun jeong-do geol-eo-ga-myeon na-ol-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Approximately how many minutes walk until I get there?

Expressing Gratitude

• Expression: 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you. (Formal)
• Expression: 정말 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you very much.
• Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for your help.
• Expression: 덕분에 잘 찾아갈 수 있을 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: deok-bun-e jal cha-ja-gal su i-sseul geot ga-ta-yo.
  Meaning: Thanks to you, I think I’ll be able to find it well.
• Expression: 친절하게 설명해주셔서 고맙습니다.
  Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge seol-myeong-hae-ju-syeo-seo go-map-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for your kind explanation.
• Expression: 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for your time.
• Expression: 많은 도움이 되었습니다.
  Pronunciation: ma-neun do-um-i doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: It was very helpful.
• Expression: 좋은 정보 감사합니다.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: Thank you for the good information.
• Expression: 좋은 하루 보내세요.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae-se-yo.
  Meaning: Have a nice day.
• Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
  Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
  Meaning: Goodbye. (Said when you are leaving)

Cultural Tips

Politeness is Paramount: Always approach locals politely. Start with 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me) and use formal language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings). A slight bow when greeting, especially towards older individuals, shows respect.

Be Specific but Flexible: Clearly state what you’re looking for (the old stone bridge), but also be open if the “secret path” isn’t well-known or recommended. Locals might prioritize safety and suggest the main route.

Understanding Hesitation: If a local seems hesitant to share information about a “secret” path, it might be because it’s private property, difficult to navigate, or potentially unsafe. Respect their judgment and don’t press too hard.

Gestures and Pointing: Pay close attention to hand gestures. Koreans often use pointing or directional gestures when giving directions, which can be more helpful than verbal descriptions alone.

Express Sincere Gratitude: Whether you get the exact directions you hoped for or not, always thank the person sincerely for their time and effort using phrases like 정말 감사합니다 (jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da) or 도와주셔서 감사합니다 (do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da).

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A tourist (A) approaches an elderly local resident (B) working in a small field near a village, hoping to find a less common path to a well-known old stone bridge nearby.

Roles: A = Tourist, B = Local Resident

• Expression: A: 실례합니다, 어르신. 말씀 좀 여쭙겠습니다.
  Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, eo-reu-sin. mal-sseum jom yeo-jjup-get-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: A: Excuse me, elder. May I ask you something?
• Expression: B: 네, 뭐 궁금한 거 있으신가요?
  Pronunciation: B: ne, mwo gung-geum-han geo i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: B: Yes, what are you curious about?
• Expression: A: 이 근처에 오래된 돌다리가 있다고 들었는데, 혹시 어디로 가야 하는지 아시나요?
  Pronunciation: A: i geun-cheo-e o-rae-doen dol-da-ri-ga it-da-go deul-eot-neun-de, hok-si eo-di-ro ga-ya ha-neun-ji a-si-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: I heard there’s an old stone bridge near here, do you happen to know where I should go?
• Expression: B: 아, 그 돌다리요? 저쪽 길로 쭉 따라가면 나와요. 한 15분쯤 걸릴 거요.
  Pronunciation: B: a, geu dol-da-ri-yo? jeo-jjok gil-lo jjuk tta-ra-ga-myeon na-wa-yo. han si-bo-bun-jjeum geol-lil geo-yo.
  Meaning: B: Ah, that stone bridge? If you follow that road straight over there, it will appear. It’ll take about 15 minutes.
• Expression: A: 감사합니다. 혹시… 사람들이 잘 모르는 다른 길이나 숨겨진 길이 있을까요? 좀 더 조용한 길로 가보고 싶어서요.
  Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. hok-si… sa-ram-deul-i jal mo-reu-neun da-reun gil-i-na sum-gyeo-jin gil-i i-sseul-kka-yo? jom deo jo-yong-han gil-lo ga-bo-go sip-eo-seo-yo.
  Meaning: A: Thank you. Perhaps… is there another path or a hidden path that people don’t know well? I’d like to try a quieter route.
• Expression: B: 흠… 숨겨진 길이라… 저기 보이는 작은 오솔길이 있긴 한데, 길이 좀 험하고 찾기 어려울 수도 있어요. 추천하지는 않는데…
  Pronunciation: B: heum… sum-gyeo-jin gil-i-ra… jeo-gi bo-i-neun ja-geun o-sol-gil-i it-gin han-de, gil-i jom heom-ha-go chat-gi eo-ryeo-ul su-do i-sseo-yo. chu-cheon-ha-ji-neun an-neun-de…
  Meaning: B: Hmm… a hidden path… There is that small trail over there, but the path is a bit rough and might be hard to find. I don’t really recommend it…
• Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 위험하다면 그냥 알려주신 큰 길로 가겠습니다. 친절하게 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다!
  Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. wi-heom-ha-da-myeon geu-nyang al-lyeo-ju-sin keun gil-lo ga-get-seum-ni-da. chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
  Meaning: A: Ah, I see. If it’s dangerous, I’ll just take the main road you told me about. Thank you so much for kindly letting me know!
• Expression: B: 네, 조심히 가세요. 큰 길이 찾기도 쉽고 안전해요.
  Pronunciation: B: ne, jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo. keun gil-i chat-gi-do swip-go an-jeon-hae-yo.
  Meaning: B: Yes, travel safely. The main road is easier to find and safer.

Practice Tips

Practice these phrases out loud, imagining yourself asking for directions in Korea! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~. Don’t be afraid to approach locals; most people are willing to help, especially if you try to speak Korean politely. Remember to always show gratitude for their time and assistance. Good luck finding those hidden paths and beautiful stone bridges! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)