Finding specific historical sites like barns in Korea requires knowing the right phrases. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for tourists wanting to ask locals about locating and visiting historic barns or similar traditional structures, keeping in mind that Western-style barns may not be common historical features.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 역사적인 헛간
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-in heot-gan
Meaning: Historic barn (Note: 헛간 (heot-gan) means barn/shed, 역사적인 (yeok-sa-jeok-in) means historic)
Asking for Location
-
Expression: 실례합니다. 이 근처에 역사적인 헛간이 있나요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. i geun-cheo-e yeok-sa-jeok-in heot-gan-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Is there a historic barn near here? -
Expression: 오래된 헛간은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: o-rae-doen heot-gan-eun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the old barn? -
Expression: 혹시 이 지역에 오래된 농가나 전통 건물이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i ji-yeog-e o-rae-doen nong-ga-na jeon-tong geon-mul-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, are there any old farmhouses or traditional buildings in this area? -
Expression: 그 헛간/건물을 어떻게 찾아갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu heot-gan/geon-mul-eul eo-tteo-ke cha-ja-gal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: How can I find that barn/building? -
Expression: 여기서 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take from here? -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있는 거리인가요?
Pronunciation: geor-eo-seo gal su it-neun geo-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it within walking distance? -
Expression: 지도를 그려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-reul geu-ryeo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you draw me a map? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 오래된 건물이 어디인지 아세요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un o-rae-doen geon-mul-i eo-di-in-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know where the nearest old building is? -
Expression: 버스를 타야 하나요? 몇 번 버스인가요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu-reul ta-ya ha-na-yo? myeot beon beo-seu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a bus? Which bus number is it? -
Expression: 택시를 타면 얼마나 나올까요?
Pronunciation: taek-si-reul ta-myeon eol-ma-na na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: About how much would it cost by taxi?
Asking About the Barn/Building
-
Expression: 그 건물은 얼마나 오래되었나요?
Pronunciation: geu geon-mul-eun eol-ma-na o-rae-doe-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: How old is that building? -
Expression: 언제 지어졌는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: eon-je ji-eo-jeon-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know when it was built? -
Expression: 안에 들어가 봐도 되나요?
Pronunciation: an-e deul-eo-ga bwa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to go inside? -
Expression: 사진을 찍어도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin-eul jjik-eo-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be alright to take pictures? -
Expression: 입장료가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-nyo-ga i-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Is there an entrance fee? -
Expression: 개방 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gae-bang si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the opening hours? -
Expression: 이 건물은 어떤 용도로 사용되었나요?
Pronunciation: i geon-mul-eun eo-떤 yong-do-ro sa-yong-doe-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: What was this building used for? -
Expression: 특별한 역사적 의미가 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han yeok-sa-jeok ui-mi-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it have any special historical significance? -
Expression: 전통적인 한국 건축 양식인가요?
Pronunciation: jeon-tong-jeok-in han-guk geon-chuk yang-sig-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a traditional Korean architectural style? -
Expression: 지금도 사용 중인가요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum-do sa-yong jung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it still in use?
Understanding Responses and Follow-up Questions
-
Expression: 네, 저쪽에 하나 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-jjok-e ha-na i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, there is one over there. -
Expression: 아니요, 이 근처에는 없는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, i geun-cheo-e-neun eom-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: No, I don’t think there are any around here. -
Expression: 헛간보다는 오래된 한옥이 있어요.
Pronunciation: heot-gan-bo-da-neun o-rae-doen han-og-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There isn’t a barn, but there is an old Hanok (traditional Korean house). -
Expression: 잘 모르겠는데요.
Pronunciation: jal mo-reu-gen-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure / I don’t know well. -
Expression: 여기서 꽤 멀어요. 차로 가셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo kkwae meor-eo-yo. cha-ro ga-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s quite far from here. You need to go by car. -
Expression: 오른쪽/왼쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok / oen-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go to the right/left. -
Expression: 이 길을 따라 쭉 가시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: i gir-eul tta-ra jjuk ga-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: You can just go straight along this road. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
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: 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak a little more slowly. -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 친절하게 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseum-ni-da. chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you for kindly letting me know.
Korean Culture Notes
When asking about historic barns in Korea, it’s helpful to understand some cultural context. Traditional Western-style barns associated with large livestock operations are not a typical feature of historical Korean agriculture. Instead, you might find different types of structures.
Consider asking about 오래된 농가 (o-rae-doen nong-ga – old farmhouse), 전통 가옥 (jeon-tong ga-ok – traditional house), or even 오래된 창고 (o-rae-doen chang-go – old warehouse/storage shed). These terms might lead you to more relevant historical agricultural buildings.
Korea’s historical preservation often focuses on royal palaces, Buddhist temples, fortresses (성곽 – seong-gwak), and traditional folk villages (민속촌 – min-sok-chon). Visiting a folk village or an agricultural museum might be the best way to see preserved examples of traditional rural buildings.
Always use polite language when approaching locals. Using the -요 (-yo) ending in your sentences is crucial for showing respect. For example, use 있어요? (i-sseo-yo?) instead of 있어? (i-sseo?).
Be aware that some old buildings, even if historically interesting, might be private residences or property. Access might be restricted, and it’s important to respect privacy. It’s often best to view them from the outside unless invited in or if it’s a designated tourist site.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is in a rural Korean village and asks an elderly local resident (B) about any old, interesting buildings nearby.
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 어르신. 잠시 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, eo-reu-sin. jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol geos-i i-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, Elder. I have something to ask you briefly. -
Expression: B: 네, 뭘 물어보시려고요?
Pronunciation: ne, mwol mur-eo-bo-si-ryeo-go-yo?
Meaning: Yes, what are you trying to ask? -
Expression: A: 제가 오래된 건물에 관심이 많은데요. 혹시 이 마을에 역사적인 헛간이나 오래된 농가 같은 것이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga o-rae-doen geon-mul-e gwan-sim-i ma-neun-de-yo. hok-si i ma-eur-e yeok-sa-jeok-in heot-gan-i-na o-rae-doen nong-ga ga-teun geos-i i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I am very interested in old buildings. By any chance, is there anything like a historic barn or an old farmhouse in this village? -
Expression: B: 헛간이라… 글쎄요. 그런 건 잘 없고. 저기 언덕 위에 가면 백 년 넘은 오래된 기와집이 하나 있긴 한데. 옛날 부잣집이었지.
Pronunciation: heot-gan-i-ra… geul-sse-yo. geu-reon geon jal eop-go. jeo-gi eon-deok wi-e ga-myeon baek nyeon neom-eun o-rae-doen gi-wa-jib-i ha-na it-gin han-de. yen-nal bu-jat-jib-i-eot-ji.
Meaning: A barn… hmm. There isn’t really anything like that. But if you go up that hill over there, there is an old tile-roofed house (giwajip) that’s over a hundred years old. It used to be a rich family’s house. -
Expression: A: 아, 정말요? 거기는 어떻게 가나요? 구경할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? geo-gi-neun eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo? gu-gyeong-hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? How do I get there? Would I be able to look around? -
Expression: B: 이 길로 쭉 올라가면 보여요. 한 15분 걸릴 거요. 지금은 사람이 안 사는 빈 집이라 밖에서 보는 건 괜찮을 거요. 안에는 못 들어가고.
Pronunciation: i gil-lo jjuk ol-la-ga-myeon bo-yeo-yo. han si-bo-bun geol-lil kkeo-yo. ji-geum-eun sa-ram-i an sa-neun bin jib-i-ra bak-ke-seo bo-neun geon gwaen-chan-eul kkeo-yo. an-e-neun mot deul-eo-ga-go.
Meaning: You’ll see it if you go straight up this road. It’ll take about 15 minutes. It’s an empty house now, no one lives there, so looking from the outside should be fine. You can’t go inside though. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다! 정말 감사합니다, 어르신.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da, eo-reu-sin.
Meaning: Yes, I understand! Thank you very much, Elder. -
Expression: B: 별 말씀을. 조심히 다녀와요.
Pronunciation: byeol mal-sseum-eul. jo-sim-hi da-nyeo-wa-yo.
Meaning: Don’t mention it. Go carefully.
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases takes practice! Try saying the Korean expressions out loud, focusing on the syllable-by-syllable pronunciation. Remember the hyphens are just guides for pronunciation, not pauses~!
Role-play the conversation example with a language partner or even by yourself, playing both roles. This helps solidify the flow of asking and answering.
Consider searching online for terms like 한국 오래된 농가 (han-guk o-rae-doen nong-ga) or 한국 전통 건축 (han-guk jeon-tong geon-chuk) to see images and get a better visual understanding of the types of historical buildings you might encounter in rural Korea.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to try using these phrases when you travel! Locals often appreciate visitors trying to speak Korean, even if it’s not perfect. Politeness goes a long way. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
