Discovering intriguing historical sites is a highlight of traveling. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask their guides about mysterious ruins, particularly those found near the coast. Learn how to inquire about their origins, history, and significance to enrich your travel experience in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Question
-
Expression: 저기 해안가에 있는 저 신비로운 폐허는 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi hae-an-ga-e it-neun jeo sin-bi-ro-un pye-heo-neun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is that mysterious ruin over there by the coast?
Asking for Basic Information
-
Expression: 저 폐허에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo pye-heo-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you explain about that ruin? -
Expression: 저 유적은 언제 만들어졌어요?
Pronunciation: jeo yu-jeok-eun eon-je man-deu-reo-jyeos-seo-yo?
Meaning: When was that historic site built? -
Expression: 저 건물의 원래 목적은 무엇이었나요?
Pronunciation: jeo geon-mul-ui won-lae mok-jeok-eun mu-eos-ieot-na-yo?
Meaning: What was the original purpose of that building? -
Expression: 저곳에 얽힌 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-got-e eol-kin i-ya-gi-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a story associated with that place? -
Expression: 왜 폐허가 되었나요?
Pronunciation: wae pye-heo-ga doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Why did it become ruins? -
Expression: 저 폐허의 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: jeo pye-heo-ui i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of that ruin? -
Expression: 누가 저것을 지었나요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga jeo-geot-eul ji-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Who built that? -
Expression: 저 유적지는 중요한 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: jeo yu-jeok-ji-neun jung-yo-han got-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is that historical site important? -
Expression: 저기까지 가볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-kka-ji ga-bol su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can we go over there? -
Expression: 가까이서 봐도 되나요?
Pronunciation: ga-kka-i-seo bwa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to look at it up close?
Describing the Ruin and Location
-
Expression: 해안 절벽 위에 있는 저것 말이에요.
Pronunciation: hae-an jeol-byeok wi-e it-neun jeo-geot mal-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I mean the one on the coastal cliff. -
Expression: 바다 바로 옆에 있는 돌 건물요.
Pronunciation: ba-da ba-ro yeop-e it-neun dol geon-mul-yo.
Meaning: The stone building right next to the sea. -
Expression: 아주 오래돼 보여요.
Pronunciation: a-ju o-rae-dwae bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: It looks very old. -
Expression: 약간 으스스해 보여요.
Pronunciation: yak-gan eu-seu-seu-hae bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: It looks a bit spooky/eerie. -
Expression: 저기 보이는 저 구조물이요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi bo-i-neun jeo gu-jo-mul-i-yo.
Meaning: That structure visible over there. -
Expression: 무너진 성벽 같아요.
Pronunciation: mu-neo-jin seong-byeok ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It looks like a collapsed castle wall. -
Expression: 주변 경치가 정말 아름답네요.
Pronunciation: ju-byeon gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal a-reum-dam-ne-yo.
Meaning: The surrounding scenery is really beautiful. -
Expression: 저 폐허는 왜 저렇게 외딴 곳에 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo pye-heo-neun wae jeo-reo-ke oe-ttan got-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Why is that ruin in such an isolated place? -
Expression: 뭔가 신비로운 느낌이 들어요.
Pronunciation: mwon-ga sin-bi-ro-un neu-kkim-i deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I get a mysterious feeling from it. -
Expression: 저 폐허의 건축 양식이 특이해요.
Pronunciation: jeo pye-heo-ui geon-chuk yang-sik-i teu-gi-hae-yo.
Meaning: The architectural style of that ruin is unusual.
Understanding the Guide’s Explanation
-
Expression: 아, 그렇군요. 흥미롭네요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. heung-mi-rom-ne-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. That’s interesting. -
Expression: 좀 더 자세히 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jom deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ges-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain in a bit more detail? -
Expression: 그 시대에 대해서 더 알고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: geu si-dae-e dae-hae-seo deo al-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to know more about that era. -
Expression: 전설 같은 건가요?
Pronunciation: jeon-seol ga-teun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it something like a legend? -
Expression: 이해했어요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: i-hae-haes-seo-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ges-seo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, could you please say that again? -
Expression: 그 이름 철자가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: geu i-reum cheol-ja-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How do you spell that name? -
Expression: 정말 놀라운 이야기네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal nol-la-un i-ya-gi-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s a truly amazing story. -
Expression: 관련 자료나 책이 있나요?
Pronunciation: gwan-ryeon ja-ryo-na chaek-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any related materials or books? -
Expression: 그 사건이 언제 일어났다고 하셨죠?
Pronunciation: geu sa-geon-i eon-je i-reo-nat-da-go ha-syeot-jyo?
Meaning: When did you say that event happened?
Korean Culture Notes
Korea has a rich history, and many historical sites, including ruins, are scattered throughout the country, especially along the coastlines which were important for defense and trade. Asking about them shows genuine interest.
Korean guides often appreciate curiosity about local history and legends. They might share folk tales or historical anecdotes connected to the site, which adds depth to the experience.
Many historical sites in Korea have signage, but often only in Korean or with limited English. Asking your guide is the best way to get accurate and detailed information.
Be mindful of preservation rules. Some ruins might be fragile or off-limits for safety or conservation reasons. Always follow your guide’s instructions about where you can go and what you can touch.
Expressing appreciation for the guide’s explanation (설명 감사합니다 – seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is always polite and encourages further interaction.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is on a guided tour along the coast and spots an old, crumbling structure on a cliff overlooking the sea. They ask the guide (B) about it.
-
Expression: A: 가이드님, 저기 해안 절벽 위에 있는 오래된 건물은 뭐예요? 좀 신비로워 보여요.
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, jeo-gi hae-an jeol-byeok wi-e it-neun o-rae-doen geon-mul-eun mwo-ye-yo? jom sin-bi-ro-wo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: A: Guide, what is that old building on the coastal cliff over there? It looks a bit mysterious. -
Expression: B: 아, 저것은 옛날 망루의 폐허입니다. 약 500년 전에 해적의 침입을 감시하기 위해 지어졌다고 해요.
Pronunciation: a, jeo-geot-eun yen-nal mang-nu-ui pye-heo-im-ni-da. yak o-baek-nyeon jeon-e hae-jeok-ui chim-ib-eul gam-si-ha-gi wi-hae ji-eo-jyeot-da-go hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, those are the ruins of an old watchtower. It’s said to have been built about 500 years ago to watch for pirate invasions. -
Expression: A: 500년 전이요? 정말 오래됐네요! 왜 지금은 폐허가 된 건가요?
Pronunciation: o-baek-nyeon jeon-i-yo? jeong-mal o-rae-dwaen-ne-yo! wae ji-geum-eun pye-heo-ga doen geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: 500 years ago? That’s really old! Why is it in ruins now? -
Expression: B: 네, 시간이 지나면서 자연재해와 관리 부족으로 인해 서서히 무너져 내렸습니다. 하지만 여전히 이 지역의 중요한 역사적 상징으로 남아있죠.
Pronunciation: ne, si-gan-i ji-na-myeon-seo ja-yeon-jae-hae-wa gwal-li bu-jok-eu-ro in-hae seo-seo-hi mu-neo-jyeo nae-ryeot-seum-ni-da. ha-ji-man yeo-jeon-hi i ji-yeok-ui jung-yo-han yeok-sa-jeok sang-jing-eu-ro nam-a-it-jyo.
Meaning: B: Yes, over time, due to natural disasters and lack of maintenance, it gradually collapsed. However, it still remains an important historical symbol of this region. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 저기까지 가까이 가볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. jeo-gi-kka-ji ga-kka-i ga-bol su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I see. Can we get closer to it? -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시 후에 저쪽으로 이동할 예정입니다. 가까이서 보시면 더 흥미로울 거예요.
Pronunciation: ne, jam-si hu-e jeo-jjok-eu-ro i-dong-hal ye-jeong-im-ni-da. ga-kka-i-seo bo-si-myeon deo heung-mi-ro-ul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, we plan to move over there shortly. It will be more interesting if you see it up close. -
Expression: A: 와, 기대되네요! 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: wa, gi-dae-doe-ne-yo! seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Wow, I’m looking forward to it! Thank you for the explanation.
Practice Tips
Practice asking the core question about different objects you see, not just ruins! Try pointing and asking “저것은 뭐예요?” (jeo-geot-eun mwo-ye-yo? – What is that?).
Listen carefully to your guide’s explanations. Even if you don’t understand everything, try to pick out keywords related to time (년 전 – nyeon jeon – years ago), purpose (목적 – mok-jeok), or reason (이유 – i-yu).
Role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Imagine you are the tourist and they are the guide. This helps solidify the phrases in your mind!
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification using phrases like “다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?” (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ges-seo-yo?). It’s better to ask again than to misunderstand! Good luck exploring Korea’s fascinating history!
