Exploring Korea’s beautiful parks often involves discovering hidden trails and historical routes. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask their guide about the old or historic walking paths within a famous park, helping you uncover the stories and scenery these trails hold.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 옛날 산책길
Pronunciation: yet-nal san-chaek-gil
Meaning: Old walking path (literally “old days walking path”)
Basic Questions for the Guide
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Expression: 이 공원에 옛날 산책길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i gong-won-e yet-nal san-chaek-gil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there old walking paths in this park? -
Expression: 옛날 산책길은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: yet-nal san-chaek-gil-eun eo-di-e it-seo-yo?
Meaning: Where are the old walking paths? -
Expression: 옛날 산책길에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yet-nal san-chaek-gil-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you explain about the old walking paths? -
Expression: 이 길은 얼마나 오래되었나요?
Pronunciation: i gil-eun eol-ma-na o-rae-doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: How old is this path? -
Expression: 산책길 지도가 있나요?
Pronunciation: san-chaek-gil ji-do-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a map of the walking paths? -
Expression: 걷기 어려운 길인가요?
Pronunciation: geot-gi eo-ryeo-un gil-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a difficult path to walk? -
Expression: 이 길을 걷는 데 시간이 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: i gil-eul geot-neun de si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to walk this path? -
Expression: 어떤 산책길을 추천하시나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon san-chaek-gil-eul chu-cheon-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Which walking path do you recommend? -
Expression: 이 길에서는 무엇을 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i gil-e-seo-neun mu-eo-seul bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: What can I see on this path? -
Expression: 혼자 걸어도 안전한가요?
Pronunciation: hon-ja geol-eo-do an-jeon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it safe to walk alone? -
Expression: 역사적인 의미가 있는 길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-in ui-mi-ga it-neun gil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a path with historical significance?
Describing Path Characteristics
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Expression: 이 길은 매우 오래되었습니다.
Pronunciation: i gil-eun mae-u o-rae-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This path is very old. -
Expression: 역사적인 길입니다.
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-in gil-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s a historical path. -
Expression: 경치가 아름답습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga a-reum-dap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The scenery is beautiful. -
Expression: 여기는 약간 가파릅니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-neun yak-gan ga-pa-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s a bit steep here. -
Expression: 이 길은 절로 이어집니다.
Pronunciation: i gil-eun jeol-lo i-eo-jim-ni-da.
Meaning: This path leads to the temple. -
Expression: 걷는 데 약 1시간 걸립니다.
Pronunciation: geot-neun de yak han-si-gan geol-lim-ni-da.
Meaning: It takes about 1 hour to walk. -
Expression: 많은 사람들이 이 길을 좋아합니다.
Pronunciation: ma-neun sa-ram-deul-i i gil-eul jo-a-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Many people like this path. -
Expression: 미끄러울 수 있으니 조심하세요.
Pronunciation: mi-kkeu-reo-ul su it-seu-ni jo-sim-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Be careful, it can be slippery. -
Expression: 이 길은 잘 관리되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i gil-eun jal gwan-ri-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This path is well-maintained. -
Expression: 길을 따라 역사 표지판을 볼 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gil-eul tta-ra yeok-sa pyo-ji-pan-eul bol su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You can see historical markers along the path. -
Expression: 이 길은 비교적 한적합니다.
Pronunciation: i gil-eun bi-gyo-jeok han-jeok-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This path is relatively quiet/less crowded.
Asking for Recommendations
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Expression: 가장 경치가 좋은 길은 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun gil-eun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Which path is the most scenic? -
Expression: 쉬운 산책길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: swi-un san-chaek-gil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an easy walking path? -
Expression: 가장 역사가 깊은 길은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang yeok-sa-ga gip-eun gil-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Which path has the most history? -
Expression: 초보자를 위한 길을 추천해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-reul wi-han gil-eul chu-cheon-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you recommend a path for beginners? -
Expression: 관광객들에게 인기 있는 길은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-gaek-deul-e-ge in-gi it-neun gil-eun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Which path is popular among tourists? -
Expression: 전망이 좋은 길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-mang-i jo-eun gil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a path with a good view? -
Expression: 약 한 시간 정도 걸리는 길은요?
Pronunciation: yak han si-gan jeong-do geol-li-neun gil-eun-yo?
Meaning: What about a path that takes about an hour? -
Expression: 숨겨진 좋은 길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: sum-gyeo-jin jo-eun gil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any hidden gem paths? -
Expression: 개인적으로 가장 좋아하는 길은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: gae-in-jeok-eu-ro ga-jang jo-a-ha-neun gil-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is your personal favorite path? -
Expression: 지도에서 보여주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-e-seo bo-yeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you show me on the map?
Cultural Tips
Hiking and walking in nature are very popular activities in Korea. Parks, especially national or provincial ones, often hold significant historical and cultural value, sometimes containing temples, fortresses, or ancient markers along the trails.
When hiking, it’s common courtesy to greet fellow hikers with a simple 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo). Keeping noise levels down is also appreciated to maintain the peaceful atmosphere.
Guides appreciate specific questions. Asking about “old paths” (옛날 산책길 – yet-nal san-chaek-gil) or “historical paths” (역사적인 길 – yeok-sa-jeok-in gil) shows genuine interest and helps them provide more relevant information.
Be mindful of signage. Historical markers or informational boards along paths often provide valuable context about the area’s past. While often in Korean, some major parks might have English translations.
Respect the environment and historical sites. Stay on marked trails, do not disturb wildlife, and treat any historical structures or markers with care.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a park guide (B) near the entrance of Bukhansan National Park in Seoul, known for its historical trails and temples.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 가이드님. 이 공원에 옛날 산책길이 있다고 들었는데요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ga-i-deu-nim. i gong-won-e yet-nal san-chaek-gil-i it-da-go deul-eot-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, Guide. I heard there are old walking paths in this park. -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 여러 역사적인 길이 있습니다. 혹시 특별히 원하시는 난이도나 길이가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. yeo-reo yeok-sa-jeok-in gil-i it-seum-ni-da. hok-si teuk-byeol-hi won-ha-si-neun nan-i-do-na gil-i-ga it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, that’s correct. There are several historical paths. Do you perhaps have a specific difficulty level or length you prefer? -
Expression: A: 너무 어렵지 않으면서 경치도 좋고 역사적인 의미도 있는 길이면 좋겠어요. 한두 시간 정도요.
Pronunciation: A: neo-mu eo-ryeop-ji a-neu-myeon-seo gyeong-chi-do jo-ko yeok-sa-jeok-in ui-mi-do it-neun gil-i-myeon jo-ket-seo-yo. han-du si-gan jeong-do-yo.
Meaning: A: I’d like a path that isn’t too difficult, has good scenery, and also has historical significance. Around one or two hours. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시다면 북한산성 탐방로 일부를 추천해 드립니다. 약 1시간 반 정도 걸리고, 옛 성곽을 따라 걷는 길이라 역사도 느끼고 경치도 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-si-da-myeon buk-han-san-seong tam-bang-no il-bu-reul chu-cheon-hae deu-rim-ni-da. yak han-si-gan ban jeong-do geol-li-go, yet seong-gwak-eul tta-ra geot-neun gil-i-ra yeok-sa-do neu-kki-go gyeong-chi-do jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, in that case, I recommend a part of the Bukhansanseong Fortress trail. It takes about an hour and a half, and since it follows the old fortress wall, you can feel the history and the scenery is also good. -
Expression: A: 와, 좋네요! 그 길은 어떻게 가나요? 지도에서 보여주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, jon-ne-yo! geu gil-eun eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo? ji-do-e-seo bo-yeo-ju-sil su it-seo-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, that sounds great! How do I get to that path? Can you show me on the map? -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 지도 보시면 이쪽 입구에서 시작해서…
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi ji-do bo-si-myeon i-jjok ip-gu-e-seo si-jak-hae-seo…
Meaning: B: Yes, if you look at the map here, you start from this entrance and… -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 정말 도움이 많이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! jeong-mal do-um-i ma-ni dwaet-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you! That was really helpful.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try saying these phrases aloud, focusing on the syllable-by-syllable pronunciation. Imagine you’re actually in a Korean park talking to a guide. You could even role-play with a friend or language partner!
Look up famous Korean parks online (like Seoraksan, Jirisan, Bukhansan, or Gyeongju National Park) and see if you can find information about their historical trails. This can give you context for your practice. Watching Korean travel vlogs featuring park visits can also help you hear similar phrases used naturally!
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases when you visit Korea. Park guides are usually very helpful and appreciate visitors showing interest in the park’s history and natural beauty. Good luck exploring!
