Finding specific recreational activities like paddleboarding in Korea requires knowing the right phrases. This guide provides essential Korean expressions for tourists looking to ask locals where they can rent paddleboards, understand rental details, and navigate the conversation smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 패들보드 어디서 빌릴 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: pae-deul-bo-deu eo-di-seo bil-lil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I rent a paddleboard?
Basic Questions to Ask Locals
-
Expression: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. (Used to get someone’s attention politely) -
Expression: 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. (Slightly more formal) -
Expression: 질문 하나 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jil-mun ha-na hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask a question? -
Expression: 이 근처에 … 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e … iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a … nearby? -
Expression: … 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: … eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is …? -
Expression: 어떻게 가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Meaning: How do I get there? -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: geol-eo-seo gal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there? -
Expression: 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take? -
Expression: 영업시간이 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: yeong-eop-si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours? -
Expression: 오늘 문 열었어요?
Pronunciation: o-neul mun yeol-eoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is it open today? -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help.
Specific Paddleboard Rental Questions
-
Expression: 이 근처에 패들보드 빌리는 곳 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e pae-deul-bo-deu bil-li-neun got iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place nearby that rents paddleboards? -
Expression: 패들보드 대여점이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: pae-deul-bo-deu dae-yeo-jeom-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the paddleboard rental shop? -
Expression: 패들보드 빌리고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: pae-deul-bo-deu bil-li-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to rent a paddleboard. -
Expression: 시간당 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: si-gan-dang eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it per hour? -
Expression: 하루 종일 빌리면 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ha-ru jong-il bil-li-myeon eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it to rent for the whole day? -
Expression: 구명조끼도 포함인가요?
Pronunciation: gu-myeong-jo-kki-do po-ham-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a life jacket included? -
Expression: 패들도 같이 빌려줘요?
Pronunciation: pae-deul-do ga-chi bil-lyeo-jwo-yo?
Meaning: Do you rent the paddle together (with the board)? -
Expression: 초보자도 탈 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-do tal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can beginners ride it too? -
Expression: 강습도 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gang-seup-do ba-deul su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I also get lessons? -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make a reservation? -
Expression: 신분증이 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung-i pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do I need an ID card? -
Expression: 지금 바로 빌릴 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum ba-ro bil-lil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I rent one right now?
Understanding Directions and Information
-
Expression: 네, 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, there is. -
Expression: 아니요, 없어요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: No, there isn’t. -
Expression: 저쪽으로 가시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: You can go that way. -
Expression: 쭉 가세요.
Pronunciation: jjuk ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight. -
Expression: 오른쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right. -
Expression: 왼쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: oen-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn left. -
Expression: 길 건너편에 있어요.
Pronunciation: gil geon-neo-pyeon-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s across the street. -
Expression: 해변 끝에 있어요.
Pronunciation: hae-byeon kkeut-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s at the end of the beach. -
Expression: 여기서 가까워요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ga-kka-wo-yo.
Meaning: It’s close from here. -
Expression: 조금 멀어요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum meol-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit far. -
Expression: 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. / Okay. -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again?
Cultural Tips
When approaching locals in Korea, always start with a polite greeting like 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo) or 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da). This shows respect before you ask your question.
Using the -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/seumnida) endings on your verbs and adjectives is crucial for politeness when speaking to strangers, especially those older than you. All the phrases provided use these polite endings.
A slight bow when saying thank you (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is common and appreciated. While pointing directly at people is considered rude, pointing towards a direction or location is generally acceptable when asking for or giving directions.
Koreans are often helpful to tourists, but there might be a language barrier. Speak clearly and slowly. Having a translation app ready can be helpful, but trying to use Korean phrases first is often well-received.
Rental shops, especially smaller ones near beaches or lakes, might have specific rules or require deposits or ID. Be prepared for this possibility and ask clarifying questions if needed.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) near Han River Park in Seoul.
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 실례합니다. 질문 하나 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da. jil-mun ha-na hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me. May I ask a question? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 뭐 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-reom-yo. mwo do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, of course. How can I help you? -
Expression: A: 이 근처에 패들보드 빌리는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: i geun-cheo-e pae-deul-bo-deu bil-li-neun gos-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Is there a place nearby where I can rent paddleboards? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 저쪽 강변으로 쭉 가시면 수상 레저 센터가 있어요. 거기서 빌릴 수 있을 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. jeo-jjok gang-byeon-eu-ro jjuk ga-si-myeon su-sang le-jeo sen-teo-ga iss-eo-yo. geo-gi-seo bil-lil su iss-eul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. If you go straight along the riverside over there, there’s a water sports center. You should be able to rent one there. -
Expression: A: 여기서 많이 멀어요? 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: yeo-gi-seo man-i meol-eo-yo? geol-eo-seo gal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Is it very far from here? Can I walk there? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 별로 안 멀어요. 걸어서 한 10분 정도 걸릴 거예요. 저기 다리 보이는 쪽으로 가시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: B: a-ni-yo, byeol-lo an meol-eo-yo. geol-eo-seo han sip-bun jeong-do geol-lil geo-ye-yo. jeo-gi da-ri bo-i-neun jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: B: No, it’s not too far. It will probably take about 10 minutes walking. Just head towards that bridge you see over there. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다! 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: I understand! Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 네, 즐거운 시간 보내세요!
Pronunciation: B: ne, jeul-geo-un si-gan bo-nae-se-yo!
Meaning: B: You’re welcome, have a great time!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try saying these phrases out loud. Imagine you’re actually near a beach or river in Korea and need to find a paddleboard rental spot. Role-playing with a friend or language partner can be really helpful!
Listen carefully to the pronunciations provided, paying attention to the syllable breaks. You can also use online dictionaries or tools that offer audio pronunciations. Don’t be afraid to try using these phrases if you visit Korea – locals often appreciate the effort, even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect!
Focus on the core question first: 패들보드 어디서 빌릴 수 있어요? (pae-deul-bo-deu eo-di-seo bil-lil su iss-eo-yo?). Once you’re comfortable with that, add the related questions about price and availability. Good luck!
