Visiting Korea’s beautiful gardens is a wonderful experience, and knowing how to ask about specific plants, especially rare ones, can make your visit even more enriching. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists interacting with garden guides, focusing on inquiries about unique and uncommon flora found in famous Korean gardens.
Table Of Content
Key Phrase
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Expression: 희귀 식물
Pronunciation: hui-gwi sik-mul
Meaning: Rare plant (This is the core term you’ll use when asking about uncommon plants.)
Asking About Specific Plants
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Expression: 이 식물은 희귀종인가요?
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-eun hui-gwi-jong-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this plant a rare species? -
Expression: 이 꽃 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i kkot i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this flower? -
Expression: 이 나무는 어디서 왔어요?
Pronunciation: i na-mu-neun eo-di-seo wat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Where did this tree come from? (Origin) -
Expression: 이것도 희귀 식물이에요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-do hui-gwi sik-mul-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this also a rare plant? -
Expression: 이 식물에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain about this plant? -
Expression: 이 정원에서 가장 희귀한 식물은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i jeong-won-e-seo ga-jang hui-gwi-han sik-mul-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the rarest plant in this garden? -
Expression: 이 식물은 한국 고유종인가요?
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-eun han-guk go-yu-jong-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this plant endemic to Korea? -
Expression: 언제 꽃이 펴요?
Pronunciation: eon-je kkoch-i pyeo-yo?
Meaning: When does it bloom? -
Expression: 특별한 관리가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han gwan-ri-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Does it require special care? -
Expression: 이 식물의 특징은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-ui teuk-jing-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the characteristics of this plant?
Understanding the Guide’s Explanations
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Expression: 네, 이것은 매우 희귀한 식물입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-geos-eun mae-u hui-gwi-han sik-mul-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, this is a very rare plant. -
Expression: 이 식물은 [지역 이름]에서만 자랍니다.
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-eun [ji-yeok i-reum]-e-seo-man ja-ram-ni-da.
Meaning: This plant only grows in [Region Name]. -
Expression: 멸종 위기종으로 보호받고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: myeol-jong wi-gi-jong-eu-ro bo-ho-bat-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It is protected as an endangered species. -
Expression: 이 식물은 약용으로 사용됩니다.
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-eun yak-yong-eu-ro sa-yong-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: This plant is used for medicinal purposes. -
Expression: 독성이 있으니 만지지 마세요.
Pronunciation: dok-seong-i is-seu-ni man-ji-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: It’s poisonous, so please don’t touch it. -
Expression: 개화 시기는 [월]입니다.
Pronunciation: gae-hwa si-gi-neun [wol]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The blooming period is [Month]. -
Expression: 이 식물은 수백 년 된 나무입니다.
Pronunciation: i sik-mul-eun su-baek nyeon doen na-mu-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This plant is a tree that is hundreds of years old. -
Expression: 특별한 향기가 납니다.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han hyang-gi-ga nam-ni-da.
Meaning: It has a special fragrance. -
Expression: 자세한 정보는 안내판을 참고하세요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-han jeong-bo-neun an-nae-pan-eul cham-go-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please refer to the information sign for details. -
Expression: 이 정원의 상징적인 식물입니다.
Pronunciation: i jeong-won-ui sang-jing-jeog-in sik-mul-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is the symbolic plant of this garden.
General Garden Questions
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Expression: 이 정원은 언제 가장 아름다워요?
Pronunciation: i jeong-won-eun eon-je ga-jang a-reum-da-wo-yo?
Meaning: When is this garden most beautiful? -
Expression: 사진 찍어도 되나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-eo-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: May I take pictures? -
Expression: 식물을 만져도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: sik-mul-eul man-jyeo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to touch the plants? -
Expression: 이 정원의 역사가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: i jeong-won-ui yeok-sa-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the history of this garden? -
Expression: 가이드 투어는 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu tu-eo-neun eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does the guided tour take? -
Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-eun eo-di-e is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 기념품 가게가 있나요?
Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum ga-ge-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a souvenir shop? -
Expression: 이 근처에 다른 볼거리가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e da-reun bol-geo-ri-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other attractions nearby? -
Expression: 정원 지도를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jeong-won ji-do-reul bad-eul su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I get a map of the garden? -
Expression: 다음 투어는 언제 시작해요?
Pronunciation: da-eum tu-eo-neun eon-je si-jak-hae-yo?
Meaning: When does the next tour start?
Interacting with the Guide
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Expression: 저기요, 질문 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, jil-mun it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me, I have a question. -
Expression: 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the explanation. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, could you please say that again? -
Expression: 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak slowly. -
Expression: 영어로 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeong-eo-ro seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain in English? (Use if needed) -
Expression: 정말 흥미롭네요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal heung-mi-rom-ne-yo!
Meaning: That’s really interesting! -
Expression: 덕분에 많이 배웠습니다.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e man-i bae-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I learned a lot. -
Expression: 이 식물 이름 철자가 어떻게 돼요?
Pronunciation: i sik-mul i-reum cheol-ja-ga eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: How do you spell the name of this plant? -
Expression: 혹시 이 식물 사진 좀 찍어주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i sik-mul sa-jin jom jjik-eo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly take a picture of this plant for me? -
Expression: 가이드님, 잠시만요.
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, jam-si-man-yo.
Meaning: Guide, just a moment please.
Cultural Insights for Garden Visits
When visiting Korean gardens, especially those with rare or delicate plants, remember to be respectful. Avoid touching plants unless explicitly permitted, as many species can be sensitive or even harmful.
Stick to designated paths. Stepping off trails can damage fragile ecosystems and disturb the carefully maintained environment.
Maintain a quiet demeanor. Gardens are often places of tranquility and reflection in Korea. Speak softly and avoid loud noises to respect other visitors’ experiences.
Observe signage carefully. Information signs often contain important details about the plants and rules regarding photography or interaction.
Show appreciation to guides. A simple 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) goes a long way in showing respect for their knowledge and time.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is on a guided tour of a famous botanical garden in Korea and asks the guide (B) about a specific, unusual-looking flower.
Characters: A (Tourist), B (Guide)
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Expression: A: 가이드님, 저기 저 꽃 좀 보세요. 아주 특이하게 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, jeo-gi jeo kkot jom bo-se-yo. a-ju teu-gi-ha-ge saeng-gyeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: Guide, please look at that flower over there. It looks very unusual. -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 저것은 ‘복주머니란’이라고 하는 희귀 난초입니다.
Pronunciation: a, ne. jeo-geos-eun ‘bok-ju-meo-ni-ran’-i-ra-go ha-neun hui-gwi nan-cho-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, yes. That is a rare orchid called ‘Bokjumeoniran’ (Lady’s Slipper Orchid). -
Expression: A: 복주머니란이요? 정말 희귀 식물인가요?
Pronunciation: bok-ju-meo-ni-ran-i-yo? jeong-mal hui-gwi sik-mul-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Bokjumeoniran? Is it really a rare plant? -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 한국의 특정 산악 지역에서만 자생하는 멸종 위기종입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. han-guk-ui teuk-jeong san-ak ji-yeok-e-seo-man ja-saeng-ha-neun myeol-jong wi-gi-jong-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s correct. It’s an endangered species that only grows naturally in specific mountainous regions of Korea. -
Expression: A: 와, 그렇군요. 정말 아름답네요. 사진 찍어도 될까요?
Pronunciation: wa, geu-reo-kun-yo. jeong-mal a-reum-dam-ne-yo. sa-jin jjik-eo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Wow, I see. It’s truly beautiful. May I take a picture? -
Expression: B: 네, 사진은 괜찮습니다. 하지만 절대 만지지는 마세요. 아주 민감한 식물입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, sa-jin-eun gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da. ha-ji-man jeol-dae man-ji-ji-neun ma-se-yo. a-ju min-gam-han sik-mul-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, pictures are fine. But please absolutely do not touch it. It’s a very sensitive plant. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 설명 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. seol-myeong jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: I understand. Thank you so much for the explanation!
Practice Tips
Ready to explore Korea’s gardens?~ Try practicing these phrases beforehand! You can look up famous Korean botanical gardens online (like the Yeomiji Botanical Garden or the Garden of Morning Calm) and imagine asking about their unique plants. Watching nature documentaries about Korean flora can also help you get familiar with plant names and descriptions. Don’t be shy to use these expressions with guides during your visit – they often appreciate visitors’ interest in the local nature! Happy exploring!~
