Finding those perfect, quiet spots with beautiful views is a joy when traveling. This guide focuses on how a tourist can ask a local in Korean about finding a small jetty or breakwater offering a clear view of the horizon, a common desire when visiting coastal areas in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 방파제
Pronunciation: bang-pa-je
Meaning: Breakwater / Jetty (Often refers to structures built to protect the coast, which can sometimes be walked on for views.) -
Expression: 수평선
Pronunciation: su-pyeong-seon
Meaning: Horizon
Asking for Directions to a Jetty
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Expression: 실례합니다. 이 근처에 바다 경치 좋은 곳 있어요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. i geun-cheo-e ba-da gyeong-chi jo-eun got iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Is there a place with a good sea view near here? -
Expression: 수평선이 잘 보이는 작은 방파제가 어디에 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: su-pyeong-seon-i jal bo-i-neun ja-geun bang-pa-je-ga eo-di-e iss-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know where a small jetty with a good view of the horizon is? -
Expression: 저기 보이는 방파제까지 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi bo-i-neun bang-pa-je-kka-ji eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to that jetty I see over there? -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있는 거리인가요?
Pronunciation: geol-eo-seo gal su iss-neun geo-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it within walking distance? -
Expression: 이 근처에 전망 좋은 방파제가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e jeon-mang jo-eun bang-pa-je-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a jetty with a good view around here? -
Expression: 바다 쪽으로 걸어갈 수 있는 길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ba-da jjok-eu-ro geol-eo-gal su iss-neun gil-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a path I can walk towards the sea? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 방파제가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un bang-pa-je-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest jetty? -
Expression: 지도를 보여주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-reul bo-yeo-ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you show me on a map? -
Expression: 저쪽으로 가면 되나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I go that way? -
Expression: 여기서 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take from here?
Describing the View and Jetty
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Expression: 거기서 수평선이 잘 보여요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-seo su-pyeong-seon-i jal bo-yeo-yo?
Meaning: Can you see the horizon well from there? -
Expression: 경치가 정말 아름답네요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal a-reum-dam-ne-yo.
Meaning: The scenery is really beautiful. -
Expression: 조용히 바다를 볼 수 있는 곳을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi ba-da-reul bol su iss-neun gos-eul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a quiet place to watch the sea. -
Expression: 그 방파제는 안전한가요?
Pronunciation: geu bang-pa-je-neun an-jeon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is that jetty safe? -
Expression: 방파제 끝까지 걸어갈 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: bang-pa-je kkeut-kka-ji geol-eo-gal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk to the end of the jetty? -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 장소인가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun jang-so-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a good place for taking photos? -
Expression: 일몰/일출 보기 좋은 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: il-mol/il-chul bo-gi jo-eun gos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a good place to see the sunset/sunrise? -
Expression: 사람들이 많이 가는 곳이에요?
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i man-i ga-neun gos-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is it a place where many people go? -
Expression: 낚시하는 사람들이 있나요?
Pronunciation: nak-si-ha-neun sa-ram-deul-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there people fishing there? -
Expression: 바람이 많이 부나요?
Pronunciation: ba-ram-i man-i bu-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it very windy there?
Understanding Directions and Information
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: 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: 저쪽으로 가면 되는군요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon doe-neun-gun-yo.
Meaning: Oh, so I should go that way. -
Expression: 약 10분 정도 걸린다는 말씀이시죠?
Pronunciation: yak sip-bun jeong-do geol-lin-da-neun mal-sseum-i-si-jyo?
Meaning: You mean it takes about 10 minutes, right? -
Expression: 친절하게 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your kind explanation. -
Expression: 오른쪽 / 왼쪽
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok / oen-jjok
Meaning: Right side / Left side -
Expression: 똑바로 가세요.
Pronunciation: ttok-ba-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight. -
Expression: 길 건너편에 있어요.
Pronunciation: gil geon-neo-pyeon-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s across the street. -
Expression: 해변을 따라서 가세요.
Pronunciation: hae-byeon-eul tta-ra-seo ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go along the beach.
Korean Culture Notes
Coastal Walks: Many coastal towns in Korea have well-maintained walking paths (해안 산책로, hae-an san-chaek-ro) that often lead to scenic viewpoints, including jetties or breakwaters. Asking about these paths can lead you to great spots.
Safety First: While many jetties are accessible, always be mindful of safety, especially during high tides or bad weather. Some may be primarily for fishing or harbor access and might not be intended for casual strolling. Look for signs or ask locals if it’s safe (안전해요? an-jeon-hae-yo?).
Respect Local Activities: Jetties are often used by local fishermen. Be respectful of their space and equipment. Avoid disturbing them or getting in the way of their activities.
Horizon Views: Koreans appreciate scenic views (경치, gyeong-chi) and the sea (바다, ba-da). Asking about places with good views, especially of the horizon (수평선, su-pyeong-seon), is a common interest, and locals are often happy to share their favorite spots.
Asking for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask locals for directions or recommendations. While not everyone may speak English, using simple Korean phrases combined with gestures often works well. Showing appreciation (감사합니다, gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is always important.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) near a coastal village, hoping to find a nice spot to view the sea.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 제가 조용히 바다를 볼 수 있는 곳을 찾고 있는데요. 혹시 수평선이 잘 보이는 작은 방파제 같은 곳이 이 근처에 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. je-ga jo-yong-hi ba-da-reul bol su iss-neun gos-eul chat-go iss-neun-de-yo. hok-si su-pyeong-seon-i jal bo-i-neun ja-geun bang-pa-je ga-teun got-i i geun-cheo-e iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. I’m looking for a quiet place where I can watch the sea. Is there perhaps a small jetty or something similar nearby where you can see the horizon well? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 저쪽 해변 끝으로 가시면 작은 방파제가 하나 있어요. 거기서 보면 수평선이 아주 잘 보여요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. jeo-jjok hae-byeon kkeut-eu-ro ga-si-myeon ja-geun bang-pa-je-ga ha-na iss-eo-yo. geo-gi-seo bo-myeon su-pyeong-seon-i a-ju jal bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. If you go towards the end of the beach over there, there’s a small jetty. If you look from there, you can see the horizon very well. -
Expression: A: 아, 정말요? 걸어서 갈 수 있나요? 여기서 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? geol-eo-seo gal su iss-na-yo? yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? Can I walk there? How long will it take from here? -
Expression: B: 네, 걸어갈 수 있어요. 한 15분 정도 해변 따라 쭉 걸어가시면 돼요. 길 끝에 바로 보여요.
Pronunciation: ne, geol-eo-gal su iss-eo-yo. han sip-o-bun jeong-do hae-byeon tta-ra jjuk geol-eo-ga-si-myeon dwae-yo. gil kkeut-e ba-ro bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you can walk. Just walk straight along the beach for about 15 minutes. You’ll see it right at the end of the path. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요! 거기 안전하게 걸어갈 수 있는 곳이죠?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo! geo-gi an-jeon-ha-ge geol-eo-gal su iss-neun gos-i-jyo?
Meaning: I see! It’s a safe place to walk on, right? -
Expression: B: 네, 안전해요. 날씨 좋을 때는 산책하는 사람들도 많아요. 경치도 좋고요.
Pronunciation: ne, an-jeon-hae-yo. nal-ssi jo-eul ttae-neun san-chaek-ha-neun sa-ram-deul-do man-a-yo. gyeong-chi-do jo-ko-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s safe. When the weather is nice, many people take walks there too. The view is good as well. -
Expression: A: 자세히 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다! 가봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! ga-bwa-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you so much for the detailed information! I should go check it out.
Practice Tips
Finding these hidden gems often involves asking locals! Don’t be shy~ Try practicing the core question: “수평선이 잘 보이는 작은 방파제가 어디에 있는지 아세요?” (su-pyeong-seon-i jal bo-i-neun ja-geun bang-pa-je-ga eo-di-e iss-neun-ji a-se-yo?). Listen carefully to the directions – words like 저쪽 (jeo-jjok – that way), 오른쪽 (o-reun-jjok – right), 왼쪽 (oen-jjok – left), and 따라서 가세요 (tta-ra-seo ga-se-yo – go along) are key!
Use mapping apps alongside asking locals to confirm locations. Most importantly, enjoy the beautiful coastal views Korea has to offer! Happy exploring!
