Understanding traditional Korean music involves appreciating its unique rhythms, often played on distinctive drums. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists interested in asking vendors or performers about the specific rhythms (장단 – jangdan) of traditional Korean drums like the Janggu or Buk, enriching your cultural experience.
Table Of Content
Core Question
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Expression: 이 장단은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this rhythm (pattern)?
Asking About the Drum
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Expression: 이 악기 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i ak-gi i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this instrument? -
Expression: 이것은 전통 북인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun jeon-tong buk-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a traditional drum? -
Expression: 이 북은 어디에 사용돼요?
Pronunciation: i buk-eun eo-di-e sa-yong-dwae-yo?
Meaning: Where is this drum used? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 북이에요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui buk-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What kind of drum is it? -
Expression: 직접 쳐봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jik-jeop chyeo-bwa-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I try playing it myself? -
Expression: 이 북 소리가 정말 좋네요.
Pronunciation: i buk so-ri-ga jeong-mal jon-ne-yo.
Meaning: The sound of this drum is really nice. -
Expression: 이것은 장구예요?
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun jang-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is this a Janggu (hourglass drum)? -
Expression: 이것은 북이에요?
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun buk-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this a Buk (barrel drum)? -
Expression: 어떻게 연주하는 거예요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke yeon-ju-ha-neun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: How do you play it? -
Expression: 이 북은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i buk-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this drum?
Asking About the Rhythm (Jangdan)
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Expression: 지금 연주하시는 장단 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ji-geum yeon-ju-ha-si-neun jang-dan i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of the rhythm you are playing now? -
Expression: 이 장단은 어떤 느낌이에요?
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun eo-tteon neu-kkim-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What kind of feeling does this rhythm have? -
Expression: 이 리듬은 빠른가요, 느린가요?
Pronunciation: i ri-deum-eun ppa-reun-ga-yo, neu-rin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this rhythm fast or slow? -
Expression: 이 장단은 어떤 음악에 쓰여요?
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun eo-tteon eum-ag-e sseu-yeo-yo?
Meaning: What kind of music is this rhythm used in? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 장단도 보여주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun jang-dan-do bo-yeo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly show me another rhythm? -
Expression: 이 장단은 배우기 어려워요?
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun bae-u-gi eo-ryeo-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is this rhythm difficult to learn? -
Expression: 장단 좀 더 자세히 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jang-dan jom deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the rhythm in more detail? -
Expression: 이 장단은 어떤 의미가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun eo-tteon ui-mi-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this rhythm have any special meaning? -
Expression: 가장 기본적인 장단은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang gi-bon-jeog-in jang-dan-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most basic rhythm? -
Expression: 이 장단을 연주하는 것을 들어보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eul yeon-ju-ha-neun geos-eul deur-eo-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I would like to hear this rhythm being played.
Vendor’s Potential Responses
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Expression: 네, 이것은 전통 북입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-geos-eun jeon-tong buk-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, this is a traditional drum. -
Expression: 이것은 장구라고 합니다.
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun jang-gu-ra-go ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This is called a Janggu. -
Expression: 이 장단은 ‘휘모리’ 장단입니다.
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun ‘hwi-mo-ri’ jang-dan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This rhythm is the ‘Hwimori’ rhythm. (Hwimori is a fast rhythm) -
Expression: 이것은 매우 빠른 장단이에요.
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun mae-u ppa-reun jang-dan-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This is a very fast rhythm. -
Expression: 주로 사물놀이에 사용됩니다.
Pronunciation: ju-ro sa-mul-lo-ri-e sa-yong-dwem-ni-da.
Meaning: It is mainly used in Samulnori (traditional percussion music). -
Expression: 네, 한번 쳐보세요.
Pronunciation: ne, han-beon chyeo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, try playing it once. -
Expression: 이 장단은 신나는 느낌을 줍니다.
Pronunciation: i jang-dan-eun sin-na-neun neu-kkim-eul jum-ni-da.
Meaning: This rhythm gives an exciting feeling. -
Expression: 이것은 ‘굿거리’ 장단입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun ‘gut-geo-ri’ jang-dan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is the ‘Gutgeori’ rhythm. (Gutgeori is a common, moderately paced rhythm) -
Expression: 조금 느리고 흥겨운 장단이죠.
Pronunciation: jo-geum neu-ri-go heung-gyeo-un jang-dan-i-jyo.
Meaning: It’s a slightly slow and cheerful rhythm. -
Expression: 들어보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: deur-eo-bo-si-gen-na-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to listen?
Korean Culture Notes
Jangdan (장단): This term refers to the rhythmic patterns that form the foundation of traditional Korean music. Each Jangdan has a specific structure, tempo, and emotional character. Learning about Jangdan is key to understanding genres like Pansori (판소리), Samulnori (사물놀이), and folk music.
Common Drums: The most iconic Korean traditional drums include the Janggu (장구), an hourglass-shaped drum played with two different sticks creating distinct sounds, and the Buk (북), a barrel-shaped drum often used in folk music and Pansori, providing a deep, resonant beat.
Role in Performance: In traditional performances, the drum rhythm often dictates the pace and mood. For example, in Pansori, the drummer (Gosu – 고수) uses Jangdan to support the singer, adding emphasis and controlling the dramatic tension.
Experiencing Rhythms: Visiting traditional markets (시장 – sijang), folk villages (민속촌 – minsokchon), or attending cultural performances are great ways to hear these drums and rhythms live. Don’t hesitate to politely ask performers or vendors about what they are playing.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a vendor (B) demonstrating a Janggu drum at a traditional market.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 악기 소리가 정말 멋지네요. 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i ak-gi so-ri-ga jeong-mal meot-ji-ne-yo. i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. The sound of this instrument is really cool. What is its name? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 이것은 장구라고 합니다. 한국 전통 악기예요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. i-geos-eun jang-gu-ra-go ham-ni-da. han-guk jeon-tong ak-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. This is called a Janggu. It’s a traditional Korean instrument. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 지금 치시는 이 리듬은 뭐예요? 아주 신나는데요.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-kun-yo. ji-geum chi-si-neun i ri-deum-eun mwo-ye-yo? a-ju sin-na-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: I see. What is this rhythm you’re playing now? It’s very exciting. -
Expression: B: 이건 ‘휘모리’ 장단이에요. 아주 빠르고 경쾌한 느낌을 주죠. 주로 사물놀이 같은 신나는 음악에 많이 쓰여요.
Pronunciation: B: i-geon ‘hwi-mo-ri’ jang-dan-i-e-yo. a-ju ppa-reu-go gyeong-kwae-han neu-kkim-eul ju-jyo. ju-ro sa-mul-lo-ri ga-teun sin-na-neun eum-ag-e man-i sseu-yeo-yo.
Meaning: B: This is the ‘Hwimori’ rhythm. It gives a very fast and cheerful feeling. It’s often used in exciting music like Samulnori. -
Expression: A: 휘모리… 재미있네요. 다른 장단도 들어볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: hwi-mo-ri… jae-mi-in-ne-yo. da-reun jang-dan-do deur-eo-bol su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Hwimori… interesting. Could I possibly hear another rhythm? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 이건 ‘굿거리’ 장단인데, 조금 더 느리고 흥겨워요. 들어보세요. (Vendor plays Gutgeori rhythm)
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-yo. i-geon ‘gut-geo-ri’ jang-dan-in-de, jo-geum deo neu-ri-go heung-gyeo-wo-yo. deur-eo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Of course. This is the ‘Gutgeori’ rhythm, it’s a bit slower and more cheerful. Listen. (Vendor plays Gutgeori rhythm) -
Expression: A: 와, 느낌이 다르네요! 설명 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: wa, neu-kkim-i da-reu-ne-yo! seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Wow, the feeling is different! Thank you for the explanation!
Practice Tips
Listening is key! Try finding videos of Samulnori or Pansori performances online and listen for the different drum sounds and rhythms (Jangdan)~ Pay attention to how the tempo and patterns change!
Practice asking the core questions like “이 장단은 뭐예요?” (i jang-dan-eun mwo-ye-yo?) and “이 악기 이름이 뭐예요?” (i ak-gi i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?) out loud. Getting comfortable with these basics will make approaching someone much easier!
If you visit Korea, look for opportunities at cultural centers or markets where traditional music is played. Don’t be shy to use these phrases! Most performers and vendors appreciate genuine interest in Korean culture. Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
