Getting lost while hiking can be stressful, especially in unfamiliar territory. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for hikers who have lost their bearings and need to ask a stranger for a compass. Learning these expressions will help you seek assistance politely and effectively navigate your way back to safety.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 나침반 있으세요?
Pronunciation: na-chim-ban i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a compass? (Polite)
Explaining Your Situation
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Expression: 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. -
Expression: 길을 잃었어요.
Pronunciation: gil-eul il-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m lost. / I’ve lost my way. -
Expression: 제가 길을 잃은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: je-ga gil-eul il-eun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I’m lost. -
Expression: 방향 감각을 잃었어요.
Pronunciation: bang-hyang gam-gak-eul il-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve lost my sense of direction. / I’ve lost my bearings. -
Expression: 여기가 어디인지 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga eo-di-in-ji mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know where I am. -
Expression: 등산 중이었어요.
Pronunciation: deung-san jung-i-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I was hiking. -
Expression: 제 나침반을 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: je na-chim-ban-eul il-eo-beo-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my compass. -
Expression: 핸드폰 배터리가 나갔어요.
Pronunciation: haen-deu-pon bae-teo-ri-ga na-ga-sseo-yo.
Meaning: My phone battery died. -
Expression: 지도가 없어요.
Pronunciation: ji-do-ga eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t have a map. -
Expression: 혼자 등산하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: hon-ja deung-san-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am hiking alone.
Asking for Help with Directions
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Expression: 나침반 좀 빌릴 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: na-chim-ban jom bil-lil su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly borrow your compass? -
Expression: 나침반 좀 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: na-chim-ban jom bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I look at your compass? -
Expression: 방향을 확인해야 해요.
Pronunciation: bang-hyang-eul hwa-gin-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to check the direction. -
Expression: 북쪽이 어느 쪽이에요?
Pronunciation: buk-jjok-i eo-neu jjok-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Which way is north? -
Expression: 남쪽이 어느 쪽이에요?
Pronunciation: nam-jjok-i eo-neu jjok-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Which way is south? -
Expression: 동쪽이 어느 쪽이에요?
Pronunciation: dong-jjok-i eo-neu jjok-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Which way is east? -
Expression: 서쪽이 어느 쪽이에요?
Pronunciation: seo-jjok-i eo-neu jjok-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Which way is west? -
Expression: 등산로 입구가 어느 쪽인가요?
Pronunciation: deung-san-no ip-gu-ga eo-neu jjok-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Which way is the trail entrance? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 대피소가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un dae-pi-so-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest shelter? -
Expression: 도움을 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-um-eul ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help. -
Expression: 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you very much.
Useful Vocabulary
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Expression: 나침반
Pronunciation: na-chim-ban
Meaning: Compass -
Expression: 등산객
Pronunciation: deung-san-gaek
Meaning: Hiker -
Expression: 길
Pronunciation: gil
Meaning: Road, path, way -
Expression: 방향
Pronunciation: bang-hyang
Meaning: Direction -
Expression: 지도
Pronunciation: ji-do
Meaning: Map -
Expression: 북쪽
Pronunciation: buk-jjok
Meaning: North -
Expression: 남쪽
Pronunciation: nam-jjok
Meaning: South -
Expression: 동쪽
Pronunciation: dong-jjok
Meaning: East -
Expression: 서쪽
Pronunciation: seo-jjok
Meaning: West -
Expression: 등산로
Pronunciation: deung-san-no
Meaning: Hiking trail -
Expression: 대피소
Pronunciation: dae-pi-so
Meaning: Shelter -
Expression: 안전
Pronunciation: an-jeon
Meaning: Safety
Cultural Tips
When approaching a stranger for help in Korea, always start with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me). This shows respect and makes the person more receptive to helping.
Koreans generally appreciate preparedness, especially for activities like hiking. While people are often willing to help, admitting you are lost without essential gear like a compass or map might elicit some concern. Explain your situation calmly.
Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is a very popular activity in Korea. You are likely to encounter other hikers on trails, especially on weekends. Most hikers are friendly and willing to offer directions or assistance if they can.
If someone lends you their compass or helps you find your way, express your gratitude clearly with 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) or 정말 감사합니다 (jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you very much). A slight bow can also accompany your thanks.
While asking for a compass is specific, if you are truly lost and disoriented, asking for broader help like pointing towards the trail entrance (등산로 입구 – deung-san-no ip-gu) or the nearest shelter (대피소 – dae-pi-so) might be more practical.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A hiker (A) realizes they are lost on a mountain trail and approaches another hiker (B) for help.
Roles:
A: Lost Hiker
B: Helpful Hiker
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Expression: A: 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Excuse me. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. mu-seun il-i-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. What can I help you with? -
Expression: A: 죄송하지만, 제가 길을 잃은 것 같아요. 방향 감각을 완전히 잃었어요.
Pronunciation: A: joe-song-ha-ji-man, je-ga gil-eul il-eun geot ga-ta-yo. bang-hyang gam-gak-eul wan-jeon-hi il-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’m sorry, but I think I’m lost. I’ve completely lost my sense of direction. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-se-yo? gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? Are you okay? -
Expression: A: 네, 괜찮아요. 혹시 나침반 가지고 계세요? 제 것을 잃어버려서요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo. hok-si na-chim-ban ga-ji-go gye-se-yo? je geo-seul il-eo-beo-ryeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, I’m okay. Do you happen to have a compass? I lost mine. -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있어요. 잠깐 보세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeo-gi i-sseo-yo. jam-kkan bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, here it is. Take a look for a moment. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 북쪽이 어느 쪽인지 확인해야 해요.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! buk-jjok-i eo-neu jjok-in-ji hwa-gin-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you! I need to check which way is north. -
Expression: B: 이쪽이 북쪽이에요. 등산로 입구로 가시려면 저쪽으로 가셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: B: i-jjok-i buk-jjok-i-e-yo. deung-san-no ip-gu-ro ga-si-ryeo-myeon jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: B: This way is north. If you want to go to the trail entrance, you need to go that way. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 정말 감사합니다. 도움 주셔서 정말 다행이에요.
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reot-gun-yo. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da. do-um ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal da-haeng-i-e-yo.
Meaning: A: Ah, I see. Thank you so much. I’m so relieved you could help. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 안전하게 내려가세요!
Pronunciation: B: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. an-jeon-ha-ge nae-ryeo-ga-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Don’t mention it. Get down safely!
Practice Tips
Memorizing these phrases is the first step! Try practicing them out loud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Imagine yourself in the situation of being lost and needing help. Role-playing with a friend or language partner can be very effective!
Review the vocabulary for directions (north, south, east, west) and key items (compass, map, trail). Knowing these words will make your requests clearer. Don’t forget the importance of politeness markers like 실례합니다 and 감사합니다!
While hopefully you won’t actually get lost, being prepared with these phrases can give you confidence when hiking or exploring unfamiliar areas in Korea. Stay safe and happy learning!
