Planning a museum visit in Korea requires knowing how to inquire about their operating times. This guide covers the essential Korean phrases you’ll need to ask about museum opening and closing hours, ensuring you can schedule your cultural explorations effectively. Learn the core question and related expressions to navigate museum visits smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most common way to ask about the general operating hours of a museum.
- Expression: 박물관 관람 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: Bang-mul-gwan gwal-lam shi-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the museum’s visiting hours? (Lit: How are the museum visiting hours?)
Basic Questions about Hours
Use these fundamental questions to inquire about opening, closing, and break times.
- Expression: 몇 시에 문 열어요?
Pronunciation: Myeot shi-e mun yeo-reo-yo?
Meaning: What time do you open? - Expression: 몇 시에 문 닫아요?
Pronunciation: Myeot shi-e mun da-da-yo?
Meaning: What time do you close? - Expression: 개관 시간이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: Gae-gwan shi-gan-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are the opening hours? (More formal) - Expression: 폐관 시간이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: Pye-gwan shi-gan-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are the closing hours? (More formal) - Expression: 마지막 입장은 몇 시까지예요?
Pronunciation: Ma-ji-mak ip-jang-eun myeot shi-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until what time is the last admission? - Expression: 점심시간 있어요?
Pronunciation: Jeom-shim-shi-gan iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a lunch break? - Expression: 휴식 시간이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: Hyu-shik shi-gan-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the break time? - Expression: 오늘 몇 시까지 해요?
Pronunciation: O-neul myeot shi-kka-ji hae-yo?
Meaning: Until what time are you open today? - Expression: 내일은 몇 시에 열어요?
Pronunciation: Nae-il-eun myeot shi-e yeo-reo-yo?
Meaning: What time do you open tomorrow? - Expression: 입장 마감 시간이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: Ip-jang ma-gam shi-gan-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the admission deadline? - Expression: 운영 시간이 어떻게 되죠?
Pronunciation: Un-yeong shi-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-jyo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours? (Slightly casual)
Understanding Responses
Listen for these phrases in the answers you receive about museum hours.
- Expression: 오전 9시부터 오후 6시까지입니다.
Pronunciation: O-jeon a-hop-shi-bu-teo o-hu yeo-seot-shi-kka-ji-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s from 9 AM to 6 PM. - Expression: 매주 월요일은 휴관입니다.
Pronunciation: Mae-ju wol-yo-il-eun hyu-gwan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: We are closed every Monday. - Expression: 마지막 입장은 폐관 1시간 전입니다.
Pronunciation: Ma-ji-mak ip-jang-eun pye-gwan han-shi-gan jeon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Last admission is 1 hour before closing. - Expression: 공휴일에는 정상 운영합니다.
Pronunciation: Gong-hyu-il-e-neun jeong-sang un-yeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We operate normally on public holidays. - Expression: 주말에는 연장 운영합니다.
Pronunciation: Ju-mal-e-neun yeon-jang un-yeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We have extended hours on weekends. - Expression: 오후 1시부터 2시까지 점심시간입니다.
Pronunciation: O-hu han-shi-bu-teo du-shi-kka-ji jeom-shim-shi-gan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Lunch break is from 1 PM to 2 PM. - Expression: 오늘은 오후 5시에 마감합니다.
Pronunciation: O-neul-eun o-hu da-seot-shi-e ma-gam-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We close at 5 PM today. - Expression: 특별 전시 기간에는 시간이 다릅니다.
Pronunciation: Teuk-byeol jeon-shi gi-gan-e-neun shi-gan-i da-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hours are different during special exhibition periods. - Expression: 홈페이지에서 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Hom-pe-i-ji-e-seo hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the website. - Expression: 오전 10시에 엽니다.
Pronunciation: O-jeon yeol-shi-e yeom-ni-da.
Meaning: We open at 10 AM. - Expression: 오후 7시에 닫습니다.
Pronunciation: O-hu il-gop-shi-e dat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We close at 7 PM.
Related Vocabulary
Knowing these words will help you understand information about museum visits.
- Expression: 박물관
Pronunciation: Bang-mul-gwan
Meaning: Museum - Expression: 미술관
Pronunciation: Mi-sul-gwan
Meaning: Art gallery/Art museum - Expression: 관람 시간
Pronunciation: Gwal-lam shi-gan
Meaning: Visiting hours - Expression: 운영 시간
Pronunciation: Un-yeong shi-gan
Meaning: Operating hours - Expression: 개관
Pronunciation: Gae-gwan
Meaning: Opening (of an institution) - Expression: 폐관
Pronunciation: Pye-gwan
Meaning: Closing (of an institution) - Expression: 입장료
Pronunciation: Ip-jang-nyo
Meaning: Admission fee - Expression: 무료 입장
Pronunciation: Mu-ryo ip-jang
Meaning: Free admission - Expression: 휴관일
Pronunciation: Hyu-gwan-il
Meaning: Closing day / Day off - Expression: 공휴일
Pronunciation: Gong-hyu-il
Meaning: Public holiday - Expression: 주중 / 평일
Pronunciation: Ju-jung / Pyeong-il
Meaning: Weekdays - Expression: 주말
Pronunciation: Ju-mal
Meaning: Weekend
Asking About Specific Days or Times
Use these phrases to inquire about hours on particular days or during holidays.
- Expression: 주말 관람 시간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: Ju-mal gwal-lam shi-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the visiting hours on weekends? - Expression: 공휴일에도 문 열어요?
Pronunciation: Gong-hyu-il-e-do mun yeo-reo-yo?
Meaning: Are you open on public holidays too? - Expression: 다음 주 월요일은 휴관인가요?
Pronunciation: Da-eum ju wol-yo-il-eun hyu-gwan-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you closed next Monday? - Expression: 야간 개장도 하나요?
Pronunciation: Ya-gan gae-jang-do ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also have nighttime openings? - Expression: 특별 전시회 시간은 따로 있나요?
Pronunciation: Teuk-byeol jeon-shi-hoe shi-gan-eun tta-ro it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there separate hours for the special exhibition? - Expression: 여름/겨울 방학 기간에는 시간이 다른가요?
Pronunciation: Yeo-reum/Gyeo-ul bang-hak gi-gan-e-neun shi-gan-i da-reun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are the hours different during the summer/winter vacation period? - Expression: 오늘 저녁 늦게까지 하나요?
Pronunciation: O-neul jeo-nyeok neut-ge-kka-ji ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you open late this evening? - Expression: 아침 일찍 열어요?
Pronunciation: A-chim il-jjik yeo-reo-yo?
Meaning: Do you open early in the morning? - Expression: 추석/설날 연휴에도 운영하나요?
Pronunciation: Chu-seok/Seol-nal yeon-hyu-e-do un-yeong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you operate during the Chuseok/Seollal holidays too? - Expression: 마지막 입장 시간 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: Ma-ji-mak ip-jang shi-gan jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the last admission time. - Expression: 평일과 주말 시간이 같은가요?
Pronunciation: Pyeong-il-gwa ju-mal shi-gan-i gat-eun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are the weekday and weekend hours the same?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can enhance your museum visits in Korea.
- Check Online First: Most museums in Korea have websites with detailed information about hours, admission fees, and closing days. It’s always a good idea to check online before visiting.
- Common Closing Day: Many museums and galleries in Korea are closed on Mondays. Always verify this, especially if planning a Monday visit.
- Public Holidays: Operating hours might change during major public holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) and Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving). Some places might close, while others might have special events or extended hours.
- Politeness is Key: When asking questions, using polite endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/-seumnida) is standard practice and shows respect.
- Last Admission Time: Pay attention to the ‘마지막 입장’ (majimak ipjang) or ‘입장 마감’ (ipjang magam) time. This is often 30 minutes to an hour before the actual closing time (폐관 시간 – pyegwan sigan).
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a sample interaction at a museum information desk.
Situation: A tourist approaches the information desk at a Korean museum to ask about the opening hours.
Roles:
* A: Tourist
* B: Museum Staff
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 박물관 관람 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Bang-mul-gwan gwal-lam shi-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Hello. What are the museum’s visiting hours? - Expression: B: 네, 저희 박물관은 오전 10시부터 오후 6시까지 운영합니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, jeo-hui bang-mul-gwan-eun o-jeon yeol-shi-bu-teo o-hu yeo-seot-shi-kka-ji un-yeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, our museum operates from 10 AM to 6 PM. - Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 혹시 마지막 입장은 몇 시까지예요?
Pronunciation: A, geu-reot-kun-yo. Hok-shi ma-ji-mak ip-jang-eun myeot shi-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Oh, I see. By any chance, until what time is the last admission? - Expression: B: 마지막 입장은 폐관 1시간 전인 오후 5시까지입니다.
Pronunciation: Ma-ji-mak ip-jang-eun pye-gwan han-shi-gan jeon-in o-hu da-seot-shi-kka-ji-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Last admission is until 5 PM, which is 1 hour before closing. - Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그리고 휴관일은 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: Al-get-seum-ni-da. Geu-ri-go hyu-gwan-il-eun eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: I understand. And when is the closing day? - Expression: B: 매주 월요일과 1월 1일은 휴관입니다.
Pronunciation: Mae-ju wol-yo-il-gwa il-wol il-il-eun hyu-gwan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: We are closed every Monday and on January 1st. - Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: Ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Okay, thank you! - Expression: B: 네, 즐거운 관람 되세요!
Pronunciation: Ne, jeul-geo-un gwal-lam doe-se-yo!
Meaning: You’re welcome, enjoy your visit!
Practice Tips
Now you have the essential phrases for asking about museum hours in Korean~! Try practicing these expressions out loud. You can role-play the conversation example with a friend or even practice asking yourself before you actually go to a museum in Korea. Remember to check the museum’s website too, just in case! Have fun exploring Korean culture!~
