Engaging in small talk is a great way to practice your Korean, especially in everyday settings like a cafe. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for a conversation between a barista and a customer discussing a new sculpture that has appeared in a nearby park, covering how to initiate the chat, describe the artwork, and share opinions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 공원에 새로 생긴 조각상
Pronunciation: gong-won-e sae-ro saeng-gin jo-gak-sang
Meaning: The new sculpture in the park
Starting the Conversation
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Expression: 안녕하세요, 주문하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo, ju-mun-ha-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Hello, would you like to order? -
Expression: 네, 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, a-me-ri-ka-no han jan ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, one Americano, please. -
Expression: 저기 공원에 새로 생긴 조각상 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi gong-won-e sae-ro saeng-gin jo-gak-sang bo-shyeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Did you see the new sculpture in the park over there? -
Expression: 네, 봤어요. 오늘 아침에 설치된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ne, bwass-eo-yo. o-neul a-chim-e seol-chi-doen geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I saw it. I think it was installed this morning. -
Expression: 아, 정말요? 흥미롭네요.
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? heung-mi-rop-ne-yo.
Meaning: Oh, really? That’s interesting. -
Expression: 창밖으로 보이는데, 꽤 크네요.
Pronunciation: chang-bak-keu-ro bo-i-neun-de, kkwae keu-ne-yo.
Meaning: I can see it from the window, it’s quite big. -
Expression: 네, 저도 방금 봤어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-do bang-geum bwass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I just saw it too. -
Expression: 어떤 모습인지 궁금하네요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteon mo-seub-in-ji gung-geum-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: I wonder what it looks like up close. -
Expression: 커피 나오면 한번 가까이 가봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: keo-pi na-o-myeon han-beon ga-kka-i ga-bwa-ya-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I should go take a closer look once my coffee is ready. -
Expression: 여기 자주 오세요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi ja-ju o-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you come here often? -
Expression: 네, 이 근처에서 일해요.
Pronunciation: ne, i geun-cheo-e-seo il-hae-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I work nearby. -
Expression: 날씨가 좋아서 공원에 사람이 많네요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga jo-a-seo gong-won-e sa-ram-i man-ne-yo.
Meaning: The weather is nice, so there are many people in the park.
Describing the Sculpture
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Expression: 조각상이 아주 현대적이네요.
Pronunciation: jo-gak-sang-i a-ju hyeon-dae-jeog-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: The sculpture looks very modern. -
Expression: 색깔이 아주 화려해요.
Pronunciation: saek-kkal-i a-ju hwa-ryeo-hae-yo.
Meaning: The colors are very vibrant. -
Expression: 모양이 독특한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: mo-yang-i dok-teuk-han geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: Its shape seems unique. -
Expression: 무엇을 표현한 걸까요?
Pronunciation: mu-eos-eul pyo-hyeon-han geol-kka-yo?
Meaning: I wonder what it’s supposed to represent? -
Expression: 재질이 금속인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jae-jir-i geum-sog-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: It looks like it’s made of metal. -
Expression: 크기가 생각보다 크네요.
Pronunciation: keu-gi-ga saeng-gak-bo-da keu-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s bigger than I thought. -
Expression: 공원 분위기랑 잘 어울리는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gong-won bun-wi-gi-rang jal eo-ul-li-neun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it fits well with the park’s atmosphere. -
Expression: 밤에 조명이 켜지면 더 멋있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: bam-e jo-myeong-i kyeo-ji-myeon deo meos-iss-eul geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I bet it will look even cooler at night when it’s lit up. -
Expression: 작가 이름이 궁금하네요.
Pronunciation: jak-ga i-reum-i gung-geum-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: I wonder who the artist is. -
Expression: 설명 표지판이 있는지 봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong pyo-ji-pan-i iss-neun-ji bwa-ya-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I should see if there’s an information plaque. -
Expression: 추상적인 작품인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: chu-sang-jeog-in jak-pum-in geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: It seems like an abstract piece. -
Expression: 멀리서도 눈에 띄네요.
Pronunciation: meol-li-seo-do nun-e ttui-ne-yo.
Meaning: It really stands out, even from a distance.
Sharing Opinions and Feelings
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Expression: 제 생각에는 아주 멋있어요.
Pronunciation: je saeng-gag-e-neun a-ju meos-iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: In my opinion, it’s very cool. -
Expression: 저는 개인적으로 마음에 들어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun gae-in-jeog-eu-ro ma-eum-e deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: Personally, I like it. -
Expression: 아직 잘 모르겠어요. 좀 더 봐야 할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-jik jal mo-reu-gess-eo-yo. jom deo bwa-ya hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure yet. I think I need to look at it more. -
Expression: 조금 이상하게 생겼다고 생각해요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum i-sang-ha-ge saeng-gyeoss-da-go saeng-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: I think it looks a little strange. -
Expression: 공원에 활기를 더해주는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gong-won-e hwal-gi-reul deo-hae-ju-neun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it adds vitality to the park. -
Expression: 이런 예술 작품이 있는 게 좋네요.
Pronunciation: i-reon ye-sul jak-pum-i iss-neun ge jon-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s nice that there’s this kind of artwork here. -
Expression: 사람들의 반응이 궁금해요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-ui ban-eung-i gung-geum-hae-yo.
Meaning: I’m curious about people’s reactions. -
Expression: 좋은 변화라고 생각해요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun byeon-hwa-ra-go saeng-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: I think it’s a good change. -
Expression: 아이들이 좋아할 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i jo-a-hal geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think children will like it. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 장소가 되겠어요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun jang-so-ga doe-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It will become a good spot for taking photos. -
Expression: 어떻게 생각하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What do you think? -
Expression: 저는 긍정적으로 봐요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun geung-jeong-jeog-eu-ro bwa-yo.
Meaning: I view it positively.
Korean Culture Notes
Cafe Culture: Cafes in Korea are more than just places to grab coffee; they are popular spots for studying, working, socializing, and relaxing. Many cafes have large windows overlooking streets or parks, making them ideal for observing local happenings.
Small Talk: While Koreans might seem reserved initially, friendly small talk with staff in local cafes, especially regulars, is common. Commenting on something new or interesting nearby, like a sculpture, is a natural conversation starter.
Public Art Appreciation: Korea invests significantly in public art, and you’ll often find sculptures, murals, and installations in parks, squares, and even subway stations. Discussing these pieces can be a good way to connect with locals about shared surroundings.
Expressing Opinions: When sharing opinions, Koreans often use softer language or phrases like “-인 것 같아요” (in geot gat-a-yo – “I think it seems…”) or “제 생각에는…” (je saeng-gag-e-neun… – “In my opinion…”) to sound less direct or assertive, especially when talking to someone they don’t know well.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (B) orders coffee from a barista (A) at a cafe overlooking a park where a new sculpture was recently installed.
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Expression: A: 어서 오세요. 무엇을 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: eo-seo o-se-yo. mu-eos-eul deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Welcome. What can I get for you? -
Expression: B: 따뜻한 라떼 한 잔 주세요. 저기 공원에 조각상 새로 생겼네요?
Pronunciation: B: tta-tteut-han ra-tte han jan ju-se-yo. jeo-gi gong-won-e jo-gak-sang sae-ro saeng-gyeonn-ne-yo?
Meaning: B: One hot latte, please. Oh, is that sculpture in the park new? -
Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 오늘 아침에 설치됐어요. 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, maj-a-yo. o-neul a-chim-e seol-chi-dwaess-eo-yo. bo-shyeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, that’s right. It was installed this morning. Did you see it? -
Expression: B: 네, 방금 봤어요. 모양이 아주 독특하네요. 무엇을 표현한 걸까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, bang-geum bwass-eo-yo. mo-yang-i a-ju dok-teuk-ha-ne-yo. mu-eos-eul pyo-hyeon-han geol-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, I just saw it. The shape is very unique. I wonder what it represents? -
Expression: A: 글쎄요, 저도 아직 잘 모르겠어요. 현대 미술 작품 같아요. 개인적으로는 꽤 멋있다고 생각해요.
Pronunciation: A: geul-sse-yo, jeo-do a-jik jal mo-reu-gess-eo-yo. hyeon-dae mi-sul jak-pum gat-a-yo. gae-in-jeog-eu-ro-neun kkwae meos-iss-da-go saeng-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: A: Hmm, I’m not sure either yet. It looks like a modern art piece. Personally, I think it’s quite cool. -
Expression: B: 네, 공원 분위기랑 잘 어울리는 것 같기도 하고요. 라떼 나오면 가까이 가서 봐야겠어요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gong-won bun-wi-gi-rang jal eo-ul-li-neun geot gat-gi-do ha-go-yo. ra-tte na-o-myeon ga-kka-i ga-seo bwa-ya-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it seems to fit the park’s atmosphere well too. I should go take a closer look when my latte is ready. -
Expression: A: 네, 라떼 금방 준비해 드릴게요! 3,500원입니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, ra-tte geum-bang jun-bi-hae deu-ril-ge-yo! sam-cheon-o-baeg-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ll prepare your latte right away! That’s 3,500 won.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try using these phrases next time you’re at a cafe in Korea or with Korean-speaking friends. Look around for interesting things like new buildings, posters, or events, and use them as conversation starters! You can practice describing objects and asking for opinions. Don’t be afraid to initiate small talk; it’s a fantastic way to improve your conversational skills and learn more about the local culture. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
