Planning a weekend getaway often involves discussing options, especially when choosing the perfect beach for swimming. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for debating beach destinations with a partner or friend. Learn how to suggest locations, describe beach characteristics, express preferences, and ultimately decide where to enjoy the sun and sea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이번 주말에 어느 해수욕장 갈까?
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e eo-neu hae-su-yok-jang gal-kka?
Meaning: Which beach should we go to this weekend? (A common way to start the discussion)
Basic Phrases for Planning
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Expression: 주말에 수영하러 갈래?
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e su-yeong-ha-reo gal-lae?
Meaning: Do you want to go swimming this weekend? -
Expression: 어디 가고 싶어?
Pronunciation: eo-di ga-go sip-eo?
Meaning: Where do you want to go? -
Expression: 해운대 어때?
Pronunciation: hae-un-dae eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about Haeundae Beach? -
Expression: 속초 해수욕장도 괜찮을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: sok-cho hae-su-yok-jang-do gwaen-chan-eul geot gat-a.
Meaning: Sokcho Beach seems like it would be okay too. -
Expression: 거기는 너무 멀지 않아?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun neo-mu meol-ji an-a?
Meaning: Isn’t that too far? -
Expression: 좀 더 가까운 곳은 없어?
Pronunciation: jom deo ga-kka-un gos-eun eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there somewhere closer? -
Expression: 그래, 거기로 가자.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, geo-gi-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s go there. -
Expression: 다른 데 찾아볼까?
Pronunciation: da-reun de cha-ja-bol-kka?
Meaning: Should we look for another place? -
Expression: 언제 출발할까?
Pronunciation: eon-je chul-bal-hal-kka?
Meaning: When should we leave? -
Expression: 숙소는 예약했어?
Pronunciation: suk-so-neun ye-yak-haess-eo?
Meaning: Did you book accommodation? -
Expression: 날씨 확인해 봤어?
Pronunciation: nal-ssi hwa-gin-hae bwass-eo?
Meaning: Did you check the weather? -
Expression: 이번 주말 날씨 좋대.
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal nal-ssi jo-tae.
Meaning: They say the weather will be good this weekend.
Describing Beaches
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Expression: 그 해변은 물이 깨끗해.
Pronunciation: geu hae-byeon-eun mul-i kkae-kkeut-hae.
Meaning: The water at that beach is clean. -
Expression: 모래사장이 넓어.
Pronunciation: mo-rae-sa-jang-i neolb-eo.
Meaning: The sandy beach is wide. -
Expression: 사람이 너무 많을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-i neo-mu man-eul geot gat-a.
Meaning: I think there will be too many people. -
Expression: 거기는 파도가 잔잔해서 수영하기 좋아.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun pa-do-ga jan-jan-hae-seo su-yeong-ha-gi jo-a.
Meaning: The waves there are calm, so it’s good for swimming. -
Expression: 경치가 정말 아름다워.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal a-reum-da-wo.
Meaning: The scenery is really beautiful. -
Expression: 주변에 맛집이 많아?
Pronunciation: ju-byeon-e mat-jib-i man-a?
Meaning: Are there many good restaurants nearby? -
Expression: 좀 더 조용한 해변은 없어?
Pronunciation: jom deo jo-yong-han hae-byeon-eun eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there a quieter beach? -
Expression: 서핑하기 좋은 파도가 있대.
Pronunciation: seo-ping-ha-gi jo-eun pa-do-ga it-dae.
Meaning: They say there are good waves for surfing. -
Expression: 물이 얕아서 아이들이 놀기 좋아.
Pronunciation: mul-i yat-a-seo a-i-deul-i nol-gi jo-a.
Meaning: The water is shallow, so it’s good for kids to play. -
Expression: 그 해변은 자갈 해변이야.
Pronunciation: geu hae-byeon-eun ja-gal hae-byeon-i-ya.
Meaning: That beach is a pebble beach. -
Expression: 시설이 잘 되어 있어? (샤워실, 탈의실 등)
Pronunciation: si-seol-i jal doe-eo iss-eo? (sya-wo-sil, tal-ui-sil deung)
Meaning: Are the facilities good? (Shower rooms, changing rooms, etc.) -
Expression: 주차하기 편해?
Pronunciation: ju-cha-ha-gi pyeon-hae?
Meaning: Is it easy to park?
Expressing Preferences
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Expression: 나는 사람 많은 곳은 싫어.
Pronunciation: na-neun sa-ram man-eun gos-eun sil-eo.
Meaning: I don’t like crowded places. -
Expression: 나는 조용하고 한적한 해변이 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun jo-yong-ha-go han-jeok-han hae-byeon-i jo-a.
Meaning: I like quiet and secluded beaches. -
Expression: 수영하기 좋은 곳으로 가고 싶어.
Pronunciation: su-yeong-ha-gi jo-eun gos-eu-ro ga-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to go somewhere good for swimming. -
Expression: 깨끗한 물이 제일 중요해.
Pronunciation: kkae-kkeut-han mul-i je-il jung-yo-hae.
Meaning: Clean water is the most important thing. -
Expression: 나는 모래사장보다 자갈 해변이 더 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun mo-rae-sa-jang-bo-da ja-gal hae-byeon-i deo jo-a.
Meaning: I prefer pebble beaches over sandy beaches. -
Expression: 해변에서 그냥 쉬고 싶어.
Pronunciation: hae-byeon-e-seo geu-nyang swi-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I just want to relax on the beach. -
Expression: 나는 액티비티 할 수 있는 곳이 좋아.
Pronunciation: na-neun aek-ti-bi-ti hal su it-neun gos-i jo-a.
Meaning: I like places where I can do activities. -
Expression: 가까운 곳이 좋겠어. 운전하기 힘들어.
Pronunciation: ga-kka-un gos-i jo-kess-eo. un-jeon-ha-gi him-deul-eo.
Meaning: A nearby place would be good. Driving is tiring. -
Expression: 나는 어디든 상관없어.
Pronunciation: na-neun eo-di-deun sang-gwan-eop-seo.
Meaning: I don’t mind going anywhere. / Anywhere is fine with me. -
Expression: 네가 가고 싶은 곳으로 가자.
Pronunciation: ne-ga ga-go sip-eun gos-eu-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go where you want to go. -
Expression: 이번에는 좀 새로운 곳에 가보고 싶어.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e-neun jom sae-ro-un gos-e ga-bo-go sip-eo.
Meaning: I want to try going somewhere new this time. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 곳이었으면 좋겠어.
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun gos-i-eoss-eu-myeon jo-kess-eo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a good place for taking pictures.
Korean Culture Notes
Peak Season Crowds: Korean beaches, especially popular ones like Haeundae in Busan or those on the East Coast (동해, dong-hae), get extremely crowded during the peak summer months (late July to mid-August). Expect large crowds, traffic jams, and potentially higher prices for accommodation and rentals.
Beach Etiquette: While swimwear is standard, Koreans tend to be slightly more conservative than in some Western countries. Many people, especially women, wear rash guards or t-shirts over their swimsuits, partly for sun protection and partly for modesty. Public displays of affection are generally more subdued.
Parasol Rentals: Renting large beach umbrellas or parasols (파라솔, pa-ra-sol) is very common and almost essential for shade. Designated areas often have vendors renting parasols and beach mats (돗자리, dot-ja-ri).
Food Culture: Many beaches have nearby restaurants serving fresh seafood (회, hoe – raw fish; 조개구이, jo-gae-gu-i – grilled shellfish). Ordering food delivery (like chicken and beer – 치맥, chi-maek) directly to the beach is also a popular option.
East Sea vs. West Sea vs. South Sea: Beaches on the East Sea (동해, Donghae) are known for clearer, deeper blue water and sandy shores (e.g., Sokcho, Gangneung). West Sea (서해, Seohae) beaches often have shallower water and mudflats, making them popular for clam digging (e.g., Daecheon). South Sea (남해, Namhae) beaches offer beautiful island scenery (e.g., Jeju, Geoje).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are deciding which beach to visit for a weekend swim.
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Expression: A: 소라야, 이번 주말에 수영하러 갈까? 어느 해수욕장 가고 싶어?
Pronunciation: so-ra-ya, i-beon ju-mal-e su-yeong-ha-reo gal-kka? eo-neu hae-su-yok-jang ga-go sip-eo?
Meaning: Sora, should we go swimming this weekend? Which beach do you want to go to? -
Expression: B: 좋아! 음… 동해 쪽으로 가고 싶어. 물 깨끗한 곳으로.
Pronunciation: jo-a! eum… dong-hae jjok-eu-ro ga-go sip-eo. mul kkae-kkeut-han gos-eu-ro.
Meaning: Sounds good! Hmm… I want to go towards the East Sea. Somewhere with clean water. -
Expression: A: 그럼 속초나 강릉 어때? 속초는 사람이 너무 많으려나?
Pronunciation: geu-reom sok-cho-na gang-neung eo-ttae? sok-cho-neun sa-ram-i neo-mu man-eu-ryeo-na?
Meaning: Then how about Sokcho or Gangneung? I wonder if Sokcho will have too many people? -
Expression: B: 맞아, 주말이라 속초는 붐빌 것 같아. 강릉 경포 해변은 어때? 거기도 사람 많겠지만…
Pronunciation: maj-a, ju-mal-i-ra sok-cho-neun bum-bil geot gat-a. gang-neung gyeong-po hae-byeon-eun eo-ttae? geo-gi-do sa-ram man-ket-ji-man…
Meaning: Right, since it’s the weekend, Sokcho will probably be crowded. How about Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung? It’ll probably have many people too, but… -
Expression: A: 경포 좋지! 모래사장도 넓고 주변에 카페도 많잖아. 근데 좀 멀긴 하다.
Pronunciation: gyeong-po jo-chi! mo-rae-sa-jang-do neolb-go ju-byeon-e ka-pe-do man-jan-a. geun-de jom meol-gin ha-da.
Meaning: Gyeongpo is good! The sandy beach is wide and there are lots of cafes nearby. But it is a bit far. -
Expression: B: 좀 더 가까운 곳? 서해는 어때? 대천 해수욕장?
Pronunciation: jom deo ga-kka-un got? seo-hae-neun eo-ttae? dae-cheon hae-su-yok-jang?
Meaning: Somewhere closer? How about the West Sea? Daecheon Beach? -
Expression: A: 대천은 물이 동해만큼 맑지는 않잖아. 나는 깨끗한 물에서 수영하고 싶은데…
Pronunciation: dae-cheon-eun mul-i dong-hae-man-keum mak-ji-neun an-jan-a. na-neun kkae-kkeut-han mul-e-seo su-yeong-ha-go sip-eun-de…
Meaning: The water at Daecheon isn’t as clear as the East Sea, right? I want to swim in clean water… -
Expression: B: 그럼 역시 강릉으로 갈까? 조금 멀어도 경치가 좋으니까 괜찮을 것 같아. 일찍 출발하면 되지!
Pronunciation: geu-reom yeok-si gang-neung-eu-ro gal-kka? jo-geum meol-eo-do gyeong-chi-ga jo-eu-ni-kka gwaen-chan-eul geot gat-a. il-jjik chul-bal-ha-myeon doe-ji!
Meaning: Then should we go to Gangneung after all? Even if it’s a bit far, the scenery is good, so I think it’ll be okay. We can just leave early! -
Expression: A: 그래! 좋아. 강릉 경포 해변으로 가자! 숙소 빨리 알아봐야겠다.
Pronunciation: geu-rae! jo-a. gang-neung gyeong-po hae-byeon-eu-ro ga-ja! suk-so ppal-li al-a-bwa-ya-get-da.
Meaning: Okay! Sounds good. Let’s go to Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung! I should quickly look for accommodation.
Practice Tips
Planning a trip is a great way to practice Korean! Try discussing potential beach destinations with a language partner or friend~ Ask about their preferences using phrases like 어디 가고 싶어? (eo-di ga-go sip-eo?) or 어떤 해변을 좋아해? (eo-tteon hae-byeon-eul jo-a-hae? – What kind of beach do you like?).
Look up famous Korean beaches online (like Haeundae, Gyeongpo, Hyeopjae) and practice describing them using the vocabulary you learned. You can even write a short paragraph comparing two beaches! The more you use these phrases in context, the more natural they will become. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
