Planning a weekend getaway often involves deciding on the perfect destination. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for discussing and debating which beach to visit, covering suggestions, preferences, descriptions, and making final arrangements for a sunny weekend trip.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 어느 해변에 갈까?
Pronunciation: eo-neu hae-byeon-e gal-kka?
Meaning: Which beach should we go to?
Suggesting and Asking Preferences
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Expression: 이번 주말에 바다 보러 갈래요?
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e ba-da bo-reo gal-lae-yo?
Meaning: Shall we go see the sea this weekend? -
Expression: 어디 가고 싶어요?
Pronunciation: eo-di ga-go sip-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where do you want to go? -
Expression: 해운대 어때요?
Pronunciation: hae-un-dae eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about Haeundae? -
Expression: 저는 조용한 해변이 더 좋아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun jo-yong-han hae-byeon-i deo jo-a-yo.
Meaning: I prefer a quiet beach. -
Expression: 혹시 가고 싶은 해변 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ga-go sip-eun hae-byeon iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there any beach you particularly want to go to? -
Expression: 동해 아니면 서해?
Pronunciation: dong-hae a-ni-myeon seo-hae?
Meaning: The East Sea or the West Sea? -
Expression: 가까운 곳으로 갈까요?
Pronunciation: ga-kka-un got-eu-ro gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we go somewhere nearby? -
Expression: 당신 생각은 어때요?
Pronunciation: dang-sin saeng-gak-eun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: What do you think? -
Expression: 그 해변은 너무 멀지 않아요?
Pronunciation: geu hae-byeon-eun neo-mu meol-ji an-a-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t that beach too far? -
Expression: 어떤 스타일의 해변을 선호해요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seu-ta-il-ui hae-byeon-eul seon-ho-hae-yo?
Meaning: What style of beach do you prefer? -
Expression: 전에 가봤던 곳 말고 새로운 곳 가볼까요?
Pronunciation: jeon-e ga-bwat-deon got mal-go sae-ro-un got ga-bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we try a new place instead of one we’ve been to before? -
Expression: 날씨 좋을 때 가기 좋은 해변 추천해주세요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi jo-eul ttae ga-gi jo-eun hae-byeon chu-cheon-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a good beach to visit when the weather is nice.
Describing Beaches
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Expression: 거기는 사람이 너무 많을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun sa-ram-i neo-mu man-eul geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think there will be too many people there. -
Expression: 그 해변은 물이 깨끗해요?
Pronunciation: geu hae-byeon-eun mul-i kkae-kkeut-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is the water clean at that beach? -
Expression: 좀 더 한적한 곳은 없을까요?
Pronunciation: jom deo han-jeok-han gos-eun eops-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t there a more secluded place? -
Expression: 거기는 경치가 아주 좋다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun gyeong-chi-ga a-ju jo-ta-go deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard the scenery there is very good. -
Expression: 수영하기 좋은 해변인가요?
Pronunciation: su-yeong-ha-gi jo-eun hae-byeon-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a good beach for swimming? -
Expression: 모래사장이 넓어서 좋아요.
Pronunciation: mo-rae-sa-jang-i neolb-eo-seo jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s nice because the sandy beach is wide. -
Expression: 주변에 맛집도 많아요?
Pronunciation: ju-byeon-e mat-jip-do man-a-yo?
Meaning: Are there many good restaurants nearby? -
Expression: 파도가 잔잔해서 아이들이 놀기 좋아요.
Pronunciation: pa-do-ga jan-jan-hae-seo a-i-deul-i nol-gi jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The waves are calm, so it’s good for children to play. -
Expression: 그곳은 서핑으로 유명해요.
Pronunciation: geu-gos-eun seo-ping-eu-ro yu-myeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: That place is famous for surfing. -
Expression: 주차하기 편한가요?
Pronunciation: ju-cha-ha-gi pyeon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it easy to park there? -
Expression: 해변 근처에 숙소 잡기 쉬워요?
Pronunciation: hae-byeon geun-cheo-e suk-so jap-gi swi-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it easy to find accommodation near the beach? -
Expression: 일몰이 아름다운 곳이에요.
Pronunciation: il-mol-i a-reum-da-un gos-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a place with beautiful sunsets.
Making Plans and Logistics
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Expression: 그럼 거기로 결정할까요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom geo-gi-ro gyeol-jeong-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Then shall we decide on that place? -
Expression: 좋아요, 거기 가요!
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo, geo-gi ga-yo!
Meaning: Okay, let’s go there! -
Expression: 언제 출발할까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je chul-bal-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: When should we leave? -
Expression: 차로 가면 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: cha-ro ga-myeon eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take by car? -
Expression: 우리 뭐 가져가야 해요?
Pronunciation: u-ri mwo ga-jyeo-ga-ya hae-yo?
Meaning: What should we bring? -
Expression: 수영복이랑 선크림 꼭 챙겨요.
Pronunciation: su-yeong-bok-i-rang seon-keu-rim kkok chaeng-gyeo-yo.
Meaning: Make sure to pack swimwear and sunscreen. -
Expression: 가서 뭐 할지 생각해 봤어요?
Pronunciation: ga-seo mwo hal-ji saeng-gak-hae bwat-eo-yo?
Meaning: Have you thought about what we’ll do when we get there? -
Expression: 해변에서 돗자리 깔고 쉬어요.
Pronunciation: hae-byeon-e-seo dot-ja-ri kkal-go swi-eo-yo.
Meaning: Let’s lay out a mat on the beach and relax. -
Expression: 근처에서 해산물 먹어요.
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e-seo hae-san-mul meok-eo-yo.
Meaning: Let’s eat seafood nearby. -
Expression: 토요일 아침 일찍 출발하는 게 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: to-yo-il a-chim il-jjik chul-bal-ha-neun ge jo-ket-eo-yo.
Meaning: It would be best to leave early on Saturday morning. -
Expression: 가는 길에 휴게소 들를까요?
Pronunciation: ga-neun gil-e hyu-ge-so deul-leul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we stop at a rest area on the way? -
Expression: 날씨 예보 확인해 봤어요?
Pronunciation: nal-ssi ye-bo hwa-gin-hae bwat-eo-yo?
Meaning: Have you checked the weather forecast?
Korean Culture Notes
Peak Season Crowds: Korean beaches, especially popular ones like Haeundae in Busan or those on the East Coast, get extremely crowded during the peak summer months (late July to mid-August). Expect lots of people, parasols covering the sand, and potentially higher prices for rentals and food.
Beach Etiquette: While swimwear is standard, Koreans tend to be slightly more conservative than in some Western cultures. Many people, especially women, wear rash guards or t-shirts over their swimsuits. Public displays of affection are generally more subdued.
Parasol Rentals: Renting large beach parasols (파라솔 – pa-ra-sol) and mats (돗자리 – dot-ja-ri) is very common and often necessary for shade, as natural shade can be limited. Prices are usually fixed per day.
Food Culture: Ordering food delivery (like fried chicken – 치킨 – chi-kin) directly to your spot on the beach is popular. Many beaches also have nearby seafood restaurants (횟집 – hwoet-jip) offering fresh catches.
West Sea vs. East Sea: The West Sea (서해 – seo-hae) is known for its mudflats and calmer, shallower waters, making it popular for families and clam digging. The East Sea (동해 – dong-hae) generally has clearer, deeper blue water and sandier beaches, better suited for swimming and viewing sunrises.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Minjun and Sora, are planning a weekend beach trip.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (민준)
- B: Sora (소라)
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Expression: A: 소라야, 이번 주말 날씨 좋다는데, 바다 갈까? 어느 해변이 좋을까?
Pronunciation: A: so-ra-ya, i-beon ju-mal nal-ssi jo-ta-neun-de, ba-da gal-kka? eo-neu hae-byeon-i jo-eul-kka?
Meaning: A: Sora, the weather’s supposed to be great this weekend. Shall we go to the beach? Which beach would be good? -
Expression: B: 좋아! 음… 강릉 경포 해변 어때? 물도 깨끗하고 젊은 사람들도 많잖아.
Pronunciation: B: jo-a! eum… gang-neung gyeong-po hae-byeon eo-ttae? mul-do kkae-kkeut-ha-go jeolm-eun sa-ram-deul-do man-jan-a.
Meaning: B: Sounds great! Hmm… How about Gyeongpo Beach in Gangneung? The water is clean and there are lots of young people. -
Expression: A: 경포 좋긴 한데, 주말이라 사람이 너무 많지 않을까? 좀 더 조용한 곳은 없어?
Pronunciation: A: gyeong-po jo-kin han-de, ju-mal-i-ra sa-ram-i neo-mu man-chi an-eul-kka? jom deo jo-yong-han gos-eun eops-eo?
Meaning: A: Gyeongpo is nice, but won’t it be too crowded since it’s the weekend? Isn’t there somewhere quieter? -
Expression: B: 그럼… 서해 쪽으로 가볼까? 태안에 있는 만리포 해수욕장은 어때? 거긴 좀 한적하다고 들었어.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom… seo-hae jjok-eu-ro ga-bol-kka? tae-an-e it-neun mal-li-po hae-su-yok-jang-eun eo-ttae? geo-gin jom han-jeok-ha-da-go deul-eoss-eo.
Meaning: B: Then… shall we try the West Sea? How about Mallipo Beach in Taean? I heard it’s a bit more secluded there. -
Expression: A: 만리포? 괜찮겠다! 거기 일몰도 예쁘다던데. 그럼 만리포로 갈까?
Pronunciation: A: mal-li-po? gwaen-chan-ket-da! geo-gi il-mol-do ye-ppeu-da-deon-de. geu-reom mal-li-po-ro gal-kka?
Meaning: A: Mallipo? That sounds good! I heard the sunset is beautiful there too. Shall we go to Mallipo then? -
Expression: B: 좋아! 그럼 토요일 아침 일찍 출발하자. 가서 조개구이도 먹고!
Pronunciation: B: jo-a! geu-reom to-yo-il a-chim il-jjik chul-bal-ha-ja. ga-seo jo-gae-gu-i-do meok-go!
Meaning: B: Okay! Let’s leave early Saturday morning then. Let’s eat grilled clams when we get there too! -
Expression: A: 콜! 수영복이랑 선크림 잊지 말고 챙겨~
Pronunciation: A: kol! su-yeong-bok-i-rang seon-keu-rim it-ji mal-go chaeng-gyeo~
Meaning: A: Deal! Don’t forget to pack your swimsuit and sunscreen~
Practice Tips
Planning a trip is a great way to use practical Korean! Try role-playing this conversation with a friend or study partner. Look up different famous Korean beaches (해수욕장 – hae-su-yok-jang) online and practice describing them using the phrases you learned. Think about your own preferences – do you like crowded (사람 많은 곳 – sa-ram man-eun got) or quiet (조용한 곳 – jo-yong-han got) beaches? Practice expressing those preferences in Korean. Have fun planning your imaginary (or real!) beach getaway!~
