Choosing the perfect spot for a weekend picnic with friends involves some discussion and decision-making. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary to help you navigate conversations about selecting a park, comparing options, and finalizing your picnic plans.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 어느 공원으로 갈까?
Pronunciation: eo-neu gong-won-eu-ro gal-kka?
Meaning: Which park should we go to? (Used when initiating the decision process)
Suggesting Parks
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Expression: 이번 주말에 소풍 가는 거 어때?
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e so-pung ga-neun geo eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about going on a picnic this weekend? -
Expression: 한강 공원 어때?
Pronunciation: han-gang gong-won eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about Han River Park? -
Expression: 서울숲도 괜찮을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: seo-ul-sup-do gwaen-chan-eul geot ga-ta.
Meaning: Seoul Forest seems like it would be okay too. -
Expression: 올림픽 공원은 어때? 거기 넓잖아.
Pronunciation: ol-lim-pik gong-won-eun eo-ttae? geo-gi neol-jan-a.
Meaning: What about Olympic Park? It’s spacious there. -
Expression: 좀 조용한 공원으로 가는 건 어때?
Pronunciation: jom jo-yong-han gong-won-eu-ro ga-neun geon eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about going to a quieter park? -
Expression: 경치 좋은 곳으로 가고 싶어.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi jo-eun go-seu-ro ga-go si-peo.
Meaning: I want to go somewhere with a good view. -
Expression: 우리 집에서 가까운 공원은 없어?
Pronunciation: u-ri jip-e-seo ga-kka-un gong-won-eun eop-seo?
Meaning: Isn’t there a park close to our place? -
Expression: 새로 생긴 공원 가볼까?
Pronunciation: sae-ro saeng-gin gong-won ga-bol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we try going to the newly opened park? -
Expression: 자전거 타기 좋은 공원은 어디야?
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo ta-gi jo-eun gong-won-eun eo-di-ya?
Meaning: Where is a good park for riding bicycles? -
Expression: 아이들이 놀기 좋은 공원 추천해줘.
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i nol-gi jo-eun gong-won chu-cheon-hae-jwo.
Meaning: Recommend a park that’s good for kids to play in.
Comparing Parks
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Expression: 거기는 주말에 사람이 너무 많지 않아?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun ju-mal-e sa-ram-i neo-mu man-chi an-a?
Meaning: Isn’t that place too crowded on weekends? -
Expression: 한강 공원은 좋은데 좀 멀어.
Pronunciation: han-gang gong-won-eun jo-eun-de jom meo-reo.
Meaning: Han River Park is nice, but it’s a bit far. -
Expression: 서울숲은 지하철역에서 가까워서 좋아.
Pronunciation: seo-ul-sup-eun ji-ha-cheol-yeok-e-seo ga-kka-wo-seo jo-a.
Meaning: Seoul Forest is good because it’s close to the subway station. -
Expression: 그 공원은 편의 시설이 잘 되어 있어?
Pronunciation: geu gong-won-eun pyeon-ui si-seol-i jal doe-eo i-sseo?
Meaning: Does that park have good amenities/facilities? -
Expression: 어디가 더 조용할까?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ga deo jo-yong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Which place would be quieter? -
Expression: 돗자리 펼 만한 그늘이 있을까?
Pronunciation: dot-ja-ri pyeol man-han geu-neul-i i-sseul-kka?
Meaning: Will there be shade to spread out a picnic mat? -
Expression: 두 공원 다 장단점이 있네.
Pronunciation: du gong-won da jang-dan-jeom-i it-ne.
Meaning: Both parks have their pros and cons. -
Expression: 거기 주차하기는 편해?
Pronunciation: geo-gi ju-cha-ha-gi-neun pyeon-hae?
Meaning: Is it convenient to park there? -
Expression: 어느 공원이 더 넓어?
Pronunciation: eo-neu gong-won-i deo neol-beo?
Meaning: Which park is bigger? -
Expression: 사진 찍기에는 어디가 더 좋을까?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi-e-neun eo-di-ga deo jo-eul-kka?
Meaning: Which place would be better for taking photos?
Making the Decision
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Expression: 그럼 서울숲으로 갈까?
Pronunciation: geu-reom seo-ul-sup-eu-ro gal-kka?
Meaning: Then, shall we go to Seoul Forest? -
Expression: 좋아, 거기 가자.
Pronunciation: jo-a, geo-gi ga-ja.
Meaning: Okay, let’s go there. -
Expression: 나는 어디든 괜찮아.
Pronunciation: na-neun eo-di-deun gwaen-chan-a.
Meaning: Anywhere is fine with me. -
Expression: 네가 정해.
Pronunciation: ne-ga jeong-hae.
Meaning: You decide. -
Expression: 이번에는 한강 공원으로 가보자.
Pronunciation: i-beon-e-neun han-gang gong-won-eu-ro ga-bo-ja.
Meaning: Let’s try going to Han River Park this time. -
Expression: 결정했어! 올림픽 공원으로 가자.
Pronunciation: gyeol-jeong-hae-sseo! ol-lim-pik gong-won-eu-ro ga-ja.
Meaning: I’ve decided! Let’s go to Olympic Park. -
Expression: 그래, 거기가 제일 좋겠다.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, geo-gi-ga je-il jo-ket-da.
Meaning: Right, that place seems the best. -
Expression: 다른 데는 다음에 가고 이번엔 여기로 하자.
Pronunciation: da-reun de-neun da-eum-e ga-go i-beon-en yeo-gi-ro ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s go somewhere else next time, and go here this time. -
Expression: 최종 결정은 이걸로 하자.
Pronunciation: choe-jong gyeol-jeong-eun i-geol-lo ha-ja.
Meaning: Let’s make this the final decision. -
Expression: 다수결로 정할까?
Pronunciation: da-su-gyeol-lo jeong-hal-kka?
Meaning: Shall we decide by majority vote?
Planning Picnic Details
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Expression: 몇 시에 만날까?
Pronunciation: myeot si-e man-nal-kka?
Meaning: What time should we meet? -
Expression: 점심쯤 만나는 게 어때?
Pronunciation: jeom-sim-jjeum man-na-neun ge eo-ttae?
Meaning: How about meeting around lunchtime? -
Expression: 뭐 먹을까? 김밥 싸갈까?
Pronunciation: mwo meo-geul-kka? gim-bap ssa-gal-kka?
Meaning: What should we eat? Shall we pack kimbap? -
Expression: 치킨 시켜 먹자!
Pronunciation: chi-kin si-kyeo meok-ja!
Meaning: Let’s order chicken! -
Expression: 내가 돗자리 가져갈게.
Pronunciation: nae-ga dot-ja-ri ga-jyeo-gal-ge.
Meaning: I’ll bring the picnic mat. -
Expression: 음료수는 네가 사와.
Pronunciation: eum-nyo-su-neun ne-ga sa-wa.
Meaning: You buy the drinks. -
Expression: 과자도 좀 가져가자.
Pronunciation: gwa-ja-do jom ga-jyeo-ga-ja.
Meaning: Let’s bring some snacks too. -
Expression: 날씨 확인해 봤어?
Pronunciation: nal-ssi hwa-gin-hae bwa-sseo?
Meaning: Have you checked the weather? -
Expression: 비 오면 어떡하지?
Pronunciation: bi o-myeon eo-tteo-ka-ji?
Meaning: What should we do if it rains? -
Expression: 각자 먹을 거 조금씩 준비해 올까?
Pronunciation: gak-ja meo-geul geo jo-geum-ssik jun-bi-hae ol-kka?
Meaning: Shall we each prepare a little bit of food to bring? -
Expression: 공원에서 만나? 아니면 같이 갈까?
Pronunciation: gong-won-e-seo man-na? a-ni-myeon ga-chi gal-kka?
Meaning: Should we meet at the park? Or go together?
Korean Culture Notes
Picnicking (소풍 – so-pung) is a very popular leisure activity in Korea, especially during spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant. Large parks like Han River Park (한강 공원 – Han-gang Gong-won), Seoul Forest (서울숲 – Seo-ul-sup), and Olympic Park (올림픽 공원 – Ol-lim-pik Gong-won) are common destinations.
Typical picnic food often includes homemade 김밥 (gim-bap – seaweed rice rolls) and 도시락 (do-si-rak – packed lunch boxes). However, ordering food delivery, especially fried chicken (치킨 – chi-kin) and pizza (피자 – pi-ja), directly to the park is extremely common and convenient.
Essential items for a Korean picnic include a 돗자리 (dot-ja-ri – picnic mat). Renting small tents for shade is also popular in some larger parks. Remember to bring trash bags and clean up thoroughly after your picnic, as maintaining cleanliness in public spaces is highly valued.
Parks often have designated areas for picnicking. While enjoying your time, be mindful of noise levels, especially if near residential areas or other groups.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Mina and Jihoon, are texting to decide which park to go to for a picnic this Saturday.
Roles: A: Mina, B: Jihoon
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Expression: A: 지훈아, 이번 주 토요일에 날씨 좋대! 우리 소풍 갈까?
Pronunciation: ji-hun-a, i-beon ju to-yo-il-e nal-ssi jo-tae! u-ri so-pung gal-kka?
Meaning: Jihoon, they say the weather will be nice this Saturday! Shall we go for a picnic? -
Expression: B: 오, 좋아! 어디로 갈까? 한강 공원? 아니면 서울숲?
Pronunciation: o, jo-a! eo-di-ro gal-kka? han-gang gong-won? a-ni-myeon seo-ul-sup?
Meaning: Oh, sounds good! Where should we go? Han River Park? Or Seoul Forest? -
Expression: A: 음… 한강 공원은 좋은데 주말에 사람 너무 많을 것 같아. 서울숲은 어때?
Pronunciation: eum… han-gang gong-won-eun jo-eun-de ju-mal-e sa-ram neo-mu ma-neul geot ga-ta. seo-ul-sup-eun eo-ttae?
Meaning: Hmm… Han River Park is nice, but I think it’ll be too crowded on the weekend. How about Seoul Forest? -
Expression: B: 서울숲 괜찮지! 지하철역에서도 가깝고. 그늘도 많고.
Pronunciation: seo-ul-sup gwaen-chan-chi! ji-ha-cheol-yeok-e-seo-do ga-kkap-go. geu-neul-do man-ko.
Meaning: Seoul Forest is fine! It’s close to the subway station too. And there’s lots of shade. -
Expression: A: 좋아! 그럼 서울숲으로 가자. 몇 시쯤 만날까? 12시?
Pronunciation: jo-a! geu-reom seo-ul-sup-eu-ro ga-ja. myeot si-jjeum man-nal-kka? yeol-du-si?
Meaning: Okay! Then let’s go to Seoul Forest. Around what time should we meet? 12 o’clock? -
Expression: B: 그래, 12시 좋아. 뭐 가져갈까? 내가 돗자리 가져갈게.
Pronunciation: geu-rae, yeol-du-si jo-a. mwo ga-jyeo-gal-kka? nae-ga dot-ja-ri ga-jyeo-gal-ge.
Meaning: Okay, 12 o’clock is good. What should we bring? I’ll bring the picnic mat. -
Expression: A: 나는 김밥이랑 과일 좀 싸갈게. 음료수는 오는 길에 사자!
Pronunciation: na-neun gim-bap-i-rang gwa-il jom ssa-gal-ge. eum-nyo-su-neun o-neun gil-e sa-ja!
Meaning: I’ll pack some kimbap and fruit. Let’s buy drinks on the way! -
Expression: B: 완벽해! 그럼 토요일 12시에 서울숲 역에서 보자!
Pronunciation: wan-byeok-hae! geu-reom to-yo-il yeol-du-si-e seo-ul-sup yeok-e-seo bo-ja!
Meaning: Perfect! Then see you at Seoul Forest Station at 12 PM on Saturday!
Practice Tips
Try practicing these phrases with a friend or language partner! Role-play deciding on a place to go for a picnic or another activity~ You can start by suggesting two or three options and then discuss the pros and cons of each using the comparison phrases learned today.
Listen to how native speakers discuss plans in Korean dramas or variety shows. Pay attention to which park names come up often and how they express preferences! Don’t be afraid to mix and match phrases to create your own natural-sounding conversations. Have fun planning your next outing in Korean!
