Discovering serene, lesser-known natural spots is a rewarding part of traveling. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists seeking directions to a specific location, like a beautiful hidden pond adorned with lily pads, by asking locals for help.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 수련 연못
Pronunciation: su-ryeon yeon-mot
Meaning: Lily pad pond (수련: water lily/lily pad, 연못: pond)
Asking for Directions
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Expression: 실례합니다. 말씀 좀 여쭐게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. mal-sseum jom yeo-jjul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. May I ask you something? -
Expression: 이 근처에 수련 연못이 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e su-ryeon yeon-mo-si eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is there a lily pad pond near here? -
Expression: 수련이 있는 연못을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: su-ryeo-ni it-neun yeon-mo-seul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a pond with lily pads. -
Expression: 혹시 숨겨진 연못을 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si sum-gyeo-jin yeon-mo-seul a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know of a hidden pond? -
Expression: 이 주소로 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: i ju-so-ro eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to this address? (If you have one) -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geo-reo-seo gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there? -
Expression: 여기서 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take from here? -
Expression: 길 좀 가르쳐 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gil jom ga-reu-chyeo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please show me the way? -
Expression: 지도를 보여주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-reul bo-yeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you show me on a map? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 연못이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un yeon-mo-si eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest pond?
Describing the Location
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Expression: 아름다운 연못이라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: a-reum-da-un yeon-mo-si-ra-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s a beautiful pond. -
Expression: 수련이 많이 피어있는 곳이에요.
Pronunciation: su-ryeo-ni ma-ni pi-eo-it-neun go-si-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a place where many lily pads are blooming. -
Expression: 조용하고 한적한 곳을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-ha-go han-jeo-kan go-seul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a quiet and secluded place. -
Expression: 사람들이 잘 모르는 곳 같아요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deu-ri jal mo-reu-neun got ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems like a place people don’t know well. -
Expression: 사진에서 봤는데 정말 예뻤어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ji-ne-seo bwan-neun-de jeong-mal ye-ppeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I saw it in a picture, and it was really pretty. -
Expression: 자연 경치가 좋은 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: ja-yeon gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun go-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a place with good natural scenery? -
Expression: 혹시 이름 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i-reum a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know its name? -
Expression: 작은 연못이에요.
Pronunciation: ja-geun yeon-mo-si-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a small pond. -
Expression: 숲 속에 있다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: sup so-ge it-da-go deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s inside a forest. -
Expression: 관광객이 별로 없는 곳이에요?
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-gae-gi byeol-lo eom-neun go-si-e-yo?
Meaning: Is it a place without many tourists?
Understanding Directions from Locals
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Expression: 이 길로 쭉 가세요.
Pronunciation: i gil-lo jjuk ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight down this road. -
Expression: 오른쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjo-geu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right. -
Expression: 왼쪽으로 가시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: oen-jjo-geu-ro ga-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: You should go left. -
Expression: 횡단보도를 건너세요.
Pronunciation: hoeng-dan-bo-do-reul geon-neo-se-yo.
Meaning: Cross the crosswalk. -
Expression: 여기서 10분 정도 걸려요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo sip-bun jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It takes about 10 minutes from here. -
Expression: 저기 보이는 건물 뒤에 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi bo-i-neun geon-mul dwi-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s behind that building you see over there. -
Expression: 잘 모르겠는데요.
Pronunciation: jal mo-reu-gen-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure / I don’t really know. (A possible response from a local) -
Expression: 아, 네. 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a, ne. al-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Ah, yes. I understand. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it one more time? -
Expression: 친절하게 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for kindly letting me know. -
Expression: 도와주셔서 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you so much for your help.
Cultural Tips
Approaching Locals: Always start with a polite greeting like 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo – Hello) and 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me). Koreans appreciate politeness, especially when asking for help.
Using Polite Language: Use the -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/-seumnida) endings for politeness when speaking to strangers, regardless of their age. This shows respect.
Be Specific but Patient: Clearly state what you are looking for (수련 연못 – su-ryeon yeon-mot). If the local doesn’t know, thank them politely (괜찮아요. 감사합니다 – gwaen-cha-na-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da – It’s okay. Thank you) and try asking someone else. Not everyone will know about hidden spots.
Showing Gratitude: Expressing thanks clearly (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da or 고맙습니다 – go-map-seum-ni-da) after receiving help is very important in Korean culture.
Understanding Hesitation: Some locals might seem hesitant, possibly due to language barriers or uncertainty about the location. A friendly demeanor and patience can go a long way.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) in a park area, hoping to find a specific hidden pond with lily pads they heard about.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 말씀 좀 여쭐게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. mal-sseum jom yeo-jjul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. May I ask you something? -
Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, go ahead. -
Expression: A: 제가 수련이 있는 작은 연못을 찾고 있는데요. 혹시 이 근처에 그런 곳 아세요?
Pronunciation: je-ga su-ryeo-ni it-neun ja-geun yeon-mo-seul chat-go it-neun-de-yo. hok-si i geun-cheo-e geu-reon got a-se-yo?
Meaning: I’m looking for a small pond with lily pads. Do you happen to know of such a place near here? -
Expression: B: 아, 수련 연못이요? 글쎄요… 아! 저쪽 숲길로 조금만 들어가면 작은 연못이 하나 있긴 해요. 수련이 있는지는 잘 모르겠네요.
Pronunciation: a, su-ryeon yeon-mo-si-yo? geul-sse-yo… a! jeo-jjok sup-gil-lo jo-geum-man deu-reo-ga-myeon ja-geun yeon-mo-si ha-na it-gin hae-yo. su-ryeo-ni it-neun-ji-neun jal mo-reu-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: Ah, a lily pad pond? Hmm… Oh! If you go just a little way down that forest path over there, there is a small pond. I’m not sure if it has lily pads, though. -
Expression: A: 숲길이요? 저쪽 말씀이신가요? 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sup-gi-ri-yo? jeo-jjok mal-sseu-mi-sin-ga-yo? geo-reo-seo gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A forest path? Do you mean over there? Can I walk there? -
Expression: B: 네, 저기 나무 많은 쪽으로 5분 정도만 걸어가면 보일 거예요. 길이 하나밖에 없어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-gi na-mu ma-neun jjo-geu-ro o-bun jeong-do-man geo-reo-ga-myeon bo-il geo-ye-yo. gi-ri ha-na-bak-ke eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, if you walk for about 5 minutes towards where there are many trees, you should see it. There’s only one path. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요! 정말 감사합니다! 한번 가볼게요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! han-beon ga-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Ah, I see! Thank you so much! I’ll try going there. -
Expression: B: 네, 조심히 다녀오세요. 예쁜 연못이면 좋겠네요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-sim-hi da-nyeo-o-se-yo. ye-ppeun yeon-mo-si-myeon jo-ken-ne-yo.
Meaning: Yes, be careful. I hope it’s a pretty pond.
Practice Tips
Finding hidden gems often requires asking locals! Don’t be shy~ Practice the initial greeting and the core question (이 근처에 수련 연못이 어디에 있나요?) until you feel comfortable saying it. Try describing what you’re looking for using phrases like 수련이 있는 (su-ryeo-ni it-neun – with lily pads) or 조용한 (jo-yong-han – quiet).
Listen carefully to the directions! Pay attention to words like 오른쪽 (o-reun-jjok – right), 왼쪽 (oen-jjok – left), 쭉 (jjuk – straight), and time estimates like 5분 (o-bun – 5 minutes). Even if you don’t find the exact spot, the interaction itself is great practice. Enjoy exploring Korea’s beautiful nature!
