Discovering serene locations to enjoy natural phenomena like the tide is a wonderful part of traveling. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists seeking recommendations from locals for quiet spots to observe the sea and its tides, ensuring you can find that perfect, peaceful viewpoint during your visit to Korea’s coastal areas.
Table Of Content
Core Question
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Expression: 조용히 바다를 볼 수 있는 곳 좀 추천해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi ba-da-reul bol su it-neun got jom chu-cheon-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please recommend a quiet place where I can watch the sea?
Asking for Recommendations
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Expression: 안녕하세요, 잠시 여쭤볼 게 있습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jam-si yeo-jjeo-bol ge it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I have something to ask you briefly. -
Expression: 실례지만, 길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ji-man, gil jom yeo-jjeo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, may I ask for directions? (Used politely to start an interaction) -
Expression: 이 근처에 경치 좋은 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e gyeong-chi jo-eun got-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place with a good view near here? -
Expression: 혹시 물때 보기 좋은 장소를 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si mul-ttae bo-gi jo-eun jang-so-reul a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know a good place to watch the tide? -
Expression: 사람들이 잘 모르는 조용한 해변이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i jal mo-reu-neun jo-yong-han hae-byeon-i it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps a quiet beach that people don’t know well? -
Expression: 관광객이 적은 곳을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-gaek-i jeo-geun got-eul chat-go it-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a place with few tourists. -
Expression: 어디로 가면 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro ga-myeon jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where would be a good place to go? -
Expression: 현지인들이 자주 가는 곳은 어디예요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-ji-in-deul-i ja-ju ga-neun got-eun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is a place that locals often go? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 장소가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han jang-so-ga it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any place you would recommend? -
Expression: 밀물/썰물을 잘 볼 수 있는 곳이요.
Pronunciation: mil-mul/sseol-mul-eul jal bol su it-neun go-si-yo.
Meaning: A place where I can see the high tide/low tide well.
Describing Preferences
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Expression: 저는 조용한 곳을 선호해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun jo-yong-han got-eul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer quiet places. -
Expression: 사람이 많지 않았으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-i man-chi a-nat-eu-myeon jo-ket-seo-yo.
Meaning: I hope there aren’t too many people. -
Expression: 한적한 분위기를 원해요.
Pronunciation: han-jeok-han bun-wi-gi-reul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a tranquil atmosphere. -
Expression: 경치가 아름다운 곳이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga a-reum-da-un go-si-myeon jo-ket-seo-yo.
Meaning: It would be nice if it’s a place with beautiful scenery. -
Expression: 앉아서 쉴 수 있는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: an-ja-seo swil su it-neun got-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place where I can sit and rest? -
Expression: 바다를 가까이에서 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ba-da-reul ga-kka-i-e-seo bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see the sea up close. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 곳이면 더 좋아요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun go-si-myeon deo jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s even better if it’s a good place for taking photos. -
Expression: 너무 멀지 않은 곳이었으면 해요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu meol-ji a-neun go-si-eot-eu-myeon hae-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s not too far away. -
Expression: 안전하게 볼 수 있는 곳이 중요해요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-ha-ge bol su it-neun got-i jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: A place where I can watch safely is important. -
Expression: 복잡하지 않은 곳을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: bok-jap-ha-ji a-neun got-eul chat-go it-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a place that isn’t crowded/complicated.
Understanding Directions and Location
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Expression: 거기까지 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-kka-ji eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get there? -
Expression: 여기서 먼가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo meon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it far from here? -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geol-eo-seo gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there? -
Expression: 버스를 타야 하나요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu-reul ta-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a bus? -
Expression: 택시로는 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: taek-si-ro-neun eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long would it take by taxi? -
Expression: 지도에 표시해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-e pyo-si-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you mark it on the map for me? -
Expression: 근처에 다른 볼거리가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e da-reun bol-geo-ri-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other things to see nearby? -
Expression: 그곳의 이름이 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: geu-got-ui i-reum-i mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of that place? -
Expression: 찾기 쉬운가요?
Pronunciation: chat-gi swi-un-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it easy to find? -
Expression: 저쪽으로 가면 되나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I go that way?
Expressing Gratitude
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Expression: 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you! (Formal) -
Expression: 정말 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you very much. (Slightly less formal but still polite) -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help. -
Expression: 덕분에 좋은 곳을 알게 되었어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e jo-eun got-eul al-ge doe-eot-eo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I learned about a good place. -
Expression: 친절하게 알려주셔서 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for kindly letting me know. -
Expression: 큰 도움이 되었어요.
Pronunciation: keun do-um-i doe-eot-eo-yo.
Meaning: It was a great help. -
Expression: 좋은 정보 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jo-eun jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the good information. -
Expression: 말씀해 주신 곳에 가 볼게요.
Pronunciation: mal-sseum-hae ju-sin got-e ga bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll try going to the place you mentioned. -
Expression: 정말 감사해요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-hae-yo!
Meaning: Thank you so much! (Polite, slightly more friendly)
Cultural Tips
When asking locals for recommendations in Korea, politeness is key. Always start with a polite greeting like 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo) and perhaps 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me).
Approaching older individuals or shop owners in the area can often yield good results, as they may have more local knowledge. Use formal language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) unless the person you’re speaking with initiates a more casual tone.
Don’t hesitate to use gestures to supplement your Korean, like pointing towards the sea or mimicking looking around quietly. Koreans generally appreciate the effort tourists make to speak their language, even if it’s not perfect.
Be prepared for locals to be very helpful, sometimes even offering to show you the way. Always express sincere gratitude (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) for their time and assistance.
Understanding tide times (물때 – mul-ttae) might be helpful. While locals might know general good spots, specific tide times often require checking a local tide chart or app.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) near a coastal village, hoping to find a quiet place to watch the sunset over the sea during low tide.
Characters:
- A: Tourist
- B: Local Resident
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 실례지만 잠시 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, sil-lye-ji-man jam-si yeo-jjeo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Hello, excuse me, but I’d like to ask you something briefly. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. mu-eot-eul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, hello. How can I help you? -
Expression: A: 제가 관광객인데요, 혹시 이 근처에 조용히 바다를 볼 수 있는 좋은 장소가 있을까요? 사람이 많지 않은 곳이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga gwan-gwang-gae-gin-de-yo, hok-si i geun-cheo-e jo-yong-hi ba-da-reul bol su it-neun jo-eun jang-so-ga it-eul-kka-yo? sa-ram-i man-chi a-neun go-si-myeon jo-ket-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m a tourist, do you happen to know a good place near here where I can watch the sea quietly? It would be nice if it’s not crowded. -
Expression: B: 아, 조용한 곳이요… 저쪽 언덕 너머에 작은 해변이 하나 있어요. 거기는 사람들이 잘 안 가고 경치도 좋아요. 특히 해 질 녘에요.
Pronunciation: a, jo-yong-han go-si-yo… jeo-jjok eon-deok neo-meo-e ja-geun hae-byeon-i ha-na it-eo-yo. geo-gi-neun sa-ram-deul-i jal an ga-go gyeong-chi-do jo-a-yo. teuk-hi hae jil nyeok-e-yo.
Meaning: Ah, a quiet place… There’s a small beach over that hill. People don’t often go there, and the view is good. Especially around sunset. -
Expression: A: 정말요? 거기까지는 어떻게 가나요? 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? geo-gi-kka-ji-neun eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo? geol-eo-seo gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Really? How do I get there? Can I walk? -
Expression: B: 네, 걸어서 한 15분 정도 걸릴 거예요. 이 길 따라 쭉 가시다가 첫 번째 갈림길에서 오른쪽으로 가시면 언덕길이 나와요. 그 언덕만 넘으면 바로 보일 겁니다.
Pronunciation: ne, geol-eo-seo han sip-o-bun jeong-do geol-lil geo-ye-yo. i gil tta-ra jjuk ga-si-da-ga cheot beon-jjae gal-lim-gil-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon eon-deok-gil-i na-wa-yo. geu eon-deong-man neom-eu-myeon ba-ro bo-il geom-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it will take about 15 minutes on foot. Follow this road straight, and at the first fork, go right, and you’ll see a hill path. Once you go over that hill, you’ll see it right away. -
Expression: A: 자세히 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다! 큰 도움이 되었어요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! keun do-um-i doe-eot-eo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you so much for the detailed explanation! It was a great help. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 조심히 다녀오세요. 경치 즐기시고요!
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-lyo. jo-sim-hi da-nyeo-o-se-yo. gyeong-chi jeul-gi-si-go-yo!
Meaning: Don’t mention it. Be careful going there and back. Enjoy the view!
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases by saying them out loud, focusing on the pronunciation! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Imagine you’re really by the Korean seaside asking for directions.
Listen to native speakers if possible (through videos or language exchange apps) to get the intonation right. Don’t be afraid to approach people politely in Korea – many locals are happy to help tourists who make an effort to speak Korean!
Remembering the core question and a few ways to describe your preference (like 조용한 곳 – jo-yong-han got) will go a long way. Good luck finding your perfect quiet spot! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
