Discovering unique spots like hidden alleys filled with vibrant street art is a rewarding experience for any traveler. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists asking locals about these lesser-known locations. Learn how to inquire about specific alleys, understand directions, and appreciate the local art scene more deeply.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 혹시 이 근처에 숨겨진 벽화 골목이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i geun-cheo-e sum-gyeo-jin byeok-hwa gol-mok-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, is there a hidden street art alley near here?
Asking for Directions to Street Art Alleys
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Expression: 실례합니다, 길 좀 물어볼게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, gil jom mul-eo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, I’d like to ask for directions. -
Expression: 이 근처에 벽화로 유명한 골목이 있다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e byeok-hwa-ro yu-myeong-han gol-mok-i it-da-go deul-eot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I heard there’s an alley famous for street art near here. -
Expression: 숨겨진 골목을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sum-gyeo-jin gol-mok-eul chat-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a hidden alley. -
Expression: 혹시 [장소 이름] 벽화 골목 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [jang-so i-reum] byeok-hwa gol-mok a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know the [Place Name] street art alley? -
Expression: 그 골목은 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: geu gol-mok-eun eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to that alley? -
Expression: 여기서 걸어갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo geol-eo-gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there from here? -
Expression: 여기서 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take from here? -
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: 근처에 다른 볼만한 곳도 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e da-reun bol-man-han got-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other interesting places nearby? -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun got-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a good place for taking photos? -
Expression: 그 골목 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: geu gol-mok i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of that alley? -
Expression: 찾기 어려운 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: chat-gi eo-ryeo-un got-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a difficult place to find?
Describing the Location (Local’s Perspective)
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Expression: 아, 그 벽화 골목 말씀이시군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu byeok-hwa gol-mok mal-sseum-i-si-gun-yo.
Meaning: Ah, you mean that street art alley. -
Expression: 네, 이 근처에 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, i geun-cheo-e it-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s near here. -
Expression: 저쪽으로 쭉 가시면 돼요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-eu-ro jjuk ga-si-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: You can just go straight that way. -
Expression: 오른쪽/왼쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok / oen-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right/left. -
Expression: 큰 길 건너편에 있어요.
Pronunciation: keun gil geon-neo-pyeon-e it-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s across the main street. -
Expression: 작은 골목 안으로 들어가야 해요.
Pronunciation: jak-eun gol-mok an-eu-ro deul-eo-ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to go into a small alley. -
Expression: 찾기 조금 어려울 수도 있어요.
Pronunciation: chat-gi jo-geum eo-ryeo-ul su-do it-seo-yo.
Meaning: It might be a little difficult to find. -
Expression: 걸어서 10분 정도 걸려요.
Pronunciation: geol-eo-seo sip-bun jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It takes about 10 minutes on foot. -
Expression: 벽에 그림이 많이 그려져 있어요.
Pronunciation: byeok-e geu-rim-i ma-ni geu-ryeo-jyeo it-seo-yo.
Meaning: There are many paintings drawn on the walls. -
Expression: 사람들이 잘 모르는 곳이에요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i jal mo-reu-neun got-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a place not many people know about. -
Expression: 카페 옆 골목으로 들어가세요.
Pronunciation: ka-pe yeop gol-mok-eu-ro deul-eo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go into the alley next to the cafe. -
Expression: 표지판은 따로 없어요.
Pronunciation: pyo-ji-pan-eun tta-ro eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: There isn’t a separate sign.
Understanding Directions and Asking for Clarification
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. Thank you. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you please say that again? -
Expression: 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please speak a little more slowly? -
Expression: 오른쪽이요? 왼쪽이요?
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-i-yo? oen-jjok-i-yo?
Meaning: Right? Left? -
Expression: 여기서 직진하라는 말씀이시죠?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo jik-jin-ha-ra-neun mal-sseum-i-si-jyo?
Meaning: You mean go straight from here, right? -
Expression: 저 건물을 지나서요?
Pronunciation: jeo geon-mul-eul ji-na-seo-yo?
Meaning: Past that building? -
Expression: 혹시 지도에 표시해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-do-e pyo-si-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly mark it on the map? -
Expression: 근처에 [편의점] 같은 랜드마크가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e [pyeon-ui-jeom] gat-eun raen-deu-ma-keu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a landmark like a [convenience store] nearby? -
Expression: 이 길이 맞나요?
Pronunciation: i gil-i mat-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this the right way? -
Expression: 이름을 적어주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-reum-eul jeok-eo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you write down the name? -
Expression: 잘 모르겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jal mo-reu-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t understand well. -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help.
Korean Culture Notes
When asking for directions in Korea, approaching someone with a polite 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me) is always recommended. Koreans are generally helpful, but older individuals might be more familiar with local hidden spots than younger people.
Don’t be discouraged if someone says they don’t know (잘 모르겠어요 – jal mo-reu-get-seo-yo). Hidden alleys are, by nature, not common knowledge. Thank them politely and try asking someone else.
Using map applications like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps is very common in Korea. Having the app ready on your phone can be helpful. You can ask someone to point out the location using: 지도에 표시해 주실 수 있나요? (ji-do-e pyo-si-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo? – Could you mark it on the map?).
Street art alleys are often located in residential areas. Remember to be respectful of the residents when exploring and taking photos – keep noise levels down and avoid intruding on private property.
Expressing gratitude clearly with 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) after receiving help leaves a positive impression.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) on a street in Seoul, hoping to find a specific hidden alley known for its street art.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다, 길 좀 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, gil jom yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, I’d like to ask for directions. -
Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please go ahead. -
Expression: A: 혹시 이 근처에 숨겨진 벽화 골목이 있다고 들었는데, 아시나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i geun-cheo-e sum-gyeo-jin byeok-hwa gol-mok-i it-da-go deul-eot-neun-de, a-si-na-yo?
Meaning: I heard there’s a hidden street art alley near here, do you happen to know it? -
Expression: B: 아, 저기 오래된 주택가 안쪽에 작은 골목 말씀하시는 건가요? 벽에 그림 많은 곳이요?
Pronunciation: a, jeo-gi o-rae-doen ju-taek-ga an-jjok-e jak-eun gol-mok mal-sseum-ha-si-neun geon-ga-yo? byeok-e geu-rim ma-neun got-i-yo?
Meaning: Ah, are you talking about the small alley inside that old residential area over there? The place with lots of paintings on the walls? -
Expression: A: 네, 맞는 것 같아요! 어떻게 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ne, mat-neun geot ga-ta-yo! eo-tteo-ke ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, I think that’s it! How do I get there? -
Expression: B: 이 길로 쭉 가시다가 첫 번째 사거리에서 오른쪽으로 도세요. 그리고 작은 슈퍼마켓 옆 골목으로 들어가시면 바로 보여요. 걸어서 5분 정도 걸릴 거예요.
Pronunciation: i gil-lo jjuk ga-si-da-ga cheot beon-jjae sa-geo-ri-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro do-se-yo. geu-ri-go jak-eun syu-peo-ma-ket yeop gol-mok-eu-ro deul-eo-ga-si-myeon ba-ro bo-yeo-yo. geol-eo-seo o-bun jeong-do geol-lil geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Go straight down this road, then turn right at the first intersection. Then, enter the alley next to the small supermarket, and you’ll see it right away. It’ll take about 5 minutes on foot. -
Expression: A: 아, 네! 슈퍼마켓 옆 골목이요. 알겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, ne! syu-peo-ma-ket yeop gol-mok-i-yo. al-get-seum-ni-da. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Ah, okay! The alley next to the supermarket. I understand. Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 조심히 가세요.
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo.
Meaning: You’re welcome. Go safely.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect! Try saying these phrases out loud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Use a mirror or record yourself to check your intonation. Role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. When you’re in Korea, don’t be afraid to try asking locals, even if you make mistakes! Most people will appreciate your effort to speak Korean. Good luck finding those amazing hidden gems! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
