Discovering unique vantage points in a new country is part of the adventure, especially for aviation enthusiasts. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists asking locals about the best spots to watch airplanes take off and land near Korean airports. Learn how to ask for recommendations, understand directions, and inquire about specific details for a great plane-spotting experience.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 비행기 이륙하는 것을 볼 수 있는 좋은 장소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi i-ryuk-ha-neun geo-seul bol su it-neun jo-eun jang-so-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a good place where I can watch airplanes take off?
Asking for Locations
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Expression: 실례합니다, 잠시 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me, I have something to ask you briefly. -
Expression: 이 근처에 비행기를 잘 볼 수 있는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e bi-haeng-gi-reul jal bol su it-neun go-si eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where around here is a good place to see airplanes? -
Expression: 공항 근처에 전망 좋은 곳을 아세요?
Pronunciation: gong-hang geun-cheo-e jeon-mang jo-eun go-seul a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know a place with a good view near the airport? -
Expression: 비행기 착륙하는 것을 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi chang-nyuk-ha-neun geo-seul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to watch airplanes land. -
Expression: 혹시 추천해 주실 만한 장소가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han jang-so-ga i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps a place you could recommend? -
Expression: 그 장소는 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: geu jang-so-neun eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to that place? -
Expression: 여기서 멀어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo meo-reo-yo?
Meaning: Is it far from here? -
Expression: 걸어갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geo-reo-gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there? -
Expression: 버스나 지하철로 갈 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu-na ji-ha-cheol-lo gal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can I get there by bus or subway? -
Expression: 택시를 타야 하나요?
Pronunciation: taek-si-reul ta-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a taxi?
Understanding Directions and Descriptions
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Expression: 네, 저쪽으로 가시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jeo-jjo-geu-ro ga-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, you can go that way. -
Expression: 공항 전망대가 가장 좋아요.
Pronunciation: gong-hang jeon-mang-dae-ga ga-jang jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The airport observation deck is the best. -
Expression: 근처 언덕에 올라가면 잘 보여요.
Pronunciation: geun-cheo eon-deo-ge ol-la-ga-myeon jal bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: If you go up the nearby hill, you can see well. -
Expression: 활주로가 보이는 카페가 있어요.
Pronunciation: hwal-ju-ro-ga bo-i-neun ka-pe-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There is a cafe with a view of the runway. -
Expression: 거기는 좀 멀어요. 버스를 타셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun jom meo-reo-yo. beo-seu-reul ta-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: That place is a bit far. You need to take a bus. -
Expression: 걸어서 15분 정도 걸려요.
Pronunciation: geo-reo-seo si-bo-bun jeong-do geol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: It takes about 15 minutes on foot. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 곳이에요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun go-si-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a good place for taking pictures. -
Expression: 안전한 곳이니까 걱정 마세요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-han go-si-ni-kka geok-jeong ma-se-yo.
Meaning: It’s a safe place, so don’t worry. -
Expression: 특별히 입장료는 없어요.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi ip-jang-nyo-neun eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: There’s no specific entrance fee. -
Expression: 주말에는 사람이 많을 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e-neun sa-ram-i ma-neul su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It might be crowded on weekends.
Useful Follow-up Questions
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Expression: 언제가 가장 보기 좋은 시간인가요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-ga ga-jang bo-gi jo-eun si-gan-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the best time to watch? -
Expression: 비행기가 자주 뜨나요?
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi-ga ja-ju tteu-na-yo?
Meaning: Do planes take off frequently? -
Expression: 그곳에 가려면 입장료가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu-go-se ga-ryeo-myeon ip-jang-nyo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an entrance fee to go there? -
Expression: 사진 촬영이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin chwal-yeong-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is photography allowed? -
Expression: 밤에도 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bam-e-do bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I watch at night too? -
Expression: 근처에 화장실이나 편의점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e hwa-jang-sil-i-na pyeon-ui-jeom-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there restrooms or convenience stores nearby? -
Expression: 그 장소 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: geu jang-so i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of that place? -
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: 혹시 다른 좋은 장소도 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun jo-eun jang-so-do a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know any other good spots? -
Expression: 알려주셔서 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you for letting me know!
Cultural Tips
When approaching locals for directions or recommendations in Korea, always start with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me). Koreans appreciate politeness, especially from foreigners.
Using gestures along with your Korean phrases can be very helpful. Pointing towards the airport or mimicking binoculars might help convey your interest in plane spotting if your pronunciation isn’t perfect.
Be aware of restricted areas around airports. While many public spots offer great views, ensure you are not trespassing or entering secure zones. Stick to designated observation decks, parks, or publicly accessible hillsides.
Expressing gratitude is important. After receiving help, always say 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) or 도와주셔서 감사합니다 (do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you for your help).
While many younger Koreans speak some English, trying to communicate in Korean first is often appreciated. Don’t be afraid to use simple phrases and show your effort.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) near Incheon International Airport wants to find a good spot to watch planes and asks a local resident (B).
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Expression: A: 실례합니다, 잠시 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, may I ask you something briefly? -
Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, go ahead. -
Expression: A: 제가 비행기 보는 것을 좋아하는데요, 이 근처에 비행기 이륙하는 것을 잘 볼 수 있는 장소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: je-ga bi-haeng-gi bo-neun geo-seul jo-a-ha-neun-de-yo, i geun-cheo-e bi-haeng-gi i-ryuk-ha-neun geo-seul jal bol su it-neun jang-so-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I like watching airplanes. Is there a place nearby where I can get a good view of planes taking off? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 저기 보이는 작은 언덕 위에 올라가시면 활주로가 잘 보여요. ‘하늘 정원’이라고 불리는 곳이에요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. jeo-gi bo-i-neun ja-geun eon-deok wi-e ol-la-ga-si-myeon hwal-ju-ro-ga jal bo-yeo-yo. ‘ha-neul jeong-won’-i-ra-go bul-li-neun go-si-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. If you go up that small hill you see over there, you can see the runway well. It’s a place called ‘Sky Garden’ (Haneul Jeongwon). -
Expression: A: 하늘 정원이요? 여기서 걸어갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ha-neul jeong-won-i-yo? yeo-gi-seo geo-reo-gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Sky Garden? Can I walk there from here? -
Expression: B: 네, 걸어서 한 20분 정도 걸릴 거예요. 저쪽 길 따라서 쭉 가시면 돼요. 사진 찍기 아주 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ne, geo-reo-seo han i-sip-bun jeong-do geol-lil geo-ye-yo. jeo-jjok gil tta-ra-seo jjuk ga-si-myeon dwae-yo. sa-jin jjik-gi a-ju jo-a-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it will take about 20 minutes on foot. Just follow that road straight. It’s very good for taking pictures. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 감사합니다! 언제가 가장 보기 좋은 시간인가요?
Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! eon-je-ga ga-jang bo-gi jo-eun si-gan-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, thank you so much! When is the best time to watch? -
Expression: B: 오후 시간대가 비행기가 많은 편이에요. 특히 해 질 녘 경치가 예뻐요.
Pronunciation: o-hu si-gan-dae-ga bi-haeng-gi-ga ma-neun pyeon-i-e-yo. teu-ki hae jil nyeok gyeong-chi-ga ye-ppeo-yo.
Meaning: B: There tend to be many planes in the afternoon. The scenery is especially pretty around sunset. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 정말 친절하게 알려주셔서 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. jeong-mal chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: I understand. Thank you so much for kindly letting me know!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try saying these phrases out loud, focusing on the pronunciation. Imagine yourself near an airport in Korea and role-play asking someone for directions to a plane-spotting location. You can even use online maps to find potential spots near Korean airports like Incheon (ICN) or Gimpo (GMP) and practice asking how to get there!
Listen to Korean dialogues or watch videos featuring airport scenes to get accustomed to the natural speed and intonation. Don’t be shy about using these phrases when you visit Korea – locals are often happy to help tourists who make an effort to speak Korean!
