Understanding the history behind landmarks enhances the travel experience. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask their guides about the construction history of famous bridges in Korea, covering everything from basic questions to more detailed inquiries.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 이 다리의 건설 역사에 대해 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ui geon-seol yeok-sa-e dae-hae al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me about the construction history of this bridge.
Asking About the Bridge
-
Expression: 이 다리 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is this bridge located? -
Expression: 이 다리는 유명한가요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun yu-myeong-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this bridge famous? -
Expression: 이 다리의 길이가 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ui gil-i-ga eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리는 차도인가요, 인도교인가요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun cha-do-in-ga-yo, in-do-gyo-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this bridge for cars or pedestrians? -
Expression: 이 다리 위를 걸을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri wi-reul geor-eul su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk on this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리에서 보는 경치가 좋다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: i da-ri-e-seo bo-neun gyeong-chi-ga jo-ta-go deur-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard the view from this bridge is good. -
Expression: 이 다리는 언제 가장 아름다운가요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun eon-je ga-jang a-reum-da-un-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is this bridge most beautiful? (e.g., day/night) -
Expression: 이 다리와 관련된 특별한 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-wa gwan-lyeon-doen teuk-byeol-han i-ya-gi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any special stories related to this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리의 특징은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ui teuk-jing-eun mu-eos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the features of this bridge?
Inquiring About History
-
Expression: 이 다리는 언제 지어졌어요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun eon-je ji-eo-jyeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: When was this bridge built? -
Expression: 건설하는 데 얼마나 걸렸어요?
Pronunciation: geon-seol-ha-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: How long did it take to build? -
Expression: 누가 이 다리를 설계했나요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga i da-ri-reul seol-gye-haet-na-yo?
Meaning: Who designed this bridge? -
Expression: 어떤 재료로 만들어졌나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jae-ryo-ro man-deur-eo-jyeon-na-yo?
Meaning: What materials were used to build it? -
Expression: 건설 당시 특별한 기술이 사용되었나요?
Pronunciation: geon-seol dang-si teuk-byeol-han gi-sur-i sa-yong-doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Were any special techniques used during construction? -
Expression: 이 다리를 지은 이유는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-reul ji-eun i-yu-neun mu-eos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What was the reason for building this bridge? -
Expression: 건설 과정에서 어려움은 없었나요?
Pronunciation: geon-seol gwa-jeong-e-seo eo-ryeo-um-eun eops-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Were there any difficulties during the construction process? -
Expression: 이 다리는 복원되거나 개조된 적이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun bok-won-doe-geo-na gae-jo-doen jeog-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Has this bridge ever been restored or renovated? -
Expression: 건설 비용은 얼마나 들었나요?
Pronunciation: geon-seol bi-yong-eun eol-ma-na deur-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: How much did the construction cost? -
Expression: 이 다리와 관련된 역사적 사건이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-wa gwan-lyeon-doen yeok-sa-jeok sa-geon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any historical events related to this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리의 원래 모습은 어땠나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ui won-lae mo-seub-eun eo-ttaet-na-yo?
Meaning: What did this bridge originally look like?
Understanding the Guide’s Explanation
-
Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. -
Expression: 흥미롭네요.
Pronunciation: heung-mi-rom-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s interesting. -
Expression: 잘 이해했어요.
Pronunciation: jal i-hae-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I understand well. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please explain that again? -
Expression: 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak a little more slowly. -
Expression: [단어]가 무슨 뜻이에요?
Pronunciation: [dan-eo]-ga mu-seun tteus-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What does [word] mean? -
Expression: 정말 대단하네요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal dae-dan-ha-ne-yo!
Meaning: That’s really amazing! -
Expression: 몰랐던 사실이에요.
Pronunciation: mol-lat-deon sa-sir-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That’s something I didn’t know. -
Expression: 더 궁금한 점이 있어요.
Pronunciation: deo gung-geum-han jeom-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have more questions. -
Expression: 자세한 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se-han seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Cultural Tips
When interacting with tour guides in Korea, showing genuine interest and appreciation is always well-received. Using polite language, like adding ~요 (~yo) or ~ㅂ니다/습니다 (~mnida/seumnida) endings, is essential.
Koreans often take pride in their modern infrastructure and historical landmarks. Asking thoughtful questions about the construction and history shows respect for their cultural heritage and technological achievements.
Guides appreciate attentive listeners. Nodding (네 – ne) and using reaction phrases like 아, 그렇군요 (a, geu-reo-kun-yo) or 정말요? (jeong-mal-yo? – Really?) shows you are engaged.
Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. Guides are usually happy to explain further or speak more slowly if requested politely.
Korea has many famous bridges, like the Gwangan Bridge in Busan or the Mapo Bridge in Seoul, each with its own story. Researching a bit beforehand can help you ask more specific and engaging questions.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is with a tour guide (B) looking at the Gwangan Bridge (광안대교 – Gwang-an-dae-gyo) in Busan.
-
Expression: A: 가이드님, 이 다리가 광안대교 맞죠? 정말 멋있네요!
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, i da-ri-ga gwang-an-dae-gyo mat-jyo? jeong-mal meos-it-ne-yo!
Meaning: Guide, this bridge is the Gwangan Bridge, right? It’s really cool! -
Expression: B: 네, 맞습니다. 부산의 랜드마크 중 하나죠. 야경이 특히 아름답습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, mat-seum-ni-da. bu-san-ui raen-deu-ma-keu jung ha-na-jyo. ya-gyeong-i teu-ki a-reum-dap-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s correct. It’s one of Busan’s landmarks. The night view is particularly beautiful. -
Expression: A: 이 다리의 건설 역사에 대해 좀 더 알고 싶어요. 언제 지어졌나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ui geon-seol yeok-sa-e dae-hae jom deo al-go sip-eo-yo. eon-je ji-eo-jyeon-na-yo?
Meaning: I’d like to know more about the construction history of this bridge. When was it built? -
Expression: B: 광안대교는 1994년에 착공해서 2002년 말에 완공되었고, 2003년에 정식 개통되었습니다.
Pronunciation: gwang-an-dae-gyo-neun cheon-gu-baek-gu-sip-sa-nyeon-e chak-gong-hae-seo i-cheon-i-nyeon mal-e wan-gong-doe-eot-go, i-cheon-sam-nyeon-e jeong-sik gae-tong-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Construction for the Gwangan Bridge started in 1994, was completed at the end of 2002, and it officially opened in 2003. -
Expression: A: 와, 건설하는 데 꽤 오래 걸렸네요! 특별한 기술이 사용되었나요?
Pronunciation: wa, geon-seol-ha-neun de kkwae o-rae geol-lyeon-ne-yo! teuk-byeol-han gi-sur-i sa-yong-doe-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: Wow, it took quite a long time to build! Were any special techniques used? -
Expression: B: 네, 국내 최초의 2층 해상 교량이고, 현수교와 트러스교 형식이 결합된 복합 교량입니다. 지진과 태풍에도 견딜 수 있도록 설계되었습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, guk-nae choe-cho-ui i-cheung hae-sang gyo-ryang-i-go, hyeon-su-gyo-wa teu-reo-seu-gyo hyeong-sig-i gyeol-hap-doen bok-hap gyo-ryang-im-ni-da. ji-jin-gwa tae-pung-e-do gyeon-dil su it-do-rok seol-gye-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it’s the first double-deck marine bridge in Korea, and it’s a complex bridge combining suspension and truss bridge styles. It was designed to withstand earthquakes and typhoons. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 정말 대단하네요! 자세한 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. jeong-mal dae-dan-ha-ne-yo! ja-se-han seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, I see. That’s really amazing! Thank you for the detailed explanation.
Practice Tips
Learning these phrases is just the start! Try researching famous Korean bridges online (like 광안대교, 마포대교, 인천대교) and practice asking about their history using the expressions learned today~ You can even try writing out a short dialogue imagining you’re talking to a guide!
Listen to Korean travel vlogs or documentaries that might feature these landmarks. Pay attention to how natives talk about them. The more you expose yourself, the more natural these phrases will become. Good luck with your studies!
