Discovering hidden gems and local stories is a highlight of traveling. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask locals about the unique history or interesting background of a particular bridge they encounter in Korea. Learn how to inquire politely and understand the fascinating tales behind these structures.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 다리의 재미있는 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-eui jae-mi-iss-neun i-ya-gi-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an interesting story about this bridge?
Getting Attention and Initial Questions
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Expression: 실례합니다. 잠시 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol geos-i iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. I have something to ask you briefly. -
Expression: 저기요, 말씀 좀 여쭐게요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, mal-sseum jom yeo-jjul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, may I ask you something? -
Expression: 혹시 이 근처에 사세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i geun-cheo-e sa-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to live around here? -
Expression: 제가 관광객인데요.
Pronunciation: je-ga gwan-gwang-gaek-in-de-yo.
Meaning: I am a tourist. -
Expression: 이 다리에 대해 궁금한 것이 있어요.
Pronunciation: i da-ri-e dae-hae gung-geum-han geos-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I have something I’m curious about regarding this 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: 혹시 이 다리에 대해 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i da-ri-e dae-hae a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know about this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리가 좀 특별해 보여서요.
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ga jom teuk-byeol-hae bo-yeo-seo-yo.
Meaning: This bridge looks a bit special. -
Expression: 여기 현지 주민이신가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi hyeon-ji ju-min-i-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you a local resident here? -
Expression: 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a moment?
Inquiring About History and Story
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Expression: 이 다리는 언제 지어졌어요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-neun eon-je ji-eo-jeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: When was this bridge built? -
Expression: 이 다리의 역사에 대해 알려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-eui yeok-sa-e dae-hae al-lyeo-ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you tell me about the history of this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리에 얽힌 특별한 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-e eol-kin teuk-byeol-han i-ya-gi-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a special story associated with this bridge? -
Expression: 왜 이렇게 독특하게 생겼어요?
Pronunciation: wae i-reoh-ge dok-teuk-ha-ge saeng-gyeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Why does it look so unique? -
Expression: 이 다리의 유래가 궁금해요.
Pronunciation: i da-ri-eui yu-rae-ga gung-geum-hae-yo.
Meaning: I’m curious about the origin of this bridge. -
Expression: 이 다리와 관련된 재미있는 일화가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-wa gwan-lyeon-doen jae-mi-iss-neun il-hwa-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any interesting anecdotes related to this bridge? -
Expression: 사람들이 이 다리에 대해 뭐라고 해요?
Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i i da-ri-e dae-hae mwo-ra-go hae-yo?
Meaning: What do people say about this bridge? -
Expression: 이 다리가 유명한 이유가 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i da-ri-ga yu-myeong-han i-yu-ga mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the reason this bridge is famous (or well-known)? -
Expression: 혹시 전설 같은 것이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si jeon-seol gat-eun geos-i iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps something like a legend? -
Expression: 이 디자인에 특별한 의미가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i di-ja-in-e teuk-byeol-han eui-mi-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this design have a special meaning? -
Expression: 이 다리에 대한 옛날 이야기를 듣고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i da-ri-e dae-han yet-nal i-ya-gi-reul deut-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to hear an old story about this bridge.
Understanding and Responding
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Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reoh-gun-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. / Oh, is that so? -
Expression: 정말 흥미롭네요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal heung-mi-rop-ne-yo!
Meaning: That’s really interesting! -
Expression: 이해했어요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I understood. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you please say that again? -
Expression: 조금 천천히 말씀해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please speak a little slower? -
Expression: “[단어]”가 무슨 뜻이에요?
Pronunciation: “[dan-eo]”-ga mu-seun tteus-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What does “[word]” mean? -
Expression: 자세히 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining in detail. -
Expression: 덕분에 많이 알게 되었어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e manh-i al-ge doe-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I learned a lot. -
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: 정말 재미있는 이야기네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal jae-mi-iss-neun i-ya-gi-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s a really fun story. -
Expression: 몰랐던 사실이에요.
Pronunciation: mol-lass-deon sa-sil-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That’s something I didn’t know.
Cultural Tips
When approaching locals in Korea, always start with a polite greeting and “Excuse me” (실례합니다 – sil-lye-ham-ni-da). Avoid interrupting someone who looks busy or is in a hurry.
Show genuine interest in the place and the story. Koreans often appreciate foreigners who show curiosity about their local culture and history. A smile and attentive listening go a long way.
Use formal or polite language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) when speaking to strangers, especially those older than you. This shows respect.
Be mindful of their time. If they seem hesitant or brief, thank them for their time and don’t press further. A simple 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다 (si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you for your time) is appropriate.
Expressing gratitude clearly (감사합니다 or 고맙습니다) after they share information is very important. Mentioning that the story was interesting (흥미롭네요) is also a nice touch.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) sees a small, old-looking bridge with unusual carvings and approaches an elderly local resident (B) sitting on a nearby bench.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 잠시 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol geos-i iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. I have something to ask you briefly. -
Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, go ahead. -
Expression: A: 제가 관광객인데요, 저기 저 다리가 좀 독특해 보여서요. 혹시 이 다리에 대해 아세요?
Pronunciation: je-ga gwan-gwang-gaek-in-de-yo, jeo-gi jeo da-ri-ga jom dok-teuk-hae bo-yeo-seo-yo. hok-si i da-ri-e dae-hae a-se-yo?
Meaning: I’m a tourist, and that bridge over there looks rather unique. Do you happen to know about this bridge? -
Expression: B: 아, 저 도깨비 다리요? 알지요. 제가 어릴 때부터 있던 다리예요.
Pronunciation: a, jeo do-kkae-bi da-ri-yo? al-ji-yo. je-ga eo-ril ttae-bu-teo iss-deon da-ri-ye-yo.
Meaning: Ah, that Dokkaebi (Goblin) Bridge? Of course, I know it. It’s been here since I was young. -
Expression: A: 도깨비 다리요? 이름이 재미있네요! 왜 그렇게 불려요? 특별한 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: do-kkae-bi da-ri-yo? i-reum-i jae-mi-iss-ne-yo! wae geu-reoh-ge bul-lyeo-yo? teuk-byeol-han i-ya-gi-ga iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Dokkaebi Bridge? That’s an interesting name! Why is it called that? Is there a special story? -
Expression: B: 옛날에 밤에 이 다리를 건너면 도깨비가 나타나서 씨름을 걸었다는 전설이 있어요. 그래서 다리 기둥에 도깨비 얼굴을 새겨 놓은 거래요.
Pronunciation: yet-nal-e bam-e i da-ri-reul geon-neo-myeon do-kkae-bi-ga na-ta-na-seo ssi-reum-eul geol-eoss-da-neun jeon-seol-i iss-eo-yo. geu-rae-seo da-ri gi-dung-e do-kkae-bi eol-gul-eul sae-gyeo noh-eun geo-rae-yo.
Meaning: There’s a legend that long ago, if you crossed this bridge at night, a dokkaebi would appear and challenge you to wrestle. That’s why they say goblin faces are carved on the bridge pillars. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 흥미롭네요! 그런 이야기가 있을 줄은 몰랐어요. 자세히 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal heung-mi-rop-ne-yo! geu-reon i-ya-gi-ga iss-eul jul-eun mol-lass-eo-yo. ja-se-hi al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Wow, that’s really interesting! I had no idea there was such a story. Thank you so much for telling me in detail! -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 재미있게 들으셨다니 다행이네요.
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. jae-mi-iss-ge deul-eu-syeoss-da-ni da-haeng-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: Don’t mention it. I’m glad you found it interesting.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Imagine you’re the tourist and then switch roles to be the local.
Look up pictures of unique bridges or landmarks in Korea online. Practice asking about their potential history using the phrases you’ve learned. You might even discover real quirky stories!
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases if you travel to Korea! Locals are often happy to share stories about their hometown. Start with a polite approach, and you might learn something fascinating. Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
