Finding specific historical landmarks like bridges in Korea requires knowing the right questions to ask locals. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists seeking directions to historic bridges, helping you navigate and appreciate Korea’s rich history and beautiful scenery.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 역사적인 다리
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-in da-ri
Meaning: Historic bridge (literally “historical bridge”)
Asking for Directions
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Expression: 실례합니다. 이 근처에 역사적인 다리가 있나요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. i geun-cheo-e yeok-sa-jeok-in da-ri-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Is there a historic bridge near here? -
Expression: [다리 이름] 다리가 어디에 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: [da-ri i-reum] da-ri-ga eo-di-e it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know where the [Bridge Name] Bridge is? -
Expression: 가장 유명한 역사적인 다리가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang yu-myeong-han yeok-sa-jeok-in da-ri-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the most famous historic bridge? -
Expression: 그 다리까지 어떻게 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: geu da-ri-kka-ji eo-tteo-ke ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to that bridge? -
Expression: 여기서 걸어갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo geol-eo-gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there from here? -
Expression: 버스나 지하철을 타야 하나요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu-na ji-ha-cheol-eul ta-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a bus or subway? -
Expression: 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take? -
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: 저쪽 방향인가요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok bang-hyang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it in that direction? -
Expression: 근처에 볼 만한 다른 역사적인 장소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e bol man-han da-reun yeok-sa-jeok-in jang-so-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other historical places worth seeing nearby?
Describing the Bridge
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Expression: 아주 오래된 다리라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: a-ju o-rae-doen da-ri-ra-go deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it’s a very old bridge. -
Expression: 돌로 만들어진 다리인가요?
Pronunciation: dol-lo man-deul-eo-jin da-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a bridge made of stone? -
Expression: 나무로 된 다리를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: na-mu-ro doen da-ri-reul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a wooden bridge. -
Expression: 그 다리는 야경이 아름답다고 하던데요.
Pronunciation: geu da-ri-neun ya-gyeong-i a-reum-dap-da-go ha-deon-de-yo.
Meaning: I heard that bridge has a beautiful night view. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun got-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a good place for taking pictures? -
Expression: 그 다리에 얽힌 이야기가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu da-ri-e eol-kin i-ya-gi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a story associated with that bridge? -
Expression: 강 위에 있는 다리 맞죠?
Pronunciation: gang wi-e it-neun da-ri mat-jyo?
Meaning: It’s the bridge over the river, right? -
Expression: 보행자 전용 다리인가요?
Pronunciation: bo-haeng-ja jeon-yong da-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a pedestrian-only bridge? -
Expression: 문화재로 지정된 다리인가요?
Pronunciation: mun-hwa-jae-ro ji-jeong-doen da-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it designated as a cultural heritage site? -
Expression: 조선 시대에 만들어진 다리라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: jo-seon si-dae-e man-deul-eo-jin da-ri-ra-go deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I heard it was built during the Joseon Dynasty.
Understanding Directions
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, 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-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please speak a little more slowly? -
Expression: 오른쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go to the right. -
Expression: 왼쪽으로 가세요.
Pronunciation: oen-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go to the left. -
Expression: 쭉 직진하세요.
Pronunciation: jjuk jik-jin-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight ahead. -
Expression: 길을 건너세요.
Pronunciation: gil-eul geon-neo-se-yo.
Meaning: Cross the street. -
Expression: 저기 모퉁이에서 도세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi mo-tung-i-e-seo do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn at that corner over there. -
Expression: 약 10분 정도 걸어가면 돼요.
Pronunciation: yak sip-bun jeong-do geol-eo-ga-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: You just need to walk for about 10 minutes. -
Expression: 바로 저기 보여요.
Pronunciation: ba-ro jeo-gi bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: You can see it right over there. -
Expression: 큰 건물 옆에 있어요.
Pronunciation: keun geon-mul yeop-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s next to the big building.
Cultural Tips
When asking for directions in Korea, always start with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me). Koreans appreciate politeness, especially from foreigners.
Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand. Using phrases like 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo? – Could you say that again?) is perfectly acceptable.
People might use hand gestures to help explain directions. Pay attention to these as they can be very helpful alongside verbal instructions.
Showing appreciation after receiving help is important. A simple 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) goes a long way.
Many historic bridges in Korea are located in scenic areas or near traditional villages. Asking about nearby attractions using 근처에 볼 만한 다른 곳이 있나요? (geun-cheo-e bol man-han da-reun got-i it-na-yo? – Are there other places worth seeing nearby?) can enrich your visit.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist wants to find the famous Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju and asks a local resident for directions.
Roles: A: Tourist, B: Local Resident
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 혹시 월정교가 어디에 있는지 아세요? 역사적인 다리라고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. hok-si wol-jeong-gyo-ga eo-di-e it-neun-ji a-se-yo? yeok-sa-jeok-in da-ri-ra-go deul-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me. Do you happen to know where Woljeonggyo Bridge is? I heard it’s a historic bridge. -
Expression: B: 아, 월정교요? 네, 알아요. 여기서 멀지 않아요.
Pronunciation: B: a, wol-jeong-gyo-yo? ne, ar-a-yo. yeo-gi-seo meol-ji an-a-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, Woljeonggyo? Yes, I know it. It’s not far from here. -
Expression: A: 정말요? 어떻게 가야 하나요? 걸어갈 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal-yo? eo-tteo-ke ga-ya ha-na-yo? geol-eo-gal su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Really? How do I get there? Can I walk? -
Expression: B: 네, 걸어가실 수 있어요. 이 길을 따라 쭉 직진하시다가 첫 번째 큰 사거리에서 오른쪽으로 가세요. 그럼 강이 보일 거예요. 강변을 따라 조금만 더 걸으면 바로 보여요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, geol-eo-ga-sil su iss-eo-yo. i gil-eul tta-ra jjuk jik-jin-ha-si-da-ga cheot beon-jjae keun sa-geo-ri-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro ga-se-yo. geu-reom gang-i bo-il geo-ye-yo. gang-byeon-eul tta-ra jo-geum-man deo geol-eu-myeon ba-ro bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, you can walk. Go straight along this road, and at the first big intersection, turn right. Then you’ll see the river. Walk a little further along the riverside, and you’ll see it right away. -
Expression: A: 아, 직진하다가 사거리에서 우회전해서 강변을 따라가면 되는군요. 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: A: a, jik-jin-ha-da-ga sa-geo-ri-e-seo u-hoe-jeon-hae-seo gang-byeon-eul tta-ra-ga-myeon doe-neun-gun-yo. eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Ah, go straight, turn right at the intersection, and follow the riverside. How long will it take? -
Expression: B: 한 15분 정도 걸릴 거예요. 특히 밤에 조명이 켜지면 정말 아름다워요.
Pronunciation: B: han sip-o-bun jeong-do geol-lil geo-ye-yo. teu-ki bam-e jo-myeong-i kyeo-ji-myeon jeong-mal a-reum-da-wo-yo.
Meaning: B: It will take about 15 minutes. It’s especially beautiful at night when the lights are on. -
Expression: A: 좋은 정보 감사합니다! 꼭 가볼게요.
Pronunciation: A: jo-eun jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da! kkok ga-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you for the great information! I’ll definitely go see it. -
Expression: B: 네, 즐거운 여행 되세요!
Pronunciation: B: ne, jeul-geo-un yeo-haeng doe-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes, have a nice trip!
Practice Tips
Practice asking for directions to imaginary or real historic bridges using the phrases learned today! Try saying them out loud, focusing on the pronunciation~
Use online maps like Naver Maps or Kakao Maps to find historic bridges in Korea (search for 역사적인 다리 or specific bridge names) and practice asking how to get there from different starting points.
Role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Take turns being the tourist and the local! This really helps solidify the phrases in your memory.
Don’t just memorize! Try to understand the components of the sentences. For example, knowing 어디 (eo-di – where), 어떻게 (eo-tteo-ke – how), and basic location words will help you adapt these phrases for other situations too. Good luck! 화이팅!
