Finding specific wildlife viewing locations like dolphin spots requires asking locals for the best information. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to inquire about where and when they might see dolphins in the wild during their trip to Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 돌고래를 볼 수 있는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: dol-go-rae-reul bol su it-neun got-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is a place I can see dolphins?
Asking for Information
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Expression: 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. -
Expression: 질문이 있어요.
Pronunciation: jil-mun-i it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I have a question. -
Expression: 뭐 좀 물어봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: mwo jom mul-eo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I ask you something? -
Expression: 저는 관광객이에요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun gwan-gwang-gaek-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I’m a tourist. -
Expression: 이 근처에서 돌고래를 볼 수 있다고 들었어요.
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e-seo dol-go-rae-reul bol su it-da-go deul-eot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I heard you can see dolphins around here. -
Expression: 혹시 돌고래 볼 수 있는 곳 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si dol-go-rae bol su it-neun got a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know a place where I can see dolphins? -
Expression: 이 근처를 잘 아세요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-reul jal a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know this area well? -
Expression: 좀 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jom do-wa-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you help me? -
Expression: 돌고래를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: dol-go-rae-reul chat-go it-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for dolphins. -
Expression: 어디로 가야 돌고래를 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro ga-ya dol-go-rae-reul bol su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where should I go to see dolphins?
Specific Questions about Dolphins
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Expression: 여기서 야생 돌고래를 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ya-saeng dol-go-rae-reul bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you see wild dolphins here? -
Expression: 돌고래가 자주 나타나는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: dol-go-rae-ga ja-ju na-ta-na-neun got-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where do dolphins often appear? -
Expression: 돌고래를 보기에 가장 좋은 시간은 언제예요?
Pronunciation: dol-go-rae-reul bo-gi-e ga-jang jo-eun si-gan-eun eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: What time is best to see dolphins? -
Expression: 아침에 잘 보여요, 아니면 오후에 잘 보여요?
Pronunciation: a-chim-e jal bo-yeo-yo, a-ni-myeon o-hu-e jal bo-yeo-yo?
Meaning: Are they more visible in the morning or in the afternoon? -
Expression: 돌고래 관찰 투어가 있나요?
Pronunciation: dol-go-rae gwan-chal tu-eo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any dolphin watching tours? -
Expression: 배를 타야만 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: bae-reul ta-ya-man bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you only see them if you take a boat? -
Expression: 해안가에서도 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hae-an-ga-e-seo-do bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to see them from the shore? -
Expression: 여기서 얼마나 멀어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eol-ma-na meol-eo-yo?
Meaning: How far is it from here? -
Expression: 매일 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: mae-il bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are they visible every day? -
Expression: 여기서 돌고래를 보신 적 있으세요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo dol-go-rae-reul bo-sin jeok it-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Have you seen dolphins here before? -
Expression: 돌고래를 볼 확률이 높나요?
Pronunciation: dol-go-rae-reul bol hwang-nyul-i nop-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the probability of seeing dolphins high?
Understanding Directions and Information
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Expression: 정보 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the information. -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please repeat that? -
Expression: 좀 더 천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jom deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you speak more slowly? -
Expression: 적어 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeok-eo ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you write it down for me? -
Expression: 그러면 저쪽으로 가면 되나요?
Pronunciation: geu-reo-myeon jeo-jjok-eu-ro ga-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: So, I should go that way? -
Expression: 거기까지 가는 데 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-kka-ji ga-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to get there? -
Expression: 찾기 쉬워요?
Pronunciation: chat-gi swi-wo-yo?
Meaning: Is it easy to find? -
Expression: 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. / Okay. -
Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reot-gun-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. / Oh, is that so. -
Expression: 정말 도움이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal do-um-i dwaet-seo-yo.
Meaning: That’s very helpful. -
Expression: 친절하게 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for kindly letting me know.
Cultural Tips
When approaching locals in Korea, always start with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me). This shows respect before asking your question.
Expressing gratitude is important. Use 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) after receiving information, even if the person couldn’t fully help. Adding 정말 도움이 됐어요 (jeong-mal do-um-i dwaet-seo-yo – That was very helpful) is a nice touch if they provided useful details.
Be prepared that not everyone might know specific details about dolphin sightings. If someone is unsure, thank them politely and perhaps try asking someone else, like a local fisherman or someone working near the coast.
Remember that seeing wild animals is never guaranteed. Locals might tell you about potential spots, but weather, time of day, and luck play significant roles. Manage your expectations and enjoy the coastal scenery regardless!
If you do spot dolphins, observe them respectfully from a distance. Avoid actions that could disturb them, aligning with general wildlife viewing ethics.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) walking along a coastal path in Jeju Island.
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 잠시 뭐 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. jam-si mwo jom yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me. May I ask you something quickly? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 뭐 궁금하신 거 있으세요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-reom-yo. mwo gung-geum-ha-sin geo it-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, of course. What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 저는 관광객인데요, 이 근처에서 돌고래를 볼 수 있다고 들었어요. 혹시 어디서 잘 볼 수 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-neun gwan-gwang-gaek-in-de-yo, i geun-cheo-e-seo dol-go-rae-reul bol su it-da-go deul-eot-seo-yo. hok-si eo-di-seo jal bol su it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: A: I’m a tourist, and I heard you can see dolphins around here. Do you happen to know where is a good place to see them? -
Expression: B: 아, 돌고래요? 네, 이쪽 해안도로 따라가다 보면 가끔 보여요. 특히 저기 보이는 곶 근처에서요.
Pronunciation: B: a, dol-go-rae-yo? ne, i-jjok hae-an-do-ro tta-ra-ga-da bo-myeon ga-kkeum bo-yeo-yo. teuk-hi jeo-gi bo-i-neun got geun-cheo-e-seo-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, dolphins? Yes, sometimes you can see them if you go along this coastal road. Especially near that cape you see over there. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말요? 혹시 언제가 가장 보기 좋은 시간인가요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal-lyo? hok-si eon-je-ga ga-jang bo-gi jo-eun si-gan-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, really? By any chance, when is the best time to see them? -
Expression: B: 글쎄요, 보통 늦은 오후나 해 질 녘에 많이들 본다고 하더라고요. 배 타고 나가는 투어도 있긴 해요.
Pronunciation: B: geul-sse-yo, bo-tong neut-eun o-hu-na hae jil nyeok-e man-i-deul bon-da-go ha-deo-ra-go-yo. bae ta-go na-ga-neun tu-eo-do it-gin hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Well, people often say they see them in the late afternoon or around sunset. There are also boat tours that go out. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요! 해안가에서도 볼 수 있는 거죠?
Pronunciation: A: geu-reot-gun-yo! hae-an-ga-e-seo-do bol su it-neun geo-jyo?
Meaning: A: I see! You can see them from the coast too, right? -
Expression: B: 네, 운 좋으면요. 저쪽 곶까지 걸어가 보시면 좋을 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, un jo-eu-myeon-yo. jeo-jjok got-kka-ji geol-eo-ga bo-si-myeon jo-eul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, if you’re lucky. It would be good to try walking to that cape over there. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다! 좋은 정보예요.
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! jo-eun jeong-bo-ye-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay. Thank you so much! That’s great information. -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 돌고래 꼭 보세요!
Pronunciation: B: byeol-mal-sseum-eul-yo. dol-go-rae kkok bo-se-yo!
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. I hope you get to see the dolphins!
Practice Tips
Now you have the phrases you need to ask about dolphin watching spots in Korea! The best way to learn is by practicing~ Try reading the phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation. You can even role-play the conversation example with a friend or study partner!
Don’t be afraid to approach locals when you’re in Korea. Most people are friendly and willing to help tourists. Using even basic Korean phrases like 실례합니다 and 감사합니다 goes a long way!
Remember the core question: 돌고래를 볼 수 있는 곳이 어디예요? (dol-go-rae-reul bol su it-neun got-i eo-di-ye-yo?). Keep practicing, and hopefully, you’ll get lucky and spot some dolphins on your trip! Good luck!
