Exploring Korea’s beautiful national parks often involves discovering historic walking trails. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask a guide about these old paths in famous parks. Learn how to inquire about trail locations, difficulty, history, and more to fully appreciate your hiking experience in Korea.
Table Of Content
Key Phrase for Asking About Trails
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Expression: 이 공원의 옛 산책로에 대해 여쭤보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i gong-won-ui yet san-chaek-ro-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I would like to ask about the old walking trails in this park.
Basic Questions for the Guide
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Expression: 옛 산책로는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: yet san-chaek-ro-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the old walking trails? -
Expression: 이 길은 얼마나 오래됐나요?
Pronunciation: i gil-eun eol-ma-na o-rae-dwaet-na-yo?
Meaning: How old is this path? -
Expression: 가장 인기 있는 옛길은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun yet-gil-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular old trail? -
Expression: 이 산책로는 걷기 어렵나요?
Pronunciation: i san-chaek-ro-neun geot-gi eo-ryeom-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this walking trail difficult to walk? -
Expression: 코스 완주하는 데 시간이 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: ko-seu wan-ju-ha-neun de si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take to complete the course? -
Expression: 지도 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-do jom bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I get a map? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 코스가 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han ko-seu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a course you would recommend? -
Expression: 이 길의 역사에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i gil-ui yeok-sa-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the history of this trail? -
Expression: 경치가 좋은 곳은 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun got-eun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is a place with a good view? -
Expression: 이 근처에 화장실이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e hwa-jang-sil-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a restroom nearby? -
Expression: 물을 살 수 있는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: mul-eul sal su it-neun got-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place where I can buy water? -
Expression: 이 길은 안전한가요?
Pronunciation: i gil-eun an-jeon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this trail safe?
Describing Trails and Park Features
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Expression: 아름다운 산책로
Pronunciation: a-reum-da-un san-chaek-ro
Meaning: Beautiful walking trail -
Expression: 역사적인 길
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-jeok-in gil
Meaning: Historic path -
Expression: 가파른 오르막길
Pronunciation: ga-pa-reun o-reu-mak-gil
Meaning: Steep uphill path -
Expression: 완만한 내리막길
Pronunciation: wan-man-han nae-ri-mak-gil
Meaning: Gentle downhill path -
Expression: 쉬운 코스
Pronunciation: swi-un ko-seu
Meaning: Easy course -
Expression: 어려운 코스
Pronunciation: eo-ryeo-un ko-seu
Meaning: Difficult course -
Expression: 멋진 경치
Pronunciation: meot-jin gyeong-chi
Meaning: Wonderful scenery/view -
Expression: 유명한 명소
Pronunciation: yu-myeong-han myeong-so
Meaning: Famous landmark/spot -
Expression: 공원 입구
Pronunciation: gong-won ip-gu
Meaning: Park entrance -
Expression: 공원 출구
Pronunciation: gong-won chul-gu
Meaning: Park exit -
Expression: 휴게소
Pronunciation: hyu-ge-so
Meaning: Rest area -
Expression: 안내 센터
Pronunciation: an-nae sen-teo
Meaning: Information center
Understanding the Guide’s Responses
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Expression: 이쪽으로 가시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: i-jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: You can go this way. -
Expression: 약 2시간 정도 걸립니다.
Pronunciation: yak du-si-gan jeong-do geol-lim-ni-da.
Meaning: It takes about 2 hours. -
Expression: 길이 미끄러우니 조심하세요.
Pronunciation: gil-i mi-kkeu-reo-u-ni jo-sim-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: The path is slippery, so please be careful. -
Expression: 이 코스를 추천합니다.
Pronunciation: i ko-seu-reul chu-cheon-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I recommend this course. -
Expression: 네, 비교적 쉬운 편입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, bi-gyo-jeok swi-un pyeon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it’s relatively easy. -
Expression: 아니요, 조금 가파릅니다.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, jo-geum ga-pa-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: No, it’s a bit steep. -
Expression: 지도를 따라가시면 찾기 쉬울 거예요.
Pronunciation: ji-do-reul tta-ra-ga-si-myeon chat-gi swi-ul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: If you follow the map, it will be easy to find. -
Expression: 저기 보이는 봉우리가 정상입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi bo-i-neun bong-u-ri-ga jeong-sang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: That peak you see over there is the summit. -
Expression: 궁금한 점이 더 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: gung-geum-han jeom-i deo it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any more questions? -
Expression: 안전 장비를 꼭 착용하세요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon jang-bi-reul kkok chak-yong-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make sure to wear safety gear. -
Expression: 충분한 물을 준비하세요.
Pronunciation: chung-bun-han mul-eul jun-bi-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please prepare enough water. -
Expression: 즐거운 산행 되세요.
Pronunciation: jeul-geo-un san-haeng doe-se-yo.
Meaning: Have an enjoyable hike.
Cultural Tips
Addressing the Guide: When speaking to a park guide or staff, using formal language is appropriate. You can address them as 선생님 (seon-saeng-nim – teacher, a general respectful term) or 안내원님 (an-nae-won-nim – guide + respectful suffix).
Hiking Culture: Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is a very popular activity in Korea. Parks, especially on weekends, can be quite busy. It’s common to see hikers well-equipped with gear, even for shorter trails.
Trail Etiquette: Stay on marked trails to protect the environment. Greet other hikers you pass with a simple 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo). Carry out all your trash (쓰레기는 되가져가세요 – sseu-re-gi-neun doe-ga-jyeo-ga-se-yo).
Sharing Food: Don’t be surprised if fellow Korean hikers offer you snacks or drinks on the trail. It’s a common gesture of goodwill. You can politely accept with 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) or decline with 괜찮습니다, 감사합니다 (gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da, gam-sa-ham-ni-da).
Respect for Nature and History: Many old trails have historical significance or pass through ecologically sensitive areas. Show respect by not disturbing plants, animals, or historical markers.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a park guide (B) at the entrance of Bukhansan National Park in Seoul.
Roles: A: Tourist, B: Park Guide
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 실례지만, 이 공원의 옛 산책로에 대해 여쭤보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. sil-lye-ji-man, i gong-won-ui yet san-chaek-ro-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. Excuse me, I’d like to ask about the old walking trails in this park. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 어떤 정보가 필요하신가요? 북한산에는 역사적인 길이 많습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon jeong-bo-ga pil-yo-ha-sin-ga-yo? buk-han-san-e-neun yeok-sa-jeok-in gil-i man-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. What information do you need? Bukhansan has many historical trails. -
Expression: A: 네, 특히 경치가 좋고 너무 어렵지 않은 옛길을 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, teu-ki gyeong-chi-ga jo-ko neo-mu eo-ryeop-ji an-eun yet-gil-eul chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, could you recommend an old trail that has good views and isn’t too difficult? -
Expression: B: 그럼, 북한산성 코스를 따라 걷는 것을 추천합니다. 성곽을 따라 걷는 길인데, 역사도 느낄 수 있고 경치도 좋습니다. 비교적 완만한 편이에요.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom, buk-han-san-seong ko-seu-reul tta-ra geot-neun geot-eul chu-cheon-ham-ni-da. seong-gwak-eul tta-ra geot-neun gil-in-de, yeok-sa-do neu-kkil su it-go gyeong-chi-do jo-seum-ni-da. bi-gyo-jeok wan-man-han pyeon-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Then, I recommend walking along the Bukhansanseong Fortress course. It’s a path along the fortress wall, where you can feel the history and the view is good too. It’s relatively gentle. -
Expression: A: 아, 좋네요! 그 코스는 시간이 얼마나 걸리나요? 그리고 지도도 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: a, jon-ne-yo! geu ko-seu-neun si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo? geu-ri-go ji-do-do bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, that sounds good! How long does that course take? And could I also get a map? -
Expression: B: 전체 코스는 약 3시간 정도 걸립니다. 물론이죠, 여기 지도 있습니다. 표시된 길을 따라가시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: jeon-che ko-seu-neun yak se-si-gan jeong-do geol-lim-ni-da. mul-lon-i-jyo, yeo-gi ji-do it-seum-ni-da. pyo-si-doen gil-eul tta-ra-ga-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: The entire course takes about 3 hours. Of course, here is a map. Just follow the marked path. -
Expression: A: 정말 감사합니다! 많은 도움이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! man-eun do-um-i dwaes-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you so much! That was very helpful. -
Expression: B: 천만에요. 즐거운 산행 되시길 바랍니다!
Pronunciation: B: cheon-man-e-yo. jeul-geo-un san-haeng doe-si-gil ba-ram-ni-da!
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. I hope you have an enjoyable hike!
Practice Tips
Mastering these phrases will greatly enhance your park explorations in Korea! Try practicing the pronunciations out loud, focusing on the syllable breaks~ Remember to use formal language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) when speaking with park staff or guides. You could even role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel asking about Korea’s beautiful and historic trails! Enjoy your hiking adventures! 화이팅!
