Planning a hike in Korea often involves seeking advice from park rangers to find the best trails. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for hikers wanting to ask a ranger specifically about trails known for their excellent lookout points or scenic views. Learn how to inquire about recommendations, describe your preferences, and understand the ranger’s guidance to ensure a memorable hiking experience with breathtaking scenery.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 전망 좋은 등산로
Pronunciation: jeon-mang jo-eun deung-san-ro
Meaning: A hiking trail with a good view
Asking the Ranger for Recommendations
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Expression: 저기요, 직원분.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, jik-won-bun.
Meaning: Excuse me, staff member. -
Expression: 안녕하세요, 뭐 좀 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, mwo jom yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to ask you something. -
Expression: 등산로에 대해 여쭤보고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: deung-san-ro-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-eun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to ask about the hiking trails. -
Expression: 전망 좋은 등산로를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-mang jo-eun deung-san-ro-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a hiking trail with a good view. -
Expression: 경치가 가장 좋은 등산로가 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga ga-jang jo-eun deung-san-ro-ga eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the hiking trail with the best scenery? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 등산로가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han deung-san-ro-ga i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there any hiking trails you would recommend? -
Expression: 전망대가 있는 코스를 추천해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeon-mang-dae-ga it-neun ko-seu-reul chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please recommend a course with an observation deck/lookout point. -
Expression: 여기서 가장 인기 있는 전망 좋은 길은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ga-jang in-gi it-neun jeon-mang jo-eun gil-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular trail with a good view here? -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 경치를 볼 수 있는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun gyeong-chi-reul bol su it-neun go-si it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place where I can see scenery that’s good for taking pictures? -
Expression: 정상에서 경치가 좋은가요?
Pronunciation: jeong-sang-e-seo gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the view good from the summit?
Describing Trail Preferences
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Expression: 너무 어렵지 않은 코스면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu eo-ryeop-ji an-eun ko-seu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’d prefer a course that isn’t too difficult. -
Expression: 초보자에게 적합한가요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-e-ge jeok-hap-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it suitable for beginners? -
Expression: 왕복 2시간 정도 걸리는 코스를 원해요.
Pronunciation: wang-bok du-si-gan jeong-do geol-li-neun ko-seu-reul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a course that takes about 2 hours round trip. -
Expression: 짧지만 경치가 좋은 곳이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jjal-ji-man gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun go-si i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place that’s short but has good scenery? -
Expression: 가장 중요한 건 멋진 전망이에요.
Pronunciation: ga-jang jung-yo-han geon meot-jin jeon-mang-i-e-yo.
Meaning: The most important thing is a great view. -
Expression: 아이들과 함께 가도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-gwa ham-kke ga-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be okay to go with children? -
Expression: 조금 힘들어도 경치가 좋다면 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum him-deul-eo-do gyeong-chi-ga jo-ta-myeon gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay if it’s a bit tough, as long as the view is good. -
Expression: 오르막길이 많지 않았으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: o-reu-mak-gil-i man-chi a-na-sseu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope there aren’t too many uphill sections. -
Expression: 안전한 등산로인가요?
Pronunciation: an-jeon-han deung-san-ro-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a safe trail? -
Expression: 정상까지 가는 길인가요?
Pronunciation: jeong-sang-kka-ji ga-neun gil-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the trail that goes to the summit?
Understanding the Ranger’s Response
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Expression: 그 코스는 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: geu ko-seu-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does that course take? -
Expression: 거리가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: geo-ri-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the distance? -
Expression: 난이도는 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: nan-i-do-neun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the difficulty level? -
Expression: 지도가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-ga i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there a map? -
Expression: 입구가 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: ip-gu-ga eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the entrance? -
Expression: 표지판이 잘 되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: pyo-ji-pan-i jal doe-eo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are the signs well-marked? -
Expression: 특별히 조심해야 할 구간이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi jo-sim-hae-ya hal gu-gan-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any sections I should be particularly careful about? -
Expression: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: al-ge-sseum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I understand. Thank you. -
Expression: 친절한 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-han seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the kind explanation. -
Expression: 그럼 그 코스로 가보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reom geu ko-seu-ro ga-bo-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Then I will try that course.
Cultural Tips
Addressing Rangers: When speaking to park rangers or staff (직원분 – jik-won-bun), use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal). Starting with 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo – Excuse me) and ending sentences with ~요 (~yo) or ~ㅂ니다/습니다 (~m-ni-da / seum-ni-da) is standard polite practice.
Hiking Culture: Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is a very popular activity in Korea. You’ll often see hikers well-equipped, even for shorter trails. It’s common to greet fellow hikers on the trail with a simple 안녕하세요 (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo).
Trail Etiquette: Stick to marked trails to protect the environment. Yield to hikers coming uphill when possible. Pack out everything you pack in (쓰레기는 되가져가세요 – sseu-re-gi-neun doe-ga-jyeo-ga-se-yo – Please take your trash back with you).
Ranger Stations: Ranger stations or information centers (탐방 지원 센터 – tam-bang ji-won sen-teo or 안내소 – an-nae-so) are excellent resources for maps, trail conditions, and safety information. Don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A hiker approaches a park ranger at an information center in a Korean national park.
Roles:
A: Hiker
B: Park Ranger (직원분 – jik-won-bun)
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Expression: A: 저기요, 직원분. 안녕하세요. 등산로 추천 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, jik-won-bun. an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. deung-san-ro chu-cheon jom ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me, staff member. Hello. Could I get a hiking trail recommendation? -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 어떤 코스를 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-tteon ko-seu-reul cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. What kind of course are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 전망이 아주 좋은 곳으로 가고 싶어요. 왕복 3시간 이내면 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-mang-i a-ju jo-eun go-seu-ro ga-go sip-eo-yo. wang-bok se-si-gan i-nae-myeon jo-ke-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: I want to go somewhere with a really good view. Preferably within 3 hours round trip. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러시면 ‘하늘 전망대 코스’가 좋겠네요. 경치가 정말 멋지고, 왕복 2시간 반 정도 걸립니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-myeon ‘ha-neul jeon-mang-dae ko-seu’-ga jo-ken-ne-yo. gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal meot-ji-go, wang-bok du-si-gan ban jeong-do geol-lim-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, in that case, the ‘Sky Lookout Point Course’ would be good. The scenery is really wonderful, and it takes about 2 and a half hours round trip. -
Expression: A: 어렵지는 않나요? 초보자도 갈 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-ryeop-ji-neun an-na-yo? cho-bo-ja-do gal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Is it not difficult? Can beginners go too? -
Expression: B: 네, 약간 오르막이 있지만, 표지판이 잘 되어 있어서 초보자분들도 많이 가십니다. 여기 지도 보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, yak-gan o-reu-ma-gi it-ji-man, pyo-ji-pan-i jal doe-eo i-sseo-seo cho-bo-ja-bun-deul-do ma-ni ga-sim-ni-da. yeo-gi ji-do bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, there’s a bit of an uphill climb, but the signs are well-marked, so many beginners go there too. Would you like to see the map here? -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다! 정말 도움이 많이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! jeong-mal do-u-mi ma-ni dwae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you! That was really helpful.
Practice Tips
Ready to find those amazing views? Try practicing these phrases out loud! Imagine you’re talking to a friendly park ranger~ You can even role-play with a friend or language partner. The next time you visit a Korean national park or mountain, try using these expressions to ask for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions using the phrases you learned! Happy hiking and enjoy the incredible scenery Korea has to offer!
