Hiking is a popular activity in Korea, offering stunning natural scenery. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for hikers wanting to ask park rangers about trails, specifically focusing on finding those with beautiful waterfall views. Learn how to inquire about trail locations, difficulty, features, and understand the directions given.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 폭포 전망이 좋은 등산로
Pronunciation: pok-po jeon-mang-i jo-eun deung-san-ro
Meaning: Hiking trail with a good waterfall view
Asking About Trails
-
Expression: 안녕하세요, 등산로에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, deung-san-ro-e dae-hae yeo-jjeo-bol geo-si it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, I have a question about the hiking trails. -
Expression: 폭포를 볼 수 있는 등산로를 추천해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: pok-po-reul bol su it-neun deung-san-ro-reul chu-cheon-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you recommend a hiking trail where I can see a waterfall? -
Expression: 가장 경치가 좋은 폭포 등산로는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun pok-po deung-san-ro-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the most scenic waterfall hiking trail? -
Expression: 이 근처에 폭포가 있는 등산로가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e pok-po-ga it-neun deung-san-ro-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a hiking trail with a waterfall near here? -
Expression: 그 등산로는 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: geu deung-san-ro-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does that trail take? -
Expression: 난이도는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: nan-i-do-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the difficulty level? -
Expression: 초보자에게 적합한가요?
Pronunciation: cho-bo-ja-e-ge jeok-hap-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it suitable for beginners? -
Expression: 지도가 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a map? -
Expression: 폭포까지 가는 가장 짧은 길은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pok-po-kka-ji ga-neun ga-jang jjal-beun gi-reun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the shortest way to the waterfall? -
Expression: 전망대에서 폭포가 잘 보이나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-mang-dae-e-seo pok-po-ga jal bo-i-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the waterfall clearly visible from the viewpoint? -
Expression: 등산로 입구가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: deung-san-ro ip-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the trailhead? -
Expression: 현재 등산로 상태는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-jae deung-san-ro sang-tae-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the current trail conditions?
Describing Trail Features
-
Expression: 폭포
Pronunciation: pok-po
Meaning: Waterfall -
Expression: 전망대
Pronunciation: jeon-mang-dae
Meaning: Observatory / Viewpoint -
Expression: 경치
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi
Meaning: Scenery / View -
Expression: 계곡
Pronunciation: gye-gok
Meaning: Valley -
Expression: 정상
Pronunciation: jeong-sang
Meaning: Summit / Peak -
Expression: 등산로
Pronunciation: deung-san-ro
Meaning: Hiking trail -
Expression: 표지판
Pronunciation: pyo-ji-pan
Meaning: Signpost -
Expression: 가파른 길
Pronunciation: ga-pa-reun gil
Meaning: Steep path -
Expression: 완만한 길
Pronunciation: wan-man-han gil
Meaning: Gentle path -
Expression: 숲길
Pronunciation: sup-gil
Meaning: Forest path -
Expression: 바위가 많은 길
Pronunciation: ba-wi-ga ma-neun gil
Meaning: Rocky path -
Expression: 아름다운 경치
Pronunciation: a-reum-da-un gyeong-chi
Meaning: Beautiful scenery
Understanding the Ranger’s Directions
-
Expression: 이 길을 따라 쭉 가세요.
Pronunciation: i gi-reul tta-ra jjuk ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight along this path. -
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: 표지판을 따라가세요.
Pronunciation: pyo-ji-pa-neul tta-ra-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Follow the signposts. -
Expression: 약 1시간 정도 걸립니다.
Pronunciation: yak han-si-gan jeong-do geol-lim-ni-da.
Meaning: It takes about 1 hour. -
Expression: 길이 조금 가파릅니다.
Pronunciation: gi-ri jo-geum ga-pa-reum-ni-da.
Meaning: The path is a bit steep. -
Expression: 폭포는 저쪽에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: pok-po-neun jeo-jjok-e it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The waterfall is over there. -
Expression: 전망대에서 경치가 아주 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-mang-dae-e-seo gyeong-chi-ga a-ju jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The view from the observatory is very good. -
Expression: 안전하게 등산하세요.
Pronunciation: an-jeon-ha-ge deung-san-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Hike safely. -
Expression: 이 코스는 초보자에게 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: i ko-seu-neun cho-bo-ja-e-ge jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This course is good for beginners. -
Expression: 왕복 3시간 코스입니다.
Pronunciation: wang-bok se-si-gan ko-seu-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s a 3-hour round trip course. -
Expression: 지도를 참고하세요.
Pronunciation: ji-do-reul cham-go-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please refer to the map.
Useful Hiking Vocabulary
-
Expression: 등산객
Pronunciation: deung-san-gaek
Meaning: Hiker -
Expression: 국립공원 관리인
Pronunciation: gung-nip-gong-won gwan-ri-in
Meaning: National Park Ranger -
Expression: 등산화
Pronunciation: deung-san-hwa
Meaning: Hiking boots -
Expression: 배낭
Pronunciation: bae-nang
Meaning: Backpack -
Expression: 물통
Pronunciation: mul-tong
Meaning: Water bottle -
Expression: 간식
Pronunciation: gan-sik
Meaning: Snacks -
Expression: 등산 스틱
Pronunciation: deung-san seu-tik
Meaning: Hiking poles -
Expression: 날씨
Pronunciation: nal-ssi
Meaning: Weather -
Expression: 안전
Pronunciation: an-jeon
Meaning: Safety -
Expression: 휴식
Pronunciation: hyu-sik
Meaning: Rest / Break -
Expression: 하산하다
Pronunciation: ha-san-ha-da
Meaning: To descend the mountain -
Expression: 길을 잃다
Pronunciation: gi-reul il-ta
Meaning: To get lost
Cultural Tips
Hiking (등산, deung-san) is incredibly popular in Korea, especially among older generations, but enjoyed by all ages. Mountains are easily accessible, even from major cities.
Korean hiking trails, particularly in National Parks (국립공원, gung-nip-gong-won), are generally very well-maintained with clear signage, stairs, and rest areas. However, always check conditions beforehand.
Hikers often wear bright, professional hiking gear. While not strictly necessary for easier trails, proper footwear is always recommended. Bringing water and snacks is essential.
It’s common to greet fellow hikers on the trail with a simple “안녕하세요” (an-nyeong-ha-se-yo).
Be aware of weather changes, especially in mountainous areas. Check the forecast and be prepared for rain or temperature drops, even in summer.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A hiker (A) approaches a park ranger (B) at an information booth near a trailhead.
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 실례지만, 폭포를 볼 수 있는 좋은 등산로를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. sil-lye-ji-man, pok-po-reul bol su it-neun jo-eun deung-san-ro-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. Excuse me, I’m looking for a good hiking trail where I can see a waterfall. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 폭포를 보시려면 ‘비룡폭포 코스’가 가장 인기가 많습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. pok-po-reul bo-si-ryeo-myeon ‘bi-ryong-pok-po ko-seu’-ga ga-jang in-gi-ga man-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. If you want to see a waterfall, the ‘Biryong Falls Course’ is the most popular. -
Expression: A: 아, 비룡폭포요. 그 코스는 얼마나 걸리고, 어렵나요?
Pronunciation: A: a, bi-ryong-pok-po-yo. geu ko-seu-neun eol-ma-na geol-li-go, eo-ryeom-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Ah, Biryong Falls. How long does that course take, and is it difficult? -
Expression: B: 왕복으로 약 1시간 반 정도 걸리고, 초반에는 완만하지만 폭포 가까이는 계단이 좀 있습니다. 초보자도 충분히 가실 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: B: wang-bok-eu-ro yak han-si-gan ban jeong-do geol-li-go, cho-ban-e-neun wan-man-ha-ji-man pok-po ga-kka-i-neun gye-dan-i jom it-seum-ni-da. cho-bo-ja-do chung-bun-hi ga-sil su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: It takes about an hour and a half round trip. It’s gentle at the beginning, but there are some stairs near the waterfall. Beginners can definitely do it. -
Expression: A: 그렇군요. 전망은 좋은가요? 폭포가 잘 보이나요?
Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-kun-yo. jeon-mang-eun jo-eun-ga-yo? pok-po-ga jal bo-i-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I see. Is the view good? Is the waterfall clearly visible? -
Expression: B: 네, 폭포 바로 앞에서 시원하게 보실 수 있습니다. 경치가 아주 좋습니다. 이 지도 보시면 등산로 입구가 여기 표시되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, pok-po ba-ro ap-e-seo si-won-ha-ge bo-sil su it-seum-ni-da. gyeong-chi-ga a-ju jo-seum-ni-da. i ji-do bo-si-myeon deung-san-ro ip-gu-ga yeo-gi pyo-si-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, you can see it clearly right in front of the waterfall. The scenery is very good. If you look at this map, the trailhead is marked here. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 많은 도움이 되었어요.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! ma-neun do-u-mi doe-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you! That was very helpful. -
Expression: B: 안전하게 다녀오세요!
Pronunciation: B: an-jeon-ha-ge da-nyeo-o-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Have a safe hike!
Practice Tips
Ready to find those amazing waterfall views?~ Try practicing these phrases out loud! Imagine you’re at a Korean National Park information center. You can even use a map of a real Korean park (like Seoraksan or Jirisan) to make it more realistic.
Listen to the pronunciations carefully and mimic them. Pay attention to the syllable breaks. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification using “다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?” (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? – Could you say that again?). Good luck with your hiking adventures in Korea!
