Finding a specific type of location, like a quiet spot to observe airplane landings near an airport, requires specific vocabulary when asking locals in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context to help you politely inquire and find the perfect viewing spot during your travels.
Table Of Content
Core Question
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Expression: 비행기 착륙하는 것을 조용히 볼 수 있는 곳이 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi chak-ryuk-ha-neun geos-eul jo-yong-hi bol su it-neun gos-i eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is a place where I can quietly watch airplanes landing?
Asking for Recommendations
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Expression: 이 근처에 비행기 보기 좋은 장소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e bi-haeng-gi bo-gi jo-eun jang-so-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a good place to watch airplanes near here? -
Expression: 혹시 비행기 착륙을 잘 볼 수 있는 곳을 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bi-haeng-gi chak-ryuk-eul jal bol su it-neun gos-eul a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know a place where I can get a good view of planes landing? -
Expression: 조용하게 비행기를 볼 수 있는 장소를 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-ha-ge bi-haeng-gi-reul bol su it-neun jang-so-reul chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you recommend a place where I can watch airplanes quietly? -
Expression: 공항 근처에 전망 좋은 곳이 있습니까?
Pronunciation: gong-hang geun-cheo-e jeon-mang jo-eun gos-i it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Is there a place with a good view near the airport? -
Expression: 비행기 사진 찍기 좋은 조용한 장소를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi sa-jin jjik-kki jo-eun jo-yong-han jang-so-reul chat-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a quiet place that’s good for taking pictures of airplanes. -
Expression: 현지인만 아는 숨겨진 명소가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-ji-in-man a-neun sum-gyeo-jin myeong-so-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a hidden spot that only locals know about? -
Expression: 비행기 착륙 경로가 잘 보이는 곳을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi chak-ryuk gyeong-no-ga jal bo-i-neun gos-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me a place where the airplane landing path is clearly visible. -
Expression: 방해되지 않게 멀리서 볼 수 있는 곳이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: bang-hae-doe-ji an-ke meol-li-seo bol su it-neun gos-i-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’d prefer a place where I can watch from a distance without causing disturbance. -
Expression: 혹시 추천해주실 만한 곳이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si chu-cheon-hae-ju-sil man-han gos-i i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have any place you could recommend?
Describing the Ideal Spot
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Expression: 조용한 곳을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han gos-eul chat-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a quiet place. -
Expression: 경치가 좋은 곳이었으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun gos-i-eot-seu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a place with a good view. -
Expression: 비행기가 잘 보이는 곳이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi-ga jal bo-i-neun gos-i pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a place where the airplanes are clearly visible. -
Expression: 너무 시끄럽지 않은 곳이면 좋겠습니다.
Pronunciation: neo-mu si-kkeu-reop-ji a-neun gos-i-myeon jo-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I hope it’s not too noisy. -
Expression: 안전하게 볼 수 있는 장소인가요?
Pronunciation: an-jeon-ha-ge bol su it-neun jang-so-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a safe place to watch from? -
Expression: 사람이 많지 않은 곳을 선호해요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-i man-chi a-neun gos-eul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer a place that isn’t crowded. -
Expression: 접근하기 쉬운 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: jeop-geun-ha-gi swi-un gos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it an easily accessible place? -
Expression: 방해받지 않고 볼 수 있는 곳이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: bang-hae-bat-ji an-ko bol su it-neun gos-i-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like a place where I can watch without being disturbed. -
Expression: 탁 트인 전망이 있는 곳을 원해요.
Pronunciation: tak teu-in jeon-mang-i it-neun gos-eul won-hae-yo.
Meaning: I want a place with an open, unobstructed view. -
Expression: 앉아서 편하게 볼 수 있는 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: an-ja-seo pyeon-ha-ge bol su it-neun gos-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a place where I can sit and watch comfortably?
Understanding Directions
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Expression: 거기는 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get there? -
Expression: 여기서 가까운가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ga-kka-un-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it close from here? -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geor-eo-seo gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there? -
Expression: 버스나 지하철로 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu-na ji-ha-cheol-lo gal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get there by bus or subway? -
Expression: 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take? -
Expression: 지도에 표시해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-e pyo-si-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you mark it on the map? -
Expression: 근처에 다른 랜드마크가 있나요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo-e da-reun raen-deu-ma-keu-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other landmarks nearby? -
Expression: 택시를 타는 것이 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: taek-si-reul ta-neun geos-i jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be better to take a taxi? -
Expression: 길을 잃을까 봐 걱정돼요.
Pronunciation: gir-eul ir-eul-kka bwa geok-jeong-dwae-yo.
Meaning: I’m worried I might get lost. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain that again?
Useful Vocabulary
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Expression: 비행기
Pronunciation: bi-haeng-gi
Meaning: Airplane -
Expression: 착륙 / 착륙하다
Pronunciation: chak-ryuk / chak-ryuk-ha-da
Meaning: Landing / To land -
Expression: 이륙 / 이륙하다
Pronunciation: i-ryuk / i-ryuk-ha-da
Meaning: Takeoff / To take off -
Expression: 공항
Pronunciation: gong-hang
Meaning: Airport -
Expression: 조용한
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han
Meaning: Quiet -
Expression: 시끄러운
Pronunciation: si-kkeu-reo-un
Meaning: Noisy -
Expression: 장소 / 곳
Pronunciation: jang-so / got
Meaning: Place / Spot -
Expression: 전망 / 경치
Pronunciation: jeon-mang / gyeong-chi
Meaning: View / Scenery -
Expression: 근처
Pronunciation: geun-cheo
Meaning: Nearby / Vicinity -
Expression: 추천하다
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-ha-da
Meaning: To recommend -
Expression: 보다 / 구경하다
Pronunciation: bo-da / gu-gyeong-ha-da
Meaning: To see/watch / To look around/spectate -
Expression: 사진 찍다
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-tta
Meaning: To take a picture
Korean Culture Notes
When asking locals for directions or recommendations in Korea, politeness is key. Always use the polite ‘-yo’ (요) or formal ‘-seumnida/-mnida’ (습니다/ㅂ니다) endings when addressing strangers, especially those older than you. Starting with a polite phrase like “실례합니다” (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me) before asking your question is recommended.
Koreans are generally helpful to tourists, but approaching someone who looks busy might not yield the best results. Look for someone who seems relaxed, perhaps an older resident or a shop owner in a less busy area near the airport.
Be mindful that areas very close to airport runways might have restricted access for security reasons. Locals might suggest spots that are publicly accessible and known for good views, like designated parks, observation decks (if available), or hills overlooking the airport.
Showing gratitude is important. After receiving help, always say “감사합니다” (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you). A slight bow often accompanies verbal thanks.
If you have a map application on your phone, showing it while asking can be very helpful, especially if there’s a language barrier. You can point to the airport area and use gestures along with the Korean phrases.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) walking near an area potentially overlooking the airport.
Roles: A: Tourist, B: Local Resident
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 말씀 좀 여쭐게요.
Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. mal-sseum jom yeo-jjul-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me. May I ask you something? -
Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, go ahead. -
Expression: A: 제가 관광객인데요, 혹시 이 근처에 비행기 착륙하는 것을 조용히 볼 수 있는 좋은 장소가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A: je-ga gwan-gwang-gae-gin-de-yo, hok-si i geun-cheo-e bi-haeng-gi chak-ryuk-ha-neun geos-eul jo-yong-hi bol su it-neun jo-eun jang-so-ga is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I’m a tourist, and I was wondering if there’s a good, quiet place nearby where I can watch airplanes landing? -
Expression: B: 아, 비행기 보시려고요? 네, 저쪽 언덕 위 공원에 가면 잘 보여요. 조용하고요.
Pronunciation: B: a, bi-haeng-gi bo-si-ryeo-go-yo? ne, jeo-jjok eon-deok wi gong-won-e ga-myeon jal bo-yeo-yo. jo-yong-ha-go-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, you want to watch the planes? Yes, if you go to the park on that hill over there, you can see them well. It’s quiet too. -
Expression: A: 아, 공원이요? 여기서 많이 먼가요? 어떻게 가는지 알려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: a, gong-won-i-yo? yeo-gi-seo ma-ni meon-ga-yo? eo-tteo-ke ga-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, a park? Is it far from here? Could you tell me how to get there? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 별로 안 멀어요. 이 길 따라 쭉 가다가 첫 번째 신호등에서 오른쪽으로 꺾어서 5분 정도만 올라가면 돼요.
Pronunciation: B: a-ni-yo, byeol-lo an meor-eo-yo. i gil tta-ra jjuk ga-da-ga cheot beon-jjae sin-ho-deung-e-seo o-reun-jjok-eu-ro kkeokk-eo-seo o-bun jeong-do-man ol-la-ga-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: B: No, it’s not very far. Just go straight along this road, turn right at the first traffic light, and walk up for about 5 minutes. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요! 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-kun-yo! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Oh, I see! Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 네, 조심히 가세요. 구경 잘 하세요!
Pronunciation: B: ne, jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo. gu-gyeong jal ha-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes, be careful going there. Enjoy the view!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try saying the core question and related phrases out loud. Imagine yourself near an airport in Korea and rehearse asking someone for directions. Listen to the pronunciation guides carefully and mimic the sounds syllable by syllable!
You can also practice by describing your ideal spot using the phrases provided. What’s important to you? A quiet place? A great view? Being able to sit down? Combine these elements to form your own requests. Good luck finding your perfect plane-spotting location in Korea!
