Finding yourself on a hiking trail with unexpected fog can be disorienting, especially if you’ve lost your way or misplaced your map. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for politely approaching another hiker to ask if they have a spare map you could use or look at, ensuring you can navigate safely even in challenging conditions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 혹시 여분 지도 있으세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yeo-bun ji-do iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a spare map? (Polite)
Getting Attention and Explaining the Situation
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Expression: 저기요, 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me (over there). -
Expression: 잠시만요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, please. -
Expression: 말씀 좀 여쭙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: mal-sseum jom yeo-jjup-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: May I ask you something? (Very polite) -
Expression: 안개가 너무 심하게 꼈어요.
Pronunciation: an-gae-ga neo-mu sim-ha-ge kkyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The fog is really thick. -
Expression: 길을 좀 잃은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: gil-eul jom ilh-eun geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think I might be a little lost. -
Expression: 제가 지도를 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga ji-do-reul ilh-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost my map. -
Expression: 방향을 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: bang-hyang-eul jal mo-reu-get-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure which way to go. -
Expression: 여기 혹시 어디쯤인지 아세요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi hok-si eo-di-jjeum-in-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know where around here this is? -
Expression: 안개 때문에 앞이 잘 안 보여요.
Pronunciation: an-gae ttae-mun-e ap-i jal an bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t see well ahead because of the fog. -
Expression: 도움이 좀 필요해요.
Pronunciation: do-um-i jom pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a little help.
Asking About the Map
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Expression: 혹시 지도 한 장 더 가지고 계신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-do han jang deo ga-ji-go gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have one more map? -
Expression: 여분 지도가 있으시면 하나 빌릴 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: yeo-bun ji-do-ga iss-eu-si-myeon ha-na bil-lil su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: If you have a spare map, could I possibly borrow one? -
Expression: 지도 좀 같이 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: ji-do jom gat-i bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be okay if we looked at the map together? -
Expression: 제 위치를 확인하고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: je wi-chi-reul hwa-gin-ha-go sip-eun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to check my location. -
Expression: 이 근처 지도가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo ji-do-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a map of this area. -
Expression: 잠깐만 지도를 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan-man ji-do-reul bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I just look at the map for a moment? -
Expression: 혹시 이 지역 지도 가지고 계세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i ji-yeok ji-do ga-ji-go gye-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a map of this region? -
Expression: 지도가 없어서 좀 불안하네요.
Pronunciation: ji-do-ga eop-seo-seo jom bur-an-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: I’m a bit anxious because I don’t have a map. -
Expression: 괜찮으시다면, 지도 좀 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chanh-eu-si-da-myeon, ji-do jom bo-yeo-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: If it’s okay with you, could you show me the map? -
Expression: 여분 없으시면 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: yeo-bun eop-seu-si-myeon gwaen-chanh-a-yo.
Meaning: It’s okay if you don’t have a spare one.
Expressing Gratitude and Responding
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Expression: 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you so much! -
Expression: 덕분에 살았어요.
Pronunciation: deok-bun-e sal-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: Thanks to you, I’m saved. (You saved me.) -
Expression: 도와주셔서 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for helping me. -
Expression: 아, 그러시군요. 괜찮습니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, I see. That’s okay. (Used if they don’t have a map) -
Expression: 신경 써주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: sin-gyeong sseo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your concern/consideration. -
Expression: 이 은혜는 잊지 않겠습니다.
Pronunciation: i eun-hye-neun it-ji an-ket-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I won’t forget this kindness. (Formal, expresses deep gratitude) -
Expression: 정말 다행이네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal da-haeng-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s a real relief. -
Expression: 조심히 가세요.
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hi ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go safely. / Take care. (Said when parting ways) -
Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 어쨌든 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: eo-jjaet-deun gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you anyway. (Used if they couldn’t help but were kind)
Cultural Tips
When approaching a stranger for help in Korea, especially on a trail, politeness is key. Always start with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me). Using formal language (-요 [-yo] or -ㅂ/습니다 [-p/seum-ni-da] endings) shows respect.
Explain your situation briefly. Mentioning the fog (안개 – an-gae) and that you’re lost (길을 잃었어요 – gil-eul ilh-eoss-eo-yo) helps them understand why you need assistance. Koreans generally appreciate directness when asking for help, as long as it’s done politely.
Hiking is a popular activity in Korea, and fellow hikers are often friendly and willing to help. However, always be prepared. Carrying your own map, compass, or GPS device is crucial, especially in changeable weather conditions. Don’t rely solely on the possibility of finding someone with a spare map.
If someone offers help, express your gratitude clearly using phrases like 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da). If they cannot help, still thank them for their time (어쨌든 감사합니다 – eo-jjaet-deun gam-sa-ham-ni-da) before politely excusing yourself.
Safety is paramount. If the fog is extremely dense, it might be safer to wait for it to clear or stay with another group if possible, rather than proceeding alone even with a borrowed map.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Hiker A is caught in thick fog on a mountain trail and realizes they’ve lost their map. They see Hiker B approaching.
Roles:
A: Lost Hiker
B: Approaching Hiker
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Expression: A: 저기요, 실례합니다! 잠시만요!
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da! jam-si-man-yo!
Meaning: A: Excuse me! Just a moment! -
Expression: B: 네? 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: ne? mu-seun ir-i-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes? What is it? -
Expression: A: 죄송한데, 안개가 너무 심해서 길을 좀 잃은 것 같아요. 그리고 제가 지도를 잃어버렸어요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-han-de, an-gae-ga neo-mu sim-hae-seo gil-eul jom ilh-eun geot gat-a-yo. geu-ri-go je-ga ji-do-reul ilh-eo-beo-ryeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’m sorry, but the fog is so thick I think I’m a bit lost. And I’ve lost my map. -
Expression: B: 아, 저런. 괜찮으세요? 네, 안개가 갑자기 심해졌네요.
Pronunciation: a, jeo-reon. gwaen-chanh-eu-se-yo? ne, an-gae-ga gap-ja-gi sim-hae-jyeon-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, dear. Are you okay? Yes, the fog suddenly got quite bad. -
Expression: A: 네… 혹시 죄송하지만, 여분 지도 가지고 계신 거 있으세요? 아니면 잠깐 같이 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ne… hok-si joe-song-ha-ji-man, yeo-bun ji-do ga-ji-go gye-sin geo iss-eu-se-yo? a-ni-myeon jam-kkan gat-i bol su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes… I’m sorry to ask, but do you happen to have a spare map? Or perhaps could we look at yours together for a moment? -
Expression: B: 아, 여분은 없는데 제 지도 같이 보시죠. 어디로 가시려고 했어요?
Pronunciation: a, yeo-bun-eun eop-neun-de je ji-do gat-i bo-si-jyo. eo-di-ro ga-si-ryeo-go haess-eo-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah, I don’t have a spare one, but let’s look at my map together. Where were you trying to go? -
Expression: A: 정상 쪽으로 가고 있었는데, 이 갈림길에서 헷갈려서요. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: jeong-sang jjok-eu-ro ga-go iss-eot-neun-de, i gal-lim-gil-e-seo het-gal-lyeo-seo-yo. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: I was heading towards the summit, but I got confused at this fork. Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽 길이 맞아요. 조심해서 가세요!
Pronunciation: ne, i-jjok gir-i maj-a-yo. jo-sim-hae-seo ga-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Yes, this way is correct. Be careful going forward!
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect, especially when you might be flustered! Try role-playing the situation with a friend or language partner~ Imagine the fog rolling in and practice saying 안개가 꼈어요 (an-gae-ga kkyeoss-eo-yo) and then politely asking 혹시 여분 지도 있으세요? (hok-si yeo-bun ji-do iss-eu-se-yo?). Getting comfortable with these phrases beforehand will make it much easier if you ever need them on a real trail. Remember your polite introductions and thank yous too! Stay safe and happy hiking!
