Finding the perfect spot to watch boats glide by can be a relaxing part of your trip to Korea, whether you’re near a river, harbor, or the coast. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists asking locals for recommendations on where to enjoy the view of passing boats. Learn how to ask for directions, describe what you’re looking for, and understand the suggestions you receive.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 배 구경하기 좋은 곳
Pronunciation: bae gu-gyeong-ha-gi jo-eun got
Meaning: A good place to watch boats
Asking for Recommendations
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Expression: 실례합니다. 뭐 좀 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. mwo jom yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. I’d like to ask you something. -
Expression: 이 근처에 배 지나가는 거 볼 수 있는 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e bae ji-na-ga-neun geo bol su it-neun go-si in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place nearby where I can see boats passing by? -
Expression: 배 구경하기 좋은 장소를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: bae gu-gyeong-ha-gi jo-eun jang-so-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a good place to watch boats. -
Expression: 어디로 가면 배를 잘 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro ga-myeon bae-reul jal bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where should I go to get a good view of the boats? -
Expression: 혹시 추천해주실 만한 장소가 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si chu-cheon-hae-ju-sil man-han jang-so-ga i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you perhaps have a place you could recommend? -
Expression: 강가나 바닷가 쪽으로 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: gang-ga-na ba-dat-ga jjok-eu-ro ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I go towards the riverside or the seaside? -
Expression: 여기서 배가 잘 보이는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo bae-ga jal bo-i-neun go-si eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is a place around here with a good view of boats? -
Expression: 관광객인데, 배 보는 걸 좋아해서요.
Pronunciation: gwan-gwang-gae-gin-de, bae bo-neun geol jo-a-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m a tourist, and I like watching boats. -
Expression: 조용히 배 구경할 수 있는 곳 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi bae gu-gyeong-hal su it-neun got jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me a place where I can quietly watch boats. -
Expression: 항구 근처에 전망 좋은 곳이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hang-gu geun-cheo-e jeon-mang jo-eun go-si in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place with a good view near the harbor? -
Expression: 배 지나가는 시간대가 따로 있나요?
Pronunciation: bae ji-na-ga-neun si-gan-ttae-ga tta-ro in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a specific time when boats usually pass by? -
Expression: 이 주변 지리를 잘 몰라서요.
Pronunciation: i ju-byeon ji-ri-reul jal mol-la-seo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know this area well.
Describing What You Want to See
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Expression: 큰 배를 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: keun bae-reul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see large boats/ships. -
Expression: 작은 어선들도 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ja-geun eo-seon-deul-do jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Small fishing boats are fine too. -
Expression: 유람선 지나가는 것을 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: yu-ram-seon ji-na-ga-neun geo-seul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see cruise ships/tour boats passing by. -
Expression: 경치가 좋은 곳이었으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jo-eun go-si-eot-seu-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a place with good scenery. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 곳이면 더 좋아요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun go-si-myeon deo jo-a-yo.
Meaning: It would be even better if it’s a good place for taking photos. -
Expression: 강 위를 지나가는 배를 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gang wi-reul ji-na-ga-neun bae-reul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see boats passing on the river. -
Expression: 바다 위를 항해하는 배를 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ba-da wi-reul hang-hae-ha-neun bae-reul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see boats sailing on the sea. -
Expression: 항구에 들어오고 나가는 배를 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hang-gu-e deu-reo-o-go na-ga-neun bae-reul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see boats entering and leaving the harbor. -
Expression: 앉아서 편하게 볼 수 있는 곳이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: an-ja-seo pyeon-ha-ge bol su it-neun go-si-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a place where I can sit and watch comfortably. -
Expression: 사람이 너무 많지 않은 곳이면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-i neo-mu man-chi a-neun go-si-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I hope it’s a place that isn’t too crowded. -
Expression: 다리 위에서 보는 것도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: da-ri wi-e-seo bo-neun geot-do gwaen-cha-na-yo?
Meaning: Is watching from a bridge okay too? -
Expression: 저녁 노을과 함께 배를 보고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok no-eul-gwa ham-kke bae-reul bo-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to see the boats with the evening sunset.
Understanding Directions and Suggestions
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Expression: 아, 네. 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a, ne. al-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, yes. I understand. -
Expression: 거기까지 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: geo-gi-kka-ji eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get there? -
Expression: 여기서 먼가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo meon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it far from here? -
Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geo-reo-seo gal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I walk there? -
Expression: 버스를 타야 하나요?
Pronunciation: beo-seu-reul ta-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take a bus? -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 설명해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you please explain that again? -
Expression: 그 장소 이름을 적어주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu jang-so i-reum-eul jeo-geo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you write down the name of that place? -
Expression: 친절하게 알려주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for kindly letting me know. -
Expression: 정말 도움이 많이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal do-u-mi ma-ni dwae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: That was really helpful. -
Expression: 그쪽으로 가볼게요.
Pronunciation: geu-jjok-eu-ro ga-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll try going that way. -
Expression: 혹시 지도에 표시해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-do-e pyo-si-hae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you possibly mark it on a map? -
Expression: 좋은 정보 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: jo-eun jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you for the good information!
Korean Culture Notes
When asking locals for directions or recommendations in Korea, starting with a polite greeting like 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me) is always appreciated. Koreans are generally helpful to tourists, especially if you make an effort to speak even a little Korean.
Be specific about what you want to see if possible (e.g., large ships, river view). This helps the local give you a more relevant recommendation. Mentioning you are a tourist (관광객이에요 – gwan-gwang-gae-gi-e-yo) can also provide context.
Korea has many famous spots for watching boats, such as the Han River (한강 – Han-gang) in Seoul, Busan Port (부산항 – Bu-san-hang), or various coastal cities like Incheon (인천) or Yeosu (여수). Locals in these areas are likely familiar with good viewing points.
Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification if you don’t understand the directions. Using phrases like 다시 한번 말씀해주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? – Could you please say that again?) is perfectly acceptable.
Always express gratitude after receiving help. A simple 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) or 도와주셔서 감사합니다 (do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you for your help) goes a long way.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a local resident (B) near a coastal park, wanting to find a good spot to watch ships.
Roles:
A: Tourist
B: Local Resident
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Expression: A: 실례합니다. 뭐 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. mwo jom yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. May I ask you something? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 뭐 궁금하신 거 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. mwo gung-geum-ha-sin geo i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, of course. What are you curious about? -
Expression: A: 제가 관광객인데요, 이 근처에서 배 지나가는 거 구경하기 좋은 곳이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: je-ga gwan-gwang-gae-gin-de-yo, i geun-cheo-e-seo bae ji-na-ga-neun geo gu-gyeong-ha-gi jo-eun go-si i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: I’m a tourist, is there a good place around here to watch boats passing by? -
Expression: B: 아, 배 구경이요? 저기 보이는 등대 쪽으로 가시면 항구가 잘 보여요. 큰 배들이 많이 드나들어요.
Pronunciation: a, bae gu-gyeong-i-yo? jeo-gi bo-i-neun deung-dae jjok-eu-ro ga-si-myeon hang-gu-ga jal bo-yeo-yo. keun bae-deu-ri ma-ni deu-na-deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: Oh, watching boats? If you go towards that lighthouse you can see over there, you get a good view of the harbor. Many large ships come and go. -
Expression: A: 등대 쪽이요? 여기서 많이 먼가요? 걸어갈 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: deung-dae jjok-i-yo? yeo-gi-seo ma-ni meon-ga-yo? geo-reo-gal su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Towards the lighthouse? Is it very far from here? Can I walk there? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 별로 안 멀어요. 이 공원 길 따라서 쭉 가시면 10분 정도면 도착해요. 경치도 좋고요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, byeol-lo an meo-reo-yo. i gong-won gil tta-ra-seo jjuk ga-si-myeon sip-bun jeong-do-myeon do-cha-kae-yo. gyeong-chi-do jo-ko-yo.
Meaning: No, it’s not very far. If you follow this park path straight, you’ll arrive in about 10 minutes. The scenery is nice too. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요! 친절하게 알려주셔서 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo! chin-jeol-ha-ge al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Oh, I see! Thank you so much for kindly letting me know! -
Expression: B: 별말씀을요. 즐거운 여행 되세요!
Pronunciation: byeol-mal-sseu-meul-lyo. jeul-geo-un yeo-haeng doe-se-yo!
Meaning: You’re welcome. Have a pleasant trip!
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases out loud, focusing on the pronunciation! Try imagining yourself near a Korean river or harbor and asking someone for directions~ You can even practice with a friend, taking turns being the tourist and the local.
Listen to Korean dialogues online or in dramas, paying attention to how people ask for and give directions or recommendations. This will help you get used to the natural flow of conversation!
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases when you visit Korea! Even if your pronunciation isn’t perfect, people will appreciate your effort. Good luck finding the best spots to watch the boats! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
