Hiking is a popular activity in Korea, but popular trails can get very crowded, especially on weekends. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for hikers wanting to ask campers or locals for advice on finding quieter, less congested trails, ensuring a more peaceful outdoor experience.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 붐비지 않는 등산로
Pronunciation: bum-bi-ji an-neun deung-san-ro
Meaning: Hiking trail that isn’t crowded (Lit: non-crowded hiking trail)
Asking for Trail Advice
-
Expression: 실례합니다, 말씀 좀 여쭤볼게요.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, mal-sseum jom yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, may I ask you something? -
Expression: 혹시 이 근처 등산로 잘 아세요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i geun-cheo deung-san-ro jal a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to know the hiking trails around here well? -
Expression: 사람이 좀 적은 등산로를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sa-ram-i jom jeok-eun deung-san-ro-reul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a hiking trail with fewer people. -
Expression: 붐비지 않는 길 아시는 곳 있으세요?
Pronunciation: bum-bi-ji an-neun gil a-si-neun got iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know any trails that aren’t crowded? -
Expression: 조용한 등산로 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-yong-han deung-san-ro chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you recommend a quiet hiking trail? -
Expression: 어느 길이 가장 한적할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-neu gil-i ga-jang han-jeok-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Which trail would be the quietest? -
Expression: 주말에도 덜 붐비는 곳이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ju-mal-e-do deol bum-bi-neun got-i iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place that’s less crowded even on weekends? -
Expression: 경치 좋고 조용한 곳으로 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi jo-ko jo-yong-han got-eu-ro ga-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go somewhere scenic and quiet. -
Expression: 이 주변에 숨겨진 좋은 길이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ju-byeon-e sum-gyeo-jin jo-eun gil-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any hidden gem trails around here? -
Expression: 혹시 피해야 할 시간대가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si pi-hae-ya hal si-gan-dae-ga iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps specific times I should avoid? -
Expression: 현지인만 아는 코스가 있나요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-ji-in-man a-neun ko-seu-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a course that only locals know about? -
Expression: 덜 알려진 길 정보를 얻고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: deol al-lyeo-jin gil jeong-bo-reul eot-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to get information on less well-known trails.
Describing Trail Conditions
-
Expression: 이 길은 주말에 사람이 정말 많아요.
Pronunciation: i gil-eun ju-mal-e sa-ram-i jeong-mal man-a-yo.
Meaning: This trail gets really crowded on weekends. -
Expression: 저쪽 코스는 비교적 한적한 편이에요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok ko-seu-neun bi-gyo-jeok han-jeok-han pyeon-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That course over there is relatively quiet. -
Expression: 아침 일찍 가면 사람이 별로 없을 거예요.
Pronunciation: a-chim il-jjik ga-myeon sa-ram-i byeol-lo eop-seul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: If you go early in the morning, there probably won’t be many people. -
Expression: 그 길은 좀 힘들지만 경치는 최고예요.
Pronunciation: geu gil-eun jom him-deul-ji-man gyeong-chi-neun choe-go-ye-yo.
Meaning: That trail is a bit tough, but the scenery is the best. -
Expression: 평일에는 아주 조용해요.
Pronunciation: pyeong-il-e-neun a-ju jo-yong-hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s very quiet on weekdays. -
Expression: B 코스는 A 코스보다 덜 붐벼요.
Pronunciation: bi ko-seu-neun ei ko-seu-bo-da deol bum-byeo-yo.
Meaning: Course B is less crowded than Course A. -
Expression: 거기는 잘 알려지지 않아서 사람이 적어요.
Pronunciation: geo-gi-neun jal al-lyeo-ji-ji an-a-seo sa-ram-i jeok-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s not well-known there, so there are few people. -
Expression: 정상 부근은 항상 붐비는 편이에요.
Pronunciation: jeong-sang bu-geun-eun hang-sang bum-bi-neun pyeon-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It tends to always be crowded near the summit. -
Expression: 입구는 붐벼도 안쪽은 한산할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: ip-gu-neun bum-byeo-do an-jjok-eun han-san-hal su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Even if the entrance is crowded, the inner parts might be quiet. -
Expression: 이 지도에 표시되지 않은 작은 길이 있어요.
Pronunciation: i ji-do-e pyo-si-doe-ji an-eun jak-eun gil-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a small trail not marked on this map. -
Expression: 오후 늦게 가면 사람이 줄어들어요.
Pronunciation: o-hu neut-ge ga-myeon sa-ram-i jul-eo-deul-eo-yo.
Meaning: If you go late in the afternoon, the number of people decreases. -
Expression: 날씨가 안 좋으면 당연히 사람이 적죠.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga an jo-eu-myeon dang-yeon-hi sa-ram-i jeok-jyo.
Meaning: Naturally, there are fewer people if the weather is bad.
Understanding Directions and Tips
-
Expression: 아, 그렇군요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reot-gun-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, I see. Thank you. -
Expression: 좋은 정보 알려주셔서 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-eun jeong-bo al-lyeo-ju-syeo-seo go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for letting me know the good information. -
Expression: 그 길은 여기서 어떻게 가나요?
Pronunciation: geu gil-eun yeo-gi-seo eo-tteo-ke ga-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to that trail from here? -
Expression: 대략 시간이 얼마나 걸릴까요?
Pronunciation: dae-ryak si-gan-i eol-ma-na geol-lil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Approximately how long will it take? -
Expression: 혹시 지도 같은 거 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ji-do ga-teun geo iss-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have something like a map? -
Expression: 말씀하신 곳 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: mal-sseum-ha-sin got i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of the place you mentioned? -
Expression: 그쪽 길은 위험하지는 않나요?
Pronunciation: geu-jjok gil-eun wi-heom-ha-ji-neun an-na-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t that trail dangerous? -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain that one more time? -
Expression: 정말 도움이 많이 됐어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal do-um-i man-i dwaess-eo-yo.
Meaning: That was really helpful. -
Expression: 그 길 입구를 찾기 쉬울까요?
Pronunciation: geu gil ip-gu-reul chat-gi swi-ul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Will it be easy to find the entrance to that trail? -
Expression: 특별히 조심해야 할 점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-hi jo-sim-hae-ya hal jeom-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything specific I should be careful about? -
Expression: 알려주신 대로 가보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: al-lyeo-ju-sin dae-ro ga-bo-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will try going the way you told me.
Korean Culture Notes
Approaching Strangers: While Koreans might seem reserved, hikers and campers are often friendly and willing to share information, especially about nature. Approaching someone politely with 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me) is standard and usually well-received.
Hiking Popularity: Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is extremely popular in Korea, especially among older generations. National parks and mountains near cities can become very crowded on weekends and holidays. Knowing how to ask for quieter alternatives is very useful.
Sharing is Caring: It’s common for Korean hikers to share snacks or drinks on the trail. While not expected, offering a small item like a piece of fruit or candy after receiving helpful advice can be a nice gesture, though simply expressing sincere thanks (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is perfectly sufficient.
Politeness Levels: When asking for help from a stranger, especially someone who appears older, using formal language (like the phrases provided here ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/seumnida)) is crucial for showing respect.
Trail Etiquette: Stick to marked trails, greet fellow hikers (especially older ones) with a simple 안녕하세요 (ahn-nyeong-ha-se-yo), and carry out all your trash. Understanding basic trail etiquette enhances interactions.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A hiker (A) sees a camper (B) setting up gear near a trailhead known for being busy.
Roles: A: Hiker, B: Camper
-
Expression: A: 실례합니다, 잠시 여쭤볼 게 있는데요.
Pronunciation: A: sil-lye-ham-ni-da, jam-si yeo-jjwo-bol ge in-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I have something I’d like to ask briefly. -
Expression: B: 네, 말씀하세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, go ahead. -
Expression: A: 제가 오늘 등산하려고 하는데, 이쪽 길이 주말에 사람이 많다고 들어서요. 혹시 좀 덜 붐비는 길 아시면 추천 좀 부탁드려도 될까요?
Pronunciation: A: je-ga o-neul deung-san-ha-ryeo-go ha-neun-de, i-jjok gil-i ju-mal-e sa-ram-i man-ta-go deul-eo-seo-yo. hok-si jom deol bum-bi-neun gil a-si-myeon chu-cheon jom bu-tak-deu-ryeo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I’m planning to hike today, but I heard this trail gets very crowded on weekends. If you happen to know a less crowded trail, could I ask for a recommendation? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 맞아요. 여기 주말엔 정말 붐벼요. 저쪽으로 한 10분 정도 걸어가시면 작은 계곡 옆으로 난 오솔길이 하나 있어요. 거기는 아는 사람만 가서 비교적 한적해요.
Pronunciation: B: a, ne. maj-a-yo. yeo-gi ju-mal-en jeong-mal bum-byeo-yo. jeo-jjok-eu-ro han sip-bun jeong-do geol-eo-ga-si-myeon jak-eun gye-gok yeop-eu-ro nan o-sol-gil-i ha-na iss-eo-yo. geo-gi-neun a-neun sa-ram-man ga-seo bi-gyo-jeok han-jeok-hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, yes. That’s right. It gets really crowded here on weekends. If you walk about 10 minutes that way, there’s a small path next to a little stream. Only people who know about it go there, so it’s relatively quiet. -
Expression: A: 아, 정말요? 좋은 정보 감사합니다! 그 길은 찾기 쉬운가요?
Pronunciation: A: a, jeong-mal-lyo? jo-eun jeong-bo gam-sa-ham-ni-da! geu gil-eun chat-gi swi-un-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, really? Thank you for the great information! Is that trail easy to find? -
Expression: B: 네, 저기 보이는 큰 나무 지나서 바로 오른쪽에 작은 표지판 있어요. 경치도 좋으니 한번 가보세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jeo-gi bo-i-neun keun na-mu ji-na-seo ba-ro o-reun-jjok-e jak-eun pyo-ji-pan iss-eo-yo. gyeong-chi-do jo-eu-ni han-beon ga-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, right past that big tree you see over there, there’s a small sign on the right. The scenery is nice too, so give it a try. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 감사합니다! 덕분에 조용히 등산할 수 있겠네요.
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! deok-bun-e jo-yong-hi deung-san-hal su it-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: Wow, thank you so much! Thanks to you, I’ll be able to hike peacefully.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases out loud, focusing on the pronunciation! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Imagine yourself hiking in Korea and needing to ask for directions to a quieter spot. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel using these expressions in a real situation. Don’t be afraid to approach fellow hikers or campers politely; many will be happy to help! Enjoy your peaceful hike in Korea!
