Exploring Korea’s rich history often involves visiting its beautiful traditional houses, known as Hanok (한옥). This guide provides essential Korean phrases for discussing and enjoying your visit to these architectural treasures. You’ll learn how to express your intention to look around, ask questions about the houses, and share your appreciation, making your cultural experience more immersive.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 전통 주택 구경하기
Pronunciation: jeon-tong ju-taek gu-gyeong-ha-gi
Meaning: Looking around traditional houses (The act of sightseeing traditional Korean houses)
Basic Phrases for Visiting
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Expression: 한옥 마을에 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: han-ok ma-eul-e ga-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to a Hanok village. -
Expression: 여기 구경해도 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi gu-gyeong-hae-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: May I look around here? -
Expression: 입장료가 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-nyo-ga eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: 사진 찍어도 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-eo-do gwaen-chan-a-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to take pictures? -
Expression: 신발 벗고 들어가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: sin-bal beot-go deu-reo-ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to take off my shoes to enter? -
Expression: 안내 책자 있어요?
Pronunciation: an-nae chaek-ja iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a guide booklet? -
Expression: 이 집은 언제 지어졌어요?
Pronunciation: i jib-eun eon-je ji-eo-jyeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: When was this house built? -
Expression: 여기는 누가 살았던 곳이에요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-neun nu-ga sal-at-deon gos-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Who used to live here? -
Expression: 개방 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gae-bang si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the opening hours? -
Expression: 저쪽도 들어가 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok-do deu-reo-ga bol su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I go in over there too? -
Expression: 여기서 잠시 쉬어도 될까요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo jam-si swi-eo-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I rest here for a moment? -
Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-eun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom?
Asking Questions About the House
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Expression: 이 건물의 용도가 뭐였어요?
Pronunciation: i geon-mul-ui yong-do-ga mwo-yeoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What was the purpose of this building? -
Expression: 이 방은 어떤 방이에요?
Pronunciation: i bang-eun eo-tteon bang-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What kind of room is this? -
Expression: 이 가구는 오래된 건가요?
Pronunciation: i ga-gu-neun o-rae-doen geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this furniture old? -
Expression: 지붕 재료는 무엇으로 만들었어요?
Pronunciation: ji-bung jae-ryo-neun mu-eos-eu-ro man-deul-eoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What is the roof material made of? -
Expression: 온돌이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: on-dol-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is Ondol (Korean floor heating system)? -
Expression: 마당이 정말 넓네요.
Pronunciation: ma-dang-i jeong-mal neolp-ne-yo.
Meaning: The courtyard is really spacious. -
Expression: 창문 디자인이 독특해요.
Pronunciation: chang-mun di-ja-in-i dok-teuk-hae-yo.
Meaning: The window design is unique. -
Expression: 이 집의 역사에 대해 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jib-ui yeok-sa-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the history of this house? -
Expression: 보존 상태가 아주 좋네요.
Pronunciation: bo-jon sang-tae-ga a-ju jo-ne-yo.
Meaning: The preservation condition is very good. -
Expression: 여기서 특별한 행사가 열리기도 하나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo teuk-byeol-han haeng-sa-ga yeol-li-gi-do ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Are special events sometimes held here? -
Expression: 이런 집을 짓는 데 얼마나 걸렸을까요?
Pronunciation: i-reon jib-eul jit-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeoss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How long might it have taken to build a house like this? -
Expression: 나무 기둥이 인상적이에요.
Pronunciation: na-mu gi-dung-i in-sang-jeok-i-e-yo.
Meaning: The wooden pillars are impressive.
Expressing Appreciation and Comments
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Expression: 정말 아름다운 집이네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal a-reum-da-un jib-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a truly beautiful house. -
Expression: 분위기가 아주 좋아요.
Pronunciation: bun-wi-gi-ga a-ju jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The atmosphere is very nice. -
Expression: 한국 전통 건축에 관심이 많아요.
Pronunciation: han-guk jeon-tong geon-chuk-e gwan-sim-i man-a-yo.
Meaning: I’m very interested in traditional Korean architecture. -
Expression: 여기 오길 잘했어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi o-gil jal-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m glad I came here. -
Expression: 구경 잘 했습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jal haess-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I enjoyed looking around. Thank you. -
Expression: 정말 평화로운 느낌이에요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal pyeong-hwa-ro-un neu-kkim-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It feels really peaceful. -
Expression: 옛날 사람들의 지혜가 느껴져요.
Pronunciation: yen-nal sa-ram-deul-ui ji-hye-ga neu-kkyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: I can feel the wisdom of people from the past. -
Expression: 자연과 잘 어울리는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ja-yeon-gwa jal eo-ul-li-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems to harmonize well with nature. -
Expression: 다음에 꼭 다시 오고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e kkok da-si o-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I definitely want to come again next time. -
Expression: 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the explanation. -
Expression: 정말 인상 깊었어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal in-sang gip-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It was really impressive. -
Expression: 여기서 살면 어떤 느낌일까요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo sal-myeon eo-tteon neu-kkim-il-kka-yo?
Meaning: I wonder what it would feel like to live here.
Korean Culture Notes
When visiting traditional Korean houses (한옥, Hanok), remember that many are still private residences or have specific rules. Always check if entry is permitted and be respectful of the space.
It’s customary to remove your shoes before stepping up onto the wooden floor (마루, maru) or entering rooms. Look for designated shoe areas.
Hanoks often feature an 온돌 (ondol) heating system, where heat radiates from the floor. This is a key characteristic of traditional Korean architecture designed for cold winters.
Be mindful of noise levels, especially in residential Hanok villages. Residents appreciate visitors who explore quietly and respectfully.
Some Hanoks might have areas restricted to visitors. Pay attention to signs or barriers indicating private spaces (출입 금지, chur-ip geum-ji – No Entry).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (Korean) and Sarah (Foreigner), are visiting Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul.
Roles: A: Sarah, B: Minjun
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Expression: A: 와, 여기 한옥 정말 예쁘다! 구경해도 되나?
Pronunciation: wa, yeo-gi han-ok jeong-mal ye-ppeu-da! gu-gyeong-hae-do doe-na?
Meaning: Wow, the Hanoks here are really pretty! Can we look around? -
Expression: B: 응, 여기는 관광객들을 위한 개방된 곳이 많아. 저 집 한번 들어가 볼까? 신발 벗고.
Pronunciation: eung, yeo-gi-neun gwan-gwang-gaek-deul-eul wi-han gae-bang-doen gos-i man-a. jeo jip han-beon deu-reo-ga bol-kka? sin-bal beot-go.
Meaning: Yes, there are many places open for tourists here. Shall we try going into that house? Take off your shoes. -
Expression: A: 알겠어. 이 집은 언제 지어졌을까? 정말 오래돼 보여.
Pronunciation: al-gess-eo. i jib-eun eon-je ji-eo-jyeoss-eul-kka? jeong-mal o-rae-dwae bo-yeo.
Meaning: Okay. When do you think this house was built? It looks really old. -
Expression: B: 안내판 보니까 조선시대 후기에 지어졌대. 보존 상태가 아주 좋네.
Pronunciation: an-nae-pan bo-ni-kka jo-seon-si-dae hu-gi-e ji-eo-jyeoss-dae. bo-jon sang-tae-ga a-ju jon-ne.
Meaning: According to the sign, it was built in the late Joseon Dynasty. The preservation condition is very good. -
Expression: A: 마당도 예쁘고 분위기가 정말 평화롭다. 여기 오길 정말 잘했어!
Pronunciation: ma-dang-do ye-ppeu-go bun-wi-gi-ga jeong-mal pyeong-hwa-rop-da. yeo-gi o-gil jeong-mal jal-haess-eo!
Meaning: The courtyard is pretty too, and the atmosphere is so peaceful. I’m really glad we came here! -
Expression: B: 그치? 한국 전통 주택 구경하기 재밌지? 다른 집들도 더 둘러보자.
Pronunciation: geu-chi? han-guk jeon-tong ju-taek gu-gyeong-ha-gi jae-miss-ji? da-reun jip-deul-do deo dul-leo-bo-ja.
Meaning: Right? Isn’t looking around traditional Korean houses fun? Let’s look around some other houses too.
Practice Tips
Visiting a real Hanok village or a folk village is the best way to practice these expressions! Try using phrases like 구경해도 되나요? (gu-gyeong-hae-do doe-na-yo?) or commenting 정말 아름다워요 (jeong-mal a-reum-da-wo-yo) ~
You can also watch videos or documentaries about Korean traditional houses online. Listen carefully to how people describe the houses and try repeating the phrases you hear!
Role-play with a friend or language partner! One person can be the visitor and the other can be a guide or resident, practicing asking and answering questions about a Hanok. Have fun exploring Korean traditional culture through language! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
