Visiting museums is a fantastic way to delve into Korea’s rich history and vibrant culture. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to museums, helping you navigate your visit, ask questions, and discuss your experiences. Learn how to say “museum” and other useful expressions for a more enriching cultural outing in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 박물관
Pronunciation: bak-mul-gwan
Meaning: Museum
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 박물관에 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bak-mul-gwan-e ga-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to the museum. -
Expression: 이 근처에 박물관이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e bak-mul-gwan-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a museum near here? -
Expression: 국립중앙박물관은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: guk-rip-jung-ang-bak-mul-gwan-eun eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the National Museum of Korea? -
Expression: 입장료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-nyo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: 개관 시간이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: gae-gwan si-gan-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are the opening hours? -
Expression: 폐관 시간은 몇 시예요?
Pronunciation: pye-gwan si-gan-eun myeot si-ye-yo?
Meaning: What time does it close? -
Expression: 오늘은 휴관일이에요.
Pronunciation: o-neu-reun hyu-gwan-il-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s closed today. -
Expression: 표 두 장 주세요.
Pronunciation: pyo du jang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Two tickets, please. -
Expression: 학생 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: hak-saeng hal-in-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a student discount? -
Expression: 안내 책자 있어요?
Pronunciation: an-nae chaek-ja iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a brochure/guidebook?
Asking for Information Inside
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Expression: 이 유물은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i yu-mul-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this artifact? -
Expression: 사진 촬영이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin chwal-yeong-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is photography allowed? -
Expression: 플래시 없이 찍어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: peu-llae-si eop-si jjik-eo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I take pictures without flash? -
Expression: 오디오 가이드 빌릴 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: o-di-o ga-i-deu bil-lil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I rent an audio guide? -
Expression: 영어 오디오 가이드 있어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-eo o-di-o ga-i-deu iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have an audio guide in English? -
Expression: 특별 전시회는 어디에서 해요?
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol jeon-si-hoe-neun eo-di-e-seo hae-yo?
Meaning: Where is the special exhibition held? -
Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-eun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 기념품 가게는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum ga-ge-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the gift shop? -
Expression: 이 전시 설명 좀 해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i jeon-si seol-myeong jom hae-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain this exhibit, please? -
Expression: 가이드 투어는 몇 시에 시작해요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu tu-eo-neun myeot si-e si-jak-hae-yo?
Meaning: What time does the guided tour start?
Describing Your Experience
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Expression: 박물관이 정말 인상 깊었어요.
Pronunciation: bak-mul-gwan-i jeong-mal in-sang gip-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The museum was really impressive. -
Expression: 전시 내용이 흥미로웠어요.
Pronunciation: jeon-si nae-yong-i heung-mi-ro-woss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The exhibition content was interesting. -
Expression: 많은 것을 배웠어요.
Pronunciation: man-eun geos-eul bae-woss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I learned a lot. -
Expression: 특히 [유물 이름]이 기억에 남아요.
Pronunciation: teuk-hi [yu-mul i-reum]-i gi-eok-e nam-a-yo.
Meaning: The [Artifact Name] was particularly memorable. -
Expression: 시간 가는 줄 몰랐어요.
Pronunciation: si-gan ga-neun jul mol-lass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I lost track of time. -
Expression: 박물관 건물이 아름다워요.
Pronunciation: bak-mul-gwan geon-mul-i a-reum-da-wo-yo.
Meaning: The museum building is beautiful. -
Expression: 다음에 또 오고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto o-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to come again next time. -
Expression: 유익한 시간이었어요.
Pronunciation: yu-ik-han si-gan-i-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It was an informative time. -
Expression: 생각보다 규모가 컸어요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-bo-da gyu-mo-ga keoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It was larger than I expected. -
Expression: 아이들과 오기 좋은 곳이에요.
Pronunciation: a-i-deul-gwa o-gi jo-eun gos-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a good place to come with children.
Cultural Tips
Photography Rules: While some museums allow photography, many restrict flash photography or taking pictures in certain galleries to protect artifacts. Always check for signs or ask staff (사진 찍어도 돼요? – sa-jin jjik-eo-do dwae-yo?) before taking photos.
Quiet Please: Korean museums, like most worldwide, are generally quiet spaces. Keep conversations low and avoid loud noises to respect other visitors and the atmosphere.
Museum Days: Many national and public museums in Korea offer free admission on the last Wednesday of each month, known as “Culture Day” (문화가 있는 날 – mun-hwa-ga it-neun nal). Check specific museum policies if you plan to visit then.
Variety of Museums: Beyond large national museums, Korea boasts numerous specialized museums focusing on art, history, science, folk traditions, and even quirky topics like kimchi or owls. Explore different types for diverse experiences.
Handling Artifacts: It’s a universal rule, but worth repeating: never touch exhibits unless specifically invited to do so (e.g., interactive displays). Oils and dirt from hands can damage delicate items over time.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sarah (B), are planning a weekend activity.
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Expression: A: 사라 씨, 이번 주말에 뭐 할 거예요?
Pronunciation: sa-ra ssi, i-beon ju-mal-e mwo hal geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Sarah, what are you doing this weekend? -
Expression: B: 아직 특별한 계획은 없어요. 왜요?
Pronunciation: a-jik teuk-byeol-han gye-hoek-eun eop-seo-yo. wae-yo?
Meaning: I don’t have any special plans yet. Why? -
Expression: A: 같이 국립중앙박물관에 갈래요? 새로 온 특별 전시가 있대요.
Pronunciation: ga-chi guk-rip-jung-ang-bak-mul-gwan-e gal-lae-yo? sae-ro on teuk-byeol jeon-si-ga it-dae-yo.
Meaning: Shall we go to the National Museum of Korea together? I heard there’s a new special exhibition. -
Expression: B: 오, 좋아요! 박물관 가는 거 좋아해요. 입장료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: o, jo-a-yo! bak-mul-gwan ga-neun geo jo-a-hae-yo. ip-jang-nyo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Oh, sounds good! I like going to museums. How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: A: 상설 전시는 무료인데, 특별 전시는 표를 사야 할 거예요. 가서 확인해 봐요.
Pronunciation: sang-seol jeon-si-neun mu-ryo-in-de, teuk-byeol jeon-si-neun pyo-reul sa-ya hal geo-ye-yo. ga-seo hwa-gin-hae bwa-yo.
Meaning: The permanent exhibition is free, but we’ll probably need to buy tickets for the special exhibition. Let’s check when we get there. -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요. 토요일 오전에 갈까요? 오디오 가이드도 빌릴 수 있으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. to-yo-il o-jeon-e gal-kka-yo? o-di-o ga-i-deu-do bil-lil su iss-eu-myeon jo-kess-eo-yo.
Meaning: Okay, sounds good. Shall we go on Saturday morning? It would be nice if we could rent audio guides too. -
Expression: A: 그럼요! 영어 오디오 가이드도 있을 거예요. 토요일 10시에 입구에서 만나요!
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo! yeong-eo o-di-o ga-i-deu-do iss-eul geo-ye-yo. to-yo-il yeol-si-e ip-gu-e-seo man-na-yo!
Meaning: Of course! They should have English audio guides too. Let’s meet at the entrance at 10 AM on Saturday!
Practice Tips
Visiting a museum is the best way to practice these phrases! Try using them when buying tickets, asking for directions inside, or inquiring about exhibits~ Even if you just practice saying “박물관” (bak-mul-gwan) correctly, it’s a great start!
You can also practice by describing a museum you’ve visited before, using the phrases from the “Describing Your Experience” section. Find a language exchange partner and tell them about your favorite museum! 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
