Enjoying a day at the beach often involves fun activities like collecting seashells. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases for talking about finding and picking up seashells (조개 줍기 – jo-gae jup-gi) by the sea in Korea. Learn how to describe shells, ask questions, and share your beachcombing experience.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 바닷가에서 조개 줍기
Pronunciation: ba-dat-ga-e-seo jo-gae jup-gi
Meaning: Picking up seashells at the beach (lit. Picking up shells at the seaside)
Basic Beach Vocabulary
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Expression: 바닷가
Pronunciation: ba-dat-ga
Meaning: Beach, seaside -
Expression: 해변
Pronunciation: hae-byeon
Meaning: Beach -
Expression: 바다
Pronunciation: ba-da
Meaning: Sea, ocean -
Expression: 조개
Pronunciation: jo-gae
Meaning: Shell, seashell, clam -
Expression: 조개껍데기
Pronunciation: jo-gae-kkeop-de-gi
Meaning: Seashell (empty shell) -
Expression: 모래
Pronunciation: mo-rae
Meaning: Sand -
Expression: 파도
Pronunciation: pa-do
Meaning: Wave -
Expression: 줍다
Pronunciation: jup-da
Meaning: To pick up, to gather -
Expression: 찾다
Pronunciation: chat-da
Meaning: To find, to look for -
Expression: 예쁘다
Pronunciation: ye-ppeu-da
Meaning: To be pretty -
Expression: 신기하다
Pronunciation: sin-gi-ha-da
Meaning: To be amazing, to be fascinating -
Expression: 다양하다
Pronunciation: da-yang-ha-da
Meaning: To be various, to be diverse
Phrases for Collecting Seashells
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Expression: 바닷가에서 조개를 주워요.
Pronunciation: ba-dat-ga-e-seo jo-gae-reul ju-wo-yo.
Meaning: I’m picking up seashells at the beach. -
Expression: 예쁜 조개를 찾았어요.
Pronunciation: ye-ppeun jo-gae-reul cha-ja-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I found a pretty seashell. -
Expression: 이 조개 정말 신기하게 생겼어요.
Pronunciation: i jo-gae jeong-mal sin-gi-ha-ge saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: This seashell looks really fascinating. -
Expression: 조개껍데기를 모으고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jo-gae-kkeop-de-gi-reul mo-eu-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m collecting seashells. -
Expression: 여기 조개가 많아요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi jo-gae-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: There are many shells here. -
Expression: 이건 무슨 조개예요?
Pronunciation: i-geon mu-seun jo-gae-ye-yo?
Meaning: What kind of shell is this? -
Expression: 파도가 조개를 밀어냈어요.
Pronunciation: pa-do-ga jo-gae-reul mi-reo-nae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The waves washed the shells ashore. -
Expression: 주운 조개를 씻어야 해요.
Pronunciation: ju-un jo-gae-reul ssi-seo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to wash the shells I picked up. -
Expression: 다양한 모양의 조개가 있어요.
Pronunciation: da-yang-han mo-yang-ui jo-gae-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There are shells of various shapes. -
Expression: 이 조개는 색깔이 특이해요.
Pronunciation: i jo-gae-neun saek-kka-ri teu-gi-hae-yo.
Meaning: This shell has a unique color. -
Expression: 작은 조개들을 주웠어요.
Pronunciation: ja-geun jo-gae-deu-reul ju-wo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I picked up small shells. -
Expression: 조개 줍는 거 재미있어요.
Pronunciation: jo-gae jum-neun geo jae-mi-i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Picking up shells is fun.
Asking and Answering Questions
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Expression: 조개 줍고 있어요?
Pronunciation: jo-gae jup-go i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are you picking up seashells? -
Expression: 네, 예쁜 조개를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, ye-ppeun jo-gae-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’m looking for pretty shells. -
Expression: 뭐 찾았어요?
Pronunciation: mwo cha-ja-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What did you find? -
Expression: 이 신기한 조개를 찾았어요. 보세요!
Pronunciation: i sin-gi-han jo-gae-reul cha-ja-sseo-yo. bo-se-yo!
Meaning: I found this fascinating shell. Look! -
Expression: 이 조개 가져가도 돼요?
Pronunciation: i jo-gae ga-jyeo-ga-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I take this shell? -
Expression: 네, 가져가도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-jyeo-ga-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s okay to take it. -
Expression: 어디서 조개를 많이 찾을 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo jo-gae-reul ma-ni cha-jeul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find many shells? -
Expression: 저쪽 바위 근처에 많아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjok ba-wi geun-cheo-e ma-na-yo.
Meaning: There are many near the rocks over there. -
Expression: 이 조개는 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i jo-gae-neun i-reu-mi mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this shell? -
Expression: 글쎄요, 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo, jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hmm, I’m not sure. -
Expression: 조개 많이 주웠어요?
Pronunciation: jo-gae ma-ni ju-wo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Did you pick up many shells? -
Expression: 네, 이만큼 모았어요.
Pronunciation: ne, i-man-keum mo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I gathered this many.
Korean Culture Notes
Collecting seashells (조개 줍기 – jo-gae jup-gi) is a popular pastime for families and individuals visiting Korean beaches, especially during low tide. Many coastal areas in Korea, like those on the West Sea (서해 – seo-hae) known for its large tidal flats (갯벌 – gaet-beol), offer great opportunities for finding various types of shells and even small sea creatures.
While collecting empty seashells is generally acceptable, be mindful of local regulations. Some protected marine areas might have restrictions on collecting anything, including shells or living organisms. Always check for signs or inquire locally if unsure.
Remember to respect the natural environment. Avoid disturbing wildlife habitats and take any trash with you when you leave the beach. This helps preserve the beauty of Korea’s coastlines for everyone.
Seashells collected are often used for decoration or crafts back home, serving as a nice memory of a trip to the Korean seaside. Some people enjoy identifying the different types of shells they find.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are walking along the beach and collecting seashells.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 여기 예쁜 조개들이 정말 많네요! 같이 조개 주울래요?
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, yeo-gi ye-ppeun jo-gae-deu-ri jeong-mal man-ne-yo! ga-chi jo-gae ju-ul-lae-yo?
Meaning: Sora, there are so many pretty shells here! Shall we pick some up together? -
Expression: B: 와, 좋아요! 저도 조개 줍는 거 좋아해요. 어떤 걸 찾았어요?
Pronunciation: wa, jo-a-yo! jeo-do jo-gae jum-neun geo jo-a-hae-yo. eo-tteon geol cha-ja-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Wow, okay! I like picking up shells too. What have you found? -
Expression: A: 이거 보세요. 모양이 아주 특이해요. 이건 무슨 조개일까요?
Pronunciation: i-geo bo-se-yo. mo-yang-i a-ju teu-gi-hae-yo. i-geon mu-seun jo-gae-il-kka-yo?
Meaning: Look at this one. The shape is very unique. What kind of shell could this be? -
Expression: B: 글쎄요, 처음 보는 조개네요. 정말 신기하게 생겼어요! 저는 이 작은 소라 껍데기를 주웠어요.
Pronunciation: geul-sse-yo, cheo-eum bo-neun jo-gae-ne-yo. jeong-mal sin-gi-ha-ge saeng-gyeo-sseo-yo! jeo-neun i ja-geun so-ra kkeop-de-gi-reul ju-wo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Hmm, it’s a shell I haven’t seen before. It looks really fascinating! I picked up this small conch shell. -
Expression: A: 오, 그것도 예쁘네요! 우리 더 찾아봐요. 저쪽 파도 근처에 더 많을지도 몰라요.
Pronunciation: o, geu-geot-do ye-ppeu-ne-yo! u-ri deo cha-ja-bwa-yo. jeo-jjok pa-do geun-cheo-e deo ma-neul-ji-do mol-la-yo.
Meaning: Oh, that’s pretty too! Let’s look for more. There might be more near the waves over there. -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 오늘 예쁜 조개 많이 주워서 집에 가져가야겠어요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! o-neul ye-ppeun jo-gae ma-ni ju-wo-seo ji-be ga-jyeo-ga-ya-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, sounds good! I should pick up lots of pretty shells today and take them home.
Practice Tips
Now you have the essential vocabulary and phrases for talking about collecting seashells in Korean! The best way to practice is to use them~ If you get a chance to visit a Korean beach, try looking for shells and describing them using these expressions! You can also practice with Korean-speaking friends or language partners by talking about beach experiences. Try describing the shells you might find – their shapes, colors, and sizes. Have fun collecting shells and practicing your Korean! 화이팅!
