Exploring the natural beauty of botanical gardens is a wonderful experience, and knowing the right Korean phrases can make your visit even more enjoyable. This guide provides essential vocabulary and expressions for navigating a Korean botanical garden, from asking basic questions to describing the plants and scenery you encounter.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 식물원 관람하기
Pronunciation: sik-mul-won gwan-ram-ha-gi
Meaning: Visiting a botanical garden (The act of viewing/touring a botanical garden)
Basic Phrases for Your Visit
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Expression: 식물원이 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: sik-mul-won-i eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the botanical garden? -
Expression: 입장료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-nyo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: 성인 두 명 표 주세요.
Pronunciation: seong-in du myeong pyo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Two adult tickets, please. -
Expression: 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: un-yeong si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours? -
Expression: 지도를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ji-do-reul ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a map? -
Expression: 온실은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: on-sil-eun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the greenhouse? -
Expression: 화장실이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 사진 찍어도 되나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jji-geo-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to take pictures? -
Expression: 출구가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: chul-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the exit? -
Expression: 기념품 가게는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum ga-ge-neun eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the souvenir shop? -
Expression: 휠체어 대여가 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hwil-che-eo dae-yeo-ga ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is wheelchair rental available? -
Expression: 오늘 특별한 행사가 있나요?
Pronunciation: o-neul teuk-byeol-han haeng-sa-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any special events today?
Useful Expressions Inside the Garden
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Expression: 이 식물 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i sik-mul i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this plant? -
Expression: 정말 아름다운 꽃이네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal a-reum-da-un kko-chi-ne-yo.
Meaning: These are really beautiful flowers. -
Expression: 여기 공기가 정말 맑아요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi gong-gi-ga jeong-mal mal-ga-yo.
Meaning: The air here is really fresh. -
Expression: 저 나무는 정말 크네요.
Pronunciation: jeo na-mu-neun jeong-mal keu-ne-yo.
Meaning: That tree is really big. -
Expression: 희귀 식물인가요?
Pronunciation: hwi-gwi sik-mul-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a rare plant? -
Expression: 향기가 정말 좋아요.
Pronunciation: hyang-gi-ga jeong-mal jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The fragrance is really nice. -
Expression: 가이드 투어가 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu tu-eo-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a guided tour? -
Expression: 식물에 물을 줘도 되나요?
Pronunciation: sik-mul-e mul-eul jwo-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I water the plants? (Usually the answer is no, but you might ask) -
Expression: 이 구역은 무엇을 위한 곳인가요?
Pronunciation: i gu-yeog-eun mu-eo-seul wi-han go-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this section for? -
Expression: 벤치에 앉아서 좀 쉴까요?
Pronunciation: ben-chi-e an-ja-seo jom swil-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we sit on the bench and rest for a bit? -
Expression: 여기서 음식을 먹어도 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo eum-sig-eul meo-geo-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to eat food here? -
Expression: 조용히 해야 해요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hi hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to be quiet.
Describing Plants and Scenery
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Expression: 꽃 색깔이 정말 예뻐요.
Pronunciation: kkot saek-kkal-i jeong-mal ye-ppeo-yo.
Meaning: The color of the flowers is really pretty. -
Expression: 잎 모양이 특이하네요.
Pronunciation: ip mo-yang-i teu-gi-ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The shape of the leaves is unusual. -
Expression: 다양한 종류의 식물이 있어요.
Pronunciation: da-yang-han jong-nyu-ui sik-mul-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There are various kinds of plants. -
Expression: 경치가 정말 좋아요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The scenery is really great. -
Expression: 평화로운 분위기예요.
Pronunciation: pyeong-hwa-ro-un bun-wi-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: It’s a peaceful atmosphere. -
Expression: 잘 가꿔져 있네요.
Pronunciation: jal ga-kkwo-jyeo it-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s well-maintained / well-kept. -
Expression: 선인장이 많아요.
Pronunciation: seo-nin-jang-i ma-na-yo.
Meaning: There are many cacti. -
Expression: 열대 식물들이 신기해요.
Pronunciation: yeol-dae sik-mul-deul-i sin-gi-hae-yo.
Meaning: The tropical plants are fascinating. -
Expression: 연못에 물고기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeon-mo-se mul-go-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There are fish in the pond. -
Expression: 나무 그늘 아래서 쉬고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: na-mu geu-neul a-rae-seo swi-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to rest under the shade of a tree. -
Expression: 산책하기 좋은 길이에요.
Pronunciation: san-chaek-ha-gi jo-eun gil-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s a nice path for walking. -
Expression: 사진 찍기 좋은 장소네요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-gi jo-eun jang-so-ne-yo.
Meaning: This is a good spot for taking pictures.
Korean Culture Notes
Popular Gardens: Korea boasts several beautiful botanical gardens. Some famous ones include the Seoul Botanic Park, The Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원 – a-chim-go-yo-su-mog-won), and the Yeomiji Botanical Garden (여미지식물원 – yeo-mi-ji-sik-mul-won) on Jeju Island. Each offers unique collections and seasonal beauty.
Etiquette: Remember basic garden etiquette. Avoid touching or picking plants and flowers unless explicitly permitted. Stay on designated paths to protect the vegetation. Keep noise levels down to maintain the peaceful atmosphere for everyone.
Seasonal Visits: Botanical gardens in Korea offer different charms depending on the season. Spring brings cherry blossoms and tulips, summer features lush greenery and roses, autumn showcases vibrant foliage, and winter might have special light displays or hardy plants in greenhouses.
Photography: Koreans love taking photos! Botanical gardens are popular spots for photoshoots, especially during peak blooming seasons. While personal photography is usually welcome, be mindful of others and avoid blocking paths or disturbing the plants for the perfect shot. Professional or commercial photography might require prior permission.
Food and Drink: Many larger botanical gardens have cafes or designated picnic areas. Check the rules beforehand if you plan to bring your own food. It’s generally expected to pack out everything you bring in.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are planning a weekend outing.
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Expression: A: 소라야, 이번 주말에 뭐 할까?
Pronunciation: so-ra-ya, i-beon ju-mal-e mwo hal-kka?
Meaning: Sora, what should we do this weekend? -
Expression: B: 음… 날씨도 좋을 것 같은데, 식물원 관람하기 어때?
Pronunciation: eum… nal-ssi-do jo-eul geot ga-teun-de, sik-mul-won gwan-ram-ha-gi eo-ttae?
Meaning: Hmm… The weather looks like it’ll be nice, how about visiting a botanical garden? -
Expression: A: 오, 좋은 생각이야! 어디 식물원으로 갈까? 서울 식물원?
Pronunciation: o, jo-eun saeng-gag-i-ya! eo-di sik-mul-won-eu-ro gal-kka? seo-ul sik-mul-won?
Meaning: Oh, good idea! Which botanical garden should we go to? Seoul Botanic Park? -
Expression: B: 좋아! 거기 온실도 크고 예쁘다고 들었어. 입장료는 얼마지?
Pronunciation: jo-a! geo-gi on-sil-do keu-go ye-ppeu-da-go deu-reo-sseo. ip-jang-nyo-neun eol-ma-ji?
Meaning: Sounds good! I heard the greenhouse there is big and pretty. How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: A: 인터넷으로 확인해 볼게. 아, 성인 5천원이래.
Pronunciation: in-teo-ne-seu-ro hwa-gin-hae bol-ge. a, seong-in o-cheon-won-i-rae.
Meaning: I’ll check online. Ah, it says 5,000 won for adults. -
Expression: B: 괜찮네! 가서 예쁜 꽃 사진 많이 찍자.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-ne! ga-seo ye-ppeun kkot sa-jin ma-ni jjik-ja.
Meaning: That’s reasonable! Let’s go and take lots of pictures of pretty flowers. -
Expression: A: 그래! 도시락 싸갈까? 아니면 거기서 사 먹을까?
Pronunciation: geu-rae! do-si-rak ssa-gal-kka? a-ni-myeon geo-gi-seo sa meo-geul-kka?
Meaning: Okay! Should we pack a lunch? Or eat there? -
Expression: B: 안에 카페가 있다고 하니까 거기서 간단하게 먹자~
Pronunciation: an-e ka-pe-ga it-da-go ha-ni-kka geo-gi-seo gan-dan-ha-ge meok-ja~
Meaning: They say there’s a cafe inside, so let’s just eat something simple there~
Practice Tips
Visiting a botanical garden is a fantastic way to practice your Korean! Try using the phrases you’ve learned when buying tickets or asking for directions. Challenge yourself to identify plants using Korean names if available on signs. Describe the scenery to a friend using the expressions from this guide. Even just walking around and listening to others can be helpful. Don’t be afraid to try speaking, even if it’s just simple sentences like “정말 예뻐요!” (jeong-mal ye-ppeo-yo! – It’s really pretty!). Enjoy the beauty and the practice opportunity~!
