Discovering intriguing historical or natural sites often involves asking questions, especially when encountering something as enigmatic as a stone circle in the woods. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wishing to inquire about such mysterious locations with their guides, ensuring clear communication and a deeper understanding of the site’s significance.
Table Of Content
Core Concept: Mysterious Stone Circle
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Expression: 신비한 돌 원 (또는 돌무더기)
Pronunciation: sin-bi-han dol won (tto-neun dol-mu-deo-gi)
Meaning: Mysterious stone circle (or stone pile/mound) – “돌 원” (dol won) is a direct translation for “stone circle,” while “돌무더기” (dol-mu-deo-gi) refers to a pile or mound of stones, which might be more contextually appropriate depending on the site.
Basic Questions for Your Guide
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Expression: 저것은 무엇입니까?
Pronunciation: jeo-geo-seun mu-eo-sim-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is that over there? -
Expression: 이것에 대해 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-se dae-hae seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain about this? -
Expression: 이 장소는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i jang-so-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this place? -
Expression: 저 돌들은 무엇을 의미하나요?
Pronunciation: jeo dol-deu-reun mu-eo-seul ui-mi-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What do those stones mean? -
Expression: 가이드님, 저기 보이는 게 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, jeo-gi bo-i-neun ge mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Guide, what is that thing we see over there? -
Expression: 여기는 어떤 곳이에요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-neun eo-tteon go-si-e-yo?
Meaning: What kind of place is this? -
Expression: 저 돌들에 대해 더 알고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeo dol-deu-re dae-hae deo al-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to know more about those stones. -
Expression: 이것은 중요한 유적인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun jung-yo-han yu-jeo-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this an important historical site? -
Expression: 언제 만들어졌나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je man-deu-reo-jeon-na-yo?
Meaning: When was it made?
Describing the Site and Asking Specifics
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Expression: 매우 신비로워 보여요.
Pronunciation: mae-u sin-bi-ro-wo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: It looks very mysterious. -
Expression: 왜 돌들이 이렇게 배열되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: wae dol-deu-ri i-reo-ke bae-yeol-doe-eo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Why are the stones arranged like this? -
Expression: 이것은 오래된 것인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun o-rae-doen geo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this old? -
Expression: 누가 이것을 만들었나요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga i-geo-seul man-deu-reon-na-yo?
Meaning: Who made this? -
Expression: 이것의 목적은 무엇이었나요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-sui mok-jeo-geun mu-eo-si-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: What was its purpose? -
Expression: 역사나 전설과 관련이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeok-sa-na jeon-seol-gwa gwan-ryeon-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it related to history or legends? -
Expression: 돌의 종류가 특별한가요?
Pronunciation: do-rui jong-nyu-ga teuk-byeol-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the type of stone special? -
Expression: 주변 환경과 어떤 관련이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-byeon hwan-gyeong-gwa eo-tteon gwan-ryeon-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: How is it related to the surrounding environment? -
Expression: 보존 상태는 어떤가요?
Pronunciation: bo-jon sang-tae-neun eo-tteon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is its preservation state? -
Expression: 여기서 이상한 일이 일어난 적이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo i-sang-han i-ri i-reo-nan jeo-gi in-na-yo?
Meaning: Have strange things ever happened here?
Inquiring About Legends and Stories
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Expression: 이 장소에 얽힌 전설이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jang-so-e eol-kin jeon-seo-ri in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any legends associated with this place? -
Expression: 이곳은 신성한 장소인가요?
Pronunciation: i-go-seun sin-seong-han jang-so-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a sacred place? -
Expression: 혹시 이상한 이야기는 없나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i-sang-han i-ya-gi-neun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps any strange stories? -
Expression: 지역 사람들은 이 돌들에 대해 뭐라고 하나요?
Pronunciation: ji-yeok sa-ram-deu-reun i dol-deu-re dae-hae mwo-ra-go ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What do local people say about these stones? -
Expression: 어떤 민속 신앙과 관련이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon min-sok si-nang-gwa gwan-ryeon-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it related to any folk beliefs? -
Expression: 여기서 제사를 지냈나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo je-sa-reul ji-naen-na-yo?
Meaning: Were rituals performed here? -
Expression: 이 돌들에 얽힌 특별한 이야기가 있습니까?
Pronunciation: i dol-deu-re eol-kin teuk-byeol-han i-ya-gi-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Is there a special story connected to these stones? -
Expression: 밤에 오면 무섭다는 말이 있나요?
Pronunciation: ba-me o-myeon mu-seop-da-neun ma-ri in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there talk that it’s scary to come here at night? -
Expression: 이 장소의 기원에 대한 다른 설이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i jang-so-ui gi-won-e dae-han da-reun seo-ri in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other theories about the origin of this place?
Understanding the Guide’s Explanations
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Expression: 이것은 선사 시대 유적입니다.
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun seon-sa si-dae yu-jeo-gim-ni-da.
Meaning: This is a prehistoric site. -
Expression: 정확한 목적은 알려지지 않았습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-hwa-kan mok-jeo-geun al-lyeo-ji-ji a-nat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Its exact purpose is unknown. -
Expression: 여러 가지 학설이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-reo ga-ji hak-seo-ri it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There are several theories. -
Expression: 지역 전설에 따르면…
Pronunciation: ji-yeok jeon-seo-re tta-reu-myeon…
Meaning: According to local legend… -
Expression: 이곳은 보호 구역입니다.
Pronunciation: i-go-seun bo-ho gu-yeo-gim-ni-da.
Meaning: This is a protected area. -
Expression: 돌을 만지지 마십시오.
Pronunciation: do-reul man-ji-ji ma-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Please do not touch the stones. -
Expression: 고고학자들이 연구 중입니다.
Pronunciation: go-go-hak-ja-deu-ri yeon-gu jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Archaeologists are currently studying it. -
Expression: 아마도 종교적인 의미가 있었을 것입니다.
Pronunciation: a-ma-do jong-gyo-jeo-gin ui-mi-ga i-sseo-sseul geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: It probably had religious significance. -
Expression: 이 지역의 중요한 문화 자산입니다.
Pronunciation: i ji-yeo-gui jung-yo-han mun-hwa ja-sa-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: It is an important cultural asset of this region. -
Expression: 사진 촬영은 가능하지만 조심해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin chwal-yeong-eun ga-neung-ha-ji-man jo-sim-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Photography is allowed, but please be careful.
Cultural Tips
When visiting historical or potentially sacred sites in Korea, showing respect is paramount. Listen attentively to your guide’s explanations and follow any instructions, such as not touching artifacts or staying on marked paths.
Koreans often hold deep respect for nature and historical places, which may be intertwined with local folklore or shamanistic beliefs. Even if stories sound like legends, approach them with curiosity rather than dismissal.
Asking thoughtful questions shows genuine interest. Using polite language (like the phrases provided) when addressing your guide or locals is always appreciated.
Be mindful of your surroundings. These sites might be quiet places for reflection or hold significance for the local community. Avoid loud noises or disruptive behavior.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) and a local guide (B) are standing before a mysterious circle of stones deep in a forest trail.
Roles:
A: Curious Tourist
B: Knowledgeable Guide
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Expression: A: 가이드님, 저기 숲 속에 있는 돌들은 뭐예요? 굉장히 신비로워 보여요.
Pronunciation: ga-i-deu-nim, jeo-gi sup so-ge in-neun dol-deu-reun mwo-ye-yo? goeng-jang-hi sin-bi-ro-wo bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: A: Guide, what are those stones over there in the forest? They look very mysterious. -
Expression: B: 아, 저것은 오래된 돌 원입니다. 정확히 언제, 누가, 왜 만들었는지는 아직 밝혀지지 않았어요.
Pronunciation: a, jeo-geo-seun o-rae-doen dol wo-nim-ni-da. jeong-hwa-ki eon-je, nu-ga, wae man-deu-reon-neun-ji-neun a-jik bal-kyeo-ji-ji a-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, that is an old stone circle. It hasn’t been determined exactly when, by whom, or why it was made. -
Expression: A: 정말요? 이 장소에 얽힌 전설 같은 건 없나요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? i jang-so-e eol-kin jeon-seol ga-teun geon eom-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Really? Aren’t there any legends or similar stories associated with this place? -
Expression: B: 네, 지역 주민들 사이에서는 오래전 하늘에 제사를 지내던 곳이라는 이야기가 전해져 내려옵니다. 신성한 장소로 여겨지기도 해요.
Pronunciation: ne, ji-yeok ju-min-deul sa-i-e-seo-neun o-rae-jeon ha-neu-re je-sa-reul ji-nae-deon go-si-ra-neun i-ya-gi-ga jeon-hae-jyeo nae-ryeo-om-ni-da. sin-seong-han jang-so-ro yeo-gyeo-ji-gi-do hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, among the local residents, a story has been passed down that it was a place where rituals were offered to the heavens long ago. It’s also considered a sacred place. -
Expression: A: 와, 흥미롭네요. 더 가까이 가봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: wa, heung-mi-rom-ne-yo. deo ga-kka-i ga-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s interesting. May I go closer? -
Expression: B: 네, 가능합니다. 하지만 돌을 만지거나 옮기지는 말아주세요. 보호해야 할 중요한 유적입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da. ha-ji-man do-reul man-ji-geo-na om-gi-ji-neun ma-ra-ju-se-yo. bo-ho-hae-ya hal jung-yo-han yu-jeo-gim-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, you may. However, please do not touch or move the stones. It is an important historical site that must be protected.
Practice Tips
Try practicing these phrases by imagining you are on a tour in Korea! You can even role-play with a friend or language partner, taking turns being the tourist and the guide~
Listen to Korean travel vlogs or documentaries that feature historical sites. Pay attention to how guides explain things and how visitors ask questions. This will help you get used to the natural flow of conversation!
Don’t be afraid to use these phrases if you encounter something intriguing during your travels in Korea. Even simple questions show your interest and can lead to fascinating discoveries. Good luck! 화이팅!
