Participating in Local Community Events in Korean

Engaging with local culture often involves participating in community events, festivals, and gatherings. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary to help you find information about, register for, and enjoy local events in Korea. Learning these expressions will allow you to connect more deeply with the community and experience Korean culture firsthand.

Core Expression

• Expression: 지역 마을 행사 참여하기
  Pronunciation: ji-yeok ma-eul haeng-sa cham-yeo-ha-gi
  Meaning: Participating in local community events

Finding Local Events

• Expression: 이 근처에 무슨 행사가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e mu-seun haeng-sa-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any events happening near here?
• Expression: 지역 축제 정보를 어디서 얻을 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: ji-yeok chuk-je jeong-bo-reul eo-di-seo eo-deul su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I get information about local festivals?
• Expression: 이번 주말에 특별한 행사가 있습니까?
  Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e teuk-byeol-han haeng-sa-ga it-seum-ni-kka?
  Meaning: Are there any special events this weekend?
• Expression: 주민센터 게시판을 확인해 보세요.
  Pronunciation: ju-min-sen-teo ge-si-pan-eul hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please check the community center notice board.
• Expression: 인터넷으로 행사 일정을 찾아볼 수 있어요.
  Pronunciation: in-teo-ne-seu-ro haeng-sa il-jeong-eul cha-ja-bol su i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: You can look up the event schedule online.
• Expression: 이 행사는 언제 열리나요?
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-neun eon-je yeol-li-na-yo?
  Meaning: When is this event held?
• Expression: 행사 장소가 어디인가요?
  Pronunciation: haeng-sa jang-so-ga eo-di-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the event venue?
• Expression: 누구든지 참여할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: nu-gu-deun-ji cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can anyone participate?
• Expression: 행사 관련 웹사이트 주소를 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: haeng-sa gwal-lyeon wep-sa-i-teu ju-so-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
  Meaning: Please tell me the website address for the event.
• Expression: 포스터에 자세한 내용이 나와 있어요.
  Pronunciation: po-seu-teo-e ja-se-han nae-yong-i na-wa i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: The details are on the poster.
• Expression: 이 지역의 대표적인 축제가 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: i ji-yeo-gui dae-pyo-jeo-gin chuk-je-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is the representative festival of this region?
• Expression: 행사 팜플렛 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: haeng-sa pam-peul-let jom ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Could I get an event pamphlet?

Registering and Joining Events

• Expression: 이 행사에 참여하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-e cham-yeo-ha-go si-peo-yo.
  Meaning: I want to participate in this event.
• Expression: 참가 신청은 어떻게 하나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-eun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: How do I register to participate?
• Expression: 참가비가 있나요?
  Pronunciation: cham-ga-bi-ga it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a participation fee?
• Expression: 사전 등록이 필요한가요?
  Pronunciation: sa-jeon deung-ro-gi pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is pre-registration required?
• Expression: 신청 마감일이 언제인가요?
  Pronunciation: sin-cheong ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
  Meaning: When is the application deadline?
• Expression: 외국인도 참여할 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Can foreigners also participate?
• Expression: 참가 신청서를 작성해야 합니다.
  Pronunciation: cham-ga sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
  Meaning: You need to fill out an application form.
• Expression: 현장 접수도 가능한가요?
  Pronunciation: hyeon-jang jeop-su-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Is on-site registration possible?
• Expression: 준비물이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: jun-bi-mul-i it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Are there any materials I need to prepare/bring?
• Expression: 자원봉사자로 참여하고 싶습니다.
  Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-ja-ro cham-yeo-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I would like to participate as a volunteer.
• Expression: 등록 확인 이메일을 받았습니다.
  Pronunciation: deung-rok hwa-gin i-me-il-eul ba-dat-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: I received the registration confirmation email.
• Expression: 행사 당일 어디로 가야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: haeng-sa dang-il eo-di-ro ga-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where should I go on the day of the event?

Participating During the Event

• Expression: 정말 재미있어요!
  Pronunciation: jeong-mal jae-mi-i-sseo-yo!
  Meaning: This is really fun!
• Expression: 이 프로그램은 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: i peu-ro-geu-raem-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is this program/activity?
• Expression: 저도 참여해도 될까요?
  Pronunciation: jeo-do cham-yeo-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
  Meaning: May I join in too?
• Expression: 사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: sa-jin jom jji-geo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
  Meaning: Could you please take a picture for me?
• Expression: 같이 사진 찍어요!
  Pronunciation: ga-chi sa-jin jji-geo-yo!
  Meaning: Let’s take a picture together!
• Expression: 이 음식은 이름이 뭐예요?
  Pronunciation: i eum-si-geun i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What is the name of this food?
• Expression: 도와드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall I help you? / Can I help?
• Expression: 다음 순서는 무엇인가요?
  Pronunciation: da-eum sun-seo-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: What is the next part/order of events?
• Expression: 오늘 만나서 반가웠습니다.
  Pronunciation: o-neul man-na-seo ban-ga-wot-seum-ni-da.
  Meaning: It was nice meeting you today.
• Expression: 기념품은 어디서 살 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum-eun eo-di-seo sal su it-na-yo?
  Meaning: Where can I buy souvenirs?
• Expression: 공연 정말 멋졌어요!
  Pronunciation: gong-yeon jeong-mal meot-jyeo-sseo-yo!
  Meaning: The performance was really cool/amazing!
• Expression: 좋은 경험이었어요.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun gyeong-heom-i-eosseo-yo.
  Meaning: It was a good experience.

Korean Culture Notes

Community Spirit (정 – Jeong): Korean culture places a strong emphasis on community ties and collective spirit, often referred to as ‘정’ (jeong). Participating in local events is a great way to experience this firsthand. Showing enthusiasm and willingness to engage is often appreciated.

Active Participation: Don’t be shy! Koreans often encourage participation in activities during events, whether it’s singing, dancing, or playing games. Joining in, even if you’re not perfect, is usually welcomed and seen as a sign of goodwill.

Food Sharing: Food is central to many Korean gatherings. It’s common for food to be shared generously at community events. Accepting offered food graciously is polite. You might even bring a small snack or drink to share if appropriate, though it’s usually not expected.

Respect for Elders: As in many aspects of Korean society, showing respect to elders is important during community events. Use polite language (존댓말 – jondaetmal) when speaking to older participants or organizers.

Gift Giving: While not always required for simple community events, if you are invited to a specific gathering or festival hosted by someone you know, bringing a small, simple gift like fruit or a beverage can be a nice gesture.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: A foreigner (A) visits a local community center (주민센터 – ju-min-sen-teo) to ask about an upcoming neighborhood festival advertised on a poster.

Roles: A: Visitor, B: Community Center Staff

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 저기 붙어 있는 동네 축제에 대해 여쭤보고 싶은데요.
  Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. jeo-gi bu-teo it-neun dong-ne chuk-je-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bo-go si-peun-de-yo.
  Meaning: A: Hello. I’d like to ask about the neighborhood festival posted over there.
• Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. ‘가을맞이 동네 한마당’ 말씀이시죠? 무엇이 궁금하신가요?
  Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ‘ga-eul-ma-ji dong-ne han-ma-dang’ mal-sseu-mi-si-jyo? mu-eo-si gung-geum-ha-sin-ga-yo?
  Meaning: B: Yes, hello. You mean the ‘Autumn Welcome Neighborhood Fair’, right? What are you curious about?
• Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 혹시 외국인도 참여할 수 있나요? 참가비는 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: A: ne, ma-ja-yo. hok-si oe-gu-gin-do cham-yeo-hal su it-na-yo? cham-ga-bi-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
  Meaning: A: Yes, that’s right. Can foreigners participate too? How much is the participation fee?
• Expression: B: 그럼요, 누구나 참여 가능합니다. 참가비는 따로 없고, 일부 체험 프로그램만 소정의 재료비가 있을 수 있어요.
  Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-yo, nu-gu-na cham-yeo ga-neung-ham-ni-da. cham-ga-bi-neun tta-ro eop-go, il-bu che-heom peu-ro-geu-raem-man so-jeong-ui jae-ryo-bi-ga i-sseul su i-sseo-yo.
  Meaning: B: Of course, anyone can participate. There’s no separate participation fee, but some hands-on programs might have a small fee for materials.
• Expression: A: 그렇군요! 따로 신청해야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: A: geu-reo-ku-nyo! tta-ro sin-cheong-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
  Meaning: A: I see! Do I need to register separately?
• Expression: B: 아니요, 대부분의 프로그램은 당일 현장에서 바로 참여하시면 됩니다. 오셔서 즐겁게 즐기시면 돼요!
  Pronunciation: B: a-ni-yo, dae-bu-bun-ui peu-ro-geu-raem-eun dang-il hyeon-jang-e-seo ba-ro cham-yeo-ha-si-myeon doem-ni-da. o-syeo-seo jeul-geop-ge jeul-gi-si-myeon dwae-yo!
  Meaning: B: No, you can just participate directly on-site for most programs on the day of the event. Just come and have fun!
• Expression: A: 감사합니다! 기대되네요.
  Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! gi-dae-doe-ne-yo.
  Meaning: A: Thank you! I’m looking forward to it.

Practice Tips

Ready to join in the local fun? Great! Start by checking online community boards or your local district office (구청 – gu-cheong) or community center (주민센터 – ju-min-sen-teo) website for event listings~ Many neighborhoods have seasonal festivals or markets! Try using the phrases for finding information first. Once you find an event, practice the registration phrases if needed. Attending an event is the best practice! Don’t be afraid to use the ‘During the Event’ phrases to interact with people. Even simple greetings and expressions of enjoyment go a long way. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!