Discussing plans for a relaxing day out, like a picnic by a lake while driving there, involves specific vocabulary and expressions. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for suggesting a picnic, deciding on food and location, commenting on the drive, and enjoying the outing, perfect for couples or friends planning a trip.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 소풍 가다
Pronunciation: so-pung ga-da
Meaning: To go on a picnic
Planning the Picnic
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Expression: 우리 주말에 소풍 갈까요?
Pronunciation: u-ri ju-mal-e so-pung gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we go on a picnic this weekend? -
Expression: 어디로 가는 게 좋을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-ro ga-neun ge jo-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where would be a good place to go? -
Expression: 근처 호수가 어때요?
Pronunciation: geun-cheo ho-su-ga eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about the nearby lake? -
Expression: 좋아요! 호숫가에서 피크닉해요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! ho-sut-ga-e-seo pi-keu-nik-hae-yo.
Meaning: Sounds good! Let’s have a picnic by the lakeside. -
Expression: 뭘 싸갈까요?
Pronunciation: mwol ssa-gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What should we pack (to eat)? -
Expression: 제가 김밥이랑 과일 준비할게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga gim-bap-i-rang gwa-il jun-bi-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll prepare kimbap and fruit. -
Expression: 그럼 저는 샌드위치랑 음료수 가져갈게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom jeo-neun saen-deu-wi-chi-rang eum-nyo-su ga-jyeo-gal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Then I’ll bring sandwiches and drinks. -
Expression: 돗자리도 잊지 마세요.
Pronunciation: dot-ja-ri-do it-ji ma-se-yo.
Meaning: Don’t forget the picnic mat either. -
Expression: 날씨가 좋았으면 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga jo-at-eu-myeon jo-ket-eo-yo.
Meaning: I hope the weather is good. -
Expression: 내일 아침 몇 시에 출발할까요?
Pronunciation: nae-il a-chim myeot si-e chul-bal-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What time should we leave tomorrow morning? -
Expression: 간식도 좀 챙겨가요.
Pronunciation: gan-sik-do jom chaeng-gyeo-ga-yo.
Meaning: Let’s pack some snacks too. -
Expression: 필요한 거 있으면 미리 말해주세요.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han geo it-eu-myeon mi-ri mal-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Let me know in advance if there’s anything you need.
While Driving
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Expression: 길이 좀 막히네요.
Pronunciation: gil-i jom mak-hi-ne-yo.
Meaning: The traffic is a bit heavy. -
Expression: 창문 좀 열어줄래요?
Pronunciation: chang-mun jom yeor-eo-jul-lae-yo?
Meaning: Could you open the window a bit? -
Expression: 경치가 정말 좋다!
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal jo-ta!
Meaning: The scenery is really nice! -
Expression: 호수까지 얼마나 남았어요?
Pronunciation: ho-su-kka-ji eol-ma-na nam-at-eo-yo?
Meaning: How much further to the lake? -
Expression: 거의 다 왔어요. 한 10분 정도?
Pronunciation: geo-ui da wat-eo-yo. han sip-bun jeong-do?
Meaning: We’re almost there. About 10 more minutes? -
Expression: 운전 조심하세요.
Pronunciation: un-jeon jo-sim-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please drive carefully. -
Expression: 음악 좀 틀까요?
Pronunciation: eu-mak jom teul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I play some music? -
Expression: 네, 신나는 음악으로 틀어주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, sin-na-neun eu-mak-eu-ro teur-eo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please play something upbeat. -
Expression: 저기 휴게소에 잠깐 들를까요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi hyu-ge-so-e jam-kkan deul-leul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall we stop at that rest area for a moment? -
Expression: 내비게이션이 이 길로 가라고 하네요.
Pronunciation: nae-bi-ge-i-syeon-i i gil-lo ga-ra-go ha-ne-yo.
Meaning: The navigation says to go this way. -
Expression: 피곤하면 제가 운전 교대할게요.
Pronunciation: pi-gon-ha-myeon je-ga un-jeon gyo-dae-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: If you’re tired, I can take over driving. -
Expression: 도착하면 주차할 곳 찾아야 해요.
Pronunciation: do-chak-ha-myeon ju-cha-hal got chaj-a-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We need to find a parking spot when we arrive.
At the Lake/Picnic Spot
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Expression: 와, 드디어 도착했다!
Pronunciation: wa, deu-di-eo do-chak-haet-da!
Meaning: Wow, we finally arrived! -
Expression: 여기 정말 예쁘다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi jeong-mal ye-ppeu-da.
Meaning: It’s really pretty here. -
Expression: 어디에 자리 잡을까요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-e ja-ri jab-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where should we set up our spot? -
Expression: 저 나무 그늘 아래가 좋겠어요.
Pronunciation: jeo na-mu geu-neul a-rae-ga jo-ket-eo-yo.
Meaning: Under the shade of that tree looks good. -
Expression: 돗자리 펴고 음식 꺼내요.
Pronunciation: dot-ja-ri pyeo-go eum-sik kkeo-nae-yo.
Meaning: Let’s spread the mat and take out the food. -
Expression: 배고프다! 빨리 먹어요.
Pronunciation: bae-go-peu-da! ppal-li meog-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m hungry! Let’s eat quickly. -
Expression: 김밥 정말 맛있어요.
Pronunciation: gim-bap jeong-mal ma-sit-eo-yo.
Meaning: The kimbap is really delicious. -
Expression: 바람이 시원하게 부네요.
Pronunciation: ba-ram-i si-won-ha-ge bu-ne-yo.
Meaning: The breeze is nice and cool. -
Expression: 사진 좀 찍어줄래요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jom jjig-eo-jul-lae-yo?
Meaning: Could you take a picture for me? -
Expression: 여기서 좀 쉬었다 가요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo jom swi-eot-da ga-yo.
Meaning: Let’s rest here for a bit before leaving. -
Expression: 쓰레기는 꼭 챙겨가야 해요.
Pronunciation: sseu-re-gi-neun kkok chaeng-gyeo-ga-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: We must make sure to take our trash with us. -
Expression: 오늘 정말 즐거운 하루였어요.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeong-mal jeul-geo-un ha-ru-yeot-eo-yo.
Meaning: Today was a really fun day.
Cultural Tips
Picnics (소풍, so-pung) are a popular leisure activity in Korea, especially during spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant. Parks, mountains, riversides, and lakesides are common spots.
Kimbap (김밥) is almost synonymous with picnic food in Korea. It’s easy to pack, share, and eat outdoors. Other common picnic foods include fruits, sandwiches, fried chicken, and various snacks (과자, gwa-ja).
When driving in Korea, especially outside major cities, be prepared for narrower roads compared to some Western countries. Using a navigation app (내비게이션, nae-bi-ge-i-syeon or simply 내비, nae-bi) is highly recommended.
Koreans value cleanliness in public spaces. It’s expected etiquette to clean up thoroughly after a picnic and take all trash (쓰레기, sseu-re-gi) home if bins aren’t readily available.
Expressing appreciation for the scenery (경치, gyeong-chi) or the effort someone put into preparing food is common and polite during such outings.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A couple, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are driving towards a lake for a picnic they planned.
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Expression: A: 와, 날씨 진짜 좋다! 오늘 소풍 가길 잘했어.
Pronunciation: wa, nal-ssi jin-jja jo-ta! o-neul so-pung ga-gil jal-haet-eo.
Meaning: A: Wow, the weather’s great! It was a good decision to go on a picnic today. -
Expression: B: 그러게. 호수 거의 다 와가? 배고프다~
Pronunciation: geu-reo-ge. ho-su geo-ui da wa-ga? bae-go-peu-da~
Meaning: B: I know, right? Are we almost at the lake? I’m getting hungry~ -
Expression: A: 응, 내비 보니까 15분 정도 남았대. 가는 길 경치도 예쁘네.
Pronunciation: eung, nae-bi bo-ni-kka sip-o-bun jeong-do nam-at-dae. ga-neun gil gyeong-chi-do ye-ppeu-ne.
Meaning: A: Yeah, the navigation says about 15 minutes left. The scenery on the way is pretty too. -
Expression: B: 맞아. 아, 내가 싼 김밥 맛있어야 할 텐데. 샌드위치도 기대돼!
Pronunciation: maj-a. a, nae-ga ssan gim-bap ma-sit-eo-ya hal ten-de. saen-deu-wi-chi-do gi-dae-dwae!
Meaning: B: Right. Ah, I hope the kimbap I made is tasty. I’m looking forward to the sandwiches too! -
Expression: A: 걱정 마, 네가 만든 건 다 맛있어. 도착하면 저기 보이는 나무 밑에 자리 잡자.
Pronunciation: geok-jeong ma, ne-ga man-deun geon da ma-sit-eo. do-chak-ha-myeon jeo-gi bo-i-neun na-mu mit-e ja-ri jap-ja.
Meaning: A: Don’t worry, everything you make is delicious. When we arrive, let’s grab a spot under that tree over there. -
Expression: B: 좋아! 얼른 가서 돗자리 펴고 먹고 싶다!
Pronunciation: jo-a! eol-leun ga-seo dot-ja-ri pyeo-go meok-go sip-da!
Meaning: B: Okay! I want to get there quickly, spread the mat, and eat!
Practice Tips
Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner! One person can be the driver, the other the passenger, discussing plans and observations~.
Next time you plan an outing, even just thinking about it, try using these Korean phrases in your head. Imagine packing kimbap (김밥) and drinks (음료수)!
Listen to Korean conversations or watch dramas featuring driving or picnic scenes. Pay attention to how people naturally use these expressions. You’ll pick up nuances quickly!
Don’t be afraid to mix and match phrases. Making plans involves combining different ideas, so practice creating your own sentences about where to go (어디 갈까?) and what to eat (뭐 먹을까?). Have fun planning your next adventure in Korean!
