Taking a Walk in the Park in Korean

Discussing enjoyable activities like taking a walk in the park is a great way to practice conversational Korean. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases for talking about strolling through parks in Korea, from suggesting a walk to describing the scenery. Learn these expressions to confidently share your experiences or make plans with Korean speakers.

Core Expression

This is the fundamental phrase for expressing the action of taking a walk in a park.

• Expression: 공원에서 산책하기
  Pronunciation: gong-won-e-seo san-chaek-ha-gi
  Meaning: Taking a walk in the park (noun phrase derived from the verb ‘to take a walk in the park’)

Basic Phrases for Walking

Here are some fundamental sentences related to walking and parks.

• Expression: 공원에 가요.
  Pronunciation: gong-won-e ga-yo.
  Meaning: I’m going to the park. / Let’s go to the park.
• Expression: 산책할래요?
  Pronunciation: san-chaek-hal-lae-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we take a walk?
• Expression: 같이 걸어요.
  Pronunciation: ga-chi geol-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s walk together.
• Expression: 날씨가 좋아서 산책하고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: nal-ssi-ga jo-a-seo san-chaek-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
  Meaning: The weather is nice, so I want to take a walk.
• Expression: 공원이 어디에 있어요?
  Pronunciation: gong-won-i eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Where is the park?
• Expression: 이 근처에 공원 있어요?
  Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e gong-won iss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Is there a park near here?
• Expression: 저는 걷는 것을 좋아해요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-neun geod-neun geos-eul jo-a-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I like walking.
• Expression: 매일 산책해요.
  Pronunciation: mae-il san-chaek-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I take a walk every day.
• Expression: 공원에서 만나요.
  Pronunciation: gong-won-e-seo man-na-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s meet at the park.
• Expression: 산책하기 좋은 날씨예요.
  Pronunciation: san-chaek-ha-gi jo-eun nal-ssi-ye-yo.
  Meaning: It’s good weather for a walk.
• Expression: 천천히 걸어요.
  Pronunciation: cheon-cheon-hi geol-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s walk slowly.
• Expression: 저녁에 산책하는 것을 좋아해요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-nyeog-e san-chaek-ha-neun geos-eul jo-a-hae-yo.
  Meaning: I like taking a walk in the evening.

Describing the Park

Use these phrases to talk about the park’s environment and features.

• Expression: 공기가 맑아요.
  Pronunciation: gong-gi-ga mal-ga-yo.
  Meaning: The air is fresh/clear.
• Expression: 경치가 아름다워요.
  Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga a-reum-da-wo-yo.
  Meaning: The scenery is beautiful.
• Expression: 나무가 많아요.
  Pronunciation: na-mu-ga man-a-yo.
  Meaning: There are many trees.
• Expression: 꽃이 예쁘게 피었어요.
  Pronunciation: kkoch-i ye-ppeu-ge pi-eoss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: The flowers have bloomed beautifully.
• Expression: 벤치에 앉아서 쉬어요.
  Pronunciation: ben-chi-e anj-a-seo swi-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s sit on the bench and rest.
• Expression: 호수가 있어요.
  Pronunciation: ho-su-ga iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: There is a lake.
• Expression: 사람들이 많아요.
  Pronunciation: sa-ram-deul-i man-a-yo.
  Meaning: There are many people.
• Expression: 조용하고 평화로워요.
  Pronunciation: jo-yong-ha-go pyeong-hwa-ro-wo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s quiet and peaceful.
• Expression: 아이들이 놀고 있어요.
  Pronunciation: a-i-deul-i nol-go iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Children are playing.
• Expression: 강아지를 산책시키는 사람들이 많아요.
  Pronunciation: gang-a-ji-reul san-chaek-si-ki-neun sa-ram-deul-i man-a-yo.
  Meaning: There are many people walking their dogs.
• Expression: 운동하는 사람들이 있어요.
  Pronunciation: un-dong-ha-neun sa-ram-deul-i iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: There are people exercising.
• Expression: 이 공원은 정말 넓어요.
  Pronunciation: i gong-won-eun jeong-mal neolb-eo-yo.
  Meaning: This park is really spacious.

Making Plans to Walk

These expressions are useful for suggesting or arranging a walk in the park.

• Expression: 오늘 오후에 공원에서 산책할까요?
  Pronunciation: o-neul o-hu-e gong-won-e-seo san-chaek-hal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we take a walk in the park this afternoon?
• Expression: 몇 시에 만날까요?
  Pronunciation: myeot si-e man-nal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: What time shall we meet?
• Expression: 공원 입구에서 기다릴게요.
  Pronunciation: gong-won ip-gu-e-seo gi-da-ril-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll wait at the park entrance.
• Expression: 같이 산책하러 가요.
  Pronunciation: ga-chi san-chaek-ha-reo ga-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s go for a walk together.
• Expression: 시간 괜찮으세요?
  Pronunciation: si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
  Meaning: Are you free? / Is the time okay for you?
• Expression: 내일 날씨 좋으면 산책해요.
  Pronunciation: nae-il nal-ssi jo-eu-myeon san-chaek-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s take a walk tomorrow if the weather is nice.
• Expression: 어느 공원에 갈까요?
  Pronunciation: eo-neu gong-won-e gal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Which park should we go to?
• Expression: 서울숲 어때요?
  Pronunciation: seo-ul-sup eo-ttae-yo?
  Meaning: How about Seoul Forest?
• Expression: 좋아요! 거기서 만나요.
  Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! geo-gi-seo man-na-yo.
  Meaning: Sounds good! Let’s meet there.
• Expression: 산책 후에 커피 마실래요?
  Pronunciation: san-chaek hu-e keo-pi ma-sil-lae-yo?
  Meaning: Do you want to grab coffee after the walk?
• Expression: 친구랑 공원에서 산책하기로 했어요.
  Pronunciation: chin-gu-rang gong-won-e-seo san-chaek-ha-gi-ro haess-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I decided to take a walk in the park with my friend.
• Expression: 주말에 시간 있어요? 같이 산책해요.
  Pronunciation: ju-mal-e si-gan iss-eo-yo? ga-chi san-chaek-hae-yo.
  Meaning: Are you free on the weekend? Let’s take a walk together.

During the Walk

Phrases you might use while you are actually walking in the park.

• Expression: 와, 경치 좋다!
  Pronunciation: wa, gyeong-chi jot-ta!
  Meaning: Wow, the view is great!
• Expression: 저기 좀 보세요.
  Pronunciation: jeo-gi jom bo-se-yo.
  Meaning: Look over there.
• Expression: 잠깐 쉴까요?
  Pronunciation: jam-kkan swil-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we rest for a moment?
• Expression: 물 좀 마셔야겠어요.
  Pronunciation: mul jom ma-syeo-ya-gess-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I need to drink some water.
• Expression: 이쪽 길로 가볼까요?
  Pronunciation: i-jjok gil-lo ga-bol-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we try going this way?
• Expression: 사진 찍어 드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: sa-jin jjig-eo deu-ril-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall I take a picture for you?
• Expression: 같이 사진 찍어요.
  Pronunciation: ga-chi sa-jin jjig-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Let’s take a picture together.
• Expression: 바람이 시원해요.
  Pronunciation: ba-ram-i si-won-hae-yo.
  Meaning: The breeze is cool.
• Expression: 기분이 상쾌해졌어요.
  Pronunciation: gi-bun-i sang-kwae-hae-jyeoss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: I feel refreshed.
• Expression: 얼마나 걸을까요?
  Pronunciation: eol-ma-na geol-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: How long should we walk?
• Expression: 한 바퀴 더 돌까요?
  Pronunciation: han ba-kwi deo dol-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Shall we go around one more time?
• Expression: 벌써 시간이 이렇게 됐네요.
  Pronunciation: beol-sseo si-gan-i i-reo-ke dwaess-ne-yo.
  Meaning: Wow, look at the time already.

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding cultural context enhances language use. Here are some points about parks and walking in Korea.

• Popular Activity: Taking walks (산책 – san-chaek) is a very common leisure activity in Korea, especially in the evenings or on weekends. Parks are popular spots for people of all ages.
• Well-Maintained Parks: Major cities in Korea boast large, well-maintained parks like Seoul Forest (서울숲), Olympic Park (올림픽공원), and various riverside parks along the Han River (한강공원). These often have walking/biking paths, exercise equipment, and recreational facilities.
• Exercise Culture: Many parks have outdoor exercise equipment freely available for public use, which seniors particularly enjoy using during their walks. You’ll often see people actively exercising, jogging, or using these facilities.
• Social Aspect: Parks are social hubs. People meet friends, go on dates, have picnics (돗자리 깔고 – dotjari kkalgo – laying down a mat), or simply relax and people-watch. Walking together is a common way to socialize and chat.
• Night Walks: Walking in parks at night is generally safe and popular, especially during warmer months. Many parks are well-lit, and riverside parks offer beautiful night views of the city.

Real Conversation Example

This dialogue illustrates how the learned phrases might be used in a real-life scenario.

• Situation: Two friends are planning to meet for a walk on a nice day.

• Roles:

  • A: Minjun (민준)
  • B: Sora (소라)

• Expression: A: 소라 씨, 오늘 날씨 정말 좋네요!
  Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, o-neul nal-ssi jeong-mal jon-ne-yo!
  Meaning: Sora, the weather is really nice today!

• Expression: B: 맞아요, 민준 씨. 집에만 있기 아까운 날씨예요.
  Pronunciation: maj-a-yo, min-jun ssi. jib-e-man it-gi a-kka-un nal-ssi-ye-yo.
  Meaning: That’s right, Minjun. It’s too nice a day to just stay home.
• Expression: A: 혹시 오후에 시간 괜찮으면 같이 공원에서 산책할래요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si o-hu-e si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-myeon ga-chi gong-won-e-seo san-chaek-hal-lae-yo?
  Meaning: If you happen to be free this afternoon, would you like to take a walk in the park together?
• Expression: B: 좋아요! 저도 산책하고 싶었어요. 어느 공원으로 갈까요?
  Pronunciation: jo-a-yo! jeo-do san-chaek-ha-go sip-eoss-eo-yo. eo-neu gong-won-eu-ro gal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Sounds great! I wanted to take a walk too. Which park should we go to?
• Expression: A: 올림픽공원 어때요? 넓고 경치도 좋잖아요.
  Pronunciation: ol-lim-pik-gong-won eo-ttae-yo? neolb-go gyeong-chi-do jo-chan-a-yo.
  Meaning: How about Olympic Park? It’s spacious and the scenery is nice.
• Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 그럼 3시에 공원 동문 앞에서 만날까요?
  Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! geu-reom se-si-e gong-won dong-mun ap-e-seo man-nal-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Yes, sounds good! Then shall we meet at 3 PM in front of the park’s east gate?
• Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 이따 봐요!
  Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. i-tta bwa-yo!
  Meaning: Okay, sounds good. See you later!
• Expression: B: 네, 이따 만나요!
  Pronunciation: ne, i-tta man-na-yo!
  Meaning: Yes, see you later!

Practice Tips

Now that you have learned these useful expressions, try using them!

Suggest a walk to a Korean friend using “같이 공원에서 산책할래요?”~ Describe a park you visited using phrases like “경치가 아름다웠어요” or “나무가 많았어요”. The more you practice, the more natural these phrases will become! Don’t be afraid to mix and match vocabulary to create your own sentences. Happy walking and chatting! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)