Exploring Korea’s natural beauty often involves visiting its various parks. This guide focuses on understanding and discussing 군립공원 (Gunrip Gongwon), or County Parks, which are managed at the county level. You’ll learn the core term, related vocabulary, useful phrases for visiting, and cultural insights about parks in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 군립공원
Pronunciation: gun-rip-gong-won
Meaning: County Park (A park designated and managed by a county ‘군’ government)
Related Park Vocabulary
Understanding different types of parks and related terms can be helpful when exploring Korea.
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Expression: 공원
Pronunciation: gong-won
Meaning: Park -
Expression: 국립공원
Pronunciation: gung-nip-gong-won
Meaning: National Park (Managed by the national government) -
Expression: 도립공원
Pronunciation: do-rip-gong-won
Meaning: Provincial Park (Managed by a provincial ‘도’ government) -
Expression: 시립공원
Pronunciation: si-rip-gong-won
Meaning: City Park (Managed by a city ‘시’ government) -
Expression: 자연
Pronunciation: ja-yeon
Meaning: Nature -
Expression: 산
Pronunciation: san
Meaning: Mountain -
Expression: 숲
Pronunciation: sup
Meaning: Forest -
Expression: 산책로
Pronunciation: san-chaek-ro
Meaning: Walking trail / Promenade -
Expression: 등산로
Pronunciation: deung-san-ro
Meaning: Hiking trail -
Expression: 입장료
Pronunciation: ip-jang-ryo
Meaning: Entrance fee -
Expression: 안내소
Pronunciation: an-nae-so
Meaning: Information center -
Expression: 주차장
Pronunciation: ju-cha-jang
Meaning: Parking lot
Asking About County Parks
Here are essential questions for finding and getting information about county parks.
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Expression: 이 근처에 군립공원이 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e gun-rip-gong-won-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a county park near here? -
Expression: 가장 가까운 군립공원이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un gun-rip-gong-won-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest county park? -
Expression: [공원 이름] 군립공원에 어떻게 가요?
Pronunciation: [gong-won i-reum] gun-rip-gong-won-e eo-tteo-ke ga-yo?
Meaning: How do I get to [Park Name] County Park? -
Expression: 입장료는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee? -
Expression: 개장 시간과 폐장 시간을 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: gae-jang si-gan-gwa pye-jang si-gan-eul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the opening and closing times. -
Expression: 주차는 어디에 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-cha-neun eo-di-e hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I park? -
Expression: 공원 지도를 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gong-won ji-do-reul ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a park map? -
Expression: 등산 코스 추천해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: deung-san ko-seu chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend a hiking course? -
Expression: 이 공원에서 캠핑이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i gong-won-e-seo kaem-ping-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is camping allowed in this park? -
Expression: 애완동물을 데리고 들어가도 되나요?
Pronunciation: ae-wan-dong-mul-eul de-ri-go deu-reo-ga-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to bring pets inside? -
Expression: 화장실은 어디에 있습니까?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil-eun eo-di-e it-seum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 어떤 시설들이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon si-seol-deul-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of facilities are there?
Describing Your Park Visit
Use these phrases to talk about your experiences at a county park.
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Expression: 군립공원에 다녀왔어요.
Pronunciation: gun-rip-gong-won-e da-nyeo-wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I went to a county park. -
Expression: 경치가 정말 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: gyeong-chi-ga jeong-mal jo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The scenery was really nice. -
Expression: 맑은 공기를 마시며 산책했어요.
Pronunciation: mal-geun gong-gi-reul ma-si-myeo san-chaek-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I took a walk while breathing in the fresh air. -
Expression: 등산을 했는데 조금 힘들었어요.
Pronunciation: deung-san-eul haet-neun-de jo-geum him-deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I went hiking, and it was a bit tiring. -
Expression: 가족들과 함께 피크닉을 했어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jok-deul-gwa ham-kke pi-keu-nik-eul hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I had a picnic with my family. -
Expression: 아름다운 자연 사진을 많이 찍었어요.
Pronunciation: a-reum-da-un ja-yeon sa-jin-eul ma-ni jji-geo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I took many pictures of the beautiful nature. -
Expression: 조용해서 쉬기에 딱 좋았어요.
Pronunciation: jo-yong-hae-seo swi-gi-e ttak jo-a-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was quiet, so it was perfect for resting. -
Expression: 다양한 나무와 꽃들을 구경했어요.
Pronunciation: da-yang-han na-mu-wa kkot-deul-eul gu-gyeong-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I looked at various trees and flowers. -
Expression: 계곡 물이 아주 차갑고 깨끗했어요.
Pronunciation: gye-gok mul-i a-ju cha-gap-go kkae-kkeu-tae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The valley stream water was very cold and clean. -
Expression: 다음 주말에 친구들과 다시 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-mal-e chin-gu-deul-gwa da-si ga-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go again next weekend with friends. -
Expression: 자전거 도로가 잘 되어 있었어요.
Pronunciation: ja-jeon-geo do-ro-ga jal doe-eo i-sseo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The bicycle paths were well-maintained. -
Expression: 스트레스 해소에 도움이 되었어요.
Pronunciation: seu-teu-re-seu hae-so-e do-um-i doe-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It helped relieve stress.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding parks in Korea involves appreciating their cultural significance.
* Hierarchy of Parks: Korea has a clear system: National (국립), Provincial (도립), County (군립), and City (시립) parks, reflecting the administrative body responsible. County parks often highlight local natural or historical features specific to that county.
* Hiking Culture: Hiking (등산 – deung-san) is extremely popular in Korea. Many parks, including county parks, feature well-maintained hiking trails catering to various difficulty levels. It’s common to see people in full hiking gear, even for shorter trails.
* Seasonal Beauty: Koreans highly value the changing seasons. Parks are popular destinations year-round, especially during spring for cherry blossoms (벚꽃 – beot-kkot) and autumn for colorful foliage (단풍 – dan-pung).
* Park Facilities: Besides trails, many parks offer picnic areas, benches, exercise equipment, and sometimes small temples or historical sites within their boundaries. Cleanliness is emphasized, so always pack out your trash.
* Local Significance: County parks often serve as important recreational spaces for local residents and can host community events or festivals, reflecting the unique character of the county.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends are planning a weekend activity.
Roles:
* A: Suggests visiting a nearby county park.
* B: Asks for details about the park.
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Expression: A: 이번 주말에 날씨 좋다는데, 가까운 군립공원에 가볼까?
Pronunciation: i-beon ju-mal-e nal-ssi jo-ta-neun-de, ga-kka-un gun-rip-gong-won-e ga-bol-kka?
Meaning: A: The weather is supposed to be nice this weekend, shall we go to a nearby county park? -
Expression: B: 군립공원? 어디 말하는 거야? 거기 괜찮아?
Pronunciation: gun-rip-gong-won? eo-di mal-ha-neun geo-ya? geo-gi gwaen-cha-na?
Meaning: B: County park? Which one are you talking about? Is it any good? -
Expression: A: 응, [가평] 군립공원. 지난번에 가봤는데 산책로도 잘 돼 있고 경치도 예쁘더라고.
Pronunciation: eung, [ga-pyeong] gun-rip-gong-won. ji-nan-beon-e ga-bwat-neun-de san-chaek-ro-do jal dwae it-go gyeong-chi-do ye-ppeu-deo-ra-go.
Meaning: A: Yeah, [Gapyeong] County Park. I went there before, the walking trails are well-maintained and the scenery is pretty. -
Expression: B: 그래? 입장료는 있어? 주차하기는 편해?
Pronunciation: geu-rae? ip-jang-ryo-neun i-sseo? ju-cha-ha-gi-neun pyeon-hae?
Meaning: B: Really? Is there an entrance fee? Is parking convenient? -
Expression: A: 입장료는 없고, 주차장도 꽤 넓어. 가볍게 도시락 싸 가서 먹어도 좋을 것 같아.
Pronunciation: ip-jang-ryo-neun eop-go, ju-cha-jang-do kkwae neol-beo. ga-byeop-ge do-si-rak ssa ga-seo meo-geo-do jo-eul geot ga-ta.
Meaning: A: There’s no entrance fee, and the parking lot is quite spacious. I think it would be nice to pack a light lunch box and eat there. -
Expression: B: 좋다! 그럼 토요일 오전에 출발할까?
Pronunciation: jo-ta! geu-reom to-yo-il o-jeon-e chul-bal-hal-kka?
Meaning: B: Sounds great! Shall we leave on Saturday morning then?
Practice Tips
Now you know how to talk about 군립공원 (gun-rip-gong-won)! Try using these phrases when planning a trip or discussing nature spots in Korea~ Visiting a local county park is a great way to experience Korean nature and practice your language skills. Look up some famous 군립공원 online and see what makes each one special. Keep practicing, and enjoy exploring! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
