Here are some essential questions in Korean to know before you travel! Where is the tourist office? The market? After this free audio lesson you’ll know how to ask 'when' and 'where' in Korean, and some other useful vocabulary.
What time does it close? Is there a discount for children? With Rocket Korean you’ll be able to find out. Just listen to the pronunciation, and practice these common questions and Korean words aloud.
Resources for further reading:
As hard as you try, without helpful feedback your Korean pronunciation is never going to be the same as a native speaker’s. If you've found it difficult to perfect the way you say Korean words and phrases, this lesson will help you.
The Korean National Tourist Organization (KNTO) in Seoul offers a wealth of information including free brochures, and advice on travel. There are also tourist information centers in larger cities, such as Boosan and Jejoo.
One of the first questions you might want to ask when arriving in an unfamiliar city is...
Rocket Record lets you perfect your Korean pronunciation. Just listen to the native speaker audio and then use the microphone icon to record yourself. Once you’re done, you’ll get a score out of 100 on your pronunciation and can listen to your own audio playback. (Use a headset mic for best results.) Problems? Click here!
여행 안내소가 어디 있어요?
Yuhaeng annaeso ga eodi itsuyo?
Where's the tourist office?
Once you’ve found the tourist office, you can go in and ask for some tourist information about the area. The following phrases may come in handy…
[...] 주세요.
[…] jooseyo
I'd like a/an […]
안내 책자
Annae chaekja
Catalog
여행 안내서
Yuhaeng annaesuh
Guide
영어 안내 책자
Young-uh annae chaekja
Guide in English
지도
jido
Map
Here are some more useful questions for specific types of sightseeing…
[...] 관광 정보 있나요?
[…] Gwan-gwang jungbo itnayo?
Do you have information on […]sights?
문화
Moonwha
Cultural
유적지
Yoojukji
Heritage
역사
Yuksa
Historical
자연
Jayun
Natural
종교
Jongyo
Religious
Or, if you’re an adventurous traveler, remember this phrase:
너무 붐비지 않은 곳에 가고 싶어요.
Numoo boombiji aneun gose gago shipuyo.
I'd like to go somewhere off the beaten track.
In larger cities you will be able to get maps of the area with tourist information in English; however, some smaller cities may not have tourist information centers. You might have to rely on asking the locals. Here are some questions that will be useful to know...
... 어디 있어요?
…eodi itsuyo?
Where is the…
박물관
Bakmoolgwan
…museum?
미술관
Misoolgwan
…art gallery?
중심가
Joongshimga
…downtown area?
시장
Shijang
…market?
오페라 극장
Opera geugjang
…opera house?
공원
Gongwon
…park?
식물원
Shikmoolwon
…botanical gardens?
상가
Sang-ga
…shopping area?
It is always a good idea to know how to ask when a museum opens, how much admission costs, and if there’s a discount for students, so take some time to memorize the essential questions for travelers below...
언제 여나요?
Unje yunayo?
What time does it open?
언제 닫나요?
Unje datnayo?
What time does it close?
입장료 얼마에요?
Ibjanglyo ulmayeyo?
What's the admission charge?
[...] 할인 있나요?
[…] harin itnayo?
Is there a discount for […]?
어린이
urini
Children
가족
gajok
Families
단체
danche
Groups
경로
gyungno
Senior citizens
학생
haksaeng
Students
Congratulations, you have completed this lesson. Don’t forget to practice your new vocabulary as much as possible. I always find that writing words or phrases on post-it notes and putting them up around my house is a good way to memorize them. Put a series of words or phrases on the bathroom wall and practice them as you brush your teeth each day!
For more on the use of Korean questions check out these lessons...
Anyoung hee gaseyo!
Sujung Lee: Rocket Korean
Reinforce your learning from this lesson with the Rocket Reinforcement activities!