Travel Korea Like a Local: Must-Know Advice Phrases!
Hello! Welcome to Daily Hangul, here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever been wandering through a new city, wondering where the locals really go for the best food or the coolest sights? Today, we’re going to learn how to ask for and give travel advice in Korean. These phrases are your secret key to unlocking authentic experiences!
Lately in Korea, there’s a huge trend of “동네 여행” (dongne yeohaeng), which means “neighborhood travel.” People are exploring the hidden, charming alleys and local spots in less famous neighborhoods instead of just sticking to the big tourist sites. To join this trend and find those hidden gems, you’ll need to talk to the locals. Let’s get you ready to do just that!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are three essential expressions to help you ask for recommendations and get the best advice from locals.
1. … 좀 추천해 주세요. (… jom chucheonhae juseyo.)
- Korean Expression: … 좀 추천해 주세요.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: … jom chucheonhae juseyo.
- English Meaning: Please recommend a … for me.
- Detailed Explanation: This is your go-to phrase for asking for a recommendation for almost anything! Just put the noun you’re looking for in the blank. The word ‘좀 (jom)’ is a softened version of ‘조금 (jogeum),’ meaning ‘a little,’ and it makes the request sound more polite and gentle. It’s a very common and natural-sounding phrase.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㅊ’ (ch) sound in 추천 (chucheon) is an “aspirated” consonant. This means you should release a strong puff of air as you say it, almost like the ‘ch’ in “church.” It’s stronger than the ‘ㅈ’ (j) sound. Practice making that little explosion of air!
2. …는 게 어때요? (…neun ge eottaeyo?)
- Korean Expression: …는 게 어때요?
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: …neun ge eottaeyo?
- English Meaning: How about doing/going to …?
- Detailed Explanation: This is a perfect, friendly way to give a suggestion. You attach ‘-는 게 어때요?’ to a verb stem. For example, to suggest ‘going,’ you take the verb ‘가다 (gada),’ remove ‘다 (da),’ and add ‘-는 게 어때요?’ to make ‘가는 게 어때요? (ganeun ge eottaeyo?)’. It’s less direct than saying “You must go,” making it a soft and polite suggestion.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Notice the ‘ㅆ’ in 어때요 (eottaeyo). When a ‘ㅆ’ is a final consonant (받침), it makes a ‘t’ sound. So, it’s pronounced [어때요/eottaeyo], not “eoss-daeyo.” The sound is clean and sharp, without releasing the ‘t’ sound too strongly.
3. …에 꼭 가 보세요. (…e kkok ga boseyo.)
- Korean Expression: …에 꼭 가 보세요.
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: …e kkok ga boseyo.
- English Meaning: You should definitely try going to…
- Detailed Explanation: When a local tells you this, listen carefully! ‘꼭 (kkok)’ means ‘definitely’ or ‘surely,’ so this is a very strong and confident recommendation. The grammar ‘-아/어 보세요’ means ‘to try doing something.’ So, ‘가 보세요’ literally means ‘try going.’ It’s a powerful way to share a place you truly love.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㄲ’ (kk) in 꼭 (kkok) is a “tense” consonant. It has no puff of air like ‘ㅋ’ (k). To make this sound, tighten the back of your throat as if you’re holding your breath for a split second before saying “kok.” It should sound sharp and quick. Think of the ‘c’ in “scan.”
Sample Dialogue
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation! Here, Alex (a tourist) is asking Minjun (a local) for a cafe recommendation.
A (Alex): 안녕하세요! 이 근처에 분위기 좋은 카페 좀 추천해 주세요.
(Annyeonghaseyo! I geuncheo-e bunwigi joeun kape jom chucheonhae juseyo.)
Hello! Could you please recommend a cafe with a good atmosphere near here?
B (Minjun): 아, 네! 요즘 레트로 스타일이 유행인데, ‘서울다방’에 가 보는 게 어때요?
(A, ne! Yojeum reteuro seutairi yuhaenginde, ‘Seoul Dabang’-e ga boneun ge eottaeyo?)
Oh, sure! Retro-style is trendy these days, so how about trying to go to ‘Seoul Dabang’?
A (Alex): 오, 레트로 카페요? 좋아요! 거기 가면 뭘 마셔야 해요?
(O, reteuro kape-yo? Joayo! Geogi gamyeon mwol masyeoya haeyo?)
Oh, a retro cafe? Sounds great! What should I drink if I go there?
B (Minjun): 쌍화차(Ssanghwacha)가 유명해요. 정말 특별한 경험이 될 거예요. ‘서울다방’에 꼭 가 보세요!
(Ssanghwacha-ga yumyeonghaeyo. Jeongmal teukbyeolhan gyeongheomi doel geo-yeyo. ‘Seoul Dabang’-e kkok ga boseyo!)
Their Ssanghwacha (a traditional tea) is famous. It’ll be a really special experience. You should definitely go to ‘Seoul Dabang’!
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, sharing your favorite spots is a way of connecting with people. When you ask a Korean for a recommendation, you’re not just getting information—you’re often getting a glimpse into their personal favorites.
- The Power of ‘꼭 (kkok)’: As mentioned, when someone uses ‘꼭 가 보세요,’ they are sharing a place they genuinely believe you will love. It’s the Korean equivalent of saying, “Trust me, you won’t regret this!” This is especially true for finding a great “맛집” (matjip – a delicious restaurant) or “핫플” (hatpeul – a trendy hot place).
- Beyond the Guidebook: The “동네 여행” (neighborhood travel) trend is all about discovering places that aren’t in the official guidebooks. Using these phrases to ask a local shop owner, a guesthouse host, or just someone friendly on the street is the best way to find these authentic gems. Don’t be shy—Koreans are often very happy and proud to share their local culture!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to ask for and give travel advice like a pro. You now know how to ask for a recommendation (추천해 주세요), give a soft suggestion (-는 게 어때요?), and make a strong recommendation (꼭 가 보세요).
Now, let’s practice!
- Fill in the Blank: You want to find a good bibimbap restaurant. How would you ask?
- 이 근처에 맛있는 비빔밥집 좀 _______
- (I geuncheo-e masinneun bibimbapjip jom _______.)
- Make a Sentence: Recommend a famous place in your own city to a friend using the phrase ‘…에 꼭 가 보세요’.
Leave your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see what you come up with. Happy learning
