A1 Collocation 中性

길을 묻다.

gireul mutda.

Ask for directions.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Use '길을 묻다' when you need to ask someone for directions to a specific location.

  • Means: To inquire about the path or route to a destination.
  • Used in: Asking strangers on the street, asking staff in a building.
  • Don't confuse: '길을 잃다' (to be lost) with '길을 묻다' (to ask for the way).
Confused face + Map/Phone icon + Polite bow = Successful navigation

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means asking someone for directions. You use it when you are lost in a city.
It is a common collocation used to initiate a request for navigation. It is essential for travelers who need to find a specific building or street.
This phrase functions as a social opener. By using '길을 묻다', you are signaling to a stranger that you require assistance, which necessitates a polite preamble in Korean culture.
The phrase demonstrates the intersection of functional language and social etiquette. It requires the speaker to adjust the verb conjugation based on the listener's social status to maintain harmony.
Linguistically, this is a transitive verb construction where '길' acts as the patient. The choice between '묻다' and '여쭙다' reflects the hierarchical nature of Korean society, where the act of asking is mediated by the relative status of the participants.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, '길을 묻다' maps the physical act of navigation onto a social interaction schema. It exemplifies how Korean encodes social distance directly into the verb choice, transforming a simple request into a nuanced performance of politeness and social awareness.

意思

To inquire about the way to a place.

🌍

文化背景

Asking for directions is a great way to start a conversation with locals who are usually proud to help. Similar to Korea, politeness is key. Always use 'Sumimasen' (Excuse me).

🎯

Use '실례합니다'

Always start with 'Excuse me' to ensure a positive response.

意思

To inquire about the way to a place.

🎯

Use '실례합니다'

Always start with 'Excuse me' to ensure a positive response.

自我测试

Fill in the blank with the correct verb.

실례합니다, 길을 _____.

✓ 正确！ ✗ 不太对。 正确答案： 묻고 싶어요

You want to ask for the way, not lose it or eat it.

🎉 得分： /1

视觉学习工具

常见问题

1 个问题

Yes, but use '길 좀 물어볼게' instead.

相关表达

🔗

길을 찾다

similar

To find the way

🔗

길을 잃다

contrast

To be lost

在哪里用

🗺️

Street navigation

You: 실례합니다, 길을 묻고 싶어요.

Local: 네, 어디를 찾으세요?

neutral
🏪

Asking a shopkeeper

You: 죄송합니다만, 길을 여쭙고 싶습니다.

Shopkeeper: 네, 말씀하세요.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Road' (길) with a 'Question Mark' (묻다) on it.

Visual Association

You are standing at a crossroads with a map, looking confused, and a friendly local points the way.

Rhyme

길을 묻다, 길을 찾다, 어디로 갈까?

Story

I was lost in Seoul. I felt nervous. I saw a kind lady. I said '실례합니다, 길을 묻고 싶어요.' She smiled and pointed to the subway station. I felt relieved.

Word Web

길묻다지도방향실례합니다도와주다

挑战

Go to a map app, pick a random spot, and practice saying 'Excuse me, I want to ask for the way' in Korean.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Preguntar el camino

Korean requires more honorifics depending on the listener.

French high

Demander son chemin

Korean is more context-dependent regarding social hierarchy.

German moderate

Nach dem Weg fragen

German grammar focuses on the preposition 'nach'.

Japanese high

道を聞く (michi o kiku)

Japanese uses 'kiku' (hear/ask) while Korean uses 'mutda' (ask).

Arabic moderate

سؤال عن الطريق (su'al 'an al-tariq)

Arabic relies on the preposition 'an' (about).

Easily Confused

길을 묻다. 对比 길을 잃다

Learners confuse 'asking' with 'being lost'.

If you are asking, you are '묻다'. If you are lost, you are '잃다'.

常见问题 (1)

Yes, but use '길 좀 물어볼게' instead.

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