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Essential Phrases for Shopping in Korea
Level
A1
Type
Vocab
Theme
Travel
작성자
Y
작성시각
Whether you're haggling at Namdaemun Market, browsing a department store in Gangnam, or picking up snacks at a convenience store, a handful of Korean phrases will make the experience smoother — and a lot more fun.
Shopping in Korea ranges from ultra-modern (tap-and-go payments everywhere) to old-school (cash-only market stalls where bargaining is expected). This guide covers phrases that work across all of it.
The Core Phrases
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
얼마예요? | eolmayeyo? | How much is it? |
이거 주세요 | igeo juseyo | This one, please |
저거 보여 주세요 | jeogeo boyeo juseyo | Can you show me that one? |
깎아 주세요 | kkakka juseyo | Can you give me a discount? |
카드 돼요? | kadeu dwaeyo? | Do you accept cards? |
현금만 돼요? | hyeonggeumman dwaeyo? | Cash only? |
봉투 주세요 | bongtu juseyo | Can I have a bag? |
봉투 괜찮아요 | bongtu gwaenchanayo | No bag needed |
영수증 주세요 | yeongsujeung juseyo | Receipt, please |
Browsing
When you walk into a shop, staff will often greet you with "어서 오세요!" (Welcome!) and might ask what you're looking for.
If you're just browsing:
"구경만 할게요." (Gugyeongman halgeyo.) — "I'm just looking."
"구경만 할게요." (Gugyeongman halgeyo.) — "I'm just looking."
This is the magic phrase that takes the pressure off. Staff will back off and let you wander.
If you want to see something specific:"이거 볼 수 있어요?" (Igeo bol su isseoyo?) — "Can I take a look at this?"
"다른 색 있어요?" (Dareun saek isseoyo?) — "Do you have a different color?"
"큰 사이즈 있어요?" (Keun saijeu isseoyo?) — "Do you have a bigger size?"
"작은 거 있어요?" (Jageun geo isseoyo?) — "Do you have a smaller one?"
Trying Things On
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
입어 봐도 돼요? | ibeo bwado dwaeyo? | Can I try this on? |
탈의실 어디예요? | tareuisil eodiyeyo? | Where's the fitting room? |
좀 커요 | jom keoyo | It's a bit big |
좀 작아요 | jom jagayo | It's a bit small |
잘 맞아요 | jal majayo | It fits well |
Paying
At the register:"이거 살게요." (Igeo salgeyo.) — "I'll buy this."
"카드로 할게요." (Kadeuro halgeyo.) — "I'll pay by card."
"현금으로 할게요." (Hyeongeumuro halgeyo.) — "I'll pay in cash."
Checking if cards are accepted:
"카드 돼요?" (Kadeu dwaeyo?) — "Can I use a card?"
"카드 돼요?" (Kadeu dwaeyo?) — "Can I use a card?"
Most Korean stores, restaurants, and even some market stalls accept credit and debit cards. But some traditional market vendors still prefer cash. Always good to ask.
Bags cost extra in Korea (usually ₩100–500). If you want one: "봉투 주세요." If you brought your own: "봉투 괜찮아요."
Bargaining
Bargaining isn't universal in Korea. Here's the breakdown:
Bargaining works at:
•
Traditional markets (남대문, 동대문, etc.)
•
Small independent shops
•
When buying multiple items
Bargaining doesn't work at:
•
Department stores
•
Chain stores (Olive Young, Daiso, etc.)
•
Convenience stores
•
Places with price tags
How to ask for a discount:"좀 깎아 주세요." (Jom kkakka juseyo.) — "Could you give me a little discount?"
"두 개 사면 깎아 주세요." (Du gae samyeon kkakka juseyo.) — "If I buy two, can you give me a discount?"
Say it with a smile. The worst that happens is they say no. Often, they'll shave off a bit — especially if you're buying multiple items.
Returns and Tax Refunds
If you need to return something:"환불 돼요?" (Hwanbul dwaeyo?) — "Can I get a refund?"
"교환 돼요?" (Gyohwan dwaeyo?) — "Can I exchange this?"
Most Korean stores allow returns within 7 days if you keep the tags and receipt.
Tax refund for tourists:
Look for "Tax Free" signs. If you spend over ₩30,000 at a single tax-free store, keep the receipt. You can claim a refund at the airport before departure. Staff at tax-free stores will often explain the process if you ask: "택스 리펀드 어떻게 해요?" (Taekseu ripundeu eotteoke haeyo?) — "How do I do the tax refund?"
Look for "Tax Free" signs. If you spend over ₩30,000 at a single tax-free store, keep the receipt. You can claim a refund at the airport before departure. Staff at tax-free stores will often explain the process if you ask: "택스 리펀드 어떻게 해요?" (Taekseu ripundeu eotteoke haeyo?) — "How do I do the tax refund?"
Quick Reference
Situation | What to Say |
Asking the price | 얼마예요? |
Buying something | 이거 주세요 / 이거 살게요 |
Just browsing | 구경만 할게요 |
Paying by card | 카드로 할게요 |
Asking for a discount | 깎아 주세요 |
Requesting a bag | 봉투 주세요 |
Declining a bag | 봉투 괜찮아요 |
Getting a receipt | 영수증 주세요 |
Returning an item | 환불 돼요? |
Different size/color | 다른 사이즈/색 있어요? |
Real Moments
Scenario 1: Bargaining at Namdaemun. You're at 남대문시장 (Namdaemun Sijang, namdaemun-sijang) looking at scarves. The vendor says "만 오천 원이에요" (Man ocheon wonieyo — "₩15,000"). You pick up two and ask "두 개 사면 깎아 주세요" (Du gae samyeon kkakka juseyo — "Can you give a discount if I buy two?"). She thinks for a second: "이만 원이요" (Iman wonieyo — "₩20,000 for both"). You just saved ₩10,000 with one sentence. You hand over the cash, she bags them, and you both smile. That's the market rhythm.
Scenario 2: The convenience store run. It's midnight. You're at a CU near your Airbnb. You grab ramyeon (라면, ramyeon), a banana milk (바나나맛 우유, banana-mat uyu), and a triangle kimbap (삼각김밥, samgak-gimbap). At the counter, the clerk asks "봉투 필요하세요?" (Bongtu piryohaseyo? — "Do you need a bag?"). You say "네, 주세요" (Ne, juseyo — "Yes, please"). They scan everything, you tap your card, done. The whole transaction takes 30 seconds, and you just had a full Korean conversation without switching to English once.
Shopping Culture: Why Koreans Shop the Way They Do
Korea's shopping culture reflects broader cultural values. The concept of 가성비 (gaseongbi) — price-to-performance ratio — drives how Koreans evaluate purchases. It's not about buying the cheapest option; it's about getting the best value. Koreans research extensively before buying, read reviews obsessively, and compare prices across platforms.
Online shopping is massive in Korea. Apps like 쿠팡 (Coupang, kupang), which offers next-day delivery (and often same-day), have transformed how Koreans buy everything from groceries to electronics. The phrase "쿠팡에서 시켰어" (Kupang-eseo sikyeosseo — "I ordered it on Coupang") is as common as "I got it on Amazon."
Korean | Pronunciation | Meaning |
가성비 | gaseongbi | value for money |
할인 | harin | discount / sale |
세일 | seil | sale |
1+1 | won peulleoseu won | buy one get one free |
배송 | baesong | delivery / shipping |
The 1+1 (원플러스원, won-peulleoseu-won) promotion is ubiquitous at convenience stores — buy one, get one free. Koreans spot these deals instinctively. If you see "1+1" on a product, grab two. It's practically a civic duty.
These phrases work everywhere — from the fluorescent-lit aisles of a convenience store to the buzzing stalls of a traditional market. The more you use them, the more natural they'll feel, and the more Korean your shopping experience becomes.