Korean phrases / Shopping in Korean

Shopping in Korean

Korean shops range from department stores with fixed prices to street stalls where a little bargaining is expected. The phrases are mostly the same; what changes is whether 좀 깎아 주세요 (a small discount, please) is welcome.

You will also hear 있어요? (do you have…?) constantly. Put any item in front of it and it becomes a question.

Voice:

Looking around

  • 그냥 구경하는 거예요

    geunyang gugyeonghaneun geoyeyo

    I am just looking

    A polite answer when a clerk offers help.

  • 이거 있어요?

    igeo isseoyo?

    Do you have this? (showing a photo)

  • 다른 색 있어요?

    dareun saek isseoyo?

    Do you have another color?

  • 더 큰 사이즈 있어요?

    deo keun saijeu isseoyo?

    Do you have a bigger size?

    For smaller, say 더 작은 사이즈.

  • 입어 봐도 돼요?

    ibeo bwado dwaeyo?

    Can I try it on?

  • 탈의실 어디예요?

    taruisil eodiyeyo?

    Where is the fitting room?

  • 좀 커요

    jom keoyo

    It is a bit big

  • 좀 작아요

    jom jagayo

    It is a bit small

Talking about the price

  • 이거 얼마예요?

    igeo eolmayeyo?

    How much is this?

  • 너무 비싸요

    neomu bissayo

    It is too expensive

  • 좀 깎아 주세요

    jom kkakka juseyo

    Could you give me a discount?

    Fine at traditional markets and street stalls, out of place in department stores and chain shops.

  • 두 개 사면 더 싸요?

    du gae samyeon deo ssayo?

    Is it cheaper if I buy two?

  • 세일해요?

    seilhaeyo?

    Is it on sale?

Paying and after

  • 이걸로 할게요

    igeollo halgeyo

    I will take this one

  • 봉투 필요 없어요

    bongtu piryo eopseoyo

    I do not need a bag

    Bags usually cost a little extra in Korea.

  • 택스 리펀 돼요?

    taekseu ripeon dwaeyo?

    Can I get a tax refund?

    Look for a "Tax Free" sign; you will need your passport.

  • 선물 포장 돼요?

    seonmul pojang dwaeyo?

    Can you gift-wrap it?

  • 교환돼요?

    gyohwandwaeyo?

    Can I exchange it?

  • 환불하고 싶어요

    hwanbulhago sipeoyo

    I would like a refund

Example conversation: At a market stall

A visitor buys two scarves and asks for a small discount. Seller is voiced by Naeun and customer by Jinhee.

  1. Seller

    구경하세요. 다 예뻐요.

    gugyeonghaseyo. da yeppeoyo.

    Have a look. Everything is pretty.

  2. Customer

    이 스카프 얼마예요?

    i seukapeu eolmayeyo?

    How much is this scarf?

  3. Seller

    만 오천 원이에요.

    man ocheon wonieyo.

    It is 15,000 won.

  4. Customer

    두 개 사면 좀 깎아 주세요.

    du gae samyeon jom kkakka juseyo.

    If I buy two, could you give me a discount?

  5. Seller

    그럼 두 개에 이만 팔천 원 해 드릴게요.

    geureom du gaee iman palcheon won hae deurilgeyo.

    Then I will do two for 28,000 won.

  6. Customer

    좋아요. 봉투는 필요 없어요.

    joayo. bongtuneun piryo eopseoyo.

    Great. I do not need a bag.

More everyday Korean

The romanization follows the Revised Romanization of Korean, which spells words rather than showing every sound change. The recordings are synthesized voices speaking standard Seoul Korean. For how sounds change between syllables, see how to pronounce Korean names.