Shopping in Korea is excellent, from street markets to modern malls to 24-hour convenience stores. Here's everything you need to shop confidently.
Basic shopping phrases
얼마예요?: How much is it? 이거 얼마예요?: How much is this? 이거 주세요.: I'll take this one. / Give me this, please. 저거 주세요.: I'll take that one over there. 이거 있어요?: Do you have this? 다른 사이즈 있어요?: Do you have another size? 다른 색 있어요?: Do you have another color? 이거 입어봐도 돼요?: Can I try this on? 그냥 볼게요.: I'm just looking.
Sizes and fit
작아요: It's too small. 커요: It's too big. 딱 맞아요: It fits perfectly. 더 큰 사이즈 있어요?: Do you have a bigger size? 더 작은 사이즈 있어요?: Do you have a smaller size?
Korean clothing sizes:
- 44 = XS
- 55 = S
- 66 = M
- 77 = L
- 88 = XL
Shoe sizes are in EU sizing for women's shoes and Korean sizing (mm of foot length) for many local brands.
Payment
카드 돼요?: Do you accept card? 현금만 돼요.: Cash only. 영수증 주세요.: Receipt, please. 봉투 있어요?: Do you have a bag?
Markets (시장): negotiating
Traditional markets like Dongdaemun or Namdaemun allow negotiation (흥정). Malls and franchises have fixed prices.
조금 깎아 주세요.: Please give me a small discount. (polite) 많이 사면 깎아 줘요?: If I buy a lot, will you give a discount? 이거랑 저거 같이 사면?: What if I buy this and that together?
A good strategy: smile, be friendly, don't be aggressive. The starting discount is often 10 to 20%.
Convenience stores (편의점)
편의점 (pyeonuijeom): convenience store (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, Emart24)
These are everywhere in Korea, open 24/7, and sell hot food, coffee, drinks, and everyday items.
전자레인지 써도 돼요?: Can I use the microwave? 봉투 주세요.: Bag, please. 영수증 필요 없어요.: I don't need a receipt.
Common convenience store items:
- 삼각김밥 (samgak-gimbap): triangle rice ball
- 컵라면 (cup ramyeon): cup noodles
- 핫도그: corn dog
- 커피: canned/bottled coffee
Online shopping in Korea
If you have a Korean address, Korean online shopping is incredibly convenient:
쿠팡 (Coupang): Korea's Amazon, often next-day delivery 네이버 쇼핑: Naver Shopping, price comparison + shopping 당근마켓: used goods marketplace (like Facebook Marketplace)
Useful vocabulary for online shopping:
- 무료배송: free shipping
- 당일 배송: same-day delivery
- 리뷰: review
- 별점: star rating
- 재고 없음: out of stock
- 장바구니: shopping cart
Product labels
유통기한: expiration date (for food: "distribution deadline") 제조일자: manufacturing date 용량: volume/capacity 성분: ingredients 주의사항: caution / warnings
Shopping vocabulary is one of those areas where practical knowledge makes a huge real-world difference. The phrases here cover most situations you'll encounter.
For broader Korean vocabulary covering all aspects of daily life in Korea, a structured Korean course's curriculum is built around the same practical themes you'd encounter living or traveling in Korea.