Phrases for shopping

Point and ask 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo, "How much is this?"). For other items, use 이건 (igeon, this one) or 저건 (jeogeon, that one over there). If you don't catch the answer, say 다시 한 번 말해 주세요 (dasi han beon malhae juseyo, "Please say it again") or ask them to type it on a phone calculator.

Say ○○ 있어요? (○○ isseoyo, "Do you have ○○?"), as in 선크림 있어요? (seonkeurim isseoyo, "Do you have sunscreen?") or 이거 다른 색 있어요? (igeo dareun saek isseoyo, "Does this come in other colors?"). Showing a photo and asking 이거 있어요? also works. If not, you'll hear 없어요 (eopseoyo) or 품절이에요 (pumjeorieyo, "sold out").

Ask 입어 봐도 돼요? (ibeo bwado dwaeyo, "May I try it on?"). To find the fitting room, ask 탈의실 어디예요? (taruisil eodiyeyo). Korean uses different verbs by item: for shoes, 신어 봐도 돼요? (sineo bwado dwaeyo), and for hats or glasses, 써 봐도 돼요? (sseo bwado dwaeyo).

Ask 더 큰 거 있어요? (deo keun geo isseoyo, "Do you have a bigger one?") or 더 작은 거 있어요? (deo jageun geo isseoyo, "a smaller one?"). For a specific size, say 엠 사이즈 있어요? (em saijeu isseoyo, "Do you have a medium?"). Size labels can differ from your home country, so trying things on is wise.

When staff ask 찾으시는 거 있으세요? (chajeusineun geo isseuseyo, "Are you looking for something?"), reply 그냥 구경할게요 (geunyang gugyeonghalgeyo, "I'm just browsing"). 괜찮아요, 그냥 볼게요 (gwaenchanayo, geunyang bolgeyo) also sounds natural. When you need help later, just call 저기요 (jeogiyo) and staff will come over.

Say 이걸로 할게요 (igeollo halgeyo, "I'll take this one") or 이거 주세요 (igeo juseyo). Add a quantity if needed: 이걸로 두 개 주세요 (igeollo du gae juseyo, "Two of these, please"). If you're still deciding, say 좀 더 볼게요 (jom deo bolgeyo, "I'll look around a bit more").

Not at department stores, brand shops or convenience stores, where prices are fixed. At traditional markets and some street stalls, people sometimes ask 좀 깎아 주세요 (jom kkakka juseyo, "Could you give me a little discount?"), but there's no guarantee. A gentle 많이 사면 싸게 돼요? (mani samyeon ssage dwaeyo, "Is it cheaper if I buy several?") is a safe approach.

Say 선물 포장해 주세요 (seonmul pojanghae juseyo, "Please gift-wrap it"). To check first, ask 선물 포장 돼요? (seonmul pojang dwaeyo, "Do you do gift wrapping?"). Depending on the store, wrapping may be free or charged, and some department stores have a separate wrapping counter.

Say 교환하고 싶어요 (gyohwanhago sipeoyo, "I'd like to exchange this") or 환불하고 싶어요 (hwanbulhago sipeoyo, "I'd like a refund") and show your receipt. For a size swap, ask 사이즈 교환 돼요? (saijeu gyohwan dwaeyo). Exchange and refund periods and conditions vary by store, so check the store's policy when you buy.

1+1 (won peulleoseu won, "one plus one") is a promotion where you buy one and get one free. 2+1 means buy two and get one free. You'll see these often at convenience stores and cosmetics shops. Usually the items must be from the same promotion group, so ask 이것도 행사 돼요? (igeotdo haengsa dwaeyo, "Is this included in the deal?").

Ask 몇 시까지 해요? (myeot sikkaji haeyo, "Until what time are you open?"). For opening time, ask 몇 시에 열어요? (myeot sie yeoreoyo). To find out which days they're closed, ask 언제 쉬어요? (eonje swieoyo). Hours vary, so check the store's posted information.

If you want a new one rather than the display item, ask 새 거 있어요? (sae geo isseoyo, "Do you have a new one?"). When your size or color is missing, ask 재고 있어요? (jaego isseoyo, "Is there any in stock?") or 다른 매장에 있어요? ("Is it at another store?"). If staff say 확인해 볼게요 (hwaginhae bolgeyo, "Let me check"), just wait a moment.

Say 봉투 주세요 (bongtu juseyo, "A bag, please") or 쇼핑백 주세요 (syopingbaek juseyo). Korea restricts single-use plastic bags, so at convenience stores and supermarkets bags are often paid for or not provided at all. Carrying your own tote bag makes shopping easier.

Ask 뭐가 제일 잘 나가요? (mwoga jeil jal nagayo, "What's most popular?"). For gifts, say 선물하기 좋은 거 추천해 주세요 (seonmulhagi joeun geo chucheonhae juseyo, "Please recommend something good as a gift"). Mentioning your skin type or what you'll use it for helps staff suggest something suitable.

Ask 테스트해 봐도 돼요? (teseuteuhae bwado dwaeyo, "May I test this?"). Cosmetics shops usually have testers on display that you can try freely. To ask for take-home samples, say 샘플 있어요? (saempeul isseoyo, "Do you have samples?"). Whether samples are given depends on the store.

Ask 면세 돼요? (myeonse dwaeyo) or 택스리펀드 돼요? (taekseuripeondeu dwaeyo, "Can I get a tax refund?"). Look for a Tax Free sign at the entrance, and you may be asked to show your passport when paying. Eligible amounts and procedures change, so check official guidance or ask the store.

Say 다른 색도 보여 주세요 (dareun saekdo boyeo juseyo, "Please show me other colors") or 다른 디자인 있어요? (dareun dijain isseoyo, "Do you have other designs?"). Useful color words include 검은색 (geomeunsaek, black), 흰색 (huinsaek, white) and 빨간색 (ppalgansaek, red). Showing a photo with 이런 거 있어요? (ireon geo isseoyo, "Do you have something like this?") works too.

Ask 이거 세일해요? (igeo seilhaeyo, "Is this on sale?") or 할인 돼요? (harin dwaeyo, "Is there a discount?"). To ask the percentage, say 몇 퍼센트 할인이에요? (myeot peosenteu harinieyo). Price tags often show both the original and discounted prices, so take a look.

At traditional markets, goods are often sold by container: 한 봉지 (han bongji, one bag) or 한 바구니 (han baguni, one basket). 근 (geun) is a traditional, non-legal weight unit for meat and vegetables, and the actual weight can vary by item and region. If you're unsure, ask 이거 얼마큼이에요? (igeo eolmakeumieyo, "How much is this amount?").

If you leave without buying, 감사합니다, 안녕히 계세요 (gamsahamnida, annyeonghi gyeseyo, "Thank you, goodbye") is enough. If you might return, say 다음에 올게요 (daeume olgeyo, "I'll come back next time"). After a purchase, a simple 감사합니다 works, and staff will reply 안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo).