Phrases for paying

Say 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo, "The bill, please") or 계산할게요 (gyesanhalgeyo, "I'll pay now"). At many Korean restaurants you pay at the counter near the exit after eating, though some places ask you to pay first, use a kiosk or take payment at the table. If paying at the counter, bring the bill or order slip.

Ask 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo, "Do you take cards?"). Most shops in Korea accept cards, but some street stalls and market vendors take cash only. To check about foreign cards, ask 해외 카드 돼요? (haeoe kadeu dwaeyo, "Do you accept foreign cards?").

Say 현금으로 할게요 (hyeongeumeuro halgeyo, "I'll pay in cash"). Change is 거스름돈 (geoseureumdon) or 잔돈 (jandon). Staff may ask whether you need a cash receipt (현금 영수증), which eligible local taxpayers can use for income tax deductions; as a traveler you can just say 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo, "No, thanks").

Say 따로 계산해 주세요 (ttaro gyesanhae juseyo, "Separate bills, please"). To pay together, say 같이 계산해 주세요 (gachi gyesanhae juseyo). Splitting can be hard during busy hours, so in Korea it's common for one person to pay and the group to settle up later.

Say 영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo, "A receipt, please"). If you don't need it, say 영수증 버려 주세요 (yeongsujeung beoryeo juseyo, "Please throw it away") or 영수증은 괜찮아요 (yeongsujeungeun gwaenchanayo). After paying, staff may ask 영수증 드릴까요? (yeongsujeung deurilkkayo, "Would you like the receipt?").

When paying by card, staff may ask 일시불로 하시겠어요? (ilsibullo hasigesseoyo). 일시불 (ilsibul) means paying in full at once, and 할부 (halbu) means paying in installments, an option mainly for Korean cards. With a foreign card, just answer 일시불이요 (ilsibullyo, "In full, please").

Depending on the payment method, you may be asked to sign on a screen or enter your card PIN. If staff say 사인해 주세요 (sain hae juseyo, "Please sign"), sign on the pad. Never tell anyone your PIN; enter it yourself. Many card terminals also accept contactless payment.

Ask 다 해서 얼마예요? (da haeseo eolmayeyo, "How much is it altogether?"). 전부 얼마예요? (jeonbu eolmayeyo) means the same. If you can't catch the amount, check the number displayed on the register or card terminal screen. It's always fine to ask staff to show you.

Tipping isn't a general custom in Korea, so you don't need to tip at restaurants, in taxis or at hair salons. Some upscale hotels and restaurants include or list a service charge. If you want to show appreciation, saying 잘 먹었습니다, 감사합니다 (jal meogeotseumnida, gamsahamnida) is more than enough.

제가 살게요 (jega salgeyo) means "I'll pay" or "It's my treat," usually for a meal or coffee. Among friends, you'll hear 내가 살게 (naega salge) or the slangy 내가 쏠게 (naega ssolge). In Korea, friends often take turns treating each other: one pays this time, and another pays next time.

Paying separately is 더치페이 (deochipei, from "Dutch pay") or 각자 내기 (gakja naegi). Friends also say N분의 1 (en bunui il, "one Nth each") or the slang N빵 (en ppang). These days, one person often pays and the others send their share through a money-transfer app.

At checkout, you'll often hear 포인트 적립하시겠어요? (pointeu jeongnipasigesseoyo, "Would you like to collect points?") or 멤버십 있으세요? (membeosip isseuseyo, "Do you have a membership?"). If not, just say 없어요 (eopseoyo) or 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo). These programs often require a Korean phone number, so travelers can usually skip them.

Several mobile payment services are widely used in Korea. Whether a foreign app or service works depends on the store, so show your phone and ask 이걸로 결제돼요? (igeollo gyeoljedwaeyo, "Can I pay with this?"). It's wise to carry a card or some cash in case mobile payment isn't accepted.

Gently say 거스름돈이 좀 이상한 것 같아요 (geoseureumdoni jom isanghan geot gatayo, "I think the change is a little off"). Showing the receipt and asking 다시 확인해 주시겠어요? (dasi hwaginhae jusigesseoyo, "Could you check again?") is polite. Check right away at the counter rather than later.

If staff say 결제가 안 돼요 (gyeoljega an dwaeyo) or 승인이 안 나요 (seungini an nayo), your card was declined. Reply 다른 카드로 할게요 (dareun kadeuro halgeyo, "I'll use another card") or 현금으로 할게요 ("I'll pay in cash"). It may be an overseas-use block or limit, so contact your card issuer.

At convenience stores or supermarkets, you may hear 봉투 필요하세요? (bongtu piryohaseyo, "Do you need a bag?"). Answer 네, 주세요 (ne, juseyo, "Yes, please") or 괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo, "No, thanks"). Bags often cost extra, and some stores don't offer single-use bags at all.

The checkout is 계산대 (gyesandae) or 카운터 (kaunteo). Ask 계산대 어디예요? (gyesandae eodiyeyo, "Where's the checkout?") to find it. Many supermarkets have self-checkout machines (셀프 계산대, selpeu gyesandae), where you scan barcodes and press the 결제 (gyeolje, pay) button when you are done.

한턱 내다 (hanteok naeda) means treating others to food or drinks to celebrate something good. After a promotion or on a birthday, someone might say 오늘 제가 한턱 낼게요 (oneul jega hanteok naelgeyo, "Today's on me"). If a friend says 한턱 쏴! (hanteok sswa), they're playfully urging you to treat everyone.

At a convenience store, hand over your card and say 교통카드 충전해 주세요 (gyotongkadeu chungjeonhae juseyo, "Please top up my transit card"), adding the amount you want. Top-ups are often cash only, so check beforehand. You can also recharge at machines in subway stations.

After paying, say 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida), or at a restaurant, 잘 먹었습니다 (jal meogeotseumnida, "Thank you for the meal"). Staff will usually reply 감사합니다, 안녕히 가세요. If you enjoyed the food, adding 맛있었어요 (masisseosseoyo, "It was delicious") will really please the owner. A small bow on the way out is a nice touch.