When traveling to Korea or dealing with Korean commerce, it’s essential to know certain key phrases that can help make your shopping experience seamless. Whether you’re bargaining in a market or conducting business, these phrases will arm you with the linguistic tools necessary to navigate through various commercial situations.
가격 (ga-gyeok) — Price
This is the term used for the price of goods or services.
이 옷의 가격은 얼마입니까?
(How much is the price of this clothing?)
네고하다 (ne-go-ha-da) — To negotiate
Use this verb to express your desire to negotiate or bargain.
가격을 조금 네고할 수 있을까요?
(Can we negotiate the price a little?)
할인 (hal-in) — Discount
This noun is used when referring to a reduction in price.
이 상품에 할인이 되나요?
(Is there a discount on this product?)
영수증 (yeong-su-jeung) — Receipt
Always useful to ask for after making a purchase, to keep track of your expenses or for returns.
영수증 좀 주시겠어요?
(Could you give me the receipt, please?)
결제 (gyeol-je) — Payment
The process of paying for your purchases.
카드로 결제할 수 있나요?
(Can I pay with a card?)
환불 (hwan-bul) — Refund
In case the product isn’t what you desired or expected, you’ll need to know how to ask for your money back.
제품에 문제가 있어서 환불을 받고 싶어요.
(I want a refund because there’s a problem with the product.)
시장 (si-jang) — Market
Whether it’s a food market or a flea market, this is where you can practice your bargaining skills.
근처에 좋은 시장 있나요?
(Is there a good market nearby?)
매장 (mae-jang) — Store/Shop
A general term for any physical place where goods are sold.
이 매장은 몇 시에 닫나요?
(What time does this store close?)
소비자 (so-bi-ja) — Consumer
If you’re discussing commerce more broadly, you might find yourself using this term.
소비자들은 이 제품에 매우 만족해합니다.
(Consumers are very satisfied with this product.)
제품 (je-pum) — Product
Refers to any item that’s for sale.
이 제품은 어디에서 만들어졌나요?
(Where is this product made?)
상품 (sang-pum) — Goods
Similar to 제품, 상품 is a slightly more general term for goods or merchandise.
여기 상품들은 정말 다양하네요.
(There is a great variety of goods here.)
카트 (ka-teu) — Cart
When in a large store or supermarket, you might need a cart for your items.
카트를 하나 더 사용해도 될까요?
(May I use another cart?)
계산대 (gye-san-dae) — Cashier/Checkout
This is where you’ll go to pay for your items.
계산대가 어디에 있나요?
(Where is the cashier?)
고객 서비스 (go-gaek seo-bi-seu) — Customer Service
For assistance with products or services, you can ask for the customer service desk.
고객 서비스 센터가 어디 있는지 알려주시겠어요?
(Could you tell me where the customer service center is?)
교환 (gyo-hwan) — Exchange
If you need to swap a product for a different size or color, you’ll use this term.
이 상품을 다른 색상으로 교환해 주실 수 있나요?
(Can I exchange this product for a different color?)
Understanding and using these terms can help ease the process of shopping and make your interactions in commerce within Korea much more pleasant and effective. Happy shopping!