Korean Shopping Phrases — 쇼핑 표현

Stage 1 · Shopping Vocabulary 쇼핑 단어

Shopping in Korea (쇼핑) 쇼핑

Korea has a rich shopping culture — from traditional outdoor markets (시장) to high-end department stores (백화점) to 24-hour convenience stores (편의점) on every corner. Bargaining is normal at traditional markets but not at chain stores or malls. Learning to ask prices, compare items, and complete transactions in Korean will make your shopping experience much smoother and more personal. The key question you'll use constantly is 얼마예요? (How much is it?)

Words and phrases

Check your understanding

It is 2 a.m. and you need a drink. Which word is the 24-hour shop on the corner?

Answer: 편의점 (가게 · 백화점 · 시장 · 편의점)

Shopping Item Words (쇼핑 물건) 쇼핑 물건

Korean uses many loanwords for modern products — 핸드폰 (cell phone), 노트북 (laptop), 티셔츠 (T-shirt). Native Korean and Sino-Korean words cover traditional items: 옷 (clothes), 신발 (shoes), 가방 (bag). When shopping, you'll often point to something and say 이거 (this one) — a simple and effective strategy. Korean has three of these pointing words: 이거 (this one, near you), 그거 (that one, near the person you are talking to) and 저거 (that one over there, away from you both). Sizes are often given in free-size (프리 사이즈), small (S), medium (M), and large (L/XL).

Words and phrases

Stage 2 · In the Store 가게에서

Key Shopping Phrases (쇼핑 표현) 쇼핑 표현

A few essential phrases cover almost every shopping interaction. 얼마예요? (How much is it?) works for any price enquiry. 이거 주세요 (Please give me this) completes a purchase. 더 싸게 해 주세요 (Please make it cheaper) is used for bargaining at traditional markets. 있어요? (Do you have...?) + the item name asks if something is in stock. 없어요 means it's out of stock or unavailable.

Words and phrases

Check your understanding

The item is already in your hand and you have decided to buy it. Which do you say?

Answer: 이거 주세요 (이거 주세요 · 그거 주세요 · 저거 주세요 · 이거 얼마예요?)

Asking About Availability (있어요? / 없어요) 있어요? / 없어요

있어요? (Is there? / Do you have?) and 없어요 (There isn't / We don't have it) are two of the most useful words in Korean shopping. Attach an item before 있어요?: 이거 있어요? (Do you have this?), 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? (Do you have a bigger size?). 없어요 is the reply if it's sold out. You can also say 다 팔렸어요 (All sold out) in more detail.

Words and phrases

Check your understanding

You ask for a bigger size. The clerk checks the back and comes back empty-handed. Which reply do you hear?

Answer: 없어요 (있어요 · 없어요 · 알겠어요 · 아니에요)

Stage 3 · Prices & Numbers 가격·숫자

Korean Money & Prices (원) 원·가격

The Korean currency is the 원 (won, ₩). Prices can look large because 1,000 won ≈ 0.75 USD. A coffee might be 4,500원, a meal 8,000~12,000원. 비싸다 (expensive) and 싸다 (cheap) are the key opinion words. When you receive change, the amount back is 거스름돈. Prices at traditional markets are often negotiable — 깎아 주세요 (Please give me a discount) or 더 싸게요? (Can it be cheaper?) opens bargaining.

Words and phrases

Check your understanding

You turn over the price tag and it is far more than you expected. Which word says that out loud?

Answer: 비싸요 (비싸요 · 싸요 · 좋아요 · 커요)

Words and phrases

Check your understanding

You hand over 10,000원 for an item that costs 7,000원. What is the 3,000원 the cashier hands back called?

Answer: 거스름돈 (거스름돈 · 할인 · 현금 · 영수증)

Stage 4 · Transactions 거래·마무리

Payment Methods (결제 방법) 결제 방법

Korea is a highly cashless society — most places accept credit cards (신용카드) or debit cards (체크카드), and mobile payment via apps like KakaoPay and Samsung Pay is extremely common. Cash (현금) is still accepted everywhere but is used less often. When paying, you may be asked 카드요, 현금이요? (Card or cash?). Requesting a receipt is 영수증 주세요. Tax refund signs (Tax Refund) at stores mean you can claim VAT back at the airport as a tourist.

Words and phrases

Check your understanding

The cashier asks 카드요, 현금이요? You are reaching for your card. Which do you answer?

Answer: 카드로 할게요 (현금으로 드릴게요 · 카드로 할게요 · 거스름돈 주세요 · 결제해 주세요)

Words and phrases

What you have learned

Shopping Complete! — 쇼핑 완료!

You're ready to shop in Korea! You know the key vocabulary, phrases for asking prices, bargaining, checking availability, and completing payment transactions.