12 Useful Phrases Used in Traditional Korean Mart

12 Useful Phrases Used in Traditional Korean Mart

If you are planning to go to Korea and you want a more immersive and cultural experience, I suggest shopping at a traditional Korean mart where you can buy fresh local vegetables, meats, seafoods, and fruits. You can also try traditional foods and drinks, and buy some handmade crafts or souvenirs. Going to these bustling markets can be a delightful experience, filled with unique sights, sounds, and flavors. However, as a non-native speaker, communicating with the vendors might be a bit challenging. But don't worry! In this blog, I will teach you some useful phrases that will help you shop confidently and enjoy your time exploring the vibrant traditional Korean marts.

1. What are you looking for?

: 뭐 찾으세요? (Mwo chajeuseyo?.)

This phrase is used by store clerks when they want to help a customer find something. If you hear this phrase, just tell them what you are looking for. They will help you find it more quickly.

Example:

Vendor: 어서오세요! 뭐 찾으세요?

Welcome! What are you looking for?

Customer: 안녕하세요! 티셔츠 기념품 찾고 있어요. 그런 거 팔아요?

Hello! I'm looking for T-shirt souvenirs. Do you sell them?

Vendor: 네, 왼쪽 코너에 있어요.

Yes, it's in the left corner.

Customer: 감사합니다!

Thank you!

Vendor: 네, 천천히 보세요!

Yes, take your time looking around!

2. How much is this?

: 이거 얼마예요? (Igeo eolmayeyo?)

In Korean Mart, the prices are usually displayed on the products, but in case there’s no price written, you can use this question.

Example:

Customer: 이거 얼마예요?

How much is this?

Vendor: 배추는 한 포기에 5,000원이에요.

It's 5,000 won for a head of cabbage.

Customer: 두 포기 주세요.

I'll take two heads.

3. Please give me ___ of these.

: 이거 ___ 개 주세요. (Igeo gae juseyo.)

This phrase is used to specify the quantity of an item you want to purchase. You can change the number according to how many you need using the Native Korean Number.

1 - 하나 (ha-na) this number will become 한 in this phrase = 이거 한 개 주세요. 

2 - 둘 (dul) this one will become 두 = 이거 두 개 주세요.

3 - 셋 (set) this number will become 세 = 이거 세 개 주세요.

4 - 넷 (net) same as number 3, this will become 네 = 이거 네 개 주세요.

5 - 다섯 (da-seot) starting from this number, there will be no changes when used in this phrase.

6 - 여섯 (yeo-seot)

7 - 일곱 (il-gop)

8 - 여덟 (yeo-deol)

9 - 아홉 (a-hop)

10 - 열 (yeol)

Example:

Customer: 냉장고 자석 얼마예요?

How much is the refrigerator magnet?

Vendor: 한 개에 2,000원이에요.

It's 2,000 won each.

Customer: 와 싸네요! 다섯 개 주세요.

Oh, this is cheap! Please give me five.

4. Can I try it?

: 시식해봐도 돼요? (Sisikhaebwado dwaeyo?)

Some vendors let the customers try tasting food before buying. You can use this phrase to politely ask if you can taste the food first.

Example:

Customer: 이게 뭐예요?

What is this?

Vendor:  이건 인절미예요. 볶은 콩가루를 넣은 한국 전통 떡이에요.

This is injeolmi. It is a traditional Korean rice cake made with roasted soybean powder.

Customer: 아… 시식해봐도 돼요?

Ah… Can I try it?

Vendor:  그럼요! 여기서 한 입 먹어보세요.

Of course! Have a bite here.

Customer: 감사합니다! 오… 맛있어요!

Thank you! Oh… It’s delicious!

5. Where is it made?

: 뭐로 만들었어요? (Mworo mandeureosseoyo?)

When you see a food that is unfamiliar to you, you can ask this question to find out what ingredients it contains.

Example:

Customer: 이게 뭐예요?

What is this?

Vendor: 파전이에요. 

This is pajeon. 

Customer: 뭐로 만들었어요?

Where is it made?

Vendor: 밀가루, 계란, 파, 해산물이 들어가요.

It is made from flour, eggs, green onions and seafood.

6. Please give me (number) grams of (item name).

: (Item name) (number) 그램 주세요. (_____ ____ geuraem juseyo.)

When buying meats at a traditional Korean mart, the measurement that is commonly used is gram. You can use this phrase and change the gram/item according to your need.

불고기 1 킬로그램 주세요. = Please give me 1 kilogram of bul-go-gi.

돼지갈비 300그램 주세요. = Please give me 300 grams of pork ribs.

Example:

Customer:  돼지갈비 300그램 주세요. 

Please give me 300 grams of pork ribs.

Vendor: 네, 여기예요.

Sure, here you go.

Customer:  감사합니다!

Thank you!

7. Please cut it thickly / thinly.

: 두껍게 / 얇게 잘라주세요. (Dukkeobge / yalbge jallajuseyo.)

When buying meat at a traditional Korean mart, you can use this phrase to request the butcher to cut the meat into thick or thin slices. This can be useful for specific recipes that require thicker or thinner cuts.

Example:

Customer: 삼겹살 400g 주세요.

Please give me 400 grams of pork belly.

Vendor: 네, 잘라드릴까요?

Okay, should I cut this?

Customer: 아, 네. 두껍게 잘라주세요. 

Ah yes. Please cut it thickly.

8. Can you give me a discount?

: 조금 깎아주실 수 있어요? (Jogeum kkakkajusil su isseoyo?)

Don’t be shy to ask if they can lower the price of their items. Some of the vendors can give you discounts or freebies when you buy from them.

Example:

Customer: 상추는 얼마예요?

How much is this lettuce?

Vendor: 2,500원이에요.

Lettuce is 2,500 won.

Customer: 에이~ 좀 비싸요. 어머니~ 조금만 깎아주실 수 있어요?

Oh, it's a bit expensive. Mother, Could you please give me a discount?

Vendor: 그래요, 2,000원에 드릴게요.

Okay, I'll give it to you for 2,000 won.

Customer: 감사합니다!

Thank you!

9. Where can I buy ____ ?

: ____ 어디서 살 수 있어요? (____ eodiseo sal su iss-eoyo?)

Korean marts can be quite big, and if you can’t find the product that you want to buy, you can ask the locals this question. Just put the name of what you’re looking for in the blank.

Example:

Customer: 죄송한데, 기념품 어디서 살 수 있어요? 

Excuse me, where can I buy souvenirs?

Vendor: 아, 저기 구석에 기념품 가게가 있어요.

Oh, there's a souvenir shop around that corner.

Customer: 감사합니다!

Thank you!

10. This is a service.

: 이건 서비스예요. (Igeon seobiseuyeyo.)

This can also mean "This is on the house" or "This is complimentary”. Some vendors offer freebies or extra products for their buyers as a service or gesture of goodwill.

Example:

Customer: 감자 1kg 주세요.

Please give me a 1kg of potatoes.

Vendor: 네, 여기예요.

Sure, here you go.

Vendor: 여기 감자 하나 더 드릴게요. 이건 서비스예요.

Here's an extra potato for you. This is on the house.

Customer:  와 감사합니다!

Wow thank you!

11. Do you accept cards? 

: 카드 돼요? (Kadeu dwaeyo?)

When making a purchase at a traditional Korean mart or market, you can use this phrase to ask if they accept credit or debit cards as a form of payment. This can be useful especially at the times when you run out of cash.

Example:

Customer: 죄송한데 현금이 부족하네요. 혹시, 카드 돼요?

I’m sorry, but I’m short on cash. By any chance, do you accept cards?

Vendor: 네, 카드 돼요.

Yes, we accept card payments.

Customer: 그럼 카드로 결제할게요. 감사합니다!

Then I'll pay with my card. Thank you!

12. Have a good day!

: 좋은 하루 보내세요! (Joeun haru bonaeseyo!)

You can use this phrase when you've finished all your shopping and are about to leave the store. It's a friendly farewell to wrap up a pleasant encounter!

Example:

Vendor: 5,000원이에요.

That will be 5,000 won.

Customer: 여기예요. 감사합니다! 좋은 하루 보내세요!

Here it is. Thank you! Have a good day!

Vendor: 네, 감사합니다!

Yes, thank you.

And that's it! I hope you learn something from today’s blog! What phrases would you like to learn next? Comment down below 👇

If you want to learn more useful phrases when shopping in Korea, you can read these blogs:

12 Basic Phrases Used in a Shoe Shop

https://www.bdbkorean.com/en/post/12-basic-phrases-used-in-a-shoe-shop

12 Basic Phrases Used in a Korean Cosmetic Shop

https://www.bdbkorean.com/en/post/12-basic-phrases-used-in-a-korean-cosmetic-shop-1

12 Useful Phrases When Shopping Clothes In Korea

https://www.bdbkorean.com/en/post/12-useful-phrases-when-shopping-clothes-in-korea-1