50 Korean Shopping Phrases You Need in Seoul

Master 50+ essential korean shopping phrases for Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and online stores — bargain, ask sizes, and pay like a local.

50 Korean Shopping Phrases You Need in Seoul

Seoul is a shopper paradise, and the right korean shopping phrases turn every trip to Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, or Olive Young into a smooth, fun experience. This list covers everything from greetings to haggling, sizes, and card payments — with romanization so Arabic-speaking learners can read at a glance.

Before You Shop: Quick Cultural Tips

Korean shopping culture is warm but fast. Staff greet you with 어서 오세요 (eoseo oseyo) — welcome. Smile and nod back. Department stores have fixed prices, but traditional markets like Namdaemun and Dongdaemun are open to polite bargaining.

1. Greeting and Entering a Store

1. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) — Hello
2. 그냥 구경할게요 (geunyang gugyeonghalgeyo) — I am just looking, thanks
3. 도와 드릴까요? (dowa deurilkkayo?) — Can I help you? (what staff say)

2. Asking About Products

1. 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?) — How much is this?
2. 저거 좀 보여주세요 (jeogeo jom boyeojuseyo) — Please show me that one
3. 새로 나온 거예요? (saero naon geoyeyo?) — Is this new?
4. 이거 인기 많아요? (igeo ingi manayo?) — Is this popular?

3. Sizes and Colors

1. 더 큰 거 있어요? (deo keun geo isseoyo?) — Do you have a bigger one?
2. 더 작은 거 있어요? (deo jageun geo isseoyo?) — Do you have a smaller one?
3. 사이즈가 어떻게 돼요? (saijeuga eotteoke dwaeyo?) — What size is this?
4. 다른 색깔 있어요? (dareun saekkal isseoyo?) — Any other colors?
5. 검정색 있어요? (geomjeongsaek isseoyo?) — Do you have it in black?

English	Korean	Romanization
Small	스몰 / 작은	seumol / jageun
Medium	미디엄 / 중간	midieom / junggan
Large	라지 / 큰	raji / keun
White	흰색	huinsaek
Red	빨간색	ppalgansaek

4. Trying Things On

1. 입어 봐도 돼요? (ibeo bwado dwaeyo?) — Can I try it on?
2. 탈의실 어디예요? (taruisil eodiyeyo?) — Where is the fitting room?
3. 좀 타이트해요 (jom taiteuhaeyo) — It is a bit tight.
4. 잘 맞아요 (jal majayo) — It fits well.

5. Bargaining (Markets Only)

1. 깎아 주세요 (kkakka juseyo) — Please give me a discount
2. 좀 싸게 해 주세요 (jom ssage hae juseyo) — Make it a bit cheaper please
3. 너무 비싸요 (neomu bissayo) — It is too expensive
4. 두 개 사면 할인 돼요? (du gae samyeon halin dwaeyo?) — If I buy two, is there a discount?

Bargaining is expected in traditional markets but never in department stores or brand stores.

6. Cosmetics & K-Beauty (Olive Young, Innisfree)

1. 샘플 있어요? (saempeul isseoyo?) — Any samples?
2. 민감성 피부용 있어요? (mingamseong pibuyong isseoyo?) — Anything for sensitive skin?
3. 이거 발라 봐도 돼요? (igeo balla bwado dwaeyo?) — Can I try this on my skin?
4. 1+1 행사 있어요? (wonpeuswon haengsa isseoyo?) — Is there a buy-one-get-one deal?

7. Paying

1. 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) — Do you take card?
2. 현금으로 할게요 (hyeongeumeuro halgeyo) — I will pay cash
3. 봉투 주세요 (bongtu juseyo) — Please give me a bag
4. 영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo) — Receipt please
5. 선물 포장 돼요? (seonmul pojang dwaeyo?) — Can you gift-wrap it?

8. Tax Refund for Tourists

1. 택스 리펀드 돼요? (tekseu ripeondeu dwaeyo?) — Is tax refund available?
2. 여권 여기 있어요 (yeogwon yeogi isseoyo) — My passport is here
3. 얼마부터 환급 돼요? (eolmabuteo hwangeup dwaeyo?) — From what amount can I get a refund?

Most stores offer tax-free shopping on purchases over 15,000 KRW.

9. Returning and Exchanging

1. 교환하고 싶어요 (gyohwanhago sipeoyo) — I want to exchange it
2. 환불 돼요? (hwanbul dwaeyo?) — Can I get a refund?
3. 영수증 여기 있어요 (yeongsujeung yeogi isseoyo) — Here is the receipt

10. Online Shopping in Korean (Coupang, Gmarket)

1. 배송비 얼마예요? (baesongbi eolmayeyo?) — How much is delivery?
2. 무료 배송이에요 (muryo baesong-ieyo) — Free delivery
3. 내일 도착해요? (naeil dochakhaeyo?) — Will it arrive tomorrow?
4. 품절이에요 (pumjeoriyeyo) — It is sold out
5. 리뷰 좋아요 (ribyu joayo) — Reviews are good

11. Thanking and Leaving

1. 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) — Thank you
2. 안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) — Goodbye (you stay well)

Tips to Shop Smarter in Seoul

1. Download KakaoMap — locates stores faster than Google.
2. Carry your passport for tax refunds every day you shop.
3. Pay with Samsung Pay or card — many small shops still prefer cash but most accept card.
4. Visit Myeongdong after 6 pm for street food while shopping.
5. Use our courses to practice these phrases before your trip.

Common Mistakes Shoppers Make

• Bargaining in branded stores — it is considered rude.
• Walking out without saying 감사합니다 — always thank staff.
• Forgetting receipts; you need them for tax refund at the airport.

Shop Like a Local With Klovers

Travel Korean is one of our favorite learner goals at Klovers. Check the free placement test to see where you stand, browse our textbook shopping chapter, or enroll in our courses to build real travel confidence.

Your next Seoul trip deserves better than pointing and smiling. Start speaking real Korean today.