ko-grammar/docs/howtostudykorean/theme/04-shopping.md

vocabulary, sentence

vocabulary

sentence

nouns verbs adjectives ko en notes examples 가게 store (general term) General, all-purpose word for "store" or "shop." Compare with the more specific terms below: 시장 (market), 백화점 (department store), 슈퍼 (supermarket), 편의점 (convenience store), and 서점 (bookstore) are all technically types of 가게, but Koreans usually use the specific word rather than 가게 when the type of store is known. ko en 이 **가게**는 몇 시에 열어요? What time does this **store** open? ko en 이 **가게**는 몇 시에 닫아요? What time does this **store** close? ko en notes examples 시장 market An open-air or general market, as opposed to a single store. See 전통시장 below for the "traditional market" variant. ko en 이 **시장**에 사람이 너무 많아요 There are so many people at the **market** ko en examples 백화점 department store ko en 그 것을 사려면 **백화점**에 가야 돼요 If you want to buy that, you must go to the **department store** ko en 그 **백화점**에서 옷을 사면 2%를 적립을 받을 수 있어요 If you buy clothes at that **department store**, you can get 2% in points ko en notes examples 전통시장 traditional market 전통 (traditional) + 시장 (market). Refers to old-style, often outdoor Korean markets, as opposed to a modern supermarket or department store. ko en **전통시장**이 어디에 있는 지 알아요? Do you know where the **traditional market** is? ko en notes examples 슈퍼 supermarket Shortened form of 슈퍼마켓 (supermarket), used the same way in everyday speech. ko en 저는 **슈퍼**에 갔다 왔어요 I went to the **supermarket** (and came back here) ko en examples 편의점 convenience store ko en 나는 **편의점**에 잠깐 들렸다 갈게요 I'm going to go to the **convenience store** for a minute ko en examples 책 book ko en 저는 이 **책**을 반값에 샀어요 I bought this **book** for half price ko en examples 서점 bookstore ko en 오늘 그 **서점**은 50% 세일을 하고 있어요 Today that **bookstore** is running a 50% sale ko en notes examples 돈 money General word for money. Compare with 현금 below, which specifically means "cash" (as opposed to card/electronic payment). ko en **돈**이 부족해요 I don't have enough **money** ko en **돈**을 다 쓰지 않았더라면 그 것을 샀을 거야 If I didn't spend all my **money**, I would have bought that ko en notes examples 현금 cash Specifically "cash," used to contrast with paying by card (신용 카드/체크 카드). ko en notes **현금**으로 계산해도 돼요? Can I pay in **cash**? Generated by Claude ko en notes 저는 **현금**이 하나도 없어요 I have no **cash** at all Generated by Claude ko en notes **현금**만 받으세요? Do you only accept **cash**? Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 신용 카드 credit card Often written/spoken without the space as 신용카드. Compare with 체크 카드 (debit card) below — the two are easily confused. ko en **신용카드**로 계산할게요 I'll use a **credit card** to pay for this ko en notes examples 체크 카드 debit card Also often written without the space as 체크카드. Money is withdrawn directly from your bank account, unlike 신용 카드 (credit card). ko en notes **체크카드**로 계산할게요 I'll pay with a **debit card** Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 가게는 **체크카드**를 안 받아요 This store doesn't accept **debit cards** Generated by Claude ko en notes 신용카드 대신 **체크카드**를 써요 I use a **debit card** instead of a credit card Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 적립카드 point card A store loyalty/points card. Compare with 할인카드 below (a discount card), which is a different kind of card — one saves up points, the other gives an immediate discount. ko en **적립카드**가 있어요? Do you have a **point card**? ko en **적립카드**를 신청하시면 포인트가 적립됩니다 If you get a **point card**, you can save points ko en notes examples 할인 discount The noun/verb-stem "discount," used in compounds like 할인상품 (discounted product) and 할인카드 (discount card), or on its own with 하다/해 주다 ("to give a discount"). ko en **할인**상품이 어디에 있어요? Where are the **discount** products? ko en **할인**을 해 주세요 Please give me a **discount** ko en 이 **할인** 쿠폰을 사용할 수 있나요? Can I use this **discount** coupon? ko en notes examples 할인카드 discount card Sometimes written 할인 카드 with a space. A physical card that grants a discount, as opposed to 적립카드 (a point/loyalty card that accumulates points over time). ko en **할인 카드**가 있으시면 주세요 If you have a **discount card**, please give it to me ko en notes examples 값 price A more native/colloquial word for "price," often used in casual speech and in compounds like 반값 (half price). Compare with 가격 below, which is the more formal/written Sino-Korean equivalent — the two are largely interchangeable but 가격 sounds slightly more formal. ko en notes 이 옷 **값**이 얼마예요? How much is the **price** of these clothes? Generated by Claude ko en notes **값**을 좀 깎아 주세요 Please lower the **price** a bit Generated by Claude ko en notes 그 **값**은 너무 비싸요 That **price** is too expensive Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 반값 half price 반 (half) + 값 (price). ko en 저는 이 책을 **반값**에 샀어요 I bought this book for **half price** ko en notes examples 가격 price The more formal, Sino-Korean word for "price," commonly seen in writing (menus, signs, price tags) as well as speech. Compare with 값 above. ko en 다른 데에서 **가격**을 비교하자 Let's compare **prices** at another place ko en 세금은 **가격**에 포함된다 The tax is included in the **price** ko en notes examples 가격표 price tag 가격 (price) + 표 (tag/label/chart). ko en 이 셔츠는 **가격표**가 없어요 This shirt doesn't have a **price tag** ko en examples 옷 clothes ko en 그 백화점에서 **옷**을 사면 2%를 적립을 받을 수 있어요 If you buy **clothes** at that department store, you can get 2% in points ko en examples 바지 pants ko en 이 **바지**를 입어봐도 돼요? Can I try these **pants** on? ko en 이 **바지**를 수선해 주세요 Please hem these **pants** ko en examples 셔츠 shirt ko en 이 **셔츠**는 너무 커요 This **shirt** is too big ko en 이 **셔츠**는 가격표가 없어요 This **shirt** doesn't have a price tag ko en examples 신발 shoes ko en notes 이 **신발** 얼마예요? How much are these **shoes**? Generated by Claude ko en notes 저는 새 **신발**을 사고 싶어요 I want to buy new **shoes** Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 **신발**은 너무 작아요 These **shoes** are too small Generated by Claude ko en examples 양말 socks ko en notes **양말** 세 켤레 주세요 Please give me three pairs of **socks** Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 **양말**은 너무 얇아요 These **socks** are too thin Generated by Claude ko en notes **양말**을 어디서 살 수 있어요? Where can I buy **socks**? Generated by Claude ko en examples 모자 hat ko en notes 이 **모자**가 마음에 들어요 I like this **hat** Generated by Claude ko en notes **모자**를 써 보세요 Try wearing the **hat** Generated by Claude ko en notes 그 **모자**는 저한테 안 어울려요 That **hat** doesn't suit me Generated by Claude ko en examples 기념품 souvenirs ko en notes **기념품**을 좀 사고 싶어요 I want to buy some **souvenirs** Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 가게에서 **기념품**을 팔아요 This store sells **souvenirs** Generated by Claude ko en notes 가족을 위해 **기념품**을 샀어요 I bought **souvenirs** for my family Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 중고 used An attributive word meaning "used/secondhand," placed before a noun (e.g. 중고 신발 "used shoes"). Compare with 중고품 below, which is a standalone noun meaning "a used item." ko en notes 저는 **중고** 신발을 샀어요 I bought **used** shoes Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 것은 **중고** 물건이에요 This is a **used** item Generated by Claude ko en notes **중고** 가격이 더 싸요 **Used** prices are cheaper Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 중고품 a used item (second hand goods) 중고 (used) + 품 (goods/item) — a standalone noun, unlike 중고 above which needs to attach to another noun. ko en notes 이 **중고품**은 상태가 좋아요 This **used item** is in good condition Generated by Claude ko en notes **중고품**을 파는 가게가 있어요 There's a store that sells **used items** Generated by Claude ko en notes **중고품**은 환불이 안 돼요 **Used items** can't be refunded Generated by Claude ko en examples 보증서 warranty ko en notes 이 제품은 **보증서**가 있어요 This product has a **warranty** Generated by Claude ko en notes **보증서**를 잃어버렸어요 I lost the **warranty** Generated by Claude ko en notes **보증서** 없이 교환할 수 없어요 You can't exchange without a **warranty** Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 고객(님) customer 님 is an honorific suffix added when addressing or referring to a customer politely (e.g. in stores). Compare with 점원 below (the store worker) — opposite roles in a transaction. ko en 그 주인은 **고객님**들을 잘 대우해요 That owner treats the **customers** well ko en notes examples 점원 worker at a store Refers to the staff member/clerk working at a store, as opposed to 고객(님) (the customer). ko en notes **점원**한테 물어보세요 Ask the **store worker** Generated by Claude ko en notes 그 **점원**은 친절해요 That **store worker** is kind Generated by Claude ko en notes **점원**이 저를 도와줬어요 The **store worker** helped me Generated by Claude ko en examples 세금 tax ko en **세금**은 가격에 포함된다 The **tax** is included in the price ko en examples 쿠폰 coupon ko en 이 할인 **쿠폰**을 사용할 수 있나요? Can I use this discount **coupon**? ko en examples 유통기한 expiration date ko en 우유를 살 때 **유통기한**을 꼭 확인하세요 Make sure you check the **expiration date** when you buy milk ko en examples 영수증 receipt ko en **영수증**이 필요하세요? Do you need the **receipt**? ko en **영수증**을 주세요 Please give me the **receipt** ko en examples 영업시간 open hours ko en **영업시간**은 오전 8시부터 오후 8시까지입니다 Our **opening hours** are from 8 am to 8pm ko en examples 사다 to buy ko en 그 것을 어디서 **살** 수 있어요? Where can you **buy** that? ko en 계란을 **사야** 돼요 I need to **buy** eggs ko en 저는 펜 4개를 **샀어요** I **bought** 4 pens ko en 저는 이 책을 반값에 **샀어요** I **bought** this book for half price ko en 저는 나의 여자 친구를 위해(서) 꽃을 **샀어요** I **bought** flowers for my girlfriend ko en notes examples 팔다 to sell Compare with 되팔다 below (to resell). ko en notes 이 가게는 신발을 **팔아요** This store **sells** shoes Generated by Claude ko en notes 저는 제 중고품을 **팔았어요** I **sold** my used items Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 것을 **팔** 수 있어요? Can you **sell** this? Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 되팔다 to resell 되- (re-) + 팔다 (to sell). ko en notes 저는 그 신발을 **되팔았어요** I **resold** those shoes Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 것을 더 비싸게 **되팔** 수 있어요 You can **resell** this for more money Generated by Claude ko en notes 중고품을 **되파는** 사람들이 많아요 There are a lot of people who **resell** used items Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 내다 to pay Used specifically for "paying" an amount (e.g. 돈을 내다, 세금을 내다). Compare with 계산하다 below, which is more about "settling/calculating the payment" at checkout. ko en notes 제가 돈을 **낼게요** I'll **pay** the money Generated by Claude ko en notes 세금을 **내야** 돼요 You have to **pay** the tax Generated by Claude ko en notes 현금으로 **낼** 수 있어요? Can I **pay** in cash? Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 계산하다 to pay for Literally "to calculate," used in the context of a store to mean "to pay/settle the bill." Compare with 내다 above. ko en 신용카드로 **계산할게요** I'll use a credit card **to pay** for this ko en notes examples 환불하다 to refund The examples below use the related noun form 환불 (refund) with 되다/받다, which is very common in everyday speech alongside the plain verb 환불하다. ko en 환불은 안 됩니다 No refund ko en 사과가 다 상해서 환불을 받아야 돼요 I need to get a refund because all the apples have gone bad ko en examples 비교하다 to compare ko en 다른 데에서 가격을 **비교하자** Let's **compare** prices at another place ko en notes examples 장을 보다 to do the groceries Literally "to see/look at the market" (장 = market, 보다 = to see), an idiomatic expression for grocery shopping. ko en notes 저는 주말마다 **장을 봐요** I **do the groceries** every weekend Generated by Claude ko en notes 오늘 **장을 보러** 갈 거예요 I'm going to **do the groceries** today Generated by Claude ko en notes 엄마랑 같이 **장을 봤어요** I **did the groceries** together with my mom Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 적립하다 to save/accumulate (things like points) The examples below use the related passive form 적립되다 (to be accumulated) and 적립을 받다 (to receive/earn points), which are more natural in everyday speech than the plain active form. ko en 적립카드를 신청하시면 포인트가 **적립됩니다** If you get a point card, you can **save** points ko en 그 백화점에서 옷을 사면 2%를 **적립을 받을** 수 있어요 If you buy clothes at that department store, you can **get** 2% in points ko en notes examples 입다 to wear Compare with 입어보다 below (to try something on), which adds 보다 ("to try, see") to this verb. ko en notes 저는 오늘 셔츠를 **입었어요** I **wore** a shirt today Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 바지를 **입고** 싶어요 I want **to wear** these pants Generated by Claude ko en notes 겨울에는 모자를 **입어요** In winter I **wear** a hat Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 입어보다 to try something on 입다 (to wear) + 보다 (to try, see) — literally "to wear and see." ko en 이 바지를 **입어봐도** 돼요? Can I **try** these pants **on**? ko en examples 수선하다 to hem/fix clothes ko en 이 바지를 **수선해** 주세요 Please **hem** these pants ko en examples 열다 to open ko en 이 가게는 몇 시에 **열어요**? What time does this store **open**? ko en examples 닫다 to close ko en 이 가게는 몇 시에 **닫아요**? What time does this store **close**? ko en examples 비싸다 expensive ko en 너무 **비싸요** It is too **expensive** ko en notes examples 싸다 cheap Compare with 저렴하다 below, a slightly more polite/formal word for "inexpensive," often preferred in customer-facing or business contexts. ko en notes 이 신발은 정말 **싸요** These shoes are really **cheap** Generated by Claude ko en notes 여기가 더 **싸요** This place is **cheaper** Generated by Claude ko en notes **싼** 것을 찾고 있어요 I'm looking for something **cheap** Generated by Claude ko en notes examples 저렴하다 inexpensive A more polite/formal way to say something is "cheap" or reasonably priced, compared to the more casual/blunt 싸다. Often used by salespeople describing their own products. ko en notes 이 가게는 가격이 **저렴해요** This store's prices are **inexpensive** Generated by Claude ko en notes 더 **저렴한** 것이 있어요? Do you have something more **inexpensive**? Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 것은 품질에 비해 **저렴해요** This is **inexpensive** for its quality Generated by Claude ko en examples 크다 big ko en 이 셔츠는 너무 **커요** This shirt is too **big** ko en examples 작다 small ko en notes 이 신발은 너무 **작아요** These shoes are too **small** Generated by Claude ko en notes 더 **작은** 사이즈 있어요? Do you have a **smaller** size? Generated by Claude ko en notes 이 가게는 **작아요** This store is **small** Generated by Claude ko en examples 많다 a lot ko en 이 시장에 사람이 너무 **많아요** There are so **many** people at the market ko en examples 가능하다 possible ko en 교환은 1주일 이내 **가능합니다** Exchanges are **possible** within one week

going_to_the_store buying after_buying other ko en 전통시장이 어디에 있는 지 알아요? Do you know where the traditional market is? ko en 그 것을 어디서 살 수 있어요? Where can you buy that? ko en 그런 것을 어디서 살 수 있어요? Where can you buy that kind of thing? ko en 나는 편의점에 잠깐 들렸다 갈게요 I’m going to go to the convenience store for a minute ko en 저는 슈퍼에 갔다 왔어요 I went to the supermarket (and came back here) ko en 뭐 필요한 게 있어요? Do you need anything? ko en 그 것을 사려면 백화점에 가야 돼요 If you want to buy that, you must go to the department store ko en 이 게 얼마예요? How much is this? ko en 이 것이 얼마예요? How much is this? ko en 이 셔츠는 너무 커요 This shirt is too big ko en 너무 비싸요 It is too expensive ko en 이 바지를 입어봐도 돼요? Can I try this on? ko en 돈이 부족해요 I don’t have enough money ko en 가격을 깎아 주세요 Please give me a discount ko en 할인상품이 어디에 있어요? Where are the discount products? ko en 할인을 해 주세요 Please give me a discount ko en 다른 데에서 가격을 비교하자 Let’s compare prices at another place ko en 이 셔츠는 가격표가 없어요 This shirt doesn’t have a price tag ko en 계란을 사야 돼요 I need to buy eggs ko en 2개 주세요 Give me two, please ko en 이 거 세일 안 해요? Are you not doing a sale on this? ko en 적립카드가 있어요? Do you have a point card? ko en 적립카드를 신청하시면 포인트가 적립됩니다 If you get a point card, you can save points ko en 할인 카드가 있으시면 주세요 If you have a discount card, please give it to me ko en 세일 언제 해요? When will you have a sale? ko en 이 할인 쿠폰을 사용할 수 있나요? Can I use this discount coupon? ko en 영수증이 필요하세요? Do you need the receipt? ko en 봉지가 필요하세요? Do you need a bag? ko en 영수증을 주세요 Please give me the receipt ko en 신용카드로 계산할게요 I’ll use a credit card to pay for this ko en 우유를 살 때 유통기한을 꼭 확인하세요 Make sure you check the expiration date when you buy milk ko en 돈을 다 쓰지 않았더라면 그 것을 샀을 거야 If I didn’t spend all my money, I would have bought that ko en 우유를 안 샀어요 I didn’t buy milk ko en 우유를 깜박했다 I forgot about the milk ko en 환불은 안 됩니다 No refund ko en 저는 펜 4개를 샀어요 I bought 4 pens ko en 저는 사과 1개만 샀어요 I only bought 1 apple ko en 저는 이 책을 반값에 샀어요 I bought this shirt for half price ko en 사과가 다 상해서 환불을 받아 야 돼요 I need to get a refund because all the apples have gone bad ko en 저는 나의 여자 친구를 위해(서) 꽃을 샀어요 I bought flowers for my girlfriend ko en 교환은 1주일 이내 가능합니다 Exchanges are possible within one week ko en 이 바지를 수선해 주세요 Please hem these pants ko en 이 시장에 사람이 너무 많아요 There are so many people at the market ko en 오늘 그 서점은 50% 세일을 하고 있어요 Today that bookstore is running a 50% sale ko en 세금은 가격에 포함된다 The tax is included in the price ko en 이 가게는 몇 시에 열어요? What time does this store open? ko en 이 가게는 몇 시에 닫아요? What time does this store close? ko en 영업시간은 오전 8시부터 오후 8시까지입니다 Our opening hours are from 8 am to 8pm ko en 그 백화점에서 옷을 사면 2%를 적립을 받을 수 있어요 If you buy clothes at that department store, you can get 2% in points ko en 저는 새로운 핸드폰을 사야겠어요 I need to buy a new phone ko en 그 주인은 고객님들을 잘 대우해요 That owner treats the customers well

(Theme) Unit 1: #4 – Shopping

Introduction

This lesson is specific to going to the mall and buying some clothes. Rather, I realize the many people who live in Korea (or tourists coming to Korea) will need to face the challenge of buying something from somebody. Regardless of the country you are in, trying to communicate exactly what you want when purchasing something in a foreign country is always difficult.

Below is a list of vocabulary you may find useful when purchasing something in Korea.

Vocabulary

Nouns

가게 = store

시장 = market

백화점 = department store

전통시장 = traditional market

슈퍼 = supermarket

편의점 = convenience store

책 = book

서점 = bookstore

돈 = money

현금 = cash

신용 카드 = credit card

체크 카드 = debit card

적립카드 = point card

할인 = discount

할인카드 = discount card

값 = price

반값 = half price

가격 = price

가격표 = price tag

옷 = clothes

바지 = pants

셔츠 = shirt

신발 = shoes

양말 = socks

모자 = hat

기념품 = souvenirs

중고 = used

중고품 = a used item (second hand goods)

보증서 = warranty

고객(님) = customer

점원 = worker at a store

세금 = tax

쿠폰 = coupon

유통기한 = expiration date

영수증 = receipt

영업시간 = open hours

Verbs

사다 = to buy

팔다 = to sell

되팔다 = to resell

내다 = to pay

계산하다 = to pay for

환불하다 = to refund

비교하다 = to compare

장을 보다 = to do the groceries

적립하다 = to save/accumulate (things like points)

입다 = to wear

입어보다 = to try something on

수선하다 = to hem/fix clothes

열다 = to open

닫다 = to close

Adjectives

비싸다 = expensive

싸다 = cheap

저렴하다 = inexpensive

크다 = big

작다 = small

많다 = a lot

가능하다 = possible

For help memorizing these words, try using our Memrise tool.

Now let’s look at some specific sentences that you may find useful when in a restaurant setting:

Sentences

Going to the Store

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전통시장이 어디에 있는 지 알아요? = Do you know where the traditional market is?

그 것을 어디서 살 수 있어요? = Where can you buy that?

그런 것을 어디서 살 수 있어요? = Where can you buy that kind of thing?

나는 편의점에 잠깐 들렸다 갈게요 = I’m going to go to the convenience store for a minute

저는 슈퍼에 갔다 왔어요 = I went to the supermarket (and came back here)

뭐 필요한 게 있어요? = Do you need anything?

그 것을 사려면 백화점에 가야 돼요 = If you want to buy that, you must go to the department store

Buying Something

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이 게 얼마예요? = How much is this?

이 것이 얼마예요? = How much is this?

이 셔츠는 너무 커요 = This shirt is too big

너무 비싸요 = It is too expensive

이 바지를 입어봐도 돼요? = Can I try this on?

돈이 부족해요 = I don’t have enough money

가격을 깎아 주세요 = Please give me a discount

할인상품이 어디에 있어요? = Where are the discount products?

할인을 해 주세요 = Please give me a discount

다른 데에서 가격을 비교하자 = Let’s compare prices at another place

이 셔츠는 가격표가 없어요 = This shirt doesn’t have a price tag

계란을 사야 돼요 = I need to buy eggs

2개 주세요 = Give me two, please

이 거 세일 안 해요? = Are you not doing a sale on this?

적립카드가 있어요? = Do you have a point card?

적립카드를 신청하시면 포인트가 적립됩니다 = If you get a point card, you can save points

할인 카드가 있으시면 주세요 = If you have a discount card, please give it to me

세일 언제 해요? = When will you have a sale?

이 할인 쿠폰을 사용할 수 있나요? = Can I use this discount coupon?

영수증이 필요하세요? = Do you need the receipt?

봉지가 필요하세요? = Do you need a bag?

영수증을 주세요 = Please give me the receipt

신용카드로 계산할게요 = I’ll use a credit card to pay for this

우유를 살 때 유통기한을 꼭 확인하세요 = Make sure you check the expiration date when you buy milk

돈을 다 쓰지 않았더라면 그 것을 샀을 거야 = If I didn’t spend all my money, I would have bought that

After Buying Something

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우유를 안 샀어요 = I didn’t buy milk

우유를 깜박했다 = I forgot about the milk

환불은 안 됩니다 = No refund

저는 펜 4개를 샀어요 = I bought 4 pens

저는 사과 1개만 샀어요 = I only bought 1 apple

저는 이 책을 반값에 샀어요 = I bought this shirt for half price

사과가 다 상해서 환불을 받아 야 돼요 = I need to get a refund because all the apples have gone bad

저는 나의 여자 친구를 위해(서) 꽃을 샀어요 = I bought flowers for my girlfriend

교환은 1주일 이내 가능합니다 = Exchanges are possible within one week

이 바지를 수선해 주세요 = Please hem these pants

Other

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이 시장에 사람이 너무 많아요 = There are so many people at the market

오늘 그 서점은 50% 세일을 하고 있어요 = Today that bookstore is running a 50% sale

세금은 가격에 포함된다 = The tax is included in the price

이 가게는 몇 시에 열어요? = What time does this store open?

이 가게는 몇 시에 닫아요? = What time does this store close?

영업시간은 오전 8시부터 오후 8시까지입니다 = Our opening hours are from 8 am to 8pm

그 백화점에서 옷을 사면 2%를 적립을 받을 수 있어요 = If you buy clothes at that department store, you can get 2% in points

저는 새로운 핸드폰을 사야겠어요 = I need to buy a new phone

그 주인은 고객님들을 잘 대우해요 = That owner treats the customers well

Shopping in Korea

A lot of Korean stores are these buildings called “상가.” Typically, this is a building made out of marble and has signs plastered all over it on the outside. In one of these buildings, there may be dozens upon dozens of stores (or other things like restaurants and other places of business). Stores in these buildings typically do not sell brand name products, although sometimes you will find a store in a 상가 that sells one specific brand name. The more popular brand names/stores would be on the ground floor of the building usually facing the street, while to get to other random stores you might have to go in and go up a few floors.

Higher-end merchandise is usually found at Department Stores (백화점). The most popular Department stores in Korea are: Lotte Department Store (롯데백화점), Shinsegae Department Store and (신세계백화점) and Hyundai Department Store (현대백화점).

Massive supermarkets also sell many types of merchandise other than food. The most popular of these are Home Plus (홈플러스), Lotte Mart (롯데마트), and E-Mart (이마트).

People working in any of these stores, but especially the department stores will go out of their way to help you and speak politely to you. By now, you probably haven’t learned about the honorific ~(으)시 form, but this is something that you will hear if you are speaking to somebody who is serving you in a store/restaurant. The word for customer is “고객,” but when an employee is talking to you as a customer, they will call you “고객님.”

Of course, you can always buy things in markets (시장). Of course, there are many markets scattered across Korea. The two most popular/famous in Seoul are Dongdaemun Market (동대문시장) and Namdaemun Market (남대문시장). In these types of markets, venders will have their goods in small stall-like spaces. Haggling for cheaper prices is not usually done in Korea, which is something I really like. I have been to many countries in the world (70 of them, actually), and there are very few countries where – even though you look different and everybody can see that you are a foreigner – nobody tries to take advantage of you because you are a foreigner. The old man in the stall in 동대문 market will sell you his Korean traditional clothing for the same price as he would sell it to a Korean person.

That’s it for this lesson. Click here to check out our next Theme Lesson.

Have something you want to include? Want to know how to say a sentence in Korean? Post in the thread designated to this specific lesson in our Forum, and we will add it to this lesson.