Korean phrases for shopping and markets

Start with the exact item and unit

Point to one product, color, size or tray and ask its price and unit. When weight or preparation is involved, have the seller state or show the expected total before cutting, cooking or packaging. A general question such as ‘How much?’ can produce a correct number for the wrong unit.

Use exact quantities rather than 조금 (a little) when the bill matters. Keep the product in sight and compare the label, barcode, weight and receipt before leaving.

• 이거 얼마예요? — i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo? — How much is this?
• 이 가격은 한 개 가격이에요? — i ga-gyeo-geun han gae ga-gyeo-gieyo? — Is this the price for one item?
• 한 세트 가격이에요? — han se-teu ga-gyeo-gieyo? — Is this the price for one set?
• 100그램당 가격이에요? — baek geu-raem-dang ga-gyeo-gieyo? — Is this the price per 100 grams?
• 전체 가격을 알려주세요 — jeon-che ga-gyeo-geul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo — Please tell me the full price.
• 무게를 먼저 보여주세요 — mu-ge-reul meon-jeo bo-yeo-ju-se-yo — Please show me the weight first.
• 이걸로 주세요 — i-geol-lo ju-se-yo — I will take this one.
• 두 개 주세요 — du gae ju-se-yo — Two, please.

Check size, color, stock and condition

Show the exact size system or body measurement because Korean, international and brand sizing can differ. Ask whether the displayed product is the actual item for sale or whether a sealed replacement is available. Inspect condition without opening packaging that the shop does not permit customers to open.

Trying on clothing, shoes, cosmetics, earrings, underwear, food and sealed goods follows different hygiene and store rules. Ask first, and confirm exchange restrictions before buying a size or shade that cannot be tried.

• 다른 색 있어요? — da-reun saek i-sseo-yo? — Do you have another color?
• 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? — deo keun sa-i-jeu i-sseo-yo? — Do you have a larger size?
• 더 작은 사이즈 있어요? — deo ja-geun sa-i-jeu i-sseo-yo? — Do you have a smaller size?
• 이 사이즈 재고 있어요? — i sa-i-jeu jae-go i-sseo-yo? — Is this size in stock?
• 입어봐도 돼요? — i-beo-bwa-do dwae-yo? — May I try this on?
• 신어봐도 돼요? — si-neo-bwa-do dwae-yo? — May I try these shoes on?
• 새 제품 있어요? — sae je-pum i-sseo-yo? — Do you have a new or unopened one?
• 하자가 있어요? — ha-ja-ga i-sseo-yo? — Is there a defect?

Price a traditional-market purchase completely

At a food, fish or meat market, name the exact item and ask whether the price is by piece, weight, portion, animal or set. Retail, cleaning, slicing, cooking, table service and takeaway can be supplied by different businesses, so confirm every charge and the final total before work begins.

Ask about origin only when it matters, and read the current displayed origin information. A market's reputation or a seller's location does not prove that an item was produced or landed locally.

• 가격 단위가 뭐예요? — ga-gyeok dan-wi-ga mwo-ye-yo? — What is the price unit?
• 킬로그램당 얼마예요? — kil-lo-geu-raem-dang eol-ma-ye-yo? — How much per kilogram?
• 원산지가 어디예요? — won-san-ji-ga eo-di-ye-yo? — What is the country or place of origin?
• 손질비가 따로예요? — son-jil-bi-ga tta-ro-ye-yo? — Is there a separate preparation charge?
• 조리비가 따로예요? — jo-ri-bi-ga tta-ro-ye-yo? — Is cooking charged separately?
• 상차림비가 있어요? — sang-cha-rim-bi-ga i-sseo-yo? — Is there a table-setting charge?
• 포장비가 있어요? — po-jang-bi-ga i-sseo-yo? — Is there a packaging charge?
• 다 포함해서 얼마예요? — da po-ham-hae-seo eol-ma-ye-yo? — How much including everything?

Ask about payment before the item is prepared

Ask whether the exact seller accepts cards before ordering a prepared item. If contactless fails, a staffed terminal and physical chip card may work; keep another network card and modest cash. Read the amount in Korean won before approving and never disclose a card PIN or banking password.

Korean account transfer is common in some small businesses and stalls, but a visitor usually needs compatible Korean banking access. Do not attempt a slow international transfer at the counter. If using a legitimate domestic transfer, verify the seller, bank, account holder, number and amount, then show only the completed transfer result—not login credentials or account history.

• 카드 돼요? — ka-deu dwae-yo? — Do you take cards?
• 외국 카드도 돼요? — oe-guk ka-deu-do dwae-yo? — Do foreign cards work?
• 현금만 돼요? — hyeon-geum-man dwae-yo? — Is it cash only?
• 계좌이체만 돼요? — gye-jwa-i-che-man dwae-yo? — Is bank transfer the only option?
• 한국 은행 계좌가 없어요 — han-guk eun-haeng gye-jwa-ga eop-seo-yo — I do not have a Korean bank account.
• 현금으로 낼게요 — hyeon-geum-eu-ro nael-ge-yo — I will pay cash.
• 카드로 결제할게요 — ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo — I will pay by card.
• 결제 금액을 보여주세요 — gyeol-je geu-mae-geul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo — Please show me the payment amount.

Choose Korean won at the terminal

When a foreign card terminal offers Korean won or the card's home currency, choosing the home currency can invoke dynamic currency conversion with a merchant or processor rate. Ask to pay in Korean won, then let the card issuer apply its own exchange rate and fees according to the card agreement.

Do not approve a screen you cannot read. If the wrong currency was selected, ask staff about cancellation before trying again and retain both receipts. A void can take time to appear and should not be represented as an immediate refund guarantee.

• 원화로 결제해 주세요 — won-hwa-ro gyeol-je-hae ju-se-yo — Please charge me in Korean won.
• 한국 원으로 결제할게요 — han-guk won-eu-ro gyeol-je-hal-ge-yo — I will pay in Korean won.
• 이 통화가 원화예요? — i tong-hwa-ga won-hwa-ye-yo? — Is this currency Korean won?
• 다른 통화로 결제됐어요 — da-reun tong-hwa-ro gyeol-je-dwae-sseo-yo — It was charged in another currency.
• 취소하고 원화로 다시 결제할 수 있어요? — chwi-so-ha-go won-hwa-ro da-si gyeol-je-hal su i-sseo-yo? — Can it be cancelled and charged again in won?
• 취소 영수증도 주세요 — chwi-so yeong-su-jeung-do ju-se-yo — Please give me the cancellation receipt too.

Ask about tax refund before paying

Look for a current tax-refund sign and ask whether the store and exact goods participate. Confirm whether the refund is immediate, handled at a city kiosk or completed at the airport, and what passport, receipt, goods and payment record must be retained. Rules and thresholds can change, so this phrase page does not freeze a purchase amount.

A seller may need the original passport at purchase, while carrying or transmitting identity data creates risk. Use only the official store process, cover unnecessary passport details from bystanders and never send a passport image through an unofficial chat account.

• 택스리펀드 돼요? — taek-seu-ri-peon-deu dwae-yo? — Is tax refund available?
• 이 상품도 환급돼요? — i sang-pum-do hwan-geup-dwae-yo? — Is this item eligible too?
• 즉시 환급돼요? — jeuk-si hwan-geup-dwae-yo? — Is it an immediate refund?
• 여권 원본이 필요해요? — yeo-gwon won-bo-ni pi-ryo-hae-yo? — Is the original passport required?
• 공항에서 환급받아요? — gong-hang-e-seo hwan-geup-ba-da-yo? — Do I receive the refund at the airport?
• 환급 서류를 주세요 — hwan-geup seo-ryu-reul ju-se-yo — Please give me the refund documents.
• 물건을 보여줘야 해요? — mul-geo-neul bo-yeo-jwo-ya hae-yo? — Do I need to show the goods?
• 영수증과 서류를 확인해 주세요 — yeong-su-jeung-gwa seo-ryu-reul hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please check the receipt and documents.

Confirm exchange and refund terms before purchase

Ask whether the exact item can be exchanged or refunded, the deadline, required condition and where the return must be processed. Sale, customized, opened, perishable, hygiene-sensitive and duty-free or tax-refunded goods can follow different conditions.

Keep the original receipt, payment card, packaging, tags and included gifts until the decision period ends. A spoken assurance should be reflected in the seller's written policy when a costly purchase depends on it.

• 교환할 수 있어요? — gyo-hwan-hal su i-sseo-yo? — Can I exchange this?
• 환불할 수 있어요? — hwan-bul-hal su i-sseo-yo? — Can I get a refund?
• 교환이나 환불이 안 되는 상품이에요? — gyo-hwan-i-na hwan-bu-ri an doe-neun sang-pum-ieyo? — Is this item non-exchangeable or non-refundable?
• 며칠 안에 해야 해요? — myeot chil a-ne hae-ya hae-yo? — Within how many days must I do it?
• 영수증이 필요해요? — yeong-su-jeung-i pi-ryo-hae-yo? — Is the receipt required?
• 태그를 떼면 안 돼요? — tae-geu-reul tte-myeon an dwae-yo? — Must the tag remain attached?
• 다른 사이즈로 교환하고 싶어요 — da-reun sa-i-jeu-ro gyo-hwan-ha-go si-peo-yo — I would like to exchange it for another size.
• 환불 규정을 보여주세요 — hwan-bul gyu-jeong-eul bo-yeo-ju-se-yo — Please show me the refund policy.

Use one polite discount question only where appropriate

Department stores, chains, pharmacies, convenience stores, ticket counters, displayed food and many modern market shops use fixed prices. Do not treat traditional market as a universal invitation to bargain. Ask once only when the seller's format suggests negotiation, such as multiple non-food items or a flexible independent stall.

할인돼요? is softer than repeatedly demanding a lower price. Accept no, avoid insulting the product, and never use pressure after preparation or consumption. A promotion, membership price, cash price and tax-refund price can have different conditions, so ask what actually applies.

• 정찰제예요? — jeong-chal-je-ye-yo? — Is it fixed price?
• 할인돼요? — ha-rin-dwae-yo? — Is a discount available?
• 여러 개 사면 할인돼요? — yeo-reo gae sa-myeon ha-rin-dwae-yo? — Is there a discount if I buy several?
• 이 가격이 최종 가격이에요? — i ga-gyeo-gi choe-jong ga-gyeo-gieyo? — Is this the final price?
• 괜찮아요, 감사합니다 — gwaen-cha-na-yo, gam-sa-ham-ni-da — That is okay, thank you.
• 깎아주세요 — kka-kka-ju-se-yo — Please lower the price; direct and context-dependent, not a default phrase.

Pack, carry and ship the purchase safely

Ask for protective packaging and any bag charge before paying. A store's claim that an item can fly or ship does not replace airline baggage, security, customs, quarantine, battery, liquid, food, plant, animal-product or destination import rules.

Keep sealed labels and receipts, especially for food, cosmetics, medicine, electronics and gifts. Use only a traceable shipping service with a written address, price, insurance and prohibited-item check; do not hand goods or cash to an informal courier.

• 봉투가 필요해요 — bong-tu-ga pi-ryo-hae-yo — I need a bag.
• 봉투값이 얼마예요? — bong-tu-gap-si eol-ma-ye-yo? — How much is the bag?
• 깨지지 않게 포장해 주세요 — kkae-ji-ji an-ke po-jang-hae ju-se-yo — Please pack it so it does not break.
• 밀봉해 주세요 — mil-bong-hae ju-se-yo — Please seal it.
• 해외 배송 돼요? — hae-oe bae-song dwae-yo? — Is international shipping available?
• 배송비가 얼마예요? — bae-song-bi-ga eol-ma-ye-yo? — How much is shipping?
• 추적 번호를 주세요 — chu-jeok beon-ho-reul ju-se-yo — Please give me the tracking number.
• 비행기와 세관 규정을 따로 확인할게요 — bi-haeng-gi-wa se-gwan gyu-jeong-eul tta-ro hwa-gin-hal-ge-yo — I will check airline and customs rules separately.

Stop and verify a wrong item or charge

Raise the issue before leaving when possible. Show the product, shelf label and receipt and state one mismatch: item, quantity, price, currency or duplicate payment. Stay factual and ask for the seller's correction process.

For a card dispute, keep the sale and cancellation receipts and contact the issuer through its official channel. Do not let anyone photograph the full card, collect a PIN or ask for a one-time password to process a refund.

• 제가 고른 상품과 달라요 — je-ga go-reun sang-pum-gwa dal-la-yo — This is different from the item I chose.
• 수량이 달라요 — su-ryang-i dal-la-yo — The quantity is different.
• 가격표와 결제 금액이 달라요 — ga-gyeok-pyo-wa gyeol-je geu-mae-gi dal-la-yo — The label and charged amount are different.
• 결제가 두 번 됐어요 — gyeol-je-ga du beon dwae-sseo-yo — I was charged twice.
• 취소됐는지 확인해 주세요 — chwi-so-dwaet-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please confirm whether it was cancelled.
• 영수증을 다시 주세요 — yeong-su-jeung-eul da-si ju-se-yo — Please give me the receipt again.
• 직원이나 관리자에게 확인해 주세요 — ji-gwon-i-na gwan-ri-ja-e-ge hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo — Please check with a staff member or manager.

Save two offline show-the-screen cards

For a weighed or prepared market purchase, save: 이 상품의 가격 단위와 무게를 먼저 보여주세요. 손질비, 조리비, 상차림비와 포장비를 모두 포함한 최종 가격을 알려주세요. It asks for the unit and weight first and for the final total including preparation, cooking, table and packaging charges.

For a purchase-condition check, save: 외국 카드로 한국 원화 결제가 가능한가요? 택스리펀드 여부와 교환·환불 조건을 결제 전에 알려주세요. It asks about foreign-card payment in won, tax refund and exchange or refund terms before payment. Keep the card number, passport data and bank information off the public display.

• Point to the exact product before showing the card.
• Ask for the answer and total in writing when the amount matters.
• Retain receipt, product label and cancellation record.
• Use the restaurant phrase guide for prepared-food ingredients and allergies.

Official sources to re-check

• National Institute of Korean Language — Korean-English Learners' Dictionary
• Visit Seoul — traditional-market shopping comparison
• Visit Korea — comprehensive tax refund guide
• Incheon Airport — domestic tax refund procedure
• Seoul — currency and payment methods
• Ministry of Environment — disposable bag rules
• Korea Customs Service