Ready to shop in Korean without stress? In this lesson, you’ll learn the must-know vocabulary and polite phrases to ask prices, check sizes and colors, pay with cash or card, and even bargain at markets. We’ll also cover cultural tips so you sound natural and friendly while shopping in Korea.

Core shop words you’ll use

Here are everyday words you’ll hear in stores, markets, and supermarkets. Try to say each word out loud and imagine the shopping situation.

이거

Asking for sizes and colors

When you want a different size or color, these patterns are natural and polite:

• 더 큰/더 작은 사이즈 있어요? (Do you have a bigger/smaller size?)
• 다른 색깔 있어요? (Do you have another color?)
• 검은색/하얀색/빨간색/파란색/초록색 있어요? (Do you have black/white/red/blue/green?)

Use “좀” to soften requests: “이거 좀 보여 주세요.” (Please show me this.)

Paying: cash or card

Use -(으)로 for method, tool, or choice. In shopping, it marks payment method and the item you choose.

• 카드로/현금으로 할게요. (I’ll pay by card/cash.)
• 이걸로 주세요. (Please give me this one.)

현금 할게요.

Bargaining, discounts, and cultural tips

In big chain stores, prices are fixed—no bargaining. In traditional markets (시장) or some small shops, you can try politely:

• 조금만 깎아 주세요. (Please give me a small discount.)
• 현금으로 하면 할인돼요? (Is there a discount if I pay cash?)

Be friendly, smile, and use “좀” to soften the request. Don’t push too hard; if the seller says no, just thank them.

Exchange and refund

If the size doesn’t fit, these phrases help:

• 교환하고 싶어요. (I’d like to exchange it.)
• 환불하고 싶어요. (I’d like a refund.)
• 영수증 있어요. (I have the receipt.)
• 며칠 안에 가능해요? (Is it possible within a few days?)

Stores often require the receipt and original packaging. Some items (like underwear or opened cosmetics) may not be refundable.

얼마에요? → 얼마예요? Use 예 not 에 after 얼마. The polite ending is -예요.

영수증 주세요.

교환 싶어요.

Mini-practice: build your shopping script

• Enter a shop, greet: 안녕하세요.
• Ask the price: 이거 얼마예요?
• Ask size/color: 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? 다른 색깔 있어요?
• Decide and pay: 이걸로 주세요. 카드로 할게요.
• Ask for receipt: 영수증 좀 주세요.
• Exchange later if needed: 교환하고 싶어요. 영수증 있어요.

Try reading this out loud as a role-play. Change one detail each time (item, color, payment method) to build fluency.

Wrap-up

You now have the core Korean shopping toolkit: price, size, color, method of payment, discounts, and exchange/refund. Keep your tone polite with 주세요, 있어요?, and “좀” to soften requests. Next time you shop in Korea—at a 마트, 가게, or 시장—you’ll be able to compare, choose, and pay with confidence. 화이팅!