4 Korean Phrases You Can Use for Shopping on Your Trip to Korea

Don't speak Korean? No problem! Magical phrases that are truly useful locally

🇰🇷 The “language barrier” when traveling in Korea: Why you actually don’t need to worry

One thing many people worry about when planning a trip to Korea is the “language barrier.”

“I can’t speak Korean, but will I be able to go shopping…?”

Good news for anyone feeling this way!

In fact, you can shop in Korea perfectly fine even if you don’t speak Korean✨

In popular areas such as Myeongdong and Dongdaemun, many stores have staff who speak Japanese,

and as long as you remember a few simple phrases, you can enjoy shopping smoothly.

This time, we’re introducing a carefully selected list of highly practical Korean phrases that you can really use locally💬

Once you remember these, your Korean shopping experience is sure to become even more enjoyable!

💡 4 magical phrases to remember

Here are 4 essential phrases for shopping in Korea.

Once you master these 4 phrases, you can shop confidently in Myeongdong, Dongdaemun, and even at cosmetics shops,

with ease🛍️

💰 1. Eolma-yeyo? (얼마예요？)

Meaning: How much is it?

In Korea, there are surprisingly many products without price tags.

Especially at markets and small shops,

the standard approach is to pick up the item and ask, “Eolma-yeyo?”

If you didn’t catch the price, just show the calculator on your smartphone📱

The staff can type in the numbers to let you know.

Even if you’re not good with numbers, this makes things easy, right?

🛒 2. Igeo juseyo (이거 주세요)

Meaning: I’ll take this, please.

Simply point to the product you want and say, “Igeo juseyo.”

That’s all it takes to check out smoothly.

If you want to buy more than one, just show the quantity with your fingers as you say it.

You can also include the number, as in

“Igeo du gae juseyo (이거 두개 주세요／Two of these, please),”

but

gestures alone are usually enough to get your message across👌

💳 3. Kadeu dwaeyo? (카드 돼요？)

Meaning: Can I use a card?

Cards are almost always accepted at large department stores and chain stores, but small shops and markets may only accept cash.

It’s reassuring to check, “Kadeu dwaeyo?” before paying.

By the way, in Korea, card payments are common even for small amounts of around 1,000 won (approximately 100 yen).

It’s a culture unique to a cashless society💳

😊 4. Kamsahamnida（감사합니다）

Meaning: Thank you

When you finish shopping, smile and say “Kamsahamnida.”

Expressing your gratitude will make your shopping experience more pleasant.

For a more casual expression, you can also say “Kamsahaeyo（감사해요）” or “Gomawoyo（고마워요）”.

Polite language is appreciated in every country💕

🌟 Even More Convenient! One Plus Phrase

In addition to the four basic phrases, here’s one more phrase that’s useful to remember.

📷 Igeo Isseoyo?（이거 있어요？）

Meaning: Do you have this?

Save a photo of the item you found on social media to your smartphone,

then show it to the store clerk and ask, “Igeo Isseoyo?”

Even if you don’t speak the same language, having an image makes communication smooth📱✨

This method is especially convenient when looking for Korean cosmetics or trendy items!

Simply saving a screenshot from Instagram

will make it easier to find what you want.

💡 Practical Korean Shopping Techniques

Once you’ve learned the phrases, check out these tips for using them in practice!

📱 What to Do When You Can’t Understand What You Hear

It's okay even if you can't understand Korean numbers by ear.

Open the calculator app on your smartphone and show it to the store clerk. They can enter the number and show you.

This is the most reliable and easiest method.

📷 Make Use of Photos

It's a good idea to save photos of the products you want in advance.

If you prepare screenshots of social media posts or official websites, the staff can help you find the product even if you can't communicate verbally.

😊 Smiles and Gestures Are the Most Powerful

You don't need to speak perfect Korean.

If you approach the staff with a smile, they will respond kindly.

Communicating with gestures makes the language barrier surprisingly easy to overcome.

🏪 Many Stores Also Have Japanese-Speaking Staff

In tourist areas such as Myeongdong and Hongdae, many store clerks can speak Japanese.

It's worth asking, “Do you speak Japanese?”

Popular cosmetics shops in particular have many Japanese tourists, so

more and more stores are offering service in Japanese.

🎯 Enjoy Korean Shopping Even More

Let go of your worries about the language, and shopping in Korea will become even more enjoyable🇰🇷

Korea is a very welcoming country for Japanese tourists.

Even if you speak to the staff in just a little Korean, they will be happy to help.

Please don't aim for perfection—be brave and give them a try💕

Remember the four phrases introduced this time,

and enjoy shopping to the fullest!

You can buy cosmetics in Myeongdong or look for fashion items in Dongdaemun.

Overcome the language barrier and create wonderful memories of your trip to Korea✨

Bringing you reliable Korean information that makes Korea feel closer and more reassuring, from Yeppuriko.