Exploring Korean traditional markets offers a wonderful opportunity to discover unique crafts. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists interested in learning about the story and weaving process behind traditional baskets directly from the vendors. Understanding these expressions will allow you to appreciate the craftsmanship and cultural significance of these beautiful items.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 바구니는 어떻게 만들어졌어요?
Pronunciation: i ba-gu-ni-neun eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reo-jyeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How was this basket made? (Can also imply asking about its story or background)
Asking About the Basket
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Expression: 이 바구니 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i ba-gu-ni i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this basket? -
Expression: 이건 전통 바구니인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geon jeon-tong ba-gu-ni-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a traditional basket? -
Expression: 어디에서 만든 거예요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-e-seo man-deun geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where was this made? -
Expression: 이 재료는 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i jae-ryo-neun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this material? -
Expression: 이 무늬는 무슨 의미가 있어요?
Pronunciation: i mu-nui-neun mu-seun ui-mi-ga i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Does this pattern have any meaning? -
Expression: 누가 만들었어요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga man-deu-reo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Who made this? -
Expression: 만드는 데 얼마나 걸렸어요?
Pronunciation: man-deu-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How long did it take to make? -
Expression: 이 기술은 오래된 건가요?
Pronunciation: i gi-su-reun o-rae-doen geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this technique old? -
Expression: 다른 디자인도 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun di-ja-in-do i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there other designs? -
Expression: 이 바구니는 어떤 용도로 쓰여요?
Pronunciation: i ba-gu-ni-neun eo-tteon yong-do-ro sseu-yeo-yo?
Meaning: What is this basket used for? -
Expression: 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did you make this yourself? -
Expression: 이 지역 특산품인가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok teuk-san-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a specialty product of this region?
Understanding the Story
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Expression: 이야기를 좀 더 자세히 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-ya-gi-reul jom deo ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain the story in more detail? -
Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. / Oh, is that so. -
Expression: 정말 흥미롭네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal heung-mi-rom-ne-yo.
Meaning: That’s really interesting. -
Expression: 이 지역의 전통인가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeo-gui jeon-tong-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a tradition of this region? -
Expression: 특별한 의미가 있군요.
Pronunciation: teuk-byeol-han ui-mi-ga it-gun-yo.
Meaning: It has a special meaning. / Ah, it has a special meaning. -
Expression: 이런 이야기가 담겨 있을 줄 몰랐어요.
Pronunciation: i-reon i-ya-gi-ga dam-gyeo i-sseul jul mol-la-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I didn’t know it had such a story. -
Expression: 대대로 내려오는 기술인가요?
Pronunciation: dae-dae-ro nae-ryeo-o-neun gi-su-rin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a technique passed down through generations? -
Expression: 만드신 분의 정성이 느껴져요.
Pronunciation: man-deu-sin bu-nui jeong-seong-i neu-kkyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: I can feel the maker’s dedication/care. -
Expression: 이 바구니에 얽힌 다른 이야기도 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ba-gu-ni-e eol-kin da-reun i-ya-gi-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other stories related to this basket? -
Expression: 설명 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the explanation. -
Expression: 만드는 과정이 궁금해요.
Pronunciation: man-deu-neun gwa-jeong-i gung-geum-hae-yo.
Meaning: I’m curious about the making process. -
Expression: 정말 아름답네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal a-reum-dam-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s truly beautiful.
Shopping Related Phrases
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 조금 깎아주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum kka-kka-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me a little discount? -
Expression: 이걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take this one, please. -
Expression: 포장해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you wrap it up? -
Expression: 선물용으로 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: seon-mul-yong-eu-ro po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it as a gift. -
Expression: 카드로 계산할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I pay by card? -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 구경 좀 할게요.
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jom hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll just look around for a bit. -
Expression: 다음에 다시 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e da-si ol-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come back next time. -
Expression: 정말 마음에 들어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I really like it. -
Expression: 기념품으로 사고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum-eu-ro sa-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to buy it as a souvenir.
Cultural Tips
Showing genuine interest in the craftsmanship and story behind a traditional item like a basket is highly appreciated by vendors. It shows respect for their work and culture.
In traditional markets (전통 시장 – jeon-tong si-jang), polite haggling might be acceptable for some items, but always approach it respectfully. Start by asking if a discount is possible (조금 깎아주실 수 있어요? – jo-geum kka-kka-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?).
Many traditional crafts in Korea have deep roots in specific regions and carry unique cultural meanings or historical significance. Asking about the origin (어디에서 만든 거예요? – eo-di-e-seo man-deun geo-ye-yo?) can lead to interesting conversations.
Vendors, especially those who make the items themselves, often take great pride in their work. Listening attentively to their explanations is a sign of respect.
Always use polite language endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ/습니다 (-p/seum-ni-da) when speaking with vendors, especially if they are older than you.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is looking at traditional baskets at a vendor’s (B) stall in a Korean market.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 바구니 정말 예쁘네요. 이건 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i ba-gu-ni jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo. i-geon jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. This basket is really pretty. Did you make this yourself? -
Expression: B: 네, 제가 직접 만들었어요. 이건 저희 지역 전통 방식으로 엮은 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, je-ga jik-jeop man-deu-reo-sseo-yo. i-geon jeo-hui ji-yeok jeon-tong bang-sik-eu-ro yeok-keun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I made it myself. This was woven using our region’s traditional method. -
Expression: A: 아, 그러시군요! 이 바구니는 어떻게 만들어졌는지, 이야기가 궁금해요. 설명해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo! i ba-gu-ni-neun eo-tteo-ke man-deu-reo-jyeon-neun-ji, i-ya-gi-ga gung-geum-hae-yo. seol-myeong-hae-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, I see! I’m curious about the story, how this basket was made. Could you explain it? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 이 바구니는 대나무를 얇게 쪼개서 하나하나 손으로 엮어 만들어요. 이 무늬는 풍요를 상징하고, 만드는 데 보통 며칠씩 걸려요.
Pronunciation: B: geu-reom-yo. i ba-gu-ni-neun dae-na-mu-reul yal-ke jjo-gae-seo ha-na-ha-na son-eu-ro yeok-keo man-deu-reo-yo. i mu-nui-neun pung-yo-reul sang-jing-ha-go, man-deu-neun de bo-tong myeo-chil-ssik geol-lyeo-yo.
Meaning: B: Of course. This basket is made by splitting bamboo thinly and weaving it strand by strand by hand. This pattern symbolizes abundance, and it usually takes several days to make. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말 정성이 많이 들어갔네요. 너무 아름다워요. 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal jeong-seong-i ma-ni deu-reo-gan-ne-yo. neo-mu a-reum-da-wo-yo. i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, a lot of care really went into it. It’s so beautiful. How much is this one? -
Expression: B: 그건 5만 원이에요.
Pronunciation: B: geu-geon o-man won-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: That one is 50,000 won. -
Expression: A: 네, 이걸로 주세요. 좋은 이야기 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, i-geol-lo ju-se-yo. jo-eun i-ya-gi gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Okay, I’ll take this one. Thank you for the wonderful story.
Practice Tips
Visiting traditional markets (전통 시장 – jeon-tong si-jang) or craft shops is the best way to practice these phrases! Don’t be shy about approaching vendors and showing interest in their work~
Start by pointing to an item and using simple questions like 이거 뭐예요? (i-geo mwo-ye-yo? – What is this?) or 이거 얼마예요? (i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo? – How much is this?). Then, try asking about the story using 이 바구니 이야기 좀 해주세요 (i ba-gu-ni i-ya-gi jom hae-ju-se-yo – Please tell me the story of this basket).
Listen carefully to the vendor’s response. Even if you don’t understand everything, picking up keywords and showing appreciation (아, 그렇군요! – a, geu-reo-kun-yo!, 감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) goes a long way. Happy exploring and learning!
