Knowing how to inquire about discounts, especially for bulk purchases, can be very useful when shopping in Korea. This guide focuses on the Korean expressions needed for a shopper to ask a cashier about potential deals on buying items like paper towels in larger quantities. Learn the key phrases to understand bulk pricing and make informed purchasing decisions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 대량 구매 할인
Pronunciation: dae-ryang gu-mae hal-in
Meaning: Bulk purchase discount (Literally: large quantity purchase discount)
Basic Shopping Questions
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 할인 있어요?
Pronunciation: hal-in iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount? -
Expression: 계산해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check me out / Please calculate the total. -
Expression: 봉투 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: bong-tu pil-yo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a bag? (Often asked by the cashier) -
Expression: 네, 주세요. / 아니요, 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: ne, ju-se-yo. / a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, please give me one. / No, it’s okay (I don’t need one). -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 포인트 적립해 주세요.
Pronunciation: po-in-teu jeok-rip-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add points (to my loyalty card). -
Expression: 이거 교환/환불 되나요?
Pronunciation: i-geo gyo-hwan/hwan-bul doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can this be exchanged/refunded?
Inquiring About Bulk Paper Towel Deals
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Expression: 이 키친타월 많이 사면 할인 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ki-chin-ta-wol man-i sa-myeon hal-in it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I buy many of these paper towels? -
Expression: 키친타월 대량 구매 할인 적용돼요?
Pronunciation: ki-chin-ta-wol dae-ryang gu-mae hal-in jeok-yong-dwae-yo?
Meaning: Does the bulk purchase discount apply to paper towels? -
Expression: 몇 개 이상 사야 할인돼요?
Pronunciation: myeot gae i-sang sa-ya hal-in-dwae-yo?
Meaning: How many (units) or more do I need to buy to get the discount? -
Expression: 묶음으로 사면 더 싼가요?
Pronunciation: muk-kkeum-eu-ro sa-myeon deo ssan-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it cheaper if I buy it as a bundle? -
Expression: 대량 구매 시 개당 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: dae-ryang gu-mae si gae-dang ga-gyeok-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the price per unit when buying in bulk? -
Expression: 이 행사는 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-neun eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until when is this promotion/event? -
Expression: 혹시 다른 종류 키친타월도 할인하나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun jong-nyu ki-chin-ta-wol-do hal-in-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, are other types of paper towels also discounted? -
Expression: 이 가격이 할인 적용된 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeok-i hal-in jeok-yong-doen ga-gyeok-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this price the discounted price? -
Expression: 두 묶음 사면 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: du muk-kkeum sa-myeon eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it if I buy two bundles? -
Expression: 대량 구매 혜택이 따로 있나요?
Pronunciation: dae-ryang gu-mae hye-taek-i tta-ro it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there separate benefits for bulk purchases?
Understanding the Cashier’s Responses
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Expression: 네, 3개 이상 구매하시면 할인됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, se gae i-sang gu-mae-ha-si-myeon hal-in-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, you get a discount if you purchase 3 or more. -
Expression: 이 상품은 대량 할인이 없습니다.
Pronunciation: i sang-pum-eun dae-ryang hal-in-i eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There is no bulk discount for this product. -
Expression: 개당 1,000원인데, 5개 사시면 총 4,500원입니다.
Pronunciation: gae-dang cheon-won-in-de, da-seot-gae sa-si-myeon chong sa-cheon-o-baek-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s 1,000 won each, but if you buy 5, the total is 4,500 won. -
Expression: 묶음으로 구매하셔야 할인이 적용됩니다.
Pronunciation: muk-kkeum-eu-ro gu-mae-ha-syeo-ya hal-in-i jeok-yong-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The discount applies only if you buy it as a bundle. -
Expression: 이 할인은 오늘까지입니다.
Pronunciation: i hal-in-eun o-neul-kka-ji-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This discount is valid until today. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 이 제품은 행사 상품이 아닙니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, i je-pum-eun haeng-sa sang-pum-i a-nim-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but this product is not part of the promotion. -
Expression: 다시 한번 말씀해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please say that again? (Polite) -
Expression: 조금 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak a little more slowly. -
Expression: 할인율이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: hal-in-yul-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the discount rate? -
Expression: 총 금액은 ______원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong geum-aek-eun ______won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total amount is ______ won.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding shopping culture can enhance your experience. In Korea, large supermarkets (마트 – ma-teu) and warehouse stores like E-Mart Traders or Costco often have bulk deals clearly marked, but sometimes specific conditions apply.
Common discount types include 1+1 (원 플러스 원 – won peul-leo-seu won) meaning “buy one get one free,” or 2+1 (투 플러스 원 – tu peul-leo-seu won) meaning “buy two get one free.” These are very popular for everyday items.
While haggling is uncommon in supermarkets, politely asking about existing promotions or bulk discounts (대량 구매 할인 – dae-ryang gu-mae hal-in) is perfectly acceptable, especially if you are buying a significant quantity of an item not already part of an obvious promotion.
Cashiers are usually efficient. Having your payment method (card or cash) and loyalty card (if any) ready helps speed up the process. Using polite language like ~주세요 (ju-se-yo) and 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da) is always appreciated.
Be aware that plastic/paper bags usually cost a small fee (봉투값 – bong-tu-gap). Many shoppers bring reusable bags (장바구니 – jang-ba-gu-ni).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) is at the checkout counter of a Korean supermarket and wants to ask the cashier (B) about a bulk discount on paper towels.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 계산해 주세요. 아, 그리고 이 키친타월 혹시 여러 개 사면 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. gye-san-hae ju-se-yo. a, geu-ri-go i ki-chin-ta-wol hok-si yeo-reo gae sa-myeon hal-in-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. Please check me out. Oh, and regarding these paper towels, by any chance, is there a discount if I buy several? -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시만요. 확인해 볼게요. … 아, 이 키친타월은 3개 이상 구매하시면 10% 할인됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jam-si-man-yo. hwak-in-hae bol-ge-yo. … a, i ki-chin-ta-wol-eun se gae i-sang gu-mae-ha-si-myeon sip-peo-sen-teu hal-in-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, just a moment. Let me check… Ah, for these paper towels, if you purchase 3 or more, you get a 10% discount. -
Expression: A: 아, 그래요? 그럼 3개 살게요. 이걸로 2개 더 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: a, geu-rae-yo? geu-reom se gae sal-ge-yo. i-geol-lo du gae deo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, really? Then I’ll buy 3. Please give me two more of these. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 총 3개 맞으시죠? 할인 적용해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. chong se gae ma-jeu-si-jyo? hal-in jeok-yong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, understood. A total of 3, correct? I’ll apply the discount for you. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you. I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네. 총 금액은 할인해서 8,100원입니다. 카드 이쪽에 꽂아주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne. chong geum-aek-eun hal-in-hae-seo pal-cheon-baek-won-im-ni-da. ka-deu i-jjok-e kko-ja-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay. The total amount after the discount is 8,100 won. Please insert your card here.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner. When you visit a Korean grocery store or supermarket, pay attention to the signs for deals and listen to interactions at the checkout.
Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts, even if your Korean isn’t perfect! Start with simple phrases like “할인 있어요?” (hal-in iss-eo-yo?). Most cashiers will understand and try to help. Good luck with your shopping! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
