Exploring Korean market fairs offers a fantastic opportunity to discover unique traditional crafts. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask locals about these beautiful items, understand their significance, and perhaps purchase a special souvenir. Learn how to inquire about crafts, discuss details, and interact politely with artisans and vendors.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 전통 공예품은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i jeon-tong gong-ye-pum-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this traditional craft?
Basic Questions About Crafts
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Expression: 이것은 무엇으로 만들었나요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-eun mu-eot-eu-ro man-deul-eot-na-yo?
Meaning: What is this made of? -
Expression: 이것은 어떻게 사용하나요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-eun eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How is this used? -
Expression: 이 공예품의 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i gong-ye-pum-ui i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this craft? -
Expression: 이것은 수공예품인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-eun su-gong-ye-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this handmade? -
Expression: 누가 만드셨어요?
Pronunciation: nu-ga man-deu-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Who made this? -
Expression: 이것은 어떤 의미가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-eun eo-tteon ui-mi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this have any special meaning? -
Expression: 이 지역의 특산품인가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok-ui teuk-san-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a specialty of this region? -
Expression: 만드는 데 얼마나 걸렸어요?
Pronunciation: man-deu-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: How long did it take to make? -
Expression: 이 기술은 오래된 것인가요?
Pronunciation: i gi-sul-eun o-rae-doen geot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this technique old / traditional? -
Expression: 다른 색깔도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have this in other colors? -
Expression: 이것 좀 더 자세히 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i-geot jom deo ja-se-hi bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I take a closer look at this?
Asking About Specific Types of Crafts
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Expression: 이 도자기는 직접 구우신 건가요?
Pronunciation: i do-ja-gi-neun jik-jeop gu-u-sin geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Did you fire this pottery yourself? -
Expression: 이것은 한지 공예인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-eun han-ji gong-ye-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this Hanji (Korean paper) craft? -
Expression: 이 자수는 손으로 놓으신 건가요?
Pronunciation: i ja-su-neun son-eu-ro no-eu-sin geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Was this embroidery done by hand? -
Expression: 이 매듭은 어떤 용도로 쓰이나요?
Pronunciation: i mae-deup-eun eo-tteon yong-do-ro sseu-i-na-yo?
Meaning: What is this knot (Maedeup) used for? -
Expression: 이 부채는 전통적인 디자인인가요?
Pronunciation: i bu-chae-neun jeon-tong-jeok-in di-ja-in-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this fan a traditional design? -
Expression: 이 목각 인형은 어떤 의미가 있나요?
Pronunciation: i mok-gak in-hyeong-eun eo-tteon ui-mi-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this wooden carved doll have a special meaning? -
Expression: 이것은 나전칠기 기법으로 만든 건가요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-eun na-jeon-chil-gi gi-beop-eu-ro man-deun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Was this made using the Najeonchilgi (mother-of-pearl lacquerware) technique? -
Expression: 이 직물은 천연 염색인가요?
Pronunciation: i jik-mul-eun cheon-yeon yeom-saek-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this fabric naturally dyed? -
Expression: 이 가면은 탈춤에 사용되는 건가요?
Pronunciation: i ga-myeon-eun tal-chum-e sa-yong-doe-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this mask used in Talchum (mask dance)? -
Expression: 이 붓은 서예용 붓인가요?
Pronunciation: i but-eun seo-ye-yong but-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this brush for calligraphy?
Discussing Price and Purchase
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 가격이 정해져 있나요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-i jeong-hae-jyeo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the price fixed? -
Expression: 조금 깎아 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum kkak-a ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me a little discount? (Use cautiously, may not be appropriate for artisan crafts) -
Expression: 이걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take this one, please. -
Expression: 카드 되나요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards? -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay in cash. -
Expression: 포장해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you wrap this up for me? -
Expression: 선물용으로 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: seon-mul-yong-eu-ro po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it as a gift. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 이것과 비슷한 다른 것도 있나요?
Pronunciation: i-geot-gwa bi-seut-han da-reun geot-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have anything else similar to this?
Showing Appreciation and Interest
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Expression: 정말 아름답네요!
Pronunciation: jeong-mal a-reum-dam-ne-yo!
Meaning: It’s really beautiful! -
Expression: 솜씨가 정말 좋으시네요.
Pronunciation: som-ssi-ga jeong-mal jo-eu-si-ne-yo.
Meaning: You have excellent skills / craftsmanship. -
Expression: 정성이 느껴져요.
Pronunciation: jeong-seong-i neu-kkyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: I can feel the care/dedication (put into making it). -
Expression: 독특하고 멋있어요.
Pronunciation: dok-teuk-ha-go meot-it-seo-yo.
Meaning: It’s unique and cool/stylish. -
Expression: 한국적인 미가 있어요.
Pronunciation: han-guk-jeok-in mi-ga it-seo-yo.
Meaning: It has a Korean aesthetic / beauty. -
Expression: 이런 공예품은 처음 봐요.
Pronunciation: i-reon gong-ye-pum-eun cheo-eum bwa-yo.
Meaning: I’ve never seen a craft like this before. -
Expression: 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: seol-myeong-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for explaining. -
Expression: 구경 잘 하고 갑니다.
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jal ha-go gam-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for letting me look around. (Said when leaving without buying) -
Expression: 좋은 구경 했어요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun gu-gyeong haet-seo-yo.
Meaning: I enjoyed looking around. -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time.
Cultural Tips
Handling Items: Always ask for permission before picking up or closely examining delicate crafts. Use phrases like 만져봐도 괜찮아요? (man-jyeo-bwa-do gwaen-chan-a-yo? – Is it okay if I touch it?) or 이것 좀 봐도 될까요? (i-geot jom bwa-do doel-kka-yo? – May I look at this?).
Pricing and Bargaining: While bargaining is common in some traditional markets for mass-produced goods, it’s often considered impolite when buying directly from an artisan selling their own handcrafted items. The price usually reflects the skill, time, and materials involved. Asking for a small discount might be acceptable if buying multiple items, but proceed respectfully.
Showing Respect: Artisans often pour their heart into their work. Showing genuine interest and appreciation (정말 멋있어요! – jeong-mal meot-it-seo-yo!) is highly valued. Even if you don’t buy anything, a polite thank you (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) and acknowledging their work goes a long way.
Understanding Value: Traditional crafts often carry cultural significance or represent techniques passed down through generations. Asking about the story or meaning behind a piece (어떤 의미가 있나요? – eo-tteon ui-mi-ga it-na-yo?) shows respect and deepens your understanding beyond just the physical object.
Payment Methods: While larger shops may accept cards, many smaller stalls or individual artisans at market fairs prefer cash (현금 – hyeon-geum). It’s always wise to carry some cash when visiting these types of markets.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) approaches a vendor (B) selling traditional Korean pottery at a market fair.
Roles: A: Tourist, B: Pottery Vendor/Artisan
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 도자기 정말 아름답네요. 이것은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i do-ja-gi jeong-mal a-reum-dam-ne-yo. i-geot-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Hello. This pottery is really beautiful. What is this? -
Expression: B: 아, 네. 안녕하세요. 이것은 달항아리라고 하는 전통 백자입니다. 보름달 모양을 닮았죠.
Pronunciation: a, ne. an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i-geot-eun dal-hang-a-ri-ra-go ha-neun jeon-tong baek-ja-im-ni-da. bo-reum-dal mo-yang-eul dal-mat-jyo.
Meaning: Ah, yes. Hello. This is traditional white porcelain called a ‘Dalhangari’ (Moon Jar). It resembles the shape of a full moon. -
Expression: A: 달항아리요? 정말 독특하고 예뻐요. 직접 만드신 건가요?
Pronunciation: dal-hang-a-ri-yo? jeong-mal dok-teuk-ha-go ye-ppeo-yo. jik-jeop man-deu-sin geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: A Moon Jar? It’s really unique and pretty. Did you make it yourself? -
Expression: B: 네, 제가 직접 물레를 돌려서 만들고 가마에서 구웠습니다. 전통 방식 그대로 만들었어요.
Pronunciation: ne, je-ga jik-jeop mul-le-reul dol-lyeo-seo man-deul-go ga-ma-e-seo gu-wot-seum-ni-da. jeon-tong bang-sik geu-dae-ro man-deul-eot-seo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I made it myself on the potter’s wheel and fired it in a kiln. I made it following the traditional method. -
Expression: A: 와, 솜씨가 정말 좋으시네요! 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: wa, som-ssi-ga jeong-mal jo-eu-si-ne-yo! i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Wow, you have excellent skills! How much is this? -
Expression: B: 이 작은 것은 십오만 원입니다. 정성이 많이 들어간 작품이에요.
Pronunciation: i jak-eun geot-eun sip-o-man won-im-ni-da. jeong-seong-i man-i deul-eo-gan jak-pum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This small one is 150,000 won. It’s a piece that required a lot of care and effort. -
Expression: A: 네, 그럴 것 같아요. 정말 멋진 기념품이 되겠네요. 이걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reol geot gat-a-yo. jeong-mal meot-jin gi-nyeom-pum-i doe-gen-ne-yo. i-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I can see that. It would make a wonderful souvenir. I’ll take this one, please. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 잘 포장해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jal po-jang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. I’ll wrap it carefully for you.
Practice Tips
Ready to practice? Try visiting places like Insadong in Seoul or folk villages where artisans often display their work! Even watching videos of Korean craft markets online can help you get familiar with the sights and sounds~ Listen carefully to how vendors describe their items. Don’t be shy to use the phrases you’ve learned; showing interest in Korean culture and crafts is always appreciated! Start with simple questions and expressions of admiration. 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
