Finding the perfect item only to discover a slight imperfection can be disappointing, but it might also be an opportunity for a discount. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for a shopper asking a store clerk about a price reduction for a slightly damaged item, specifically focusing on a scenario like finding a torn rug. Learn how to politely point out the damage and negotiate a better price in Korean.
Table Of Content
Key Phrase for Asking About Discounts
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Expression: 할인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hal-in-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me a discount?
Describing the Damage
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Expression: 이 카페트가 조금 찢어졌어요.
Pronunciation: i ka-pe-teu-ga jo-geum jjit-jeo-jeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: This rug is a little torn. -
Expression: 여기 흠집이 좀 있네요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi heum-jib-i jom it-ne-yo.
Meaning: There’s a bit of a scratch/flaw here. -
Expression: 약간 손상된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: yak-gan son-sang-doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems slightly damaged. -
Expression: 이 부분이 조금 문제가 있어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i jo-geum mun-je-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a small problem with this part. -
Expression: 자세히 보니 여기가 찢어져 있네요.
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi bo-ni yeo-gi-ga jjit-jeo-jyeo it-ne-yo.
Meaning: Looking closely, it’s torn here. -
Expression: 이거 새 제품 맞나요? 약간 하자가 있는 것 같은데요.
Pronunciation: i-geo sae je-pum mat-na-yo? yak-gan ha-ja-ga it-neun geot ga-teun-de-yo.
Meaning: Is this a new product? It seems to have a slight defect. -
Expression: 모서리 부분이 해졌어요.
Pronunciation: mo-seo-ri bu-bun-i hae-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The corner part is frayed/worn out. -
Expression: 여기 얼룩이 묻어 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi eol-lug-i mud-eo i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a stain here. -
Expression: 이 상태로는 정가를 주고 사기 좀 그래요.
Pronunciation: i sang-tae-ro-neun jeong-ga-reul ju-go sa-gi jom geu-rae-yo.
Meaning: In this condition, it’s a bit much to pay the full price. -
Expression: 혹시 이 부분 때문에 할인이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si i bu-bun ttae-mun-e hal-in-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a discount possible because of this part?
Asking for a Discount
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Expression: 조금 깎아 주실 수 있으세요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum kkak-a ju-sil su i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Could you lower the price a little? -
Expression: 이게 좀 찢어져서 그런데, 할인이 될까요?
Pronunciation: i-ge jom jjit-jeo-jyeo-seo geu-reon-de, hal-in-i doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: This is a bit torn, so could I get a discount? -
Expression: 손상된 제품이니까 가격 조정을 좀 해주세요.
Pronunciation: son-sang-doen je-pum-i-ni-kka ga-gyeok jo-jeong-eul jom hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Since it’s a damaged product, please adjust the price a bit. -
Expression: 이 상태 감안해서 가격을 좀 내려주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: i sang-tae gam-an-hae-seo ga-gyeog-eul jom nae-ryeo-ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Considering its condition, couldn’t you lower the price a bit? -
Expression: 혹시 하자 상품 할인 정책이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si ha-ja sang-pum hal-in jeong-chaeg-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have a discount policy for defective items? -
Expression: 이 가격에서 얼마나 할인 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeog-e-seo eol-ma-na hal-in ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How much discount is possible from this price? -
Expression: 제가 이대로 가져갈 테니 조금만 할인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: je-ga i-dae-ro ga-jyeo-gal te-ni jo-geum-man hal-in-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take it as is, so please give me a small discount. -
Expression: 전시 상품 할인 같은 건 없나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-si sang-pum hal-in ga-teun geon eop-na-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t there something like a display item discount? -
Expression: 이 정도 흠집이면 보통 할인을 해주시던데요.
Pronunciation: i jeong-do heum-jib-i-myeon bo-tong hal-in-eul hae-ju-si-deon-de-yo.
Meaning: Usually, they give a discount for this level of flaw. -
Expression: 최종 가격이 얼마인가요? (할인 적용 후)
Pronunciation: choe-jong ga-gyeog-i eol-ma-in-ga-yo? (hal-in jeog-yong hu)
Meaning: What is the final price? (After applying the discount)
Negotiating the Price
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Expression: 조금만 더 깎아주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo kkak-a-ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Couldn’t you lower it just a little bit more? -
Expression: [금액]원에 주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: [geum-aeg] won-e ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Couldn’t you give it to me for [Amount] won? -
Expression: 제 예산이 조금 부족해서요.
Pronunciation: je ye-san-i jo-geum bu-jok-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: My budget is a little tight. -
Expression: 그럼 [금액]원은 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom [geum-aeg] won-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: Then how about [Amount] won? -
Expression: 이 가격이면 제가 살게요.
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeog-i-myeon je-ga sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: If it’s this price, I’ll buy it. -
Expression: 혹시 현금으로 하면 더 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si hyeon-geum-eu-ro ha-myeon deo hal-in-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an additional discount if I pay in cash? -
Expression: 이게 최종 할인 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: i-ge choe-jong hal-in ga-gyeog-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the final discounted price? -
Expression: 조금 더 생각해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll think about it a little more. -
Expression: 네, 그 가격에 살게요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu ga-gyeog-e sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll buy it at that price. -
Expression: 아쉽지만 너무 비싸네요.
Pronunciation: a-swip-ji-man neo-mu bi-ssa-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a pity, but it’s too expensive.
Cultural Tips for Bargaining in Korea
Bargaining isn’t common in large department stores or supermarkets where prices are fixed. However, it can be acceptable in traditional markets (시장 – si-jang), smaller independent shops, or when purchasing items with visible flaws.
Always be polite when asking for a discount. Use formal language (like the phrases provided) and maintain a friendly demeanor. Aggressive haggling is generally frowned upon.
Clearly stating the reason for requesting a discount (like damage, buying multiple items, or paying in cash) makes your request more reasonable and increases the chance of success.
Don’t expect huge discounts, especially on already reasonably priced items. A small reduction is more likely. Be prepared for the seller to say no, and accept their decision gracefully if they do.
Sometimes, instead of a price reduction, sellers might offer a small extra item or service (서비스 – seo-bi-seu) as a gesture of goodwill.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) finds a rug they like in a small home goods store but notices a small tear. They approach the clerk (B) to ask about a discount.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 이 카페트가 마음에 드는데요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, i ka-pe-teu-ga ma-eum-e deu-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I like this rug. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 아주 인기 있는 디자인입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. a-ju in-gi it-neun di-ja-in-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. It’s a very popular design. -
Expression: A: 그런데 자세히 보니까 여기 끝부분이 조금 찢어져 있네요.
Pronunciation: geu-reon-de ja-se-hi bo-ni-kka yeo-gi kkeut-bu-bun-i jo-geum jjit-jeo-jyeo it-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: But looking closely, the edge here is a little torn. -
Expression: B: 아, 정말이네요. 죄송합니다. 저희가 미처 확인을 못 했나 봅니다.
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-i-ne-yo. joe-song-ham-ni-da. jeo-hui-ga mi-cheo hwa-gin-eul mot haet-na bom-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Oh, you’re right. I apologize. We must have missed checking it. -
Expression: A: 괜찮아요. 혹시 이것 때문에 할인을 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-a-yo. hok-si i-geot ttae-mun-e hal-in-eul jom bad-eul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: It’s okay. Perhaps, could I get a bit of a discount because of this? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 약간의 하자가 있으니 당연히 할인해 드려야죠. 10% 할인해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. yak-gan-ui ha-ja-ga i-sseu-ni dang-yeon-hi hal-in-hae deu-ryeo-ya-jyo. sip-peo-sen-teu hal-in-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, of course. Since there’s a slight flaw, we should naturally give you a discount. I’ll give you a 10% discount. -
Expression: A: 아, 감사합니다! 그럼 이걸로 살게요.
Pronunciation: a, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! geu-reom i-geol-lo sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, thank you! Then I’ll buy this one. -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽에서 계산 도와드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, i-jjok-e-seo gye-san do-wa-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ll help you with the payment over here.
Practice Tips
Knowing how to ask for a discount politely, especially for a damaged item, can save you money and is a useful skill when shopping in Korea! Practice these phrases out loud~ Try role-playing the conversation with a friend, taking turns being the shopper and the clerk.
Remember to point out the flaw clearly but politely using phrases like 여기 흠집이 좀 있네요 (yeo-gi heum-jib-i jom it-ne-yo) or 조금 찢어졌어요 (jo-geum jjit-jeo-jeo-sseo-yo). Then, confidently ask 할인해 주실 수 있나요? (hal-in-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?). Good luck with your shopping and bargaining! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
