Finding the perfect piece of furniture can be exciting, but discovering damage like a scratch can be disappointing. However, this might also be an opportunity to negotiate a discount. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for a shopper asking a store clerk about a price reduction for a scratched table, helping you navigate this situation politely and effectively in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 이 테이블에 흠집이 있는데, 할인 좀 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i te-i-beul-e heum-jib-i it-neun-de, hal-in jom bad-eul su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: There’s a scratch on this table, could I possibly get a discount?
Basic Inquiry Phrases
-
Expression: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. (To get attention) -
Expression: 이 테이블에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있어요.
Pronunciation: i te-i-beul-e dae-hae yeo-jjwo-bol geo-si i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a question about this table. -
Expression: 이 테이블 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i te-i-beul ga-gyeog-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this table? -
Expression: 혹시 담당자분 계신가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si dam-dang-ja-bun gye-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is there someone in charge I could speak to? -
Expression: 잠시만요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, please. -
Expression: 이것 좀 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i-geot jom bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you take a look at this, please? -
Expression: 이 테이블 재고가 더 있나요?
Pronunciation: i te-i-beul jae-go-ga deo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there more stock of this table? -
Expression: 다른 색상도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-sang-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it come in other colors? -
Expression: 배송은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bae-song-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How does delivery work? -
Expression: 전시 상품인가요?
Pronunciation: jeon-si sang-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a display item?
Describing the Damage
-
Expression: 테이블에 흠집이 있어요.
Pronunciation: te-i-beul-e heum-jib-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a scratch on the table. -
Expression: 여기 보시면, 긁힌 자국이 있네요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi bo-si-myeon, geul-kin ja-gug-i it-ne-yo.
Meaning: If you look here, there’s a scratch mark. -
Expression: 표면이 좀 손상되었어요.
Pronunciation: pyo-myeon-i jom son-sang-doe-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The surface is a bit damaged. -
Expression: 이 부분이 약간 찍혔어요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-i yak-gan jjig-hyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: This part is slightly dented/chipped. -
Expression: 새 상품인데 왜 흠집이 있죠?
Pronunciation: sae sang-pum-in-de wae heum-jib-i it-jyo?
Meaning: It’s a new product, why does it have a scratch? -
Expression: 이 흠집은 꽤 눈에 띄네요.
Pronunciation: i heum-jib-eun kkwae nun-e tti-ne-yo.
Meaning: This scratch is quite noticeable. -
Expression: 다른 테이블은 괜찮은가요?
Pronunciation: da-reun te-i-beul-eun gwaen-chan-eun-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are the other tables okay? (implying asking for an undamaged one) -
Expression: 이 상처 때문에 좀 신경 쓰여요.
Pronunciation: i sang-cheo ttae-mun-e jom sin-gyeong sseu-yeo-yo.
Meaning: I’m a bit bothered by this scratch/mark. -
Expression: 자세히 좀 봐주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi jom bwa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you take a closer look, please? -
Expression: 원래 이런 건가요?
Pronunciation: weol-lae i-reon geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it originally like this?
Asking for a Discount
-
Expression: 흠집이 있으니 좀 할인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: heum-jib-i i-sseu-ni jom hal-in-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Since there’s a scratch, could you give me a bit of a discount? -
Expression: 이 상태 그대로 사면 가격 조정이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i sang-tae geu-dae-ro sa-myeon ga-gyeok jo-jeong-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: If I buy it as is, is a price adjustment possible? -
Expression: 전시 상품 할인이 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-si sang-pum hal-in-i jeog-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does a display item discount apply? -
Expression: 손상된 부분 때문에 그런데, 조금 깎아주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: son-sang-doen bu-bun ttae-mun-e geu-reon-de, jo-geum kkak-a-ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Because of the damaged part, couldn’t you lower the price a little? -
Expression: 혹시 할인 가능한 금액이 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si hal-in ga-neung-han geum-aeg-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there any possible discount amount? -
Expression: 이 가격에서 더 할인은 어렵나요?
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeog-e-seo deo hal-in-eun eo-ryeom-na-yo?
Meaning: Is it difficult to get a further discount from this price? -
Expression: 흠집 감안해서 가격 제안해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: heum-jib gam-an-hae-seo ga-gyeok je-an-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Considering the scratch, could you suggest a price? -
Expression: 조금만 가격을 내려주시면 바로 살게요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man ga-gyeog-eul nae-ryeo-ju-si-myeon ba-ro sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: If you lower the price just a bit, I’ll buy it right away. -
Expression: 이 정도 흠집이면 보통 얼마나 할인해주나요?
Pronunciation: i jeong-do heum-jib-i-myeon bo-tong eol-ma-na hal-in-hae-ju-na-yo?
Meaning: For a scratch like this, how much discount is usually given? -
Expression: 최종 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: choe-jong ga-gyeog-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What would the final price be?
Clerk’s Potential Responses
-
Expression: 아, 정말 흠집이 있네요. 죄송합니다.
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal heum-jib-i it-ne-yo. joe-song-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Oh, there really is a scratch. I apologize. -
Expression: 네, 확인했습니다. 잠시만 기다려주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ve confirmed it. Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 이 부분 때문에 그러시면 저희가 [X]% 할인해 드릴 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun ttae-mun-e geu-reo-si-myeon jeo-hui-ga [X-peu-ro] hal-in-hae deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: If it’s because of this part, we can offer you a [X]% discount. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 이 상품은 이미 할인된 가격이라 추가 할인은 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, i sang-pum-eun i-mi hal-in-doen ga-gyeog-i-ra chu-ga hal-in-eun eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but this item is already discounted, so additional discounts are difficult. -
Expression: 새 상품으로 교환해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: sae sang-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would you like me to exchange it for a new item? -
Expression: 매니저님께 한번 여쭤보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: mae-ni-jeo-nim-kke han-beon yeo-jjwo-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will ask the manager. -
Expression: 이 가격이 저희가 드릴 수 있는 최선입니다.
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeog-i jeo-hui-ga deu-ril su it-neun choe-seon-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This price is the best we can offer. -
Expression: 전시 상품이라 약간의 흠집은 있을 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeon-si sang-pum-i-ra yak-gan-ui heum-jib-eun it-eul su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: As it’s a display item, there might be minor scratches. -
Expression: 그럼 [금액] 정도 할인해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reom [geum-aek] jeong-do hal-in-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Then, we will give you a discount of about [amount]. -
Expression: 괜찮으시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-eu-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would that be alright with you?
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: When asking for a discount, especially due to damage, maintaining a polite and respectful tone is crucial. Using formal language (-요 or -ㅂ니다 endings) and phrases like “죄송하지만” (joe-song-ha-ji-man – I’m sorry but…) or “혹시” (hok-si – perhaps/by any chance) can soften the request.
Haggling Culture: While haggling is common in traditional markets (시장 – si-jang), it’s less common or expected in department stores or large furniture shops for brand new items. However, asking for a discount on a damaged or display item is generally acceptable and often successful if approached politely.
Justifying the Discount: Clearly pointing out the defect (흠집 – heum-jib, scratch; 손상 – son-sang, damage) provides a valid reason for your request. Avoid being overly demanding; frame it as a reasonable request due to the item’s imperfection.
Accepting the Outcome: Be prepared for the possibility that a discount might not be offered, especially if the item is already heavily discounted or if store policy prohibits it. Accept the clerk’s final decision gracefully.
Display Items (전시 상품 – jeon-si sang-pum): Discounts are more commonly given for display items, which may have minor wear and tear. Asking if an item is a display piece can sometimes open the door for negotiation.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) is looking at a wooden table in a furniture store and notices a scratch. They approach a clerk (B) to inquire about it and ask for a discount.
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 이 테이블 좀 보려고 하는데요.
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo, i te-i-beul jom bo-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I’m interested in this table. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 어떤 점이 궁금하신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, son-nim. eo-tteon jeom-i gung-geum-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. What can I help you with? -
Expression: A: 테이블 디자인은 마음에 드는데, 여기 보니까 흠집이 좀 있네요.
Pronunciation: A: te-i-beul di-ja-in-eun ma-eum-e deu-neun-de, yeo-gi bo-ni-kka heum-jib-i jom it-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: I like the table’s design, but looking here, there seems to be a scratch. -
Expression: B: 아, 어디요? 제가 한번 보겠습니다. (살펴본 후) 네, 약간 긁힌 자국이 있네요. 죄송합니다. 이게 마지막 전시 상품이라서요.
Pronunciation: B: a, eo-di-yo? je-ga han-beon bo-get-seum-ni-da. (sal-pyeo-bon hu) ne, yak-gan geul-kin ja-gug-i it-ne-yo. joe-song-ham-ni-da. i-ge ma-ji-mak jeon-si sang-pum-i-ra-seo-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, where? Let me take a look. (After checking) Yes, there’s a slight scratch mark. I apologize. This is the last display item. -
Expression: A: 아, 전시 상품이었군요. 그럼 혹시 이 흠집 때문에 가격 할인이 좀 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: A: a, jeon-si sang-pum-i-eot-gun-yo. geu-reom hok-si i heum-jib ttae-mun-e ga-gyeok hal-in-i jom ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Oh, it was a display item. Then, perhaps, because of this scratch, is a price discount possible? -
Expression: B: 네, 전시 상품이고 흠집도 있으니 저희가 10% 추가 할인해 드릴 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jeon-si sang-pum-i-go heum-jib-do i-sseu-ni jeo-hui-ga sip-peu-ro chu-ga hal-in-hae deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, since it’s a display item and has a scratch, we can offer you an additional 10% discount. -
Expression: A: 10%요? 네, 좋아요. 그럼 이걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: A: sip-peu-ro-yo? ne, jo-a-yo. geu-reom i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: 10%? Yes, that’s good. Then I’ll take this one. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 이쪽에서 결제 도와드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. i-jjog-e-seo gyeol-je do-wa-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you. I’ll help you with the payment over here.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner. Focus on pronouncing the phrases clearly, especially pointing out the 흠집 (heum-jib)! You can also practice describing different types of minor damage you might see on furniture. Remember to use polite language when making your request. Good luck negotiating your discount! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
