Group buying, or buying items in bulk with others, is common in Korea, and often comes with the expectation of a discount. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for shoppers looking to inquire about and negotiate discounts when purchasing items as a group directly from a store owner or vendor. Mastering these expressions will help you secure better deals when shopping for multiple items in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 단체 구매 할인 (dan-che gu-mae ha-rin)
Pronunciation: dan-che gu-mae ha-rin
Meaning: Group purchase discount (This term refers specifically to the discount received for buying in bulk as a group.)
Asking About Discounts
-
Expression: 단체로 사면 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: dan-che-ro sa-myeon ha-rin-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if we buy as a group? -
Expression: 저희가 여러 개 살 건데, 할인해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-ga yeo-reo gae sal geon-de, ha-rin-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: We’re going to buy several items, can you give us a discount? -
Expression: 단체 구매 할인이 적용되려면 최소 몇 개를 사야 하나요?
Pronunciation: dan-che gu-mae ha-rin-i jeok-yong-doe-ryeo-myeon choe-so myeot gae-reul sa-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What’s the minimum quantity we need to buy to get the group purchase discount? -
Expression: [수량]개 정도 사려고 하는데, 얼마나 할인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: [su-ryang]-gae jeong-do sa-ryeo-go ha-neun-de, eol-ma-na ha-rin-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: We plan to buy about [quantity] items, how much discount can you give us? (Replace [수량] with the number) -
Expression: 10개 사면 할인이 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeol-gae sa-myeon ha-rin-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if we buy 10? -
Expression: 단체 할인가가 따로 있나요?
Pronunciation: dan-che ha-rin-ga-ga tta-ro in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a separate group discount price? -
Expression: 혹시 단체 손님 할인이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si dan-che son-nim ha-rin-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a discount possible for group customers, by any chance? -
Expression: 대량 구매 시 가격 혜택이 있습니까?
Pronunciation: dae-ryang gu-mae si ga-gyeok hye-taeg-i i-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Are there price benefits for bulk purchases? (More formal) -
Expression: 할인율이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin-yul-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the discount rate? -
Expression: 공동구매로 사면 더 싼가요?
Pronunciation: gong-dong-gu-mae-ro sa-myeon deo ssan-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it cheaper if we buy through a group purchase (gongdong-gumae)?
Negotiating the Price
-
Expression: 조금만 더 깎아 주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo kka-kka ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could you please lower the price just a little bit more? -
Expression: 저희가 [수량]개나 사는데, 조금 더 할인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-ga [su-ryang]-gae-na sa-neun-de, jo-geum deo ha-rin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: We’re buying as many as [quantity] items, please give us a bit more discount. -
Expression: 이게 최종 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: i-ge choe-jong ga-gyeog-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the final price? -
Expression: 그럼 개당 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom gae-dang eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Then how much is it per item? -
Expression: 혹시 현금으로 하면 더 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si hyeon-geum-eu-ro ha-myeon deo ha-rin-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, is there a further discount if we pay in cash? -
Expression: 예산이 조금 부족해서요.
Pronunciation: ye-san-i jo-geum bu-jok-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: Our budget is a little tight. -
Expression: 그럼 총 얼마에 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom chong eol-ma-e ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Then, what’s the total price you can give us? -
Expression: 이 가격으로 해 주시면 지금 바로 살게요.
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeog-eu-ro hae ju-si-myeon ji-geum ba-ro sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: If you give us this price, we’ll buy it right now. -
Expression: 저희 단골 될게요! 조금만 더 싸게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui dan-gol doel-ge-yo! jo-geum-man deo ssa-ge hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: We’ll become regular customers! Please make it just a little cheaper. -
Expression: 다른 곳도 좀 둘러보고 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-reun got-do jom dul-leo-bo-go ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll look around some other places and come back. (Used as a negotiation tactic)
Confirming the Purchase
-
Expression: 네, 그럼 [수량]개 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom [su-ryang]-gae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, then please give us [quantity] items. -
Expression: 이걸로 [수량]개 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo [su-ryang]-gae po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please pack [quantity] of these. -
Expression: 결제는 어떻게 할까요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eo-tteo-ke hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: How should we pay? -
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: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 총 [금액]원 맞죠?
Pronunciation: chong [geum-aek]-won mat-jyo?
Meaning: The total is [amount] won, correct? (Replace [금액] with the total amount) -
Expression: 언제 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: When can we receive them? (If items need preparation or delivery) -
Expression: 감사합니다. 잘 쓸게요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jal sseul-ge-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. We’ll use them well. -
Expression: 그럼 이걸로 결정할게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geol-lo gyeol-jeong-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, we’ll decide on this one.
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Paramount: When asking for a discount, especially as a group representative, maintaining a polite and respectful attitude is crucial. Use formal language endings like ‘-요’ (-yo) or ‘-ㅂ/습니다’ (-b/seumnida). Being overly demanding or aggressive is unlikely to yield positive results.
Haggling Culture: While haggling (흥정 – heung-jeong) is acceptable and even expected in traditional markets (시장 – si-jang) or smaller independent shops, it’s generally not done in department stores, chain stores, or supermarkets where prices are fixed.
Group Buying (공동구매 – Gongdong Gumae): The concept of ‘Gongdong Gumae’ is very popular in Korea, especially online. People gather to buy products in bulk to get a lower price. Applying this concept offline by asking for a ‘단체 구매 할인’ (dan-che gu-mae ha-rin) is a natural extension of this culture.
Building Rapport: Sometimes, engaging in brief, friendly conversation with the shop owner before asking for a discount can help. Showing genuine interest in the products or the store can create a more favorable atmosphere for negotiation.
Cash Discounts: In smaller shops or markets, paying with cash (현금 – hyeon-geum) might sometimes get you a slightly better discount, as it saves the vendor credit card processing fees. It doesn’t hurt to politely inquire if a cash payment offers any additional benefit.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A representative (A) of a tour group wants to buy 20 identical souvenirs from a shop owner (B) in Insadong.
Roles: A: Shopper (Group Representative), B: Shop Owner
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 부채가 참 예쁘네요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i bu-chae-ga cham ye-ppeu-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. This fan is very pretty. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 직접 그린 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jik-jeop geu-rin geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you. It’s hand-painted. -
Expression: A: 저희가 단체 선물로 이걸 20개 정도 사려고 하는데요. 혹시 단체로 사면 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-hui-ga dan-che seon-mul-lo i-geol su-mu-gae jeong-do sa-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo. hok-si dan-che-ro sa-myeon ha-rin-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: A: We’re thinking of buying about 20 of these as group gifts. By any chance, is there a discount if we buy as a group? -
Expression: B: 아, 20개요? 네, 그럼 좀 할인해 드릴 수 있어요. 원래 개당 만 원인데, 9천 원씩 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: B: a, su-mu-gae-yo? ne, geu-reom jom ha-rin-hae deu-ril su i-sseo-yo. wol-lae gae-dang man won-in-de, gu-cheon won-ssik deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, 20 items? Yes, then I can give you a bit of a discount. Originally they are 10,000 won each, but I’ll give them to you for 9,000 won each. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다. 혹시 8천5백 원까지는 어려울까요? 저희 예산이 조금 빠듯해서요.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. hok-si pal-cheon-o-baek won-kka-ji-neun eo-ryeo-ul-kka-yo? jeo-hui ye-san-i jo-geum ppa-deut-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you. Would 8,500 won perhaps be difficult? Our budget is a little tight. -
Expression: B: 흠… 20개나 사시니까… 좋아요. 특별히 8천5백 원에 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: B: heum… su-mu-gae-na sa-si-ni-kka… jo-a-yo. teuk-byeol-hi pal-cheon-o-baek won-e deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Hmm… Since you’re buying 20… Okay. I’ll specially give them to you for 8,500 won. -
Expression: A: 정말 감사합니다! 그럼 이걸로 20개 포장해 주세요. 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: A: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! geu-reom i-geol-lo su-mu-gae po-jang-hae ju-se-yo. ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: A: Thank you so much! Then please pack 20 of these. I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, understood. Please wait a moment.
Practice Tips
Practice these phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ You can simulate buying different items in various quantities. When you visit Korea, try using these expressions politely in markets or smaller shops when buying multiple items. Remember, confidence and politeness go a long way when negotiating! Good luck~!
