Navigating a Korean supermarket can be an adventure, but sometimes you need a little help finding items or asking questions. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for interacting with supermarket employees, ensuring a smoother and more successful shopping experience. Learn how to get attention politely, ask for item locations, inquire about products, and handle common situations you might encounter while shopping for groceries in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 실례합니다
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Excuse me (Used to politely get someone’s attention)
Getting an Employee’s Attention
-
Expression: 저기요
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo
Meaning: Excuse me / Over here (Common way to call staff) -
Expression: 잠시만요
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo
Meaning: Just a moment / Excuse me for a second -
Expression: 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me? -
Expression: 질문 있어요
Pronunciation: jil-mun is-seo-yo
Meaning: I have a question. -
Expression: 직원분이세요?
Pronunciation: jik-won-bun-i-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you an employee? -
Expression: 뭐 좀 여쭤볼게요
Pronunciation: mwo jom yeo-jjwo-bol-ge-yo
Meaning: I’d like to ask you something. -
Expression: 바쁘신가요?
Pronunciation: ba-ppeu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are you busy? (Use cautiously, shows consideration) -
Expression: 이것 좀 도와주세요
Pronunciation: i-geot jom do-wa-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please help me with this. -
Expression: 혹시…
Pronunciation: hok-si…
Meaning: By any chance… (Used to soften a question or request)
Asking for Item Location
-
Expression: [Item] 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Item] eo-di-e is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Where is [Item]? (e.g., 우유 어디에 있어요? / u-yu eo-di-e is-seo-yo? / Where is the milk?) -
Expression: [Item] 찾고 있어요
Pronunciation: [Item] chat-go is-seo-yo
Meaning: I’m looking for [Item]. (e.g., 라면 찾고 있어요 / ra-myeon chat-go is-seo-yo / I’m looking for ramen.) -
Expression: [Item] 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Item] is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have [Item]? (e.g., 김치 있어요? / gim-chi is-seo-yo? / Do you have kimchi?) -
Expression: 이거 어디 코너에 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-di ko-neo-e is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Which section/aisle is this in? -
Expression: [Item] 파는 곳이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: [Item] pa-neun go-si eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the place that sells [Item]? -
Expression: 혹시 [Item] 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [Item] bo-syeos-seo-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, have you seen [Item]? -
Expression: 이 근처에 [Item] 있나요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e [Item] in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is [Item] around here? -
Expression: 통조림 코너는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: tong-jo-rim ko-neo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the canned goods section? -
Expression: 냉동식품은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: naeng-dong-sik-pum-eun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the frozen foods? -
Expression: 유제품 코너로 안내해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yu-je-pum ko-neo-ro an-nae-hae ju-si-ges-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you guide me to the dairy section?
Asking About Products
-
Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 이거 세일 중인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo se-il jung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this on sale? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han geo is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything you would recommend? -
Expression: 이거 신선한가요?
Pronunciation: i-geo sin-seon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this fresh? (Used for produce, meat, fish) -
Expression: 유통기한이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: yu-tong-gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the expiration date? -
Expression: 더 작은/큰 사이즈 있어요?
Pronunciation: deo jak-eun/keun ssa-i-jeu is-seo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a smaller/bigger size? -
Expression: 다른 종류도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jong-nyu-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there other types/kinds? -
Expression: 이거랑 저거랑 뭐가 달라요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-rang jeo-geo-rang mwo-ga dal-la-yo?
Meaning: What’s the difference between this one and that one? -
Expression: 재고가 더 있나요?
Pronunciation: jae-go-ga deo in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there more stock? -
Expression: 이거 맛은 어때요?
Pronunciation: i-geo ma-seun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How does this taste? (May get a general answer)
Other Useful Phrases
-
Expression: 계산대가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: gye-san-dae-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the checkout counter? -
Expression: 봉투 필요해요
Pronunciation: bong-tu pil-yo-hae-yo
Meaning: I need a bag. -
Expression: 봉투 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: bong-tu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the bag? -
Expression: 카드 돼요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu dwae-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards? (Lit: Is card okay?) -
Expression: 화장실 어디예요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 포인트 카드 있으세요?
Pronunciation: po-in-teu ka-deu is-seu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a loyalty/point card? (Employee might ask you this) -
Expression: 이거 반품/교환하고 싶어요
Pronunciation: i-geo ban-pum/gyo-hwan-ha-go sip-eo-yo
Meaning: I want to return/exchange this. -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you for your help. -
Expression: 수고하세요
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-se-yo
Meaning: Thank you for your hard work (Common parting phrase to staff)
Korean Culture Notes
Getting Attention: Using 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo) is very common and acceptable for getting staff attention in supermarkets and restaurants. 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da) is slightly more formal but also perfectly fine.
Staff Interaction: Supermarket staff in Korea are generally helpful but might be busy. Be polite and concise with your questions. A simple 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Thank you) after receiving help is always appreciated.
Plastic Bags: Most supermarkets charge a small fee for plastic bags (usually 50-100 KRW) to encourage reusable bag use. The cashier will likely ask 봉투 필요하세요? (bong-tu pil-yo-ha-se-yo? – Do you need a bag?). You can answer 네, 주세요 (ne, ju-se-yo – Yes, please) or 아니요, 괜찮아요 (a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo – No, it’s okay).
Food Samples: Many larger supermarkets offer free food samples (시식 코너 – si-sik ko-neo). It’s generally okay to try them, even if you don’t buy the product, but be mindful not to take excessive amounts.
Asking Prices: While most items have price tags, if something is unclear, asking 이거 얼마예요? (i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?) is perfectly normal. Sometimes staff might need to scan the item to check.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is looking for a specific brand of spicy ramen in a large supermarket and asks an employee (B) for help.
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Excuse me. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 혹시 불닭볶음면 찾고 있는데요, 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si bul-dak-bok-kkeum-myeon chat-go in-neun-de-yo, eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I’m looking for Buldak Bokkeum Myeon (Spicy Chicken Ramen), by any chance. Where is it? -
Expression: B: 아, 불닭볶음면이요. 라면 코너는 저쪽 5번 통로에 있습니다. 따라오세요.
Pronunciation: a, bul-dak-bok-kkeum-myeon-i-yo. ra-myeon ko-neo-neun jeo-jjok o-beon tong-no-e it-seum-ni-da. tta-ra-o-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, Buldak Bokkeum Myeon. The ramen section is over there in aisle 5. Please follow me. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you. -
Expression: B: 여기 다양한 종류가 있습니다. 찾으시는 맛이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi da-yang-han jong-nyu-ga it-seum-ni-da. cha-jeu-si-neun ma-si is-seu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Here are various types. Is there a specific flavor you’re looking for? -
Expression: A: 까르보 불닭으로 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: kka-reu-bo bul-dak-eu-ro chat-go is-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’m looking for the Carbonara Buldak flavor. -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, here it is. -
Expression: A: 아, 찾았네요! 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, cha-jan-ne-yo! jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Ah, I found it! Thank you so much! -
Expression: B: 네. 더 필요하신 거 있으시면 말씀해주세요.
Pronunciation: ne. deo pil-yo-ha-sin geo is-seu-si-myeon mal-sseum-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Practice Tips
Don’t be shy about using these phrases! Korean supermarket employees are used to helping customers~ Try practicing asking for simple items first, like 우유 어디에 있어요? (u-yu eo-di-e is-seo-yo?) or 이거 얼마예요? (i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?). The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become navigating Korean supermarkets and finding everything you need! Good luck with your shopping! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
