Navigating a large Korean supermarket (마트 – ma-teu) can be overwhelming, especially when searching for specific items. This guide provides essential Korean phrases to help you confidently ask store staff where to find what you need, making your shopping experience smoother and more efficient. Learn how to ask for items, understand directions, and interact politely with mart employees.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most fundamental way to ask where something is located.
- Expression: [Item Name] 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Item Name] eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is [Item Name]? (This is the most common and versatile phrase.)
Basic Questions for Finding Items
Use these phrases to inquire about the location or availability of products.
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Expression: 실례합니다. [Item Name] 어디 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da. [Item Name] eo-di it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Do you know where [Item Name] is? -
Expression: [Item Name] 좀 찾고 있는데요.
Pronunciation: [Item Name] jom chat-go it-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for [Item Name]. -
Expression: 혹시 [Item Name] 팔아요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [Item Name] pa-ra-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to sell [Item Name]? -
Expression: [Item Name] 재고 있나요?
Pronunciation: [Item Name] jae-go in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is [Item Name] in stock? -
Expression: 이 근처에 [Item Name] 코너가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e [Item Name] ko-neo-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the [Item Name] section around here? -
Expression: [Item Name] 어디에 진열되어 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Item Name] eo-di-e jin-yeol-doe-eo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is [Item Name] displayed? -
Expression: 저기요, [Item Name]은/는 어느 쪽에 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, [Item Name]-eun/neun eo-neu jjo-ge i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, which way/area is [Item Name] in? -
Expression: [Item Name] 매대가 어디인지 알려주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: [Item Name] mae-dae-ga eo-di-in-ji al-lyeo-ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you tell me where the display stand/section for [Item Name] is? -
Expression: [Item Name] 찾으러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: [Item Name] cha-jeu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here to find [Item Name]. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, [Item Name] 좀 찾아 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, [Item Name] jom cha-ja ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: I’m sorry to bother you, but could you please help me find [Item Name]? -
Expression: [Item Name]은/는 보통 어디에 두나요?
Pronunciation: [Item Name]-eun/neun bo-tong eo-di-e du-na-yo?
Meaning: Where do you usually keep [Item Name]? -
Expression: 여기서 [Item Name] 살 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo [Item Name] sal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy [Item Name] here?
Specifying Items and Types
When you need a specific kind or brand, use these phrases.
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Expression: 신선한 [Item Name] 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: sin-seon-han [Item Name] eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the fresh [Item Name]? -
Expression: 냉동 [Item Name]은 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: naeng-dong [Item Name]-eun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the frozen [Item Name]? -
Expression: 유기농 [Item Name] 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong [Item Name] chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for organic [Item Name]. -
Expression: [Brand Name] [Item Name] 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Brand Name] [Item Name] i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have [Brand Name] [Item Name]? -
Expression: 이 제품 말고 다른 종류는 없나요?
Pronunciation: i je-pum mal-go da-reun jong-nyu-neun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Besides this product, are there other types? -
Expression: 할인하는 [Item Name]은 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin-ha-neun [Item Name]-eun eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the discounted [Item Name]? -
Expression: 가장 인기 있는 [Item Name]은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun [Item Name]-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular [Item Name]? -
Expression: 저지방 우유는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeo-ji-bang u-yu-neun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the low-fat milk? -
Expression: 글루텐 프리 제품 코너는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: geul-lu-ten peu-ri je-pum ko-neo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the gluten-free product section? -
Expression: 수입 [Item Name]은 어디서 찾을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-ip [Item Name]-eun eo-di-seo cha-jeul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find imported [Item Name]? -
Expression: 작은 사이즈 [Item Name] 필요해요.
Pronunciation: ja-geun ssa-i-jeu [Item Name] pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need a small size [Item Name]. -
Expression: 대용량 [Item Name]은 없어요?
Pronunciation: dae-yong-nyang [Item Name]-eun eop-seo-yo?
Meaning: Don’t you have a large capacity/bulk [Item Name]?
Understanding Directions from Staff
Listen for these common phrases when staff tell you where to go.
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Expression: 저쪽에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjo-ge it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s over there. -
Expression: 이쪽으로 쭉 가세요.
Pronunciation: i-jjo-geu-ro jjuk ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Go straight this way. -
Expression: 오른쪽/왼쪽으로 도세요.
Pronunciation: o-reun-jjok / oen-jjo-geu-ro do-se-yo.
Meaning: Turn right/left. -
Expression: [Number]번 코너/통로에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: [Number]-beon ko-neo / tong-no-e it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s in aisle/section number [Number]. -
Expression: 계산대 근처에 있어요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-dae geun-cheo-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s near the checkout counter. -
Expression: [Another Item] 옆에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: [Another Item] yeo-pe it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s next to [Another Item]. -
Expression: 맨 끝에 있어요.
Pronunciation: maen kkeu-te i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s at the very end. -
Expression: 위층/아래층으로 가셔야 해요.
Pronunciation: wi-cheung / a-rae-cheung-eu-ro ga-syeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: You need to go upstairs/downstairs. -
Expression: 제가 안내해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga an-nae-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will guide you / show you the way. -
Expression: 바로 여기 앞에 있어요.
Pronunciation: ba-ro yeo-gi a-pe i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s right here in front. -
Expression: 에스컬레이터 타고 올라가세요/내려가세요.
Pronunciation: e-seu-keol-le-i-teo ta-go ol-la-ga-se-yo / nae-ryeo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Take the escalator up/down. -
Expression: 찾으시는 물건이 맞나요?
Pronunciation: cha-jeu-si-neun mul-geo-ni man-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this the item you were looking for?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points can enhance your shopping experience in Korea.
- Staff Helpfulness: Mart employees (직원 – jig-won) are generally very helpful. Don’t hesitate to ask for assistance. They often wear uniforms or vests identifying them.
- Calling Staff: To get a staff member’s attention politely, you can say “저기요” (jeo-gi-yo – Excuse me) or “실례합니다” (sil-lye-ham-ni-da – Excuse me, more formal). Making eye contact and slightly raising your hand can also help.
- Large Marts (대형마트 – dae-hyeong-ma-teu): Places like E-mart, Lotte Mart, and Homeplus are huge and well-organized by section (코너 – ko-neo). Signs are usually in Korean and sometimes English, but asking is often faster.
- Aisle Numbering: Aisles (통로 – tong-no) are typically numbered. Staff might direct you using these numbers (e.g., “3번 통로” – sam-beon tong-no).
- Product Placement: Items are grouped logically (e.g., dairy, snacks, produce), but sometimes specific brands or imported goods might be in a separate section.
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a typical interaction in a Korean supermarket.
- Situation: A customer is looking for milk in a large mart.
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Roles: A: Customer, B: Store Employee
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Expression: A: 저기요, 실례합니다. 우유 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da. u-yu eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me. Where is the milk? -
Expression: B: 아, 우유요? 저쪽 유제품 코너에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: a, u-yu-yo? jeo-jjok yu-je-pum ko-neo-e it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Ah, milk? It’s over there in the dairy section. -
Expression: A: 유제품 코너가 어디쯤인가요?
Pronunciation: A: yu-je-pum ko-neo-ga eo-di-jjeum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: About where is the dairy section? -
Expression: B: 이 통로로 쭉 가셔서 오른쪽으로 돌면 바로 보여요. 5번 통로 옆이에요.
Pronunciation: B: i tong-no-ro jjuk ga-syeo-seo o-reun-jjo-geu-ro dol-myeon ba-ro bo-yeo-yo. o-beon tong-no yeo-pi-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Go straight down this aisle, turn right, and you’ll see it right away. It’s next to aisle 5. -
Expression: A: 아, 네. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: A: a, ne. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Ah, okay. Thank you! -
Expression: B: 네. 좋은 하루 보내세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne. jo-eun ha-ru bo-nae-se-yo.
Meaning: B: You’re welcome. Have a nice day.
Practice Tips
Ready to try these phrases out? Here’s how you can practice~
- Role-play: Practice asking for different items with a friend or language partner!
- Visit a Korean Mart: If you’re in Korea or near a Korean grocery store, try asking for one or two items, even if you know where they are. It’s great real-world practice!
- Listen Actively: Pay attention to how staff respond and the words they use for directions. You’ll pick up more vocabulary naturally.
- Prepare Your List: Before shopping, think about the items you need and look up their Korean names. Practice asking ” [Item Name] 어디 있어요?”
Good luck with your shopping in Korea! You’ll be navigating the aisles like a pro in no time!
