Knowing how to inquire about the price of items is fundamental when shopping in Korea, whether you’re browsing traditional markets or modern department stores. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for asking prices, understanding responses, and even negotiating politely, helping you shop with confidence during your time in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? (The most common and versatile way to ask for the price of something you are pointing to or holding)
Basic Price Inquiries
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Expression: 저거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jeo-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is that (over there)? -
Expression: 이것은 얼마입니까?
Pronunciation: i-geo-seun eol-ma-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: How much is this? (More formal version) -
Expression: 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeo-gi eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the price? / How does the price work out? -
Expression: 좀 비싸네요.
Pronunciation: jom bi-ssa-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit expensive. -
Expression: 너무 비싸요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu bi-ssa-yo.
Meaning: It’s too expensive. -
Expression: 더 싼 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: deo ssan geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have anything cheaper? -
Expression: 가격표 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-pyo eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the price tag? -
Expression: 세일 중인가요?
Pronunciation: se-il jung-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it on sale? -
Expression: 이 가격 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeok ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is this price correct? -
Expression: 총 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt.
Asking About Specific Items
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Expression: 이 셔츠 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i syeo-cheu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this shirt? -
Expression: 저 바지 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: jeo ba-ji ga-gyeo-gi eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What’s the price of those pants? -
Expression: 이 신발은 얼마입니까?
Pronunciation: i sin-ba-reun eol-ma-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: How much are these shoes? (Formal) -
Expression: 이 가방 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i ga-bang eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this bag? -
Expression: 사과 한 개 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: sa-gwa han gae eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is one apple? -
Expression: 커피 한 잔 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: keo-pi han jan eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is a cup of coffee? -
Expression: 이 책 가격 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: i chaek ga-gyeok jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the price of this book. -
Expression: 이거랑 저거랑 가격이 같아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-rang jeo-geo-rang ga-gyeo-gi ga-ta-yo?
Meaning: Is the price of this and that the same? -
Expression: 이 모자 얼마인지 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i mo-ja eol-ma-in-ji yeo-jjwo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I ask how much this hat is? (Polite) -
Expression: 이 액세서리 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i aek-se-seo-ri eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this accessory? -
Expression: 입장료는 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ip-jang-nyo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the entrance fee?
Discount and Negotiation Phrases
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Expression: 할인해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me a discount? -
Expression: 좀 깎아 주세요.
Pronunciation: jom kka-kka ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please lower the price a bit. (Informal, common in markets) -
Expression: 더 싸게는 안 돼요?
Pronunciation: deo ssa-ge-neun an dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can’t you make it cheaper? -
Expression: 이게 최종 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: i-ge choe-jong ga-gyeo-gin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the final price? -
Expression: 현금으로 하면 할인되나요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geu-meu-ro ha-myeon ha-rin-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I pay with cash? -
Expression: 두 개 사면 할인 있어요?
Pronunciation: du gae sa-myeon ha-rin i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I buy two? -
Expression: 학생 할인 돼요?
Pronunciation: hak-saeng ha-rin dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is there a student discount? -
Expression: 예산이 좀 부족해서요.
Pronunciation: ye-sa-ni jom bu-jo-kae-seo-yo.
Meaning: My budget is a bit tight. (Used when negotiating) -
Expression: 조금만 더 깎아 주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo kka-kka ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Couldn’t you lower the price just a little bit more? (Polite negotiation) -
Expression: 정찰제인가요?
Pronunciation: jeong-chal-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a fixed price system? (Asking if bargaining is possible) -
Expression: 서비스로 뭐 더 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: seo-bi-seu-ro mwo deo ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me something extra as a service (freebie)?
Korean Culture Notes
Price Tags: In department stores, supermarkets, and most modern shops, prices are clearly marked (정찰제, jeong-chal-je – fixed price system), and bargaining is generally not expected or accepted. You simply pay the listed price.
Bargaining Culture: Bargaining (흥정, heung-jeong) is more common and sometimes expected in traditional markets (like Namdaemun or Dongdaemun in Seoul), smaller independent shops, or when buying in bulk. Approach it politely and respectfully using phrases like “좀 깎아 주세요” (jom kka-kka ju-se-yo).
Cash vs. Card: While Korea is very card-friendly, some smaller vendors, especially in traditional markets, might prefer cash or offer a small discount for cash payments (현금 할인, hyeon-geum ha-rin). It’s polite to ask “현금으로 하면 할인되나요?” (hyeon-geu-meu-ro ha-myeon ha-rin-doe-na-yo?).
“Service” (서비스): Sometimes, especially if you buy multiple items or spend a significant amount, vendors might offer a small extra item for free as “service” (서비스, seo-bi-seu). This is a gesture of goodwill.
Politeness Levels: Always use polite language (-요, -yo or -ㅂ니다/습니다, -mnida/seumnida endings) when interacting with shopkeepers, especially if they are older than you. Using polite language can sometimes help negotiations go more smoothly.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is shopping for a scarf at a stall in a traditional market. The shopkeeper (B) assists them.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 스카프 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i seu-ka-peu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. How much is this scarf? -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 그거 만 오천 원이에요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. geu-geo man o-cheon wo-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. That one is 15,000 won. -
Expression: A: 아, 좀 비싸네요. 혹시 할인해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: A: a, jom bi-ssa-ne-yo. hok-si ha-rin-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Ah, it’s a bit expensive. Could you perhaps give me a discount? -
Expression: B: 음… 현금으로 하시면 천 원 깎아 드릴게요. 만 사천 원이요.
Pronunciation: B: eum… hyeon-geu-meu-ro ha-si-myeon cheon won kka-kka deu-ril-ge-yo. man sa-cheon wo-ni-yo.
Meaning: B: Hmm… If you pay with cash, I’ll take off 1,000 won. 14,000 won. -
Expression: A: 좋아요. 그럼 이걸로 주세요. 현금 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: A: jo-a-yo. geu-reom i-geol-lo ju-se-yo. hyeon-geum yeo-gi i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Okay. Then please give me this one. Here’s the cash. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you. Here you go.
Practice Tips
Mastering how to ask for prices is super useful! Try practicing these phrases when you’re out and about, even if it’s just window shopping~ Role-playing with a friend can also be really helpful. Start with the basic “이거 얼마예요?” (i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?) and gradually add more complex questions and negotiation phrases as you get comfortable. Don’t be afraid to try bargaining politely in markets – it’s part of the fun! Happy shopping!~
