Visiting a Korean traditional market, or 재래시장 (jae-rae-si-jang), offers a vibrant cultural experience and the chance to buy fresh, local produce. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for selecting agricultural products (농산물 – nong-san-mul) like fruits and vegetables, interacting with vendors, and navigating the market confidently. Learn how to ask about freshness, inquire about prices, and make purchases like a local.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 재래시장에서 농산물 고르기
Pronunciation: jae-rae-si-jang-e-seo nong-san-mul go-reu-gi
Meaning: Choosing agricultural products at a traditional market
Essential Vocabulary for Produce
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Expression: 과일
Pronunciation: gwa-il
Meaning: Fruit -
Expression: 채소 / 야채
Pronunciation: chae-so / ya-chae
Meaning: Vegetables -
Expression: 사과
Pronunciation: sa-gwa
Meaning: Apple -
Expression: 배
Pronunciation: bae
Meaning: Pear -
Expression: 딸기
Pronunciation: ttal-gi
Meaning: Strawberry -
Expression: 포도
Pronunciation: po-do
Meaning: Grape -
Expression: 감자
Pronunciation: gam-ja
Meaning: Potato -
Expression: 양파
Pronunciation: yang-pa
Meaning: Onion -
Expression: 마늘
Pronunciation: ma-neul
Meaning: Garlic -
Expression: 배추
Pronunciation: bae-chu
Meaning: Napa Cabbage -
Expression: 무
Pronunciation: mu
Meaning: Radish -
Expression: 오이
Pronunciation: o-i
Meaning: Cucumber
Asking About Quality and Freshness
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Expression: 이거 싱싱해요?
Pronunciation: i-geo sing-sing-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is this fresh? -
Expression: 오늘 들어온 거예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul deu-reo-on geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did this come in today? -
Expression: 어떤 게 제일 좋아요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon ge je-il jo-a-yo?
Meaning: Which one is the best? -
Expression: 맛 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: mat jom bol su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I have a taste? (Usually for fruits) -
Expression: 이거 달아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo da-ra-yo?
Meaning: Is this sweet? (Referring to fruit) -
Expression: 국산이에요?
Pronunciation: guk-san-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this domestic (Korean-grown)? -
Expression: 유기농이에요?
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this organic? -
Expression: 좋은 걸로 골라주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun geol-lo gol-la-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please pick out good ones for me. -
Expression: 상한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: sang-han geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems spoiled/damaged. -
Expression: 이 과일은 지금 제철인가요?
Pronunciation: i gwa-i-reun ji-geum je-cheol-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this fruit in season now? -
Expression: 어디서 온 거예요?
Pronunciation: eo-di-seo on geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is this from? (Origin)
Asking Prices and Bargaining
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 한 개에 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: han gae-e eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it for one? -
Expression: 한 봉지에 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: han bong-ji-e eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it for one bag? -
Expression: 1킬로에 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: il-kil-lo-e eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it per kilogram? -
Expression: 너무 비싸요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu bi-ssa-yo.
Meaning: It’s too expensive. -
Expression: 좀 깎아주세요.
Pronunciation: jom kka-kka-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a discount. -
Expression: 조금만 더 싸게 해주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo ssa-ge hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it a little cheaper. -
Expression: 현금으로 하면 더 싸요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro ha-myeon deo ssa-yo?
Meaning: Is it cheaper if I pay with cash? -
Expression: 많이 사면 덤 주시나요?
Pronunciation: ma-ni sa-myeon deom ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: If I buy a lot, will you give me extra (덤 – deom)? -
Expression: 가격표가 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-pyo-ga eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the price tag? -
Expression: 그럼 이걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Then I’ll take this one (at the agreed price).
Making Your Purchase
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Expression: 이거 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this. / I’ll take this. -
Expression: 사과 다섯 개 주세요.
Pronunciation: sa-gwa da-seot gae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me five apples. -
Expression: 감자 한 봉지 주세요.
Pronunciation: gam-ja han bong-ji ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one bag of potatoes. -
Expression: 오천 원어치 주세요.
Pronunciation: o-cheon won-eo-chi ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me 5,000 won worth. -
Expression: 봉투에 담아주세요.
Pronunciation: bong-tu-e da-ma-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put it in a bag. -
Expression: 따로 담아주세요.
Pronunciation: tta-ro da-ma-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please put them in separate bags. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 카드 돼요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu dwae-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards? (Less common for small vendors) -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. (Less common in traditional markets) -
Expression: 잔돈 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jan-don yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the change. (Vendor might say this) -
Expression: 감사합니다. 많이 파세요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. ma-ni pa-se-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. Sell a lot! (Common polite closing)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding market culture enhances the experience. Cash is often preferred, especially by smaller vendors, and may sometimes get you a slightly better price or some extra produce (덤 – deom). While bargaining (흥정 – heung-jeong) is possible, it’s usually done politely and for small amounts, especially if you’re buying in bulk. Don’t expect supermarket-level discounts.
Traditional markets are hubs of 정 (jeong), a Korean concept of connection, warmth, and affection. Building a rapport with vendors through friendly greetings and conversation can lead to better service and sometimes that little extra ‘deom’. Showing interest in the produce and asking questions is welcomed.
Produce in traditional markets is highly seasonal. You’ll find the freshest and best-tasting fruits and vegetables when they are naturally in season. Vendors often take pride in offering seasonal specialties, so asking what’s best right now (지금 뭐가 제일 맛있어요? – ji-geum mwo-ga je-il ma-si-sseo-yo?) is a great way to shop.
Don’t be afraid to ask for recommendations. Vendors are usually experts on their products and can advise you on how to choose the best items or even suggest ways to cook them. Saying 좋은 걸로 골라주세요 (jo-eun geol-lo gol-la-ju-se-yo – Please pick out good ones for me) shows trust and is often appreciated.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) wants to buy some apples from a fruit vendor (B) at a traditional market.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요! 이 사과 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! i sa-gwa ma-si-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello! Are these apples delicious? -
Expression: B: 네, 오늘 아침에 들어온 거예요. 아주 달고 아삭해요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, o-neul a-chi-me deu-reo-on geo-ye-yo. a-ju dal-go a-sak-hae-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, they came in this morning. They’re very sweet and crisp. -
Expression: A: 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: How much are they? -
Expression: B: 다섯 개에 오천 원이에요.
Pronunciation: B: da-seot gae-e o-cheon won-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: It’s 5,000 won for five. -
Expression: A: 그럼 다섯 개 주세요. 좋은 걸로 골라주세요.
Pronunciation: A: geu-reom da-seot gae ju-se-yo. jo-eun geol-lo gol-la-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Then please give me five. Please pick out good ones for me. -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시만요. (사과를 고르며) 자, 여기 있습니다. 오천 원입니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jam-si-man-yo. (sa-gwa-reul go-reu-myeo) ja, yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. o-cheon won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay, just a moment. (Picking the apples) Here you go. It’s 5,000 won. -
Expression: A: (돈을 건네며) 여기요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: (do-neul geon-ne-myeo) yeo-gi-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: (Handing over money) Here you go. Thank you. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 맛있게 드세요!
Pronunciation: B: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. ma-sit-ge deu-se-yo!
Meaning: B: Thank you. Enjoy them!
Practice Tips
The best way to master these phrases is to visit a local traditional market! Start small by buying one or two items. Listen to how others interact with vendors. Don’t worry about perfection; vendors are usually patient with learners~!
Practice the numbers and pronunciation for prices beforehand. Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Most importantly, enjoy the lively atmosphere and delicious fresh food the market offers!
