Visiting a traditional Korean market (전통 시장 – jeon-tong si-jang) offers an immersive cultural experience, filled with unique sights, sounds, and flavors. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights to help you confidently navigate and enjoy your market exploration (시장 탐방 – si-jang tam-bang). Learn how to ask prices, bargain, order food, and interact with vendors like a local.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 한국 전통 시장 탐방하기
Pronunciation: han-guk jeon-tong si-jang tam-bang-ha-gi
Meaning: Exploring a traditional Korean market (The act of visiting and looking around a traditional Korean market)
Basic Market Navigation
These phrases will help you find your way around the bustling market environment.
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Expression: 여기는 어디예요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where am I? / What place is this? -
Expression: 화장실 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-sil eo-di-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the restroom? -
Expression: 출구가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: chul-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the exit? -
Expression: 입구가 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ip-gu-ga eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the entrance? -
Expression: 이 시장 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i si-jang i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this market? -
Expression: 안내소 있어요?
Pronunciation: an-nae-so i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there an information desk? -
Expression: 약도가 있나요?
Pronunciation: yak-do-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a map? -
Expression: 이 근처에 은행 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e eun-haeng i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a bank nearby? -
Expression: ATM 기계 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: ei-ti-em gi-gye eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is an ATM machine? -
Expression: 길을 잃었어요.
Pronunciation: gi-reul i-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m lost. -
Expression: 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me.
Shopping and Bargaining
Learn how to inquire about products, ask for prices, and try your hand at bargaining.
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Expression: 이거 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this? -
Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
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 little discount. -
Expression: 이거 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me this. / I’ll take this. -
Expression: 다른 색깔 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other colors? -
Expression: 더 큰 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: deo keun geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a bigger one? -
Expression: 더 작은 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: deo ja-geun geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a smaller one? -
Expression: 그냥 구경하는 거예요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang gu-gyeong-ha-neun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I’m just looking around. -
Expression: 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it up. / Please pack it to go. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 카드 돼요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu dwae-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards?
Trying Market Food
Traditional markets are famous for street food. Use these phrases to order and enjoy delicious treats.
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Expression: 여기서 뭐가 제일 맛있어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo mwo-ga je-il ma-si-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What’s the most delicious thing here? -
Expression: 이거 맛볼 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo mat-bol su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can I taste this? -
Expression: 떡볶이 일 인분 주세요.
Pronunciation: tteok-bbo-kki il in-bun ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one serving of Tteokbokki. -
Expression: 김밥 한 줄 주세요.
Pronunciation: gim-bap han jul ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me one roll of Gimbap. -
Expression: 맵지 않게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: maep-ji an-ke hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it not spicy. -
Expression: 조금만 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me just a little bit. -
Expression: 더 주세요.
Pronunciation: deo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me more. -
Expression: 이거 포장 돼요?
Pronunciation: i-geo po-jang dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I get this to go? -
Expression: 물 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: mul jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me some water. -
Expression: 잘 먹겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jal meok-kket-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will eat well. (Said before eating) -
Expression: 잘 먹었습니다.
Pronunciation: jal meo-geot-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I ate well. (Said after eating) -
Expression: 맛있어요!
Pronunciation: ma-si-sseo-yo!
Meaning: It’s delicious!
Asking Questions and Interacting
Engage with vendors and learn more about the market and its products.
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Expression: 이건 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geon jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did you make this yourself? -
Expression: 이건 어디서 왔어요? (농산물 등)
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-di-seo wa-sseo-yo? (nong-san-mul deung)
Meaning: Where did this come from? (e.g., for produce) -
Expression: 신선한가요?
Pronunciation: sin-seon-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it fresh? -
Expression: 오늘 들어온 거예요?
Pronunciation: o-neul deu-reo-on geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did this come in today? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 만한 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil man-han geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there anything you would recommend? -
Expression: 몇 시에 문 닫아요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-e mun da-da-yo?
Meaning: What time do you close? -
Expression: 몇 시에 문 열어요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-e mun yeo-reo-yo?
Meaning: What time do you open? -
Expression: 사진 찍어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jji-geo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: May I take a picture? -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time. -
Expression: 수고하세요!
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Keep up the good work! (A common parting phrase) -
Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points will enhance your market experience.
- Bargaining (흥정 – heung-jeong): While not as common as in some other cultures, light bargaining is acceptable, especially if you buy multiple items or pay with cash. A polite “좀 깎아주세요” (jom kka-kka-ju-se-yo) can sometimes get you a small discount. However, don’t push too hard, especially for small food items.
- Cash is Preferred: Many vendors, particularly smaller stalls, prefer cash (현금 – hyeon-geum). While larger shops might accept cards (카드 – ka-deu), having cash on hand is highly recommended for smoother transactions. ATMs are usually available nearby.
- Jeong (정): This unique Korean concept refers to a feeling of attachment, connection, and warmth. Market vendors often show jeong by giving a little extra (덤 – deom), especially to friendly customers or regulars. Being polite and engaging can sometimes lead to these small bonuses.
- Sampling Food: Many food stalls offer samples (시식 – si-sik). It’s polite to ask “맛볼 수 있어요?” (mat-bol su i-sseo-yo?) before trying. If you sample something, it’s generally good etiquette to consider making a purchase, though not strictly required.
- Crowds and Pace: Markets can get very crowded, especially on weekends. Be mindful of your surroundings, keep moving with the flow, and be patient. It’s part of the lively market atmosphere!
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) wants to buy some Hotteok (sweet Korean pancake) from a street food vendor (B) at Gwangjang Market.
Roles:
* A: Tourist
* B: Hotteok Vendor
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요! 호떡 하나 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo! ho-tteok ha-na eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello! How much is one Hotteok? -
Expression: B: 네, 하나에 천오백 원이에요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, ha-na-e cheon-o-baek won-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, it’s 1,500 won for one. -
Expression: A: 와, 맛있어 보여요! 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: wa, ma-si-sseo bo-yeo-yo! ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Wow, it looks delicious! Please give me one. -
Expression: B: 네, 잠시만 기다리세요. 금방 구워 드릴게요. 뜨거우니 조심하세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, jam-si-man gi-da-ri-se-yo. geum-bang gu-wo deu-ril-kke-yo. tteu-geo-u-ni jo-sim-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay, please wait a moment. I’ll cook it right away for you. Be careful, it’s hot. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. 여기 현금이요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi hyeon-geum-i-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you. Here’s the cash. -
Expression: B: (호떡을 건네며) 네, 천오백 원 받았습니다. 맛있게 드세요!
Pronunciation: B: (ho-tteo-geul geon-ne-myeo) ne, cheon-o-baek won ba-dat-sseum-ni-da. ma-sit-kke deu-se-yo!
Meaning: B: (Handing over the Hotteok) Yes, I received 1,500 won. Enjoy the food! -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 잘 먹겠습니다!
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da! jal meok-kket-sseum-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Thank you! I will eat well!
Practice Tips
The best way to master these phrases is to use them~! If you have the chance, visit a Korean market and try interacting with the vendors. Even just ordering food or asking for the price is great practice! You can also practice role-playing with a friend or language partner. Watching videos of Korean market tours online can also help you get familiar with the sounds and interactions. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – most vendors appreciate the effort! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
