Korean convenience stores (편의점 – pyeonuijeom) are incredibly useful, offering much more than just snacks. Knowing how to ask for and find specific items is essential for making the most of these ubiquitous shops. This guide provides the key Korean phrases you need to locate products efficiently in any Korean convenience store.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental phrase for asking where something is located.
- Expression: [Item] 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Item] eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is [Item]? (Add the item name before the phrase)
Asking for Items
Use these phrases when you need to inquire about the availability or location of a product.
- Expression: 이거 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have this? (While pointing or showing a picture) - Expression: [Item] 있어요?
Pronunciation: [Item] i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have [Item]? - Expression: 혹시 [Item] 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [Item] i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you happen to have [Item]? - Expression: [Item] 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: [Item] chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for [Item]. - Expression: [Item] 어디에 있는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: [Item] eo-di-e it-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know where [Item] is? - Expression: [Item] 좀 찾아 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: [Item] jom cha-ja ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please help me find [Item]? - Expression: 차가운 [Item] 있어요?
Pronunciation: cha-ga-un [Item] i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have cold [Item]? - Expression: 따뜻한 [Item] 있어요?
Pronunciation: tta-tteu-tan [Item] i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have warm/hot [Item]? - Expression: 다른 종류 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jong-nyu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other kinds/types? - Expression: 이건 어디 코너에 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-di ko-neo-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Which section/corner is this in? - Expression: [Item] 재고 있나요?
Pronunciation: [Item] jae-go in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is [Item] in stock?
Describing What You’re Looking For
Sometimes you might not know the exact name, or need to specify further.
- Expression: 그… 있잖아요, [description].
Pronunciation: geu… it-jan-a-yo, [description].
Meaning: Uhm… you know, the one that is [description]. - Expression: 작은 거요.
Pronunciation: ja-geun geo-yo.
Meaning: The small one. - Expression: 큰 거요.
Pronunciation: keun geo-yo.
Meaning: The big one. - Expression: 빨간색 포장이요.
Pronunciation: ppal-gan-saek po-jang-i-yo.
Meaning: The one with red packaging. - Expression: 새로 나온 거요.
Pronunciation: sae-ro na-on geo-yo.
Meaning: The new one / The one that just came out. - Expression: 광고에서 본 거요.
Pronunciation: gwang-go-e-seo bon geo-yo.
Meaning: The one I saw in the commercial. - Expression: 저기 진열된 거 말고 다른 거요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi jin-yeol-doen geo mal-go da-reun geo-yo.
Meaning: Not the one displayed over there, a different one. - Expression: 플라스틱 병에 든 거요.
Pronunciation: peu-la-seu-tik byeong-e deun geo-yo.
Meaning: The one in the plastic bottle. - Expression: 캔으로 된 거요.
Pronunciation: kaen-eu-ro doen geo-yo.
Meaning: The one in a can. - Expression: 종이팩에 든 거요.
Pronunciation: jong-i-paeg-e deun geo-yo.
Meaning: The one in a paper carton. - Expression: 냉장고 안에 있는 거요.
Pronunciation: naeng-jang-go an-e it-neun geo-yo.
Meaning: The one inside the refrigerator.
Understanding Staff Responses
Listen for these common replies from the convenience store staff.
- Expression: 네, 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, we have it. - Expression: 아니요, 없어요. / 다 떨어졌어요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, eop-seo-yo. / da tteo-reo-jeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: No, we don’t have it. / We’re sold out. - Expression: 저쪽에 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-jjo-ge i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s over there. - Expression: 이쪽으로 오세요.
Pronunciation: i-jjo-geu-ro o-se-yo.
Meaning: Please come this way. - Expression: 계산대 옆에 있어요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-dae yeo-pe i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s next to the counter. - Expression: 냉장 코너에 있어요.
Pronunciation: naeng-jang ko-neo-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s in the refrigerated section. - Expression: 맨 위 칸에 있어요.
Pronunciation: maen wi kan-e i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s on the top shelf. - Expression: 아래쪽에 찾아보세요.
Pronunciation: a-rae-jjo-ge cha-ja-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please look on the lower side/shelf. - Expression: 지금은 없고 내일 들어와요.
Pronunciation: ji-geum-eun eop-go nae-il deu-reo-wa-yo.
Meaning: We don’t have it now, it comes in tomorrow. - Expression: 어떤 걸 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon geol cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: What are you looking for? - Expression: 잠시만요, 확인해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Just a moment, I’ll check.
Useful Convenience Store Vocabulary
Knowing the names of common items helps when asking.
- Expression: 물
Pronunciation: mul
Meaning: Water - Expression: 음료수
Pronunciation: eum-nyo-su
Meaning: Beverage / Drink - Expression: 커피
Pronunciation: keo-pi
Meaning: Coffee - Expression: 우유
Pronunciation: u-yu
Meaning: Milk - Expression: 과자
Pronunciation: gwa-ja
Meaning: Snacks / Chips - Expression: 빵
Pronunciation: ppang
Meaning: Bread - Expression: 라면
Pronunciation: ra-myeon
Meaning: Instant noodles (ramen) - Expression: 삼각김밥
Pronunciation: sam-gak-gim-bap
Meaning: Triangle kimbap (rice ball) - Expression: 도시락
Pronunciation: do-si-rak
Meaning: Lunch box - Expression: 아이스크림
Pronunciation: a-i-seu-keu-rim
Meaning: Ice cream - Expression: 칫솔 / 치약
Pronunciation: chit-sol / chi-yak
Meaning: Toothbrush / Toothpaste - Expression: 충전기
Pronunciation: chung-jeon-gi
Meaning: Charger
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these points will enhance your convenience store experience in Korea.
- Ubiquitous and 24/7: Convenience stores are on almost every corner in cities and many are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, making them incredibly convenient.
- More Than Just Snacks: They offer a wide range of services beyond retail, including bill payment, ATM access, package pickup/drop-off for online shopping, and even selling transit cards (T-Money).
- Eating Areas: Most convenience stores have a small area with tables, chairs, hot water dispensers, and microwaves, allowing customers to prepare and eat instant noodles, heat up lunch boxes, or enjoy snacks right there.
- Unique Korean Items: Look out for uniquely Korean snacks, drinks (like Banana Milk or Milkis), instant ramen flavors, and ready-to-eat meals (dosirak) that reflect local tastes.
- Staff Interaction: Staff are generally helpful but might be busy. Using polite language (like the phrases above ending in -yo) is always appreciated. Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you can’t find something.
Real Conversation Example
This dialogue shows how to ask for an item in a typical convenience store setting.
- Situation: A customer is looking for a specific type of energy drink.
-
Roles: A = Customer, B = Staff Member
-
Expression: A: 저기요, 혹시 에너지 드링크 어디 있어요?
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, hok-si e-neo-ji deu-ring-keu eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me, do you happen to know where the energy drinks are? - Expression: B: 네, 음료수 코너 제일 안쪽에 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, eum-nyo-su ko-neo je-il an-jjo-ge it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, they are at the very back of the beverage section. - Expression: A: 아, 네. (Goes to the section) 음… 제가 찾는 건 파란색 캔인데요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. (Goes to the section) eum… je-ga chat-neun geon pa-ran-saek kaen-in-de-yo.
Meaning: Ah, okay. (Goes to the section) Hmm… The one I’m looking for is a blue can. - Expression: B: 파란색 캔이요? 아, 그거요? 이쪽에 있어요. 이 선반 위에요.
Pronunciation: pa-ran-saek kaen-i-yo? a, geu-geo-yo? i-jjo-ge i-sseo-yo. i seon-ban wi-e-yo.
Meaning: A blue can? Ah, that one? It’s over here. On this shelf. - Expression: A: 아, 찾았다! 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, cha-jat-da! gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Ah, found it! Thank you! - Expression: B: 네. 더 필요하신 거 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne. deo pil-yo-ha-sin geo i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: You’re welcome. Is there anything else you need? - Expression: A: 아니요, 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: No, I’m fine.
Practice Tips
The best way to master these phrases is to use them~! Next time you’re in Korea (or even a Korean market abroad), try visiting a convenience store. Look for a specific item and practice asking the staff using “[Item] 어디 있어요?”. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes – it’s part of learning! You can also role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. 화이팅 (Hwaiting – You can do it)!
