Discovering unique, handcrafted souvenirs is a highlight of traveling in Korea. This guide focuses on the term for “Traditional Craft Shop” (전통공예품판매장) and provides essential phrases for locating these shops, interacting with sellers, and purchasing beautiful Korean crafts. Learn how to navigate these cultural treasure troves and find the perfect memento.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- Expression: 전통공예품판매장
Pronunciation: jeon-tong-gong-ye-pum-pan-mae-jang
Meaning: Traditional Craft Shop (A place selling traditional handmade crafts)
Locating a Craft Shop
Use these phrases to ask for directions or find out if a traditional craft shop is nearby.
- Expression: 전통공예품판매장이 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: jeon-tong-gong-ye-pum-pan-mae-jang-i eo-di-e it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the traditional craft shop? - Expression: 이 근처에 전통 공예품 파는 곳 있어요?
Pronunciation: i geun-cheo-e jeon-tong gong-ye-pum pa-neun got iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a place selling traditional crafts near here? - Expression: 기념품으로 살 만한 공예품 가게를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: gi-nyeom-pum-eu-ro sal man-han gong-ye-pum ga-ge-reul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for a craft shop where I can buy souvenirs. - Expression: 인사동에 가면 전통 공예품을 살 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-sa-dong-e ga-myeon jeon-tong gong-ye-pum-eul sal su 있-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I buy traditional crafts if I go to Insadong? - Expression: 가장 가까운 공예품 판매점이 어디예요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang ga-kka-un gong-ye-pum pan-mae-jeom-i eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the nearest craft shop? - Expression: 이 지도에서 전통공예품판매장을 찾아주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i ji-do-e-seo jeon-tong-gong-ye-pum-pan-mae-jang-eul cha-ja-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you find a traditional craft shop on this map for me? - Expression: 어떤 종류의 공예품을 파나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui gong-ye-pum-eul pa-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of crafts do they sell? - Expression: 수공예품 전문점이 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-gong-ye-pum jeon-mun-jeom-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a shop specializing in handmade crafts? - Expression: 그 가게는 여기서 먼가요?
Pronunciation: geu ga-ge-neun yeo-gi-seo meon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is that shop far from here? - Expression: 걸어서 갈 수 있는 거리인가요?
Pronunciation: geol-eo-seo gal su it-neun geo-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it within walking distance? - Expression: 추천해주실 만한 공예품 가게가 있나요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae-ju-sil man-han gong-ye-pum ga-ge-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a craft shop you would recommend? - Expression: 그 가게는 몇 시에 문을 닫나요?
Pronunciation: geu ga-ge-neun myeot si-e mun-eul dat-na-yo?
Meaning: What time does that shop close?
Inside the Craft Shop
Once you’ve found a shop, use these expressions to browse and ask questions.
- Expression: 구경 좀 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jom hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I look around? - Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? - Expression: 이건 뭐로 만들었어요?
Pronunciation: i-geon mwo-ro man-deul-eoss-eo-yo?
Meaning: What is this made of? - Expression: 이건 수공예품인가요?
Pronunciation: i-geon su-gong-ye-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this handmade? - Expression: 이 공예품에 대해 설명해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i gong-ye-pum-e dae-hae seol-myeong-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you explain this craft to me? - Expression: 다른 색깔도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have this in other colors? - Expression: 비슷한 거 다른 디자인으로 있나요?
Pronunciation: bi-seut-han geo da-reun di-ja-in-eu-ro it-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have something similar in a different design? - Expression: 만져봐도 되나요?
Pronunciation: man-jyeo-bwa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: May I touch it? - Expression: 이건 어떤 용도로 쓰는 건가요?
Pronunciation: i-geon eo-tteon yong-do-ro sseu-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is this used for? - Expression: 이 지역 특산품인가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-yeok teuk-san-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a local specialty? - Expression: 작가 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: jak-ga i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the artist’s name? - Expression: 더 작은/큰 사이즈는 없나요?
Pronunciation: deo jak-eun/keun ssa-i-jeu-neun eop-na-yo?
Meaning: Don’t you have a smaller/larger size?
Purchasing Crafts
Ready to buy? Here are phrases for making a purchase.
- Expression: 이걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’ll take this one, please. - Expression: 이거 하나 살게요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ha-na sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll buy one of these. - Expression: 선물 포장 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: seon-mul po-jang hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you gift wrap this for me? - Expression: 신용카드 되나요?
Pronunciation: sin-yong-ka-deu doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards? - Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. - Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. - Expression: 조금 깎아주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum kkak-a-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me a little discount? (Use cautiously, often not applicable in fixed-price shops) - Expression: 배송도 가능한가요? (해외로)
Pronunciation: bae-song-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo? (hae-oe-ro)
Meaning: Is shipping available? (Internationally) - Expression: 이거 두 개 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geo du gae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me two of these. - Expression: 전부 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: jeon-bu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it all together? - Expression: 포장 좀 꼼꼼하게 해주세요. 깨지기 쉬워요.
Pronunciation: po-jang jom kkom-kkom-ha-ge hae-ju-se-yo. kkae-ji-gi swi-wo-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it carefully. It’s fragile. - Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e tto ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding a bit about the culture enhances the shopping experience.
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Appreciation for Craftsmanship: Korean traditional crafts often involve intricate techniques passed down through generations. Showing genuine interest and appreciation for the skill involved is well-regarded.
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Fixed Prices vs. Haggling: In established shops like department stores or designated craft centers (e.g., Insadong main street shops), prices are usually fixed. Haggling might be possible in smaller, independent workshops or some market stalls, but it’s not as common as in some other cultures. Observe first, and if you try, be polite.
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Regional Specialties: Different regions of Korea are known for specific crafts (e.g., Icheon for ceramics, Jeonju for Hanji paper). Asking about local specialties can lead you to unique finds.
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Gift-Giving: Crafts make popular gifts in Korea. If you mention you’re buying a gift (선물 – seon-mul), the shopkeeper might offer nicer wrapping (포장 – po-jang).
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“Service” (서비스): Sometimes, especially if you buy multiple items or show great appreciation, a shopkeeper might offer a small extra item as “service” (서비스 – seo-bi-seu). This is a gesture of goodwill.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is looking for a specific type of traditional Korean pottery in a craft shop. The shopkeeper (B) assists them.
Roles:
* A: Tourist
* B: Shopkeeper
- Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 혹시 청자 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. hok-si cheong-ja it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Hello. Do you happen to have any celadon pottery? - Expression: B: 네, 이쪽에 청자 종류가 있습니다. 어떤 걸 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, i-jjok-e cheong-ja jong-nyu-ga it-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon geol cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, we have various types of celadon over here. What kind are you looking for? - Expression: A: 선물용으로 작은 화병을 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: A: seon-mul-yong-eu-ro jak-eun hwa-byeong-eul chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’m looking for a small vase as a gift. - Expression: B: 아, 선물용이시면 이 학 무늬 청자 화병은 어떠세요? 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: B: a, seon-mul-yong-i-si-myeon i hak mu-nui cheong-ja hwa-byeong-eun eo-tteo-se-yo? in-gi-ga man-a-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, if it’s for a gift, how about this celadon vase with a crane pattern? It’s very popular. - Expression: A: 와, 정말 예쁘네요. 이건 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo. i-geon eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, it’s really beautiful. How much is this? - Expression: B: 그건 15만원입니다. 장인이 직접 만든 수공예품이에요.
Pronunciation: B: geu-geon sip-o-man-won-im-ni-da. jang-in-i jik-jeop man-deun su-gong-ye-pum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: B: That one is 150,000 won. It’s a handmade piece by a master craftsman. - Expression: A: 그렇군요. 이걸로 할게요. 선물 포장도 해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: geu-reot-gun-yo. i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo. seon-mul po-jang-do hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: A: I see. I’ll take this one. Can you gift wrap it too? - Expression: B: 네, 물론이죠. 예쁘게 포장해 드릴게요. 신용카드도 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, mul-lon-i-jyo. ye-ppeu-ge po-jang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo. sin-yong-ka-deu-do ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, of course. I’ll wrap it nicely for you. We accept credit cards as well.
Practice Tips
Finding and exploring a 전통공예품판매장 (jeon-tong-gong-ye-pum-pan-mae-jang) is a fantastic way to experience Korean culture! Try using these phrases next time you visit areas like Insadong in Seoul or cultural villages~. Don’t be shy about asking questions about the crafts; sellers often appreciate the interest! Practice asking for prices and making purchases. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
