Navigating essential services like getting prescription eyeglasses in a new country requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides the key Korean phrases and cultural context needed when visiting an optician (안경점 – an-gyeong-jeom) in Korea to get new glasses (안경 맞추기 – an-gyeong mat-chu-gi). You’ll learn how to describe your vision, choose frames and lenses, and complete the process smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 안경 맞추다
Pronunciation: an-gyeong mat-chu-da
Meaning: To get glasses made (literally “to fit glasses”)
Visiting the Optician
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Expression: 안경 맞추러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-gyeong mat-chu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here to get glasses made. -
Expression: 시력 검사 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: si-ryeok geom-sa ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to have an eye exam. -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? -
Expression: 처방전 있어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-bang-jeon i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a prescription. -
Expression: 여기서 시력 검사 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo si-ryeok geom-sa ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get an eye exam here? -
Expression: 언제쯤 안경이 준비될까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum an-gyeong-i jun-bi-doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: About when will the glasses be ready? -
Expression: 안경테 좀 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: an-gyeong-te jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me some eyeglass frames. -
Expression: 콘택트렌즈도 취급하시나요?
Pronunciation: kon-taek-teu-ren-jeu-do chwi-geup-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also handle contact lenses? -
Expression: 보험 적용 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-heom jeok-yong doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is insurance applicable? -
Expression: 안경 수리도 해주시나요?
Pronunciation: an-gyeong su-ri-do hae-ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also repair glasses?
Describing Vision Problems
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Expression: 눈이 잘 안 보여요.
Pronunciation: nun-i jal an bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: I can’t see well. / My vision is poor. -
Expression: 가까운 게 잘 안 보여요. (원시)
Pronunciation: ga-kka-un ge jal an bo-yeo-yo. (won-si)
Meaning: I can’t see things up close very well. (Farsightedness) -
Expression: 먼 곳이 잘 안 보여요. (근시)
Pronunciation: meon go-si jal an bo-yeo-yo. (geun-si)
Meaning: I can’t see things far away very well. (Nearsightedness) -
Expression: 글씨가 흐릿하게 보여요.
Pronunciation: geul-ssi-ga heu-rit-ha-ge bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The letters look blurry. -
Expression: 난시가 있어요.
Pronunciation: nan-si-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have astigmatism. -
Expression: 눈이 자주 피곤해요.
Pronunciation: nun-i ja-ju pi-gon-hae-yo.
Meaning: My eyes get tired often. -
Expression: 이전 안경 도수 알려드릴까요?
Pronunciation: i-jeon an-gyeong do-su al-lyeo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I tell you my previous glasses prescription strength? -
Expression: 시력이 더 나빠진 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: si-ryeog-i deo na-ppa-jin geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think my eyesight has gotten worse. -
Expression: 빛 번짐이 심해요.
Pronunciation: bit beon-jim-i sim-hae-yo.
Meaning: I experience severe light glare/halos. -
Expression: 야간 운전이 불편해요.
Pronunciation: ya-gan un-jeon-i bul-pyeon-hae-yo.
Meaning: Driving at night is uncomfortable.
Choosing Frames and Lenses
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Expression: 이 안경테 써봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i an-gyeong-te sseo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I try on these frames? -
Expression: 더 가벼운 테는 없나요?
Pronunciation: deo ga-byeo-un te-neun eom-na-yo?
Meaning: Aren’t there any lighter frames? -
Expression: 다른 색깔도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal-do in-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other colors? -
Expression: 이 디자인은 어때요?
Pronunciation: i di-ja-in-eun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about this design? -
Expression: 렌즈 종류는 어떤 게 있나요?
Pronunciation: ren-jeu jong-nyu-neun eo-tteon ge in-na-yo?
Meaning: What kinds of lenses are there? -
Expression: 압축 렌즈로 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ap-chuk ren-jeu-ro hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make them with high-index (compressed) lenses. -
Expression: 블루라이트 차단 기능 추가해주세요.
Pronunciation: beul-lu-ra-i-teu cha-dan gi-neung chu-ga-hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please add the blue light blocking feature. -
Expression: 자외선 차단은 기본으로 들어가나요?
Pronunciation: ja-oe-seon cha-dan-eun gi-bon-eu-ro deu-reo-ga-na-yo?
Meaning: Is UV protection included by default? -
Expression: 가격대는 어느 정도인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-ttae-neun eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the price range? -
Expression: 이 테로 결정할게요.
Pronunciation: i te-ro gyeol-jeong-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll decide on these frames. -
Expression: 가장 얇은 렌즈로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ga-jang yal-beun ren-jeu-ro ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want the thinnest lenses possible.
Finalizing and Payment
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Expression: 안경은 언제 찾으러 오면 되나요?
Pronunciation: an-gyeong-eun eon-je cha-jeu-reo o-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I come to pick up the glasses? -
Expression: 총 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
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 the receipt. -
Expression: 안경 케이스랑 닦는 천도 주시나요?
Pronunciation: an-gyeong ke-i-seu-rang dak-neun cheon-do ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also provide a glasses case and cleaning cloth? -
Expression: 안경이 불편하면 다시 와도 되나요?
Pronunciation: an-gyeong-i bul-pyeon-ha-myeon da-si wa-do doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I come back if the glasses are uncomfortable? -
Expression: 연락처 남겨드릴까요?
Pronunciation: yeol-lak-cheo nam-gyeo-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I leave my contact information? -
Expression: 완성되면 연락 주세요.
Pronunciation: wan-seong-doe-myeon yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please contact me when they are ready. -
Expression: 할인 적용된 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin jeok-yong-doen ga-gyeog-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the price with the discount applied?
Korean Culture Notes
Speed and Efficiency: Korean optician shops (안경점 – an-gyeong-jeom) are known for their incredible speed. It’s often possible to get an eye exam and have new glasses made within an hour, sometimes even faster, especially for standard prescriptions. This is much quicker than in many Western countries.
Accessibility and Competition: You’ll find numerous optician shops in almost every neighborhood and shopping district in Korea. This high level of competition often leads to competitive pricing and frequent promotional offers on frames and lenses.
On-Site Eye Exams: Unlike some countries where you need a separate prescription from an ophthalmologist, most Korean optician shops have optometrists (검안사 – geom-an-sa) on-site who can perform eye exams (시력 검사 – si-ryeok geom-sa) right there before you choose your frames.
Lens Technology Focus: There’s a strong emphasis on lens technology. Opticians will often explain options like high-index (thin) lenses (압축 렌즈 – ap-chuk ren-jeu), blue light filters (블루라이트 차단 – beul-lu-ra-i-teu cha-dan), and UV protection (자외선 차단 – ja-oe-seon cha-dan).
Service and Adjustments: Post-purchase service is generally excellent. It’s common to return for free adjustments if the glasses don’t fit perfectly, or for minor repairs like replacing nose pads.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) enters an optician’s shop (안경점) to get new glasses and speaks with the optician (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 안경 맞추러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, an-gyeong mat-chu-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, I came here to get glasses made. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 시력 검사 먼저 해드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. si-ryeok geom-sa meon-jeo hae-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. Shall I perform an eye exam first? -
Expression: A: 네, 부탁드립니다. 요즘 먼 곳이 좀 흐릿하게 보여요.
Pronunciation: ne, bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da. yo-jeum meon go-si jom heu-rit-ha-ge bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, please. Lately, things far away look a bit blurry. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다. 이쪽으로 앉으세요. (검사 후) 네, 약간의 근시와 난시가 있으시네요. 안경테는 어떤 스타일을 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. i-jjok-eu-ro an-jeu-se-yo. (geom-sa hu) ne, yak-gan-ui geun-si-wa nan-si-ga i-sseu-si-ne-yo. an-gyeong-te-neun eo-tteon seu-ta-il-eul cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: Understood. Please sit over here. (After the exam) Yes, you have slight nearsightedness and astigmatism. What style of frames are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 가볍고 심플한 디자인이면 좋겠어요. 이 테 한번 써봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: ga-byeop-go sim-peul-han di-ja-in-i-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo. i te han-beon sseo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: I’d like a light and simple design. May I try these frames on? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 편하게 써보세요. 렌즈는 압축 렌즈에 블루라이트 차단 기능을 추가하시는 게 어떠세요? 컴퓨터 많이 사용하시면 눈 보호에 도움이 됩니다.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo. pyeon-ha-ge sseo-bo-se-yo. ren-jeu-neun ap-chuk ren-jeu-e beul-lu-ra-i-teu cha-dan gi-neung-eul chu-ga-ha-si-neun ge eo-tteo-se-yo? keom-pyu-teo ma-ni sa-yong-ha-si-myeon nun bo-ho-e do-um-i doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Of course. Try them on comfortably. For the lenses, how about adding high-index lenses with a blue light blocking feature? It helps protect your eyes if you use the computer a lot. -
Expression: A: 네, 그걸로 해주세요. 총 얼마인가요? 그리고 언제 찾으러 오면 될까요?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-geol-lo hae-ju-se-yo. chong eol-ma-in-ga-yo? geu-ri-go eon-je cha-jeu-reo o-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, please do that. How much is it in total? And when can I come pick them up? -
Expression: B: 총 15만원입니다. 안경은 30분 정도면 완성됩니다. 잠시 기다리시겠어요?
Pronunciation: chong sip-o-man-won-im-ni-da. an-gyeong-eun sam-sip-bun jeong-do-myeon wan-seong-doem-ni-da. jam-si gi-da-ri-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: The total is 150,000 won. The glasses will be ready in about 30 minutes. Would you like to wait for a moment? -
Expression: A: 네, 기다릴게요. 카드로 계산하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gi-da-ril-ge-yo. ka-deu-ro gye-san-ha-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, I’ll wait. I’ll pay by card.
Practice Tips
Getting glasses made involves several steps, so practice the phrases for each stage: stating your purpose, describing symptoms, trying on frames, discussing lenses, and asking about pickup/payment! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~
Listen carefully to how opticians (안경사 – an-gyeong-sa) speak and don’t hesitate to ask them to repeat (다시 말씀해 주시겠어요? – da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?) or speak slowly (천천히 말씀해 주시겠어요? – cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?). Visiting an actual Korean optician shop, even just to browse, can be great real-world practice!
