Navigating a Korean grocery store, or 식료품점 (singnyopumjeom), is a practical skill for anyone living in or visiting Korea. This guide provides essential vocabulary and phrases for everything from finding items and asking about products to checking out, helping you shop confidently like a local.
Table Of Content
Essential Vocabulary
This section introduces the core term for grocery shopping.
- Expression: 장보기 (jangbogi)
Pronunciation: jang-bo-gi
Meaning: Grocery shopping (literally “market looking” or “market seeing”)
Finding What You Need
Use these phrases to locate items within the store.
- Expression: 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)
Pronunciation: shil-lye-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Excuse me. - Expression: [Item] 어디 있어요? ([Item] eodi isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: [Item] eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is [Item]? (e.g., 우유 어디 있어요? – uyu eodi isseoyo? – Where is the milk?) - Expression: 채소 코너는 어디예요? (chaeso koneoneun eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: chae-so ko-neo-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the vegetable section? - Expression: 과일은 어디에 있나요? (gwaireun eodie innayo?)
Pronunciation: gwa-i-reun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find the fruit? - Expression: 정육 코너를 찾고 있어요 (jeongyuk koneoreul chatgo isseoyo)
Pronunciation: jeong-yuk ko-neo-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo
Meaning: I’m looking for the meat section. - Expression: 유제품은 몇 층에 있어요? (yujepumeun myeot cheunge isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: yu-je-pum-eun myeot cheung-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: What floor are the dairy products on? - Expression: 냉동식품은 어디서 찾을 수 있나요? (naengdong sikpumeun eodiseo chajeul su innayo?)
Pronunciation: naeng-dong shik-pum-eun eo-di-seo cha-jeul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find frozen foods? - Expression: 통조림은 어느 통로에 있어요? (tongjorimeun eoneu tongnoe isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: tong-jo-rim-eun eo-neu tong-no-e i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Which aisle are the canned goods in? - Expression: 저쪽에 있어요 (jeojjoge isseoyo)
Pronunciation: jeo-jjo-ge i-sseo-yo
Meaning: It’s over there. - Expression: 이쪽으로 오세요 (ijjogeuro oseyo)
Pronunciation: i-jjo-geu-ro o-se-yo
Meaning: Please come this way. - Expression: 계산대는 어디예요? (gyesandaeneun eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: gye-san-dae-neun eo-di-ye-yo?
Meaning: Where is the checkout counter? - Expression: 카트는 어디에 있나요? (kateuneun eodie innayo?)
Pronunciation: ka-teu-neun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the shopping carts?
Asking About Products
Learn how to inquire about prices, freshness, and recommendations.
- Expression: 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? - Expression: 가격표가 어디 있어요? (gagyeokpyoga eodi isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-pyo-ga eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where is the price tag? - Expression: 더 싼 거 있어요? (deo ssan geo isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: deo ssan geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a cheaper one? - Expression: 이거 신선해요? (igeo sinseonhaeyo?)
Pronunciation: i-geo shin-seon-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is this fresh? - Expression: 유통기한이 언제까지예요? (yutonggihani eonjekkajiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: yu-tong-gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the expiration date? - Expression: 국산이에요? (guksan ieyo?)
Pronunciation: guk-san-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this domestic (Korean-produced)? - Expression: 수입산이에요? (suipsan ieyo?)
Pronunciation: su-ip-san-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this imported? - Expression: 어떤 게 제일 잘 나가요? (eotteon ge jeil jal nagayo?)
Pronunciation: eo-tteon ge je-il jal na-ga-yo?
Meaning: Which one sells the best? / Which one is most popular? - Expression: 추천해 주실 수 있어요? (chucheonhae jusil su isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-shil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend one? - Expression: 시식해 볼 수 있어요? (sisikhae bol su isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: shi-shik-hae bol su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can I try a sample? (Often available in larger marts) - Expression: 하나 더 주세요 (hana deo juseyo)
Pronunciation: ha-na deo ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me one more. - Expression: 이거 두 개 주세요 (igeo du gae juseyo)
Pronunciation: i-geo du gae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me two of these.
At the Checkout Counter
These phrases will help you navigate the payment process smoothly.
- Expression: 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo)
Pronunciation: gye-san-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please check me out / Ring me up. - Expression: 봉투 필요하세요? (bongtu piryohaseyo?)
Pronunciation: bong-tu pi-ryo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a bag? (Often asked by the cashier) - Expression: 네, 봉투 하나 주세요 (ne, bongtu hana juseyo)
Pronunciation: ne, bong-tu ha-na ju-se-yo
Meaning: Yes, please give me one bag. - Expression: 아니요, 괜찮아요 (aniyo, gwaenchanayo)
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, gwaen-chan-a-yo
Meaning: No, it’s okay (I don’t need a bag). - Expression: 봉투 얼마예요? (bongtu eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: bong-tu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the bag? (Plastic bags usually have a small fee) - Expression: 포인트 카드 있으세요? (pointeu kadeu isseuseyo?)
Pronunciation: po-in-teu ka-deu i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a points card/loyalty card? - Expression: 네, 있어요 (ne, isseoyo)
Pronunciation: ne, i-sseo-yo
Meaning: Yes, I have one. - Expression: 아니요, 없어요 (aniyo, eopseoyo)
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, eop-seo-yo
Meaning: No, I don’t have one. - Expression: 카드로 계산할게요 (kadeuro gyesanhalgeyo)
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. - Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요 (hyeongeumeuro gyesanhalgeyo)
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. - Expression: 영수증 주세요 (yeongsusjeung juseyo)
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. - Expression: 영수증은 버려주세요 (yeongsujeungeun beoryeojuseyo)
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung-eun beo-ryeo-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please throw away the receipt.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can enhance your shopping experience.
- Bag Fees: Most supermarkets in Korea charge a small fee (usually 50-100 KRW) for disposable plastic bags to encourage reusable bag usage. Cashiers will always ask if you need one: “봉투 필요하세요?” (bongtu piryohaseyo?). Bringing your own 장바구니 (jangbaguni – shopping bag) is common.
- Loyalty Programs: Point cards (포인트 카드 – pointeu kadeu) are very popular. Major supermarket chains have their own systems, and accumulating points can lead to discounts or vouchers. Cashiers frequently ask if you have one.
- Sampling (시식 – Sisik): Larger marts often have numerous sampling stations (시식 코너 – sisik koneo), especially on weekends. You can freely try samples of dumplings, sausages, drinks, fruits, and more. It’s a great way to discover new products. Don’t be shy!
- Store Types: Koreans shop at various places: large hypermarkets (대형 마트 – daehyeong mateu like E-Mart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus), smaller neighborhood supermarkets (동네 슈퍼 – dongne syupeo), convenience stores (편의점 – pyeonuijeom), and traditional markets (전통 시장 – jeontong sijang). Each offers a different selection and atmosphere.
- Bulk Buying & Sales: Look out for “1+1” (원플러스원 – wonpeulleoseuwon) or “2+1” deals, which are common buy-one-get-one or buy-two-get-one-free promotions, especially on snacks, drinks, and toiletries.
Real Conversation Example
This example shows a typical interaction when asking for help in a supermarket. Situation: A customer is looking for soy sauce in a Korean supermarket and asks an employee for assistance. Roles: A: Customer, B: Store Employee
- Expression: A: 실례합니다. 간장 어디 있어요? (sillyehamnida. ganjang eodi isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: shil-lye-ham-ni-da. gan-jang eo-di i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Excuse me. Where is the soy sauce? - Expression: B: 아, 간장이요? 저쪽 소스 코너에 있습니다. 이쪽으로 오세요. (a, ganjangiyo? jeojjok soseu koneoe itseumnida. ijjogeuro oseyo.)
Pronunciation: a, gan-jang-i-yo? jeo-jjok so-seu ko-neo-e it-seum-ni-da. i-jjo-geu-ro o-se-yo.
Meaning: Ah, soy sauce? It’s in the sauce section over there. Please come this way. - Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. (ne, gamsahamnida.)
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. - Expression: B: 여기 있습니다. 종류가 많은데, 어떤 걸 찾으세요? (yeogi itseumnida. jongnyuga maneunde, eotteon geol chajeuseyo?)
Pronunciation: yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. jong-nyu-ga man-eun-de, eo-tteon geol cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: Here it is. There are many kinds, which one are you looking for? - Expression: A: 음… 어떤 게 가장 일반적이에요? 그냥 보통 요리에 쓸 거예요. (eum… eotteon ge gajang ilbanjeogieyo? geunyang botong yorie sseul geoyeyo.)
Pronunciation: eum… eo-tteon ge ga-jang il-ban-jeo-gi-e-yo? geu-nyang bo-tong yo-ri-e sseul geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… Which one is the most common? I’ll just use it for regular cooking. - Expression: B: 그럼 이 진간장이 가장 무난합니다. 가격도 괜찮고요. (geureom i jinganjang-i gajang munanhamnida. gagyeokdo gwaenchanhgoyo.)
Pronunciation: geu-reom i jin-gan-jang-i ga-jang mu-nan-ham-ni-da. ga-gyeok-do gwaen-chan-go-yo.
Meaning: Then this ‘jinganjang’ (standard soy sauce) is the most standard. The price is reasonable too. - Expression: A: 아, 네. 이걸로 할게요. 얼마예요? (a, ne. igeollo halgeyo. eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: a, ne. i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo. eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Ah, okay. I’ll take this one. How much is it? - Expression: B: 네, 가격표 여기 있습니다. 4,500원입니다. (ne, gagyeokpyo yeogi itseumnida. sacheon-obaegwonimnida.)
Pronunciation: ne, ga-gyeok-pyo yeo-gi it-seum-ni-da. sa-cheon-o-baek-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, the price tag is here. It’s 4,500 won. - Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 고맙습니다! (algesseumnida. gomapseumnida!)
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. go-map-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: I understand. Thank you!
Practice Tips
The best way to master these phrases is to use them~! Try visiting a local Korean mart, even if it’s just to browse. Look at the signs, listen to announcements, and try asking a simple question like “우유 어디 있어요?” (Where is the milk?). Don’t worry about perfection; just practicing builds confidence! You can also role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. 화이팅! (Fighting! – You can do it!)
