When exploring Korean markets or shops selling handmade goods, you might encounter beautiful candles. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for tourists wanting to ask vendors about the scent of a handmade candle, helping you understand the product better and make informed purchases.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 향초는 무슨 향이에요?
Pronunciation: i hyang-cho-neun mu-seun hyang-i-e-yo?
Meaning: What scent is this candle?
Basic Questions about Candles
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Expression: 이거 향초 맞아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo hyang-cho ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is this a scented candle? -
Expression: 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did you make this yourself? (Is it handmade?) -
Expression: 향을 맡아봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: hyang-eul ma-ta-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I smell the scent? -
Expression: 이 향초 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i hyang-cho eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this candle? -
Expression: 다른 향도 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun hyang-do i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other scents? -
Expression: 어떤 향이 제일 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon hyang-i je-il in-gi-ga ma-na-yo?
Meaning: Which scent is the most popular? -
Expression: 이 향초는 성분이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i hyang-cho-neun seong-bun-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are the ingredients of this candle? -
Expression: 천연 재료로 만들었어요?
Pronunciation: cheon-yeon jae-ryo-ro man-deu-reo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is it made with natural ingredients? -
Expression: 얼마나 오래 타요?
Pronunciation: eol-ma-na o-rae ta-yo?
Meaning: How long does it burn? (Burn time) -
Expression: 선물 포장도 가능해요?
Pronunciation: seon-mul po-jang-do ga-neung-hae-yo?
Meaning: Is gift wrapping available? -
Expression: 이 향은 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i hyang-eun i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the name of this scent? -
Expression: 혹시 샘플 향 맡아볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hok-si saem-peul hyang ma-ta-bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I possibly smell a sample scent?
Describing Scents
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Expression: 달콤한 향
Pronunciation: dal-kom-han hyang
Meaning: Sweet scent -
Expression: 상큼한 향
Pronunciation: sang-keum-han hyang
Meaning: Refreshing/zesty scent -
Expression: 꽃 향
Pronunciation: kkot hyang
Meaning: Floral scent -
Expression: 나무 향 (우디 향)
Pronunciation: na-mu hyang (u-di hyang)
Meaning: Woody scent -
Expression: 시원한 향
Pronunciation: si-won-han hyang
Meaning: Cool/fresh scent -
Expression: 은은한 향
Pronunciation: eun-eun-han hyang
Meaning: Subtle/gentle scent -
Expression: 강한 향
Pronunciation: gang-han hyang
Meaning: Strong scent -
Expression: 허브 향
Pronunciation: heo-beu hyang
Meaning: Herbal scent -
Expression: 과일 향
Pronunciation: gwa-il hyang
Meaning: Fruity scent -
Expression: 편안해지는 향
Pronunciation: pyeon-an-hae-ji-neun hyang
Meaning: Relaxing scent -
Expression: 독특한 향
Pronunciation: dok-teuk-han hyang
Meaning: Unique scent -
Expression: 향이 좋아요.
Pronunciation: hyang-i jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The scent is nice.
Possible Vendor Responses
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Expression: 네, 향초 맞아요.
Pronunciation: ne, hyang-cho ma-ja-yo.
Meaning: Yes, it’s a scented candle. -
Expression: 이건 라벤더 향이에요.
Pronunciation: i-geon ra-ben-deo hyang-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This is a lavender scent. -
Expression: 네, 직접 만든 수제 향초입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jik-jeop man-deun su-je hyang-cho-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it’s a handmade candle I made myself. -
Expression: 그럼요, 향 맡아보세요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo, hyang ma-ta-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Of course, please smell the scent. -
Expression: 이 향은 아주 인기가 많아요.
Pronunciation: i hyang-eun a-ju in-gi-ga ma-na-yo.
Meaning: This scent is very popular. -
Expression: 천연 소이 왁스로 만들었어요.
Pronunciation: cheon-yeon so-i waek-seu-ro man-deu-reo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s made with natural soy wax. -
Expression: 가격은 만 오천 원입니다.
Pronunciation: ga-gyeok-eun man o-cheon won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The price is 15,000 won. -
Expression: 다른 향도 저쪽에 많이 있어요.
Pronunciation: da-reun hyang-do jeo-jjo-ge ma-ni i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There are many other scents over there. -
Expression: 이건 은은한 꽃 향이에요.
Pronunciation: i-geon eun-eun-han kkot hyang-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This is a subtle floral scent. -
Expression: 네, 선물 포장 해 드릴 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, seon-mul po-jang hae deu-ril su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I can gift wrap it for you. -
Expression: 약 40시간 정도 탈 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: yak sa-sip-si-gan jeong-do tal su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It can burn for about 40 hours. -
Expression: 이 향은 ‘숲 속의 아침’이라는 이름이에요.
Pronunciation: i hyang-eun ‘sup so-gui a-chim’-i-ra-neun i-reum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This scent is named ‘Forest Morning’.
Cultural Tips
Politeness is Key: Always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when speaking to vendors, especially if they are older than you. Using phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/seumnida) is recommended.
Ask Before Touching/Smelling: While vendors are usually happy to let you examine products, it’s polite to ask permission before picking up items or smelling candles directly. Use phrases like 향을 맡아봐도 될까요? (hyang-eul ma-ta-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?) – May I smell the scent?
Fixed Prices vs. Bargaining: In established shops or stalls with clearly marked prices, bargaining is generally not common or expected. However, in traditional markets (시장 – si-jang), slight bargaining might be possible, especially if buying multiple items, but approach it politely and respectfully.
Showing Appreciation: Whether you buy something or not, thanking the vendor (감사합니다 – gam-sa-ham-ni-da) for their time and help is a courteous gesture.
Handmade Value: Koreans often appreciate handmade (수제 – su-je) items. Acknowledging the craftsmanship can be a nice way to connect with the vendor.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is looking at handmade candles at a vendor’s stall (B) in a craft market.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 향초들 정말 예쁘네요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i hyang-cho-deul jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. These candles are really pretty. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 제가 직접 만든 거예요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. je-ga jik-jeop man-deun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you. I made them myself. -
Expression: A: 와, 대단하세요! 혹시 이 파란색 향초는 무슨 향이에요?
Pronunciation: A: wa, dae-dan-ha-se-yo! hok-si i pa-ran-saek hyang-cho-neun mu-seun hyang-i-e-yo?
Meaning: A: Wow, that’s amazing! By any chance, what scent is this blue candle? -
Expression: B: 아, 그건 ‘바다 바람’ 향이에요. 아주 시원하고 상큼한 향이죠. 맡아보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-geon ‘ba-da ba-ram’ hyang-i-e-yo. a-ju si-won-ha-go sang-keum-han hyang-i-jyo. ma-ta-bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: Ah, that one is ‘Sea Breeze’ scent. It’s a very cool and refreshing scent. Would you like to smell it? -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다. (향을 맡고) 음, 정말 시원하네요! 마음에 들어요. 이건 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. (hyang-eul mat-go) eum, jeong-mal si-won-ha-ne-yo! ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo. i-geon eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you. (Smells the candle) Mmm, it’s really refreshing! I like it. How much is this one? -
Expression: B: 그건 이만 원입니다. 천연 소이 왁스로 만들어서 오래 타요.
Pronunciation: B: geu-geon i-man won-im-ni-da. cheon-yeon so-i waek-seu-ro man-deu-reo-seo o-rae ta-yo.
Meaning: B: That one is 20,000 won. It’s made with natural soy wax, so it burns for a long time. -
Expression: A: 좋네요! 이걸로 하나 주세요.
Pronunciation: A: jon-ne-yo! i-geol-lo ha-na ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Sounds good! Please give me one of these. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다! 예쁘게 포장해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! ye-ppeu-ge po-jang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you! I’ll wrap it nicely for you.
Practice Tips
Practice asking about scents using the core phrase 이건 무슨 향이에요? (i-geon mu-seun hyang-i-e-yo?)~ You can practice describing scents you encounter daily, like coffee (커피 향 – keo-pi hyang) or flowers (꽃 향 – kkot hyang)!
Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. One person can be the tourist, and the other can be the vendor. Switch roles to practice both sides!
When you visit shops or markets in Korea (or even Korean stores in your area), try to use these phrases if you see candles or other scented products. Real-life practice is the best way to improve! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)
