Understanding how to inquire about discounts, especially for bulk purchases, is a valuable skill when shopping in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for shoppers asking cashiers about deals on toiletries, helping you navigate promotions and potentially save money on everyday items.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 대량 구매 할인 있나요?
Pronunciation: dae-ryang gu-mae hal-in it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a bulk purchase discount?
Asking About Deals and Quantity
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Expression: 이거 여러 개 사면 할인돼요?
Pronunciation: i-geo yeo-reo gae sa-myeon hal-in-dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I buy several of these? -
Expression: 묶음으로 사면 더 싼가요?
Pronunciation: muk-kkeum-eu-ro sa-myeon deo ssan-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it cheaper if I buy it as a bundle? -
Expression: 몇 개부터 할인이 적용돼요?
Pronunciation: myeot gae-bu-teo hal-in-i jeok-yong-dwae-yo?
Meaning: From how many items does the discount apply? -
Expression: 이 세면도구들 대량으로 사고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i se-myeon-do-gu-deul dae-ryang-eu-ro sa-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to buy these toiletries in bulk. -
Expression: 혹시 1+1 행사 하나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si il-peu-leol-seu-il haeng-sa ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you perhaps doing a 1+1 (buy one get one free) event? -
Expression: 2+1 행사 상품인가요?
Pronunciation: i-peu-leol-seu-il haeng-sa sang-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a 2+1 (buy two get one free) promotion item? -
Expression: 이 가격은 개당 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeok-eun gae-dang ga-gyeok-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this price per item? -
Expression: 세트로 사면 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: se-teu-ro sa-myeon eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it if I buy it as a set? -
Expression: 할인율이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: hal-in-yul-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the discount rate? -
Expression: 이 행사는 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: i haeng-sa-neun eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until when is this promotion valid? -
Expression: 다른 할인 혜택도 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun hal-in hye-taek-do it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any other discount benefits?
Common Toiletries Vocabulary
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Expression: 샴푸
Pronunciation: syam-pu
Meaning: Shampoo -
Expression: 린스 / 컨디셔너
Pronunciation: rin-seu / keon-di-syeo-neo
Meaning: Rinse / Conditioner -
Expression: 바디워시
Pronunciation: ba-di-wo-si
Meaning: Body wash -
Expression: 비누
Pronunciation: bi-nu
Meaning: Soap (bar) -
Expression: 치약
Pronunciation: chi-yak
Meaning: Toothpaste -
Expression: 칫솔
Pronunciation: chit-sol
Meaning: Toothbrush -
Expression: 세안제 / 클렌징폼
Pronunciation: se-an-je / keul-len-jing-pom
Meaning: Facial cleanser / Cleansing foam -
Expression: 면도기
Pronunciation: myeon-do-gi
Meaning: Razor -
Expression: 면도 크림 / 쉐이빙 폼
Pronunciation: myeon-do keu-rim / swe-i-bing pom
Meaning: Shaving cream / Shaving foam -
Expression: 휴지 / 화장지
Pronunciation: hyu-ji / hwa-jang-ji
Meaning: Tissue / Toilet paper -
Expression: 물티슈
Pronunciation: mul-ti-syu
Meaning: Wet wipes -
Expression: 세면도구
Pronunciation: se-myeon-do-gu
Meaning: Toiletries (general term)
Understanding the Cashier’s Response
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Expression: 네, 3개 이상 사시면 10% 할인됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, se-gae i-sang sa-si-myeon sip-peo-sen-teu hal-in-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, if you buy 3 or more, you get a 10% discount. -
Expression: 아니요, 이건 개별 할인은 없어요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, i-geon gae-byeol hal-in-eun eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: No, there’s no individual discount for this item. -
Expression: 이 상품은 지금 1+1 행사 중입니다.
Pronunciation: i sang-pum-eun ji-geum il-peu-leol-seu-il haeng-sa jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This product is currently part of a Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotion. -
Expression: 묶음 상품은 저쪽에 진열되어 있습니다.
Pronunciation: muk-kkeum sang-pum-eun jeo-jjok-e jin-yeol-doe-eo it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The bundled products are displayed over there. -
Expression: 대량 구매 할인은 따로 없습니다.
Pronunciation: dae-ryang gu-mae hal-in-eun tta-ro eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There isn’t a separate bulk purchase discount. -
Expression: 이 가격이 이미 할인된 가격입니다.
Pronunciation: i ga-gyeok-i i-mi hal-in-doen ga-gyeok-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This price is already the discounted price. -
Expression: 포인트 적립해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: po-in-teu jeok-rip-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I add points (to your loyalty card)? -
Expression: 총 금액은 [금액]원입니다.
Pronunciation: chong geum-aek-eun [geum-aek]-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: The total amount is [Amount] won. -
Expression: 영수증 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung pil-yo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a receipt? -
Expression: 봉투 필요하세요?
Pronunciation: bong-tu pil-yo-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you need a bag? (Often costs extra)
Cultural Tips
Bulk Buying Culture: Large supermarkets (마트 – ma-teu) like E-Mart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart are very popular in Korea and often feature significant discounts for bulk purchases, especially on household goods and toiletries. Look for items packaged in large quantities or special bundle deals.
1+1 and 2+1 Deals: “Buy One Get One Free” (1+1, 원 플러스 원 – won peu-leol-seu won) and “Buy Two Get One Free” (2+1, 투 플러스 원 – tu peu-leol-seu won) promotions are extremely common, particularly in supermarkets and convenience stores for items like drinks, snacks, and toiletries. Always check the signs!
Membership Points: Most large stores have loyalty programs. Cashiers will often ask “포인트 카드 있으세요?” (po-in-teu ka-deu i-sseu-se-yo? – Do you have a points card?). While tourists might not have one, it’s good to recognize the phrase.
Asking Politely: While asking for discounts is acceptable, especially regarding advertised deals or bulk buys, excessive haggling is generally not common practice in standard supermarkets or department stores (unlike traditional markets).
Plastic Bag Charges: Be aware that plastic shopping bags usually incur a small fee (around 50-100 won). Cashiers will ask if you need one (봉투 필요하세요? – bong-tu pil-yo-ha-se-yo?). Many Koreans bring reusable bags.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) is at the checkout counter of a large supermarket and wants to ask the cashier (B) about a potential discount on buying multiple tubes of toothpaste.
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Expression: A: 계산해 주세요. 아, 그리고 이 치약 여러 개 사면 혹시 할인 있나요?
Pronunciation: gye-san-hae ju-se-yo. a, geu-ri-go i chi-yak yeo-reo gae sa-myeon hok-si hal-in it-na-yo?
Meaning: Please ring this up. Oh, and if I buy several of these toothpastes, is there perhaps a discount? -
Expression: B: 잠시만요, 확인해 볼게요. … 네, 이 치약은 3개 사시면 1개 더 드리는 2+1 행사 상품이에요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo. … ne, i chi-yak-eun se-gae sa-si-myeon han-gae deo deu-ri-neun i-peu-leol-seu-il haeng-sa sang-pum-i-e-yo.
Meaning: One moment, let me check. … Yes, this toothpaste is a Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion item if you buy three. (Note: Often phrased as “if you buy 3, we give 1 more” even though it’s 2+1). -
Expression: A: 아, 정말요? 그럼 3개 주세요.
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? geu-reom se-gae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Oh, really? Then please give me three. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 총 3개 맞으시죠? 다른 필요하신 건 없으세요?
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. chong se-gae ma-jeu-si-jyo? da-reun pil-yo-ha-sin geon eop-seu-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, understood. A total of three, correct? Is there anything else you need? -
Expression: A: 네, 괜찮아요. 이걸로 계산해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, gwaen-chan-a-yo. i-geol-lo gye-san-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that’s fine. Please calculate this. -
Expression: B: 네. 포인트 카드 있으세요?
Pronunciation: ne. po-in-teu ka-deu i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Okay. Do you have a points card? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 없어요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: No, I don’t have one.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. When you visit a Korean supermarket or convenience store, pay attention to the promotional signs (especially 1+1 or 2+1 deals!) and listen to how cashiers interact with customers. Don’t be afraid to ask about deals using the phrases you’ve learned – it’s a common and practical part of shopping in Korea!
