Knowing how to ask about product availability and restocks is essential when shopping in Korea, especially for popular items like specific coffee flavors. This guide provides key Korean phrases and cultural context for inquiring about when an item will be back in stock, focusing on a scenario where a shopper asks a clerk about a popular coffee flavor.
Table Of Content
Core Expression: Asking About Restock Timing
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Expression: 이거 언제 다시 들어와요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eon-je da-si deu-reo-wa-yo?
Meaning: When will this be back in stock? (Literally: When does this come in again?)
Basic Store Inquiries
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Expression: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. (To get someone’s attention) -
Expression: 이거 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have this? -
Expression: 이 커피 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: i keo-pi chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for this coffee. -
Expression: 혹시 [상품명] 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [sa-ng-pum-myeong] iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, do you have [Product Name]? -
Expression: 이거 어디에 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-di-e iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where is this located? -
Expression: 이거 인기가 많아요?
Pronunciation: i-geo in-gi-ga man-a-yo?
Meaning: Is this popular? -
Expression: 계산은 어디서 해요?
Pronunciation: gye-san-eun eo-di-seo hae-yo?
Meaning: Where do I pay? -
Expression: 좀 도와주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jom do-wa-ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you help me for a moment? -
Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 다른 종류도 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jong-nyu-do iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Are there other kinds/types? -
Expression: 추천해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-hae ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend something? -
Expression: 구경 좀 할게요.
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jom hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll just look around.
Asking Specifically About Restocks
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Expression: 이 커피는 지금 품절인가요?
Pronunciation: i keo-pi-neun ji-geum pum-jeol-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this coffee sold out right now? -
Expression: 재고가 없어요?
Pronunciation: jae-go-ga eops-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there no stock? -
Expression: 언제쯤 다시 들어올까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-jjeum da-si deu-reo-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Around when might it come back in stock? -
Expression: 다음 입고일이 언제예요?
Pronunciation: da-eum ip-go-il-i eon-je-ye-yo?
Meaning: When is the next stocking date? -
Expression: 확인해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check for me? -
Expression: 이거 예약할 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo ye-yak-hal su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can I reserve this? -
Expression: 들어오면 연락 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: deu-reo-o-myeon yeol-lak ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you contact me when it comes in? -
Expression: 보통 언제 재입고돼요?
Pronunciation: bo-tong eon-je jae-ip-go-dwae-yo?
Meaning: When is it usually restocked? -
Expression: 완전히 단종된 건가요?
Pronunciation: wan-jeon-hi dan-jong-doen geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it completely discontinued? -
Expression: 다른 지점에는 재고가 있을까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun ji-jeom-e-neun jae-go-ga iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Might other branches have stock? -
Expression: 이거랑 비슷한 다른 커피는 없어요?
Pronunciation: i-geo-rang bi-seut-han da-reun keo-pi-neun eops-eo-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t there another coffee similar to this one? -
Expression: 재입고 알림 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jae-ip-go al-lim sin-cheong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I sign up for a restock notification?
Describing the Specific Coffee
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Expression: 이 바닐라 맛 커피요.
Pronunciation: i ba-nil-la mat keo-pi-yo.
Meaning: This vanilla-flavored coffee. -
Expression: 그 인기 많은 커피 있잖아요.
Pronunciation: geu in-gi man-eun keo-pi it-jan-a-yo.
Meaning: You know, that popular coffee. -
Expression: 여기서 제일 잘 나가는 커피요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo je-il jal na-ga-neun keo-pi-yo.
Meaning: The best-selling coffee here. -
Expression: 혹시 [브랜드 이름] 커피 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si [beu-raen-deu i-reum] keo-pi iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: By chance, do you have [Brand Name] coffee? -
Expression: 분말 커피 말고 원두 커피요.
Pronunciation: bun-mal keo-pi mal-go won-du keo-pi-yo.
Meaning: Not instant coffee, the coffee beans. -
Expression: 캡슐 커피 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: kaep-syul keo-pi chat-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for capsule coffee. -
Expression: 디카페인 커피 있어요?
Pronunciation: di-ka-pe-in keo-pi iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have decaffeinated coffee? -
Expression: 이 맛 말고 다른 맛은요?
Pronunciation: i mat mal-go da-reun mas-eun-yo?
Meaning: How about other flavors besides this one? -
Expression: 새로 나온 커피 맛인가요?
Pronunciation: sae-ro na-on keo-pi mas-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a newly released coffee flavor? -
Expression: 포장이 파란색인 커피요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-i pa-ran-saek-in keo-pi-yo.
Meaning: The coffee with the blue packaging. -
Expression: 유기농 커피 찾아요.
Pronunciation: yu-gi-nong keo-pi cha-ja-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for organic coffee. -
Expression: 전에 여기서 샀던 커피인데요.
Pronunciation: jeon-e yeo-gi-seo sat-deon keo-pi-in-de-yo.
Meaning: It’s the coffee I bought here before.
Potential Clerk Responses
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Expression: 네, 잠시만요. 확인해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: ne, jam-si-man-yo. hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, just a moment. I’ll check for you. -
Expression: 죄송하지만 지금 품절이에요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man ji-geum pum-jeol-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but it’s currently sold out. -
Expression: 다음 주에 들어올 예정이에요.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-e deu-reo-ol ye-jeong-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s scheduled to come in next week. -
Expression: 아직 입고 날짜가 정해지지 않았어요.
Pronunciation: a-jik ip-go nal-jja-ga jeong-hae-ji-ji an-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: The stocking date hasn’t been decided yet. -
Expression: 그 제품은 인기가 많아서 금방 나가요.
Pronunciation: geu je-pum-eun in-gi-ga man-a-seo geum-bang na-ga-yo.
Meaning: That product is very popular, so it sells out quickly. -
Expression: 이쪽으로 오시면 비슷한 제품이 있어요.
Pronunciation: i-jjok-eu-ro o-si-myeon bi-seut-han je-pum-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: If you come this way, there are similar products. -
Expression: 저희도 언제 들어올지 확실히 몰라요.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui-do eon-je deu-reo-ol-ji hwak-sil-hi mol-la-yo.
Meaning: We also don’t know for sure when it will come in. -
Expression: 아마 다음 달 초쯤 들어올 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-ma da-eum dal cho-jjeum deu-reo-ol geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: It will probably come in around the beginning of next month. -
Expression: 단종된 상품이라 더 이상 안 들어와요.
Pronunciation: dan-jong-doen sang-pum-i-ra deo i-sang an deu-reo-wa-yo.
Meaning: It’s a discontinued item, so it won’t be coming in anymore. -
Expression: 다른 지점에 있는지 확인해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun ji-jeom-e iss-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I check if other branches have it? -
Expression: 이 커피는 현재 재고가 하나 남았어요.
Pronunciation: i keo-pi-neun hyeon-jae jae-go-ga ha-na nam-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: There is currently one left in stock of this coffee. -
Expression: 찾으시는 제품이 이게 맞으신가요?
Pronunciation: cha-jeu-si-neun je-pum-i i-ge maj-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the product you are looking for?
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: Always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daet-mal) when speaking to store clerks. Phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/-seumnida) are standard. Starting with 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo) is a polite way to get attention.
Patience During Checks: If a clerk needs to check inventory (재고 확인 – jae-go hwa-gin), which might involve checking a computer system or the stockroom, be patient. A simple 네, 감사합니다 (ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da – Yes, thank you) shows appreciation.
Popular Items Sell Out Fast: Korea often has trending items, including specific food or drink flavors, that sell out very quickly due to high demand influenced by social media or promotions. Asking about restocks is common.
No Guarantee on Restock Info: Clerks may not always have precise information about restock dates, especially for imported goods or items with irregular delivery schedules. They will usually provide the best information they have.
Asking for Alternatives: If your desired item is unavailable, it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for recommendations for similar products (비슷한 거 추천해 주세요 – bi-seut-han geo chu-cheon-hae ju-se-yo).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) approaches a clerk (B) in a supermarket to ask about a specific, popular brand of vanilla-flavored coffee beans that seems to be out of stock.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 혹시 [커피 브랜드] 바닐라 맛 원두 커피 있어요?
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo, hok-si [keo-pi beu-raen-deu] ba-nil-la mat won-du keo-pi iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: A: Excuse me, by any chance, do you have [Coffee Brand] vanilla-flavored coffee beans? -
Expression: B: 아, 그 커피요. 잠시만요, 재고 확인해 볼게요. … 죄송하지만 지금 다 나갔네요.
Pronunciation: B: a, geu keo-pi-yo. jam-si-man-yo, jae-go hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo. … joe-song-ha-ji-man ji-geum da na-gan-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Ah, that coffee. Just a moment, I’ll check the stock. … I’m sorry, but it’s all sold out right now. -
Expression: A: 네… 그럼 언제 다시 들어와요? 인기가 많아서 그런지 항상 없네요.
Pronunciation: A: ne… geu-reom eon-je da-si deu-reo-wa-yo? in-gi-ga man-a-seo geu-reon-ji hang-sang eom-ne-yo.
Meaning: A: I see… Then when will it be back in stock? Maybe because it’s popular, it’s always unavailable. -
Expression: B: 네, 그게 워낙 인기가 많아서요. 보통 다음 주 화요일쯤 입고되는데, 확실하지는 않아요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-ge wo-nak in-gi-ga man-a-seo-yo. bo-tong da-eum ju hwa-yo-il-jjeum ip-go-doe-neun-de, hwak-sil-ha-ji-neun an-a-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, that one is indeed very popular. It usually gets restocked around Tuesday next week, but it’s not certain. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 다음 주에 다시 와 볼게요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom da-eum ju-e da-si wa bol-ge-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Understood. Then I’ll come back again next week. Thank you. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect~! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. You can also visit local Korean marts (if available) or browse online Korean shopping sites to see how products are listed and described. Pay attention to terms like 품절 (pum-jeol – sold out) or 재입고 예정 (jae-ip-go ye-jeong – planned restock). Don’t be afraid to use these phrases when you’re actually shopping in Korea – store staff are usually helpful! Good luck! 화이팅!
