Haggling is a common practice in many traditional Korean markets, especially when purchasing items like handmade goods. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for successfully negotiating the price of a handmade rug, helping you navigate the lively atmosphere of a Korean bazaar and potentially secure a better deal.
Table Of Content
Core Haggling Expression
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Expression: 깎아주세요
Pronunciation: kka-kka-ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me a discount. (This is the most direct and common phrase for asking for a lower price.)
Asking the Price and Initial Interest
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Expression: 이 수제 러그 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i su-je reo-geu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this handmade rug? -
Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? (General question) -
Expression: 수제 맞아요?
Pronunciation: su-je ma-ja-yo?
Meaning: Is it handmade? -
Expression: 정말 예쁘네요.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s really beautiful. -
Expression: 이 디자인 마음에 들어요.
Pronunciation: i di-ja-in ma-eu-me deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I like this design. -
Expression: 다른 색깔도 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal-do i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other colors? -
Expression: 다른 크기도 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun keu-gi-do i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other sizes? -
Expression: 이거 직접 만드신 거예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo jik-jeop man-deu-sin geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Did you make this yourself? -
Expression: 품질이 좋아 보여요.
Pronunciation: pum-ji-ri jo-a bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The quality looks good. -
Expression: 구경 좀 할게요.
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jom hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll just look around for a bit.
Negotiating the Price
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Expression: 너무 비싸요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu bi-ssa-yo.
Meaning: It’s too expensive. -
Expression: 조금만 깎아주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man kka-kka-ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Couldn’t you lower the price just a little? (Polite) -
Expression: 제 예산보다 조금 비싸네요.
Pronunciation: je ye-san-bo-da jo-geum bi-ssa-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit more expensive than my budget. -
Expression: [금액]원에 주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: [geu-maek]-won-e ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could you give it to me for [amount] won? (e.g., 오만원에 – o-man-won-e – for 50,000 won) -
Expression: 현금으로 내면 좀 더 싸게 해주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro nae-myeon jom deo ssa-ge hae-ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: If I pay in cash, can you give me a better price? -
Expression: 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ma-ji-mak ga-gyeo-gi eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s your final price? -
Expression: 다른 가게도 둘러보고 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-reun ga-ge-do dul-leo-bo-go ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll look around other shops and come back. (A common tactic) -
Expression: 두 개 사면 할인해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: du gae sa-myeon ha-rin-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: If I buy two, can you give me a discount? -
Expression: 여기 약간 흠집이 있네요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi yak-kan heum-ji-bi it-ne-yo.
Meaning: There’s a small scratch/flaw here. (Use carefully and politely) -
Expression: 그럼 [금액]원에 할게요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom [geu-maek]-won-e hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll take it for [amount] won. (Making a final offer)
Concluding the Purchase
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Expression: 좋아요, 이걸로 살게요.
Pronunciation: jo-a-yo, i-geol-lo sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll buy this one. -
Expression: 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it up. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. (Formal) -
Expression: 수고하세요.
Pronunciation: su-go-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Keep up the good work. (A common polite closing remark to vendors/workers) -
Expression: 다음에 또 올게요.
Pronunciation: da-eu-me tto ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come again next time. -
Expression: 깎아주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: kka-kka-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for the discount. -
Expression: 안녕히 계세요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo.
Meaning: Goodbye. (When you are leaving and the other person is staying)
Korean Culture Notes
Haggling Etiquette: Haggling (흥정 – heung-jeong) is acceptable and often expected in traditional markets (시장 – si-jang) like Namdaemun or Dongdaemun in Seoul, or Gukje Market in Busan, especially for items without fixed price tags. However, it’s generally not done in department stores, supermarkets, or modern boutiques.
Start with Politeness: Always begin interactions with a polite greeting (안녕하세요 – an-nyeong-ha-se-yo) and show genuine interest in the item before asking for a discount. Being friendly and smiling goes a long way.
Reasonable Expectations: Don’t expect huge discounts, especially on handmade items where significant labor is involved. Aim for a small reduction (perhaps 10-20%) rather than trying to drastically slash the price. Offering an unreasonably low price can be considered rude.
Cash is Preferred: Vendors often prefer cash (현금 – hyeon-geum) as it avoids card fees. Offering to pay in cash can sometimes be a leverage point for a slightly better discount.
Know When to Stop: If the vendor firmly states their final price (마지막 가격 – ma-ji-mak ga-gyeok), respect it. Pushing too hard can create an uncomfortable situation. It’s okay to politely decline and walk away if the price doesn’t meet your budget.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is looking at a handmade rug in a traditional Korean market stall run by a vendor (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이 러그 정말 예쁘네요. 수제 맞죠?
Pronunciation: An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i reo-geu jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo. su-je mat-jyo?
Meaning: Hello. This rug is really beautiful. It’s handmade, right? -
Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 제가 직접 디자인하고 만든 거예요. 품질 아주 좋아요.
Pronunciation: Ne, geu-reom-yo. je-ga jik-jeop di-ja-in-ha-go man-deun geo-ye-yo. pum-jil a-ju jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, of course. I designed and made it myself. The quality is very good. -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아 보여요. 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: Ne, jo-a bo-yeo-yo. eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Yes, it looks good. How much is it? -
Expression: B: 그건 십오만원이에요.
Pronunciation: Geu-geon si-bo-man-won-i-e-yo.
Meaning: That one is 150,000 won. -
Expression: A: 아… 조금 비싸네요. 혹시 좀 깎아주실 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: A… jo-geum bi-ssa-ne-yo. hok-si jom kka-kka-ju-sil su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Ah… it’s a bit expensive. Could you possibly give me a little discount? -
Expression: B: 흠… 수제라서요. 그럼 특별히 십사만원에 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: Heum… su-je-ra-seo-yo. geu-reom teuk-byeo-ri sip-sa-man-won-e deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Hmm… because it’s handmade. Okay, specially for you, I’ll give it for 140,000 won. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다! 혹시 현금으로 내면 조금 더 가능할까요? 십이만원은 어때요?
Pronunciation: Gam-sa-ham-ni-da! hok-si hyeon-geum-eu-ro nae-myeon jo-geum deo ga-neung-hal-kka-yo? si-bi-man-won-eun eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: Thank you! If I pay in cash, is a little more possible? How about 120,000 won? -
Expression: B: 아이고, 십이만원은 너무 힘들어요. 마지막 가격으로 십삼만원까지 해드릴게요. 이게 최선이에요.
Pronunciation: Ai-go, si-bi-man-won-eun neo-mu him-deu-reo-yo. ma-ji-mak ga-gyeo-geu-ro sip-sam-man-won-kka-ji hae-deu-ril-ge-yo. i-ge choe-seo-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: Oh dear, 120,000 won is too difficult. As a final price, I can do it for 130,000 won. That’s the best I can do. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 십삼만원에 살게요. 현금으로 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: Al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom sip-sam-man-won-e sal-ge-yo. hyeon-geum-eu-ro deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. Then I’ll buy it for 130,000 won. I’ll give you cash. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다! 예쁘게 포장해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: Ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! ye-ppeu-ge po-jang-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Yes, thank you! I’ll wrap it nicely for you.
Practice Tips
Mastering haggling takes practice and confidence! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Visiting actual Korean markets, even just to observe interactions first, can be very helpful. Don’t be afraid to use simple phrases like 얼마예요? (eol-ma-ye-yo?) and 깎아주세요 (kka-kka-ju-se-yo) to start. Remember to stay polite and friendly throughout the process. Good luck finding beautiful handmade treasures in Korea! Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!)
