Navigating the vibrant atmosphere of a Korean traditional market (전통시장 – jeontong sijang) often includes the exciting possibility of haggling for a better price. This guide provides essential Korean expressions and cultural insights for successfully bargaining prices in these bustling marketplaces, helping you get good deals while enjoying the cultural experience.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most fundamental phrase for asking for a discount.
- Expression: 깎아주세요.
Pronunciation: Kkak-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a discount. (Literally: Please cut it down for me.)
Starting the Haggle
Begin the interaction politely and inquire about the price.
- Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: I-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? - Expression: 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: Ga-gyeog-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the price? (Slightly more formal) - Expression: 좀 비싸네요.
Pronunciation: Jom bi-ssa-ne-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit expensive. - Expression: 생각보다 비싸요.
Pronunciation: Saeng-gak-bo-da bi-ssa-yo.
Meaning: It’s more expensive than I thought. - Expression: 혹시 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: Hok-si hal-in-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there perhaps a discount available? - Expression: 조금만 깎아주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: Jo-geum-man kkak-a-ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you lower the price just a little? - Expression: 다른 곳에서는 더 싸던데요.
Pronunciation: Da-reun got-e-seo-neun deo ssa-deon-de-yo.
Meaning: It was cheaper at other places. - Expression: 예산이 좀 부족해서요.
Pronunciation: Ye-san-i jom bu-jok-hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: My budget is a bit tight. - Expression: 현금으로 내면 할인되나요?
Pronunciation: Hyeon-geum-eu-ro nae-myeon hal-in-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I pay with cash? - Expression: 많이 사면 할인해 주시나요?
Pronunciation: Man-i sa-myeon hal-in-hae ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you give a discount if I buy a lot? - Expression: 단골 될게요!
Pronunciation: Dan-gol doel-ge-yo!
Meaning: I’ll become a regular customer! - Expression: 그냥 구경하는 거예요.
Pronunciation: Geu-nyang gu-gyeong-ha-neun geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I’m just looking around.
Asking for Specific Discounts
Be more direct about the discount you are seeking.
- Expression: 조금 더 깎아주세요.
Pronunciation: Jo-geum deo kkak-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a little more discount. - Expression: [금액]원에 주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: [Geum-aek]-won-e ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could you give it to me for [Amount] won? (e.g., 만원에 주시면 안 될까요? – Man-won-e ju-si-myeon an doel-kka-yo? – Could you give it to me for 10,000 won?) - Expression: 딱 [금액]원만 깎아주세요.
Pronunciation: Ttak [Geum-aek]-won-man kkak-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please discount it by exactly [Amount] won. - Expression: 이게 최종 가격인가요?
Pronunciation: I-ge choe-jong ga-gyeog-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this the final price? - Expression: 더 이상 할인은 안 되나요?
Pronunciation: Deo i-sang hal-in-eun an doe-na-yo?
Meaning: No more discounts are possible? - Expression: 그럼 [금액]원은 어떠세요?
Pronunciation: Geu-reom [Geum-aek]-won-eun eo-tteo-se-yo?
Meaning: Then how about [Amount] won? (Making a counter-offer) - Expression: 서비스로 뭐 더 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: Seo-bi-seu-ro mwo deo ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me something extra as a service (freebie)? - Expression: 두 개 사면 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: Du gae sa-myeon eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is it if I buy two? - Expression: 학생 할인 있어요?
Pronunciation: Hak-saeng hal-in iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Is there a student discount? - Expression: 너무 비싸서 못 사겠어요.
Pronunciation: Neo-mu bi-ssa-seo mot sa-gess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s too expensive, so I can’t buy it. - Expression: 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: Ma-ji-mak ga-gyeog-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s your last price? - Expression: 좀 더 싸게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Jom deo ssa-ge hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it a bit cheaper.
Responding and Closing the Deal
React to the vendor’s offer and finalize the purchase or politely decline.
- Expression: 네, 그걸로 주세요.
Pronunciation: Ne, geu-geol-lo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I’ll take that one. - Expression: 좋아요, 살게요.
Pronunciation: Jo-a-yo, sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay, I’ll buy it. - Expression: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: Gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. - Expression: 그럼 [제시된 가격]원에 주세요.
Pronunciation: Geu-reom [je-si-doen ga-gyeok]-won-e ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Then please give it to me for [offered price] won. - Expression: 아, 그래요? 그럼 그냥 주세요.
Pronunciation: A, geu-rae-yo? Geu-reom geu-nyang ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Oh, really? Then just give it to me (at the current price). - Expression: 조금만 더 생각해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: Jo-geum-man deo saeng-gak-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll think about it a little more. - Expression: 다음에 다시 올게요.
Pronunciation: Da-eum-e da-si ol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll come back next time. - Expression: 죄송하지만 너무 비싸네요.
Pronunciation: Joe-song-ha-ji-man neo-mu bi-ssa-ne-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but it’s too expensive. - Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: Ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. - Expression: 포장해 주세요.
Pronunciation: Po-jang-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wrap it up / Please pack it. - Expression: 봉투 필요 없어요.
Pronunciation: Bong-tu pil-yo eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t need a bag. - Expression: 여기 있습니다. (돈을 건네며)
Pronunciation: Yeo-gi iss-seum-ni-da. (don-eul geon-ne-myeo)
Meaning: Here you go. (When handing over money)
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the cultural context is key to successful and polite haggling.
- Where to Haggle: Haggling is generally acceptable and expected in traditional markets (시장 – sijang) and some smaller independent shops. It is not appropriate in department stores, supermarkets, chain stores, or restaurants.
- Be Polite and Smile: Approach haggling with a friendly attitude. Being overly aggressive or demanding is considered rude. A smile goes a long way. Use polite language endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-mnida/seumnida).
- Reasonable Expectations: Don’t expect huge discounts. Aiming for 10-20% off might be reasonable, depending on the item and vendor. Starting with an extremely low offer can be offensive.
- Cash is Often Preferred: While cards are widely accepted in Korea, vendors in traditional markets often prefer cash, especially for discounted prices, as it avoids card fees. Having cash might give you slightly more bargaining power. Mentioning you’ll pay in cash (현금으로 낼게요 – hyeon-geum-eu-ro nael-ge-yo) can sometimes help.
- Know When to Walk Away: If the vendor isn’t willing to meet your price, it’s perfectly acceptable to politely thank them (감사합니다 – Gamsahamnida) and walk away. Sometimes, this might prompt a final, lower offer.
- Build Rapport: Engaging in brief, friendly conversation before asking for a discount can sometimes help. Showing genuine interest in the product or the vendor’s craft is appreciated.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer is looking at a scarf in a traditional market stall.
Roles: A: Customer (손님 – Sonnim), B: Vendor (상인 – Sang-in)
- Expression: A: 이 스카프 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: I seu-ka-peu eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this scarf? - Expression: B: 그거 2만원이에요. 아주 질 좋아요.
Pronunciation: Geu-geo i-man-won-i-e-yo. A-ju jil jo-a-yo.
Meaning: That one is 20,000 won. The quality is very good. - Expression: A: 아, 예쁘긴 한데 좀 비싸네요. 혹시 조금 깎아주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: A, ye-ppeu-gin han-de jom bi-ssa-ne-yo. Hok-si jo-geum kkak-a-ju-sil su iss-eo-yo?
Meaning: Ah, it’s pretty, but it’s a bit expensive. Could you perhaps give me a little discount? - Expression: B: 허허, 그럼 18,000원에 드릴게요. 현금으로 하시면요.
Pronunciation: Heo-heo, geu-reom man-pal-cheon-won-e deu-ril-ge-yo. Hyeon-geum-eu-ro ha-si-myeon-yo.
Meaning: Haha, okay then, I’ll give it to you for 18,000 won. If you pay with cash. - Expression: A: 만 오천 원은 어떠세요? 제가 오늘 예산이 많지 않아서요.
Pronunciation: Man o-cheon won-eun eo-tteo-se-yo? Je-ga o-neul ye-san-i man-chi an-a-seo-yo.
Meaning: How about 15,000 won? My budget isn’t very big today. - Expression: B: 아이고, 그건 너무 힘든데… 알았어요. 오늘 첫 손님이시니까 15,000원에 드릴게요!
Pronunciation: Ai-go, geu-geon neo-mu him-deun-de… Ar-ass-eo-yo. O-neul cheot son-nim-i-si-ni-kka man-o-cheon-won-e deu-ril-ge-yo!
Meaning: Aigo, that’s really difficult… Okay. Since you’re the first customer today, I’ll give it to you for 15,000 won! - Expression: A: 와, 정말 감사합니다! 이걸로 주세요. 여기 현금이요.
Pronunciation: Wa, jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da! I-geol-lo ju-se-yo. Yeo-gi hyeon-geum-i-yo.
Meaning: Wow, thank you so much! I’ll take this one. Here’s the cash. - Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 예쁘게 하세요!
Pronunciation: Ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. Ye-ppeu-ge ha-se-yo!
Meaning: Yes, thank you. Use it prettily! (Wear it well!)
Practice Tips
Mastering the art of haggling takes practice! Try role-playing with a friend or language partner first~. When you visit a Korean market, observe how locals interact with vendors. Don’t be afraid to try asking for a small discount on an item you genuinely want to buy. Remember to always be polite and respectful! Even if you don’t get a discount every time, practicing these phrases will boost your confidence and make your market experience more engaging! 화이팅! (Hwaiting! – You can do it!)
