Getting a suit custom-tailored is a worthwhile investment, especially in Korea where attention to detail and quality craftsmanship are highly valued. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for navigating the process of ordering a bespoke suit (맞춤 정장 – mat-chum jeong-jang), from the initial consultation to the final fitting and pickup.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
-
Expression: 정장 맞추다
Pronunciation: jeong-jang mat-chu-da
Meaning: To get a suit tailored (verb phrase)
Initial Consultation Phrases
-
Expression: 정장 맞추고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-jang mat-chu-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get a suit tailored. -
Expression: 맞춤 정장 가격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: mat-chum jeong-jang ga-gyeok-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How much is a custom-tailored suit? -
Expression: 예약해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ye-yak-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to make an appointment? -
Expression: 상담 좀 받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-dam jom bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’d like to have a consultation. -
Expression: 어떤 원단이 있나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon won-dan-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of fabrics do you have? -
Expression: 원단 샘플 좀 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: won-dan saem-peul jom bol su it-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I see some fabric samples? -
Expression: 제작 기간은 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: je-jak gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does the production (tailoring) take? -
Expression: 여기서 직접 만드시나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo jik-jeop man-deu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you make them here directly (on-site)? -
Expression: 맞춤 셔츠도 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: mat-chum syeo-cheu-do ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Are custom shirts also possible? -
Expression: 영업시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: yeong-eop-si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are your business hours? -
Expression: 가장 인기 있는 스타일은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang in-gi it-neun seu-ta-il-eun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the most popular style? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 정장을 주로 만드시나요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui jeong-jang-eul ju-ro man-deu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: What kind of suits do you mainly make?
Measurements and Fitting Phrases
-
Expression: 치수 좀 재 주세요.
Pronunciation: chi-su jom jae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take my measurements. -
Expression: 가봉하러 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: ga-bong-ha-reo wa-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m here for the fitting (basting). -
Expression: 입어봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: ib-eo-bwa-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I try this on? -
Expression: 팔 길이가 좀 짧은 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: pal gil-i-ga jom jjal-beun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the sleeve length is a bit short. -
Expression: 소매를 조금 늘려 주세요.
Pronunciation: so-mae-reul jo-geum neul-lyeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please lengthen the sleeves a little. -
Expression: 허리가 좀 큽니다. / 허리를 줄여 주세요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri-ga jom keum-ni-da. / heo-ri-reul jul-yeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: The waist is a bit big. / Please take in the waist. -
Expression: 어깨가 좀 끼는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae-ga jom kki-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the shoulders are a bit tight. -
Expression: 바지 기장을 줄여 주세요. / 바지 기장을 늘려 주세요.
Pronunciation: ba-ji gi-jang-eul jul-yeo ju-se-yo. / ba-ji gi-jang-eul neul-lyeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shorten the pants length. / Please lengthen the pants length. -
Expression: 이 부분은 좀 더 슬림하게 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun jom deo seul-lim-ha-ge hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make this part a bit slimmer. -
Expression: 가봉은 언제쯤 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ga-bong-eun eon-je-jjeum ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the fitting (basting) possible? -
Expression: 딱 맞는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ttak mat-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it fits perfectly. -
Expression: 수선이 필요한 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: su-seon-i pil-yo-han geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think it needs alterations.
Discussing Style and Customization
-
Expression: 싱글 브레스티드 정장으로 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sing-geul beu-re-seu-ti-deu jeong-jang-eu-ro hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it a single-breasted suit. -
Expression: 더블 브레스티드 스타일로 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: deo-beul beu-re-seu-ti-deu seu-ta-il-lo ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is a double-breasted style possible? -
Expression: 투 버튼으로 할게요.
Pronunciation: tu beo-teun-eu-ro hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll go with two buttons. -
Expression: 바지 밑단은 카브라/턴업으로 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ba-ji mit-dan-eun ka-beu-ra/teon-eop-eu-ro hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make the pant cuffs cuffed/turned up. (카브라 is loanword often used) -
Expression: 바지 밑단은 그냥 일자로 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ba-ji mit-dan-eun geu-nyang il-ja-ro hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make the pant cuffs plain (straight). -
Expression: 벤트는 사이드 벤트로 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ben-teu-neun sa-i-deu ben-teu-ro hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make the vent a side vent. -
Expression: 벤트는 센터 벤트로 해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ben-teu-neun sen-teo ben-teu-ro hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make the vent a center vent. -
Expression: 라펠은 노치드 라펠/피크드 라펠로 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: la-pel-eun no-chi-deu la-pel/pi-keu-deu la-pel-lo ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want notched lapels / peaked lapels. -
Expression: 이 원단으로 결정했어요.
Pronunciation: i won-dan-eu-ro gyeol-jeong-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’ve decided on this fabric. -
Expression: 단추는 이걸로 선택할게요.
Pronunciation: dan-chu-neun i-geol-lo seon-taek-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll choose these buttons. -
Expression: 안감 색깔은 이걸로 할게요.
Pronunciation: an-gam saek-kkal-eun i-geol-lo hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll choose this color for the lining. -
Expression: 안에 이니셜을 새겨 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: an-e i-ni-syeol-eul sae-gyeo ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you embroider initials inside? -
Expression: 조끼도 같이 맞추고 싶어요. (쓰리피스)
Pronunciation: jo-kki-do ga-chi mat-chu-go si-peo-yo. (sseu-ri-pi-seu)
Meaning: I’d like to get a vest tailored as well (three-piece suit).
Payment and Pickup Phrases
-
Expression: 총 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: chong eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is it in total? -
Expression: 계약금은 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak-geum-eun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the deposit? -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산하면 할인이 되나요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-ha-myeon hal-in-i doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I pay in cash? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 언제 찾으러 오면 될까요?
Pronunciation: eon-je cha-jeu-reo o-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: When should I come to pick it up? -
Expression: 완성되면 연락 주세요.
Pronunciation: wan-seong-doe-myeon yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please contact me when it’s finished. -
Expression: 택배로 보내주실 수 있나요? (배송비는 얼마인가요?)
Pronunciation: taek-bae-ro bo-nae-ju-sil su it-na-yo? (bae-song-bi-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?)
Meaning: Can you send it by courier? (How much is the shipping fee?) -
Expression: 잔금은 언제 지불하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: jan-geum-eun eon-je ji-bul-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When should I pay the remaining balance? -
Expression: 정장 찾으러 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-jang cha-jeu-reo wa-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m here to pick up the suit. -
Expression: 최종 확인해 볼게요.
Pronunciation: choe-jong hwak-in-hae bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll do a final check / try it on one last time. -
Expression: 아주 마음에 듭니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: a-ju ma-eum-e deum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I really like it. Thank you very much.
Korean Culture Notes
Emphasis on Fit and Appearance: In Korea, presenting a neat and well-put-together appearance (용모 단정 – yong-mo dan-jeong) is important, especially in professional settings. A well-tailored suit is seen as a sign of professionalism and self-respect.
The Importance of ‘Gah-bong’ (가봉): The fitting process, known as 가봉 (ga-bong), is crucial. Usually, there’s at least one, sometimes two, fitting sessions after the initial measurements to ensure the suit fits perfectly before final stitching. Don’t skip this step!
Building Rapport: Tailors often appreciate customers who show genuine interest in the craft. Building a good relationship (관계 형성 – gwan-gye hyeong-seong) can sometimes lead to better service or small perks. Politeness and respect are key.
Fabric Choices: Korean tailors offer a wide range of fabrics, from domestic options to high-end imports (like Italian or English wools). Discussing your budget and intended use (e.g., daily wear, special occasions) will help the tailor recommend suitable options.
Be Specific: While Korean tailors are skilled, clearly communicating your preferences regarding style, fit, and details (lapels, vents, buttons, lining) is essential to get the exact suit you envision. Bringing reference pictures can be very helpful.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) enters a tailor shop (맞춤 정장 가게 – mat-chum jeong-jang ga-ge) to inquire about getting a suit made.
Roles: A: Customer (고객 – go-gaek), B: Tailor (재단사 – jae-dan-sa)
-
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 맞춤 정장 문의 좀 드리려고 하는데요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, mat-chum jeong-jang mun-ui jom deu-ri-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello, I’d like to inquire about a custom-tailored suit. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 어떤 스타일을 찾으시나요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. eo-tteon seu-ta-il-eul cha-jeu-si-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, welcome. What style are you looking for? -
Expression: A: 네이비 색상으로 기본적인 비즈니스 정장을 맞추고 싶어요. 싱글 투 버튼 스타일로요.
Pronunciation: A: ne-i-bi saek-ssang-eu-ro gi-bon-jeok-in bi-jeu-ni-seu jeong-jang-eul mat-chu-go si-peo-yo. sing-geul tu beo-teun seu-ta-il-lo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’d like to get a basic business suit in navy blue. A single-breasted, two-button style. -
Expression: B: 좋습니다. 원단은 어떤 걸 생각하고 계신가요? 이쪽에서 샘플을 보시겠어요?
Pronunciation: B: jo-sseum-ni-da. won-dan-eun eo-tteon geol saeng-gak-ha-go gye-sin-ga-yo? i-jjok-e-seo saem-peul-eul bo-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: Certainly. What kind of fabric are you considering? Would you like to see samples over here? -
Expression: A: 네, 보여주세요. 가격대는 대략 어느 정도인가요? 그리고 제작 기간은요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, bo-yeo-ju-se-yo. ga-gyeok-ttae-neun dae-ryak eo-neu jeong-do-in-ga-yo? geu-ri-go je-jak gi-gan-eun-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, please show me. Approximately what is the price range? And the production time? -
Expression: B: 원단에 따라 다른데, 보통 [가격] 정도부터 시작합니다. 제작은 보통 3주 정도 걸리고, 중간에 가봉이 한 번 있습니다.
Pronunciation: B: won-dan-e tta-ra da-reun-de, bo-tong [ga-gyeok] jeong-do-bu-teo si-jak-ham-ni-da. je-jak-eun bo-tong sam-ju jeong-do geol-li-go, jung-gan-e ga-bong-i han beon it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: It depends on the fabric, but it usually starts from around [Price]. Production usually takes about 3 weeks, and there is one fitting session in the middle. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 우선 치수부터 재 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: al-get-sseum-ni-da. geu-reom u-seon chi-su-bu-teo jae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: I understand. Then, could you take my measurements first? -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽으로 오시죠. 편하게 서 계시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, i-jjok-eu-ro o-si-jyo. pyeon-ha-ge seo gye-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, please come this way. Just stand comfortably.
Practice Tips
Getting a suit tailored in Korea can be a fantastic experience! Don’t be intimidated by the language barrier~ Use these phrases as a starting point. Practice saying them out loud, focusing on the pronunciation for each syllable. You could even role-play the conversation with a friend or language partner!
Consider visiting a few tailor shops to get a feel for the atmosphere and practice asking initial questions. Many tailors, especially in areas frequented by foreigners, may have some English ability, but using Korean will definitely be appreciated and can help ensure you get exactly what you want. Good luck finding your perfect suit! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
