Getting clothes altered is common in Korea, whether it’s adjusting the size of a new purchase or repairing a favorite item. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for requesting clothing alterations, discussing issues, asking about costs, and understanding the process at a local alteration shop (수선집 – su-seon-jip).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 이 옷 수선 좀 맡기려고 하는데요.
Pronunciation: i ot su-seon jom mat-kki-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: I’d like to get these clothes altered. (A general phrase to start the conversation)
Basic Alteration Requests
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Expression: 바지 길이 좀 줄여주세요.
Pronunciation: ba-ji gi-ri jom jul-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shorten the length of these pants. -
Expression: 허리 좀 줄여주세요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri jom jul-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take in the waist. -
Expression: 소매 길이 좀 줄여주세요.
Pronunciation: so-mae gi-ri jom jul-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shorten the sleeve length. -
Expression: 통 좀 줄여주세요.
Pronunciation: tong jom jul-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please make it narrower (reduce the width). -
Expression: 이만큼 줄여주세요.
Pronunciation: i-man-keum jul-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please shorten it by this much. (Use gestures) -
Expression: 허리 좀 늘려주세요.
Pronunciation: heo-ri jom neul-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let out the waist. -
Expression: 단추 좀 달아주세요.
Pronunciation: dan-chu jom dal-a-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please sew on this button. -
Expression: 지퍼 좀 고쳐주세요.
Pronunciation: ji-peo jom go-chyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please fix the zipper. -
Expression: 찢어진 곳 좀 꿰매주세요.
Pronunciation: jjit-eo-jin got jom kkw-mae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please stitch up the torn part. -
Expression: 안감 수선해 주세요.
Pronunciation: an-gam su-seon-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please repair the lining. -
Expression: 어깨 패드 제거해 주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-kkae pae-deu je-geo-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please remove the shoulder pads. -
Expression: 밑단 처리해 주세요.
Pronunciation: mit-dan cheo-ri-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please hem the bottom.
Describing the Problem
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Expression: 여기가 찢어졌어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga jjit-eo-jeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s torn here. -
Expression: 단추가 떨어졌어요.
Pronunciation: dan-chu-ga tteol-eo-jeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The button fell off. -
Expression: 지퍼가 고장났어요.
Pronunciation: ji-peo-ga go-jang-nass-eo-yo.
Meaning: The zipper is broken. -
Expression: 옷이 너무 커요.
Pronunciation: os-i neo-mu keo-yo.
Meaning: These clothes are too big. -
Expression: 옷이 너무 작아요.
Pronunciation: os-i neo-mu jak-a-yo.
Meaning: These clothes are too small. -
Expression: 소매가 너무 길어요.
Pronunciation: so-mae-ga neo-mu gil-eo-yo.
Meaning: The sleeves are too long. -
Expression: 바지 기장이 너무 길어요.
Pronunciation: ba-ji gi-jang-i neo-mu gil-eo-yo.
Meaning: The pants length is too long. -
Expression: 구멍이 났어요.
Pronunciation: gu-meong-i nass-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a hole. -
Expression: 실밥이 터졌어요.
Pronunciation: sil-bab-i teo-jyeoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The seam has come undone / The stitching came loose. -
Expression: 이 얼룩 제거할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i eol-luk je-geo-hal su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can this stain be removed? (Note: Some alteration shops also do cleaning) -
Expression: 이 부분 수선 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun su-seon ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to repair this part?
Asking About Cost and Time
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Expression: 수선 비용이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: su-seon bi-yong-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much does the alteration cost? -
Expression: 이거 수선하는 데 얼마나 걸려요?
Pronunciation: i-geo su-seon-ha-neun de eol-ma-na geol-lyeo-yo?
Meaning: How long will it take to alter this? -
Expression: 언제 찾으러 오면 돼요?
Pronunciation: eon-je chaj-eu-reo o-myeon dwae-yo?
Meaning: When can I come pick it up? -
Expression: 오늘 안에 가능할까요?
Pronunciation: o-neul an-e ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to get it done today? -
Expression: 급하게 필요한데, 빨리 될까요?
Pronunciation: geup-ha-ge pil-yo-han-de, ppal-li doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: I need it urgently, can it be done quickly? -
Expression: 비용은 선불이에요, 후불이에요?
Pronunciation: bi-yong-eun seon-bul-i-e-yo, hu-bul-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is the payment upfront or upon pickup? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 맡길 때 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: mat-gil ttae gye-san-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay when I drop it off. -
Expression: 찾을 때 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: chaj-eul ttae gye-san-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay when I pick it up. -
Expression: 수선 전에 연락 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-seon jeon-e yeol-lak ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you contact me before starting the alteration? (If unsure about the method or cost) -
Expression: 다 되면 문자 주세요.
Pronunciation: da doe-myeon mun-ja ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please text me when it’s done.
Cultural Tips
Alteration shops, known as 수선집 (su-seon-jip), are very common in Korea, often found in residential areas, markets, or near clothing stores. Don’t be afraid to use them; they are usually quite affordable and skilled.
It’s helpful to wear the item (like pants or a skirt) you want altered or bring shoes you’ll wear with them so the tailor can pin it accurately. If you can’t wear it, clearly indicate the desired length or fit using gestures or marking the garment.
Most small neighborhood 수선집 prefer cash payments (현금 – hyeon-geum). While some larger or department store-based shops accept cards, it’s always good to have some cash handy, especially for minor repairs.
Turnaround times can vary. Simple alterations like hemming might be done the same day or within a day or two. More complex work will take longer. Always confirm the pickup date (찾는 날 – chat-neun nal).
Keep the claim ticket or receipt (영수증 – yeong-su-jeung or 보관증 – bo-gwan-jeung) they give you. You’ll need it to pick up your clothes later.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) brings a pair of new pants to a local alteration shop (수선집) to get them hemmed. The tailor (B) assists.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 이 바지 길이 좀 줄이려고요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, i ba-ji gi-ri jom jul-i-ryeo-go-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to shorten the length of these pants. -
Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요. 입어보시겠어요? 저쪽에 탈의실 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-seo o-se-yo. ib-eo-bo-si-gess-eo-yo? jeo-jjok-e tal-ui-sil iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, welcome. Would you like to try them on? There’s a fitting room over there. -
Expression: A: (입고 나온 후) 네, 입어봤어요. 이 정도 줄여주시면 될 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: (ib-go na-on hu) ne, ib-eo-bwass-eo-yo. i jeong-do jul-yeo-ju-si-myeon doel geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: (After trying them on) Yes, I’ve tried them on. Shortening them about this much should be fine. (Gestures to the desired length) -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. (핀으로 표시하며) 이 정도 맞으시죠?
Pronunciation: ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da. (pin-eu-ro pyo-si-ha-myeo) i jeong-do maj-eu-si-jyo?
Meaning: Okay, I understand. (Pinning the pants) Is this length correct? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋아요. 비용은 얼마예요? 그리고 언제 찾으러 오면 될까요?
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo. bi-yong-eun eol-ma-ye-yo? geu-ri-go eon-je chaj-eu-reo o-myeon doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, that’s good. How much is the cost? And when can I come pick them up? -
Expression: B: 길이 줄이는 건 5천원이고요, 내일 오후 3시 이후로 오시면 됩니다.
Pronunciation: gi-ri jul-i-neun geon o-cheon-won-i-go-yo, nae-il o-hu se-si i-hu-ro o-si-myeon doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Shortening the length is 5,000 won, and you can come pick them up tomorrow after 3 PM. -
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 내일 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-gess-seum-ni-da. nae-il boep-gess-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Okay, I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 여기 보관증이요.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi bo-gwan-jeung-i-yo.
Meaning: Yes, thank you. Here is your claim ticket.
Practice Tips
Getting clothes altered is a practical skill when living or traveling in Korea! Try practicing the core phrases first, like how to ask for basic hemming or waist adjustments~ You can even practice describing imaginary problems with your clothes at home.
Don’t be shy about using gestures! Pointing to the area (여기 – yeo-gi) and indicating the desired length or size (이만큼 – i-man-keum) is perfectly normal and helpful. Listen carefully to the tailor’s questions about cost (비용 – bi-yong) and pickup time (언제 찾으러 오면 돼요? – eon-je chaj-eu-reo o-myeon dwae-yo?).
Next time you buy clothes that don’t fit perfectly, or if you have an item needing repair, take it to a local 수선집 and try using these phrases! It’s a great real-world practice opportunity. Good luck! 화이팅!
