Exploring flea markets (벼룩시장) and second-hand markets (중고 시장) in Korea is a fantastic way to find unique items, practice your Korean, and experience local culture. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and tips for navigating these vibrant marketplaces, from asking prices and bargaining to inquiring about item conditions.
Table Of Content
Core Expressions
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Expression: 벼룩시장
Pronunciation: byeo-ruk-si-jang
Meaning: Flea market (literally “flea market”) -
Expression: 중고 시장
Pronunciation: jung-go si-jang
Meaning: Second-hand market (market for used goods) -
Expression: 중고품
Pronunciation: jung-go-pum
Meaning: Second-hand goods, used items
Basic Shopping Phrases
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 좀 둘러볼게요.
Pronunciation: jom dul-leo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll just look around for a bit. -
Expression: 이거 살게요.
Pronunciation: i-geo sal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll buy this. -
Expression: 다른 색깔도 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-kkal-do i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have this in other colors? -
Expression: 다른 사이즈 있어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun sa-i-jeu i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other sizes? -
Expression: 이거 한번 입어봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: i-geo han-beon i-beo-bwa-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I try this on? -
Expression: 현금만 받으세요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-man ba-deu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you only accept cash? -
Expression: 카드 돼요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu dwae-yo?
Meaning: Do you accept credit cards? -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt. -
Expression: 봉투 필요 없어요.
Pronunciation: bong-tu pi-ryo eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t need a bag. -
Expression: 이건 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i-geon mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is this? -
Expression: 구경 좀 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: gu-gyeong jom hae-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I look around?
Bargaining Phrases
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Expression: 좀 깎아주세요.
Pronunciation: jom kka-kka-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a discount. (Common bargaining phrase) -
Expression: 너무 비싸요.
Pronunciation: neo-mu bi-ssa-yo.
Meaning: It’s too expensive. -
Expression: 조금만 더 싸게 해주시면 안 될까요?
Pronunciation: jo-geum-man deo ssa-ge hae-ju-si-myeon an dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Couldn’t you make it a little cheaper? -
Expression: 현금으로 하면 할인돼요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro ha-myeon ha-rin-dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is there a discount if I pay with cash? -
Expression: 두 개 사면 할인해 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: du gae sa-myeon ha-rin-hae ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me a discount if I buy two? -
Expression: 제 예산은 [금액]원이에요.
Pronunciation: je ye-san-eun [geum-aek]-won-i-e-yo.
Meaning: My budget is [amount] won. -
Expression: 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: ma-ji-mak ga-gyeok-i eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the final price? -
Expression: 그럼 [금액]원에 주세요.
Pronunciation: geu-reom [geum-aek]-won-e ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Then please give it to me for [amount] won. -
Expression: 생각 좀 해볼게요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak jom hae-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: I’ll think about it. (Can be used politely if the price isn’t right) -
Expression: 최대한 깎은 가격이에요?
Pronunciation: choe-dae-han kka-kkeun ga-gyeok-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Is this the lowest possible price? -
Expression: 서비스로 뭐 더 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: seo-bi-seu-ro mwo deo ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you give me something extra as a service (freebie)?
Asking About Item Condition
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Expression: 이거 상태가 어때요?
Pronunciation: i-geo sang-tae-ga eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: What’s the condition of this? -
Expression: 사용한 지 얼마나 됐어요?
Pronunciation: sa-yong-han ji eol-ma-na dwae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How long has it been used? -
Expression: 흠집이나 얼룩 있어요?
Pronunciation: heum-jip-i-na eol-luk i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there any scratches or stains? -
Expression: 작동 잘 돼요?
Pronunciation: jak-dong jal dwae-yo?
Meaning: Does it work well? (For electronics/appliances) -
Expression: 수선한 적 있어요?
Pronunciation: su-seon-han jeok i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Has it ever been repaired/altered? (For clothing/items) -
Expression: 거의 새것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geo-ui sae-geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It looks almost new. -
Expression: 사용감이 좀 있어요.
Pronunciation: sa-yong-gam-i jom i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It shows some signs of use. -
Expression: 환불이나 교환 돼요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-i-na gyo-hwan dwae-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a refund or exchange? (Often not possible at flea markets) -
Expression: 자세히 봐도 될까요?
Pronunciation: ja-se-hi bwa-do dwel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I take a closer look? -
Expression: 이 부분은 괜찮아요?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun gwaen-cha-na-yo?
Meaning: Is this part okay? (Pointing to a specific area) -
Expression: 세탁했어요?
Pronunciation: se-tak-hae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Has this been washed/cleaned? (For clothes, fabrics)
Cultural Tips
Bargaining Culture: Bargaining (흥정 – heung-jeong) is common and often expected at traditional flea markets, though less so at organized or curated second-hand shops. Start politely with “좀 깎아주세요” (jom kka-kka-ju-se-yo). Don’t be overly aggressive; a friendly approach works best. Having a price in mind helps.
Cash is King: While some larger stalls or shops might accept cards, most vendors at traditional flea markets prefer cash (현금 – hyeon-geum). It’s wise to bring enough small bills and coins. Paying with cash can sometimes give you better leverage when bargaining.
Check Items Carefully: Since items are used (중고 – jung-go), inspect them thoroughly for damage, stains, or missing parts before purchasing. Sales are usually final (환불 불가 – hwan-bul bul-ga), meaning no refunds or exchanges.
Types of Markets: Korea has various types of second-hand markets. Traditional 벼룩시장 are often outdoors and sell everything imaginable. There are also specialized markets like vintage clothing markets (e.g., Dongmyo Flea Market in Seoul) and curated second-hand shops which might have fixed prices.
Go Early for Best Selection: Popular flea markets can get crowded. Arriving early often gives you the best chance to find unique items before they’re snapped up by other shoppers.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) is looking at a vintage jacket at a flea market stall run by a seller (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 이 재킷 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, i jae-kit eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Hello, how much is this jacket? -
Expression: B: 네, 그거 3만원이에요. 상태 아주 좋아요.
Pronunciation: ne, geu-geo sam-man-won-i-e-yo. sang-tae a-ju jo-a-yo.
Meaning: Yes, that one is 30,000 won. It’s in very good condition. -
Expression: A: 혹시 흠집이나 얼룩 같은 거 있어요?
Pronunciation: hok-si heum-jip-i-na eol-luk ga-teun geo i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Are there perhaps any scratches or stains? -
Expression: B: 아니요, 자세히 보세요. 거의 새것 같아요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, ja-se-hi bo-se-yo. geo-ui sae-geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: No, take a close look. It’s almost like new. -
Expression: A: 음… 조금 비싼 것 같은데… 혹시 2만 5천원에 주실 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: eum… jo-geum bi-ssan geot ga-teun-de… hok-si i-man o-cheon-won-e ju-sil su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Hmm… it seems a little expensive… Could you possibly give it to me for 25,000 won? -
Expression: B: 허허, 2만 8천원까지는 드릴 수 있어요. 정말 좋은 물건이라서요.
Pronunciation: heo-heo, i-man pal-cheon-won-kka-ji-neun deu-ril su i-sseo-yo. jeong-mal jo-eun mul-geon-i-ra-seo-yo.
Meaning: Haha, I can give it to you for 28,000 won. It’s a really good item. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 그럼 2만 8천원에 살게요. 현금으로 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-sseum-ni-da. geu-reom i-man pal-cheon-won-e sal-ge-yo. hyeon-geum-eu-ro deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Okay. Then I’ll buy it for 28,000 won. I’ll pay in cash. -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다! 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da! yeo-gi it-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, thank you! Here you go.
Practice Tips
Ready to hit the markets? Try practicing these phrases out loud first! Imagine you’re talking to a vendor~ Focus on getting the pronunciation right, especially for numbers and bargaining phrases. Visiting a local Korean market, even if you don’t buy anything initially, is great practice for listening and getting comfortable with the atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to try bargaining politely; it’s part of the fun! Good luck finding some treasures!
