Navigating the vibrant world of Korean cosmetics stores, known as ‘화장품 가게’ (hwajangpum gage), requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for finding products, asking questions, and making purchases confidently in any Korean beauty shop. You’ll learn how to interact with staff, inquire about products, and complete your transaction smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the fundamental term you need to know when looking for a place to buy beauty products.
- Expression: 화장품 가게 (hwajangpum gage)
Pronunciation: hwa-jang-poom ga-geh
Meaning: Cosmetics store
Basic Phrases for Shopping
These are essential phrases for initiating interaction and asking basic questions in a store.
- Expression: 저기요 (jeogiyo)
Pronunciation: juh-gi-yo
Meaning: Excuse me (to get someone’s attention) - Expression: 도와주세요 (dowajuseyo)
Pronunciation: doh-wa-ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please help me. - Expression: 이거 뭐예요? (igeo mwoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: ee-guh mwo-yeh-yo?
Meaning: What is this? - Expression: 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?)
Pronunciation: ee-guh uhl-ma-yeh-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? - Expression: 찾아주세요 (chajajuseyo)
Pronunciation: cha-ja-ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please find it for me. - Expression: 구경 좀 할게요 (gugyeong jom halgeyo)
Pronunciation: goo-gyung jom hal-geh-yo
Meaning: I’m just looking around. - Expression: 추천해 주세요 (chucheonhae juseyo)
Pronunciation: choo-chun-heh ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please recommend something. - Expression: 인기 많은 제품이 뭐예요? (ingi maneun jepumi mwoyeyo?)
Pronunciation: in-gi ma-neun jeh-poom-ee mwo-yeh-yo?
Meaning: What is a popular product? - Expression: 세일 중이에요? (seil jungieyo?)
Pronunciation: seh-il joong-ee-eh-yo?
Meaning: Is it on sale? - Expression: 다른 색깔도 있어요? (dareun saekkkal-do isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: da-reun sek-ggal-do ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Do you have other colors? - Expression: 재고 있어요? (jaego isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: jeh-go ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Is it in stock? - Expression: 입구는 어디예요? (ipguneun eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: ip-goo-neun uh-di-yeh-yo?
Meaning: Where is the entrance?
Finding Specific Products
Use these phrases to ask for particular types of cosmetics.
- Expression: 스킨케어 제품은 어디에 있어요? (seukinkeeo jepumeun eodie isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: seu-kin-keh-uh jeh-poom-eun uh-di-eh ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Where are the skincare products? - Expression: 메이크업 제품을 찾고 있어요 (meikeueop jepumeul chatgo isseoyo)
Pronunciation: meh-ee-keu-up jeh-poom-eul chat-go ee-ssuh-yo
Meaning: I’m looking for makeup products. - Expression: 선크림 좀 보여주세요 (seonkeurim jom boyeojuseyo)
Pronunciation: sun-keu-rim jom bo-yuh-ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please show me some sunscreen. - Expression: 마스크 팩은 어디 있나요? (maseukeu paegeun eodi innayo?)
Pronunciation: ma-seu-keu pek-eun uh-di een-na-yo?
Meaning: Where are the sheet masks? - Expression: 클렌징 오일 있어요? (keullenjing oil isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: keul-len-jing oh-il ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Do you have cleansing oil? - Expression: 립스틱 코너는 어디예요? (ripseutik koneoneun eodiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: rip-seu-tik ko-nuh-neun uh-di-yeh-yo?
Meaning: Where is the lipstick section? - Expression: 파운데이션을 찾고 있어요 (paundeisyeoneul chatgo isseoyo)
Pronunciation: pa-oon-deh-ee-shyun-eul chat-go ee-ssuh-yo
Meaning: I’m looking for foundation. - Expression: 아이섀도우 팔레트 좀 볼게요 (aisyaedou palleteu jom bolgeyo)
Pronunciation: ah-ee-shweh-doh-oo pal-le-teu jom bol-geh-yo
Meaning: I’d like to see some eyeshadow palettes. - Expression: 핸드크림은 어디에 있어요? (haendeukeurimeun eodie isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: hen-deu-keu-rim-eun uh-di-eh ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Where are the hand creams? - Expression: 남성용 화장품도 있나요? (namseongyong hwajangpumdo innayo?)
Pronunciation: nam-sung-yong hwa-jang-poom-do een-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you also have men’s cosmetics? - Expression: 토너 추천해 주실 수 있어요? (toneo chucheonhae jusil su isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: toh-nuh choo-chun-heh ju-shil soo ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Can you recommend a toner? - Expression: 수분 크림을 찾고 있어요 (subun keurimeul chatgo isseoyo)
Pronunciation: soo-boon keu-rim-eul chat-go ee-ssuh-yo
Meaning: I’m looking for a moisturizing cream.
Asking About Products
Inquire about suitability, ingredients, and usage with these expressions.
- Expression: 제 피부 타입에 맞을까요? (je pibu taibe majeurkkayo?)
Pronunciation: jeh pee-boo ta-eep-eh ma-jeul-gga-yo?
Meaning: Will this suit my skin type? - Expression: 건성 피부용 제품 있어요? (geonseong pibuyong jepum isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: gun-sung pee-boo-yong jeh-poom ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Do you have products for dry skin? - Expression: 지성 피부에 좋은 거 추천해 주세요 (jiseong pibue joeun geo chucheonhae juseyo)
Pronunciation: jee-sung pee-boo-eh joh-eun guh choo-chun-heh ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please recommend something good for oily skin. - Expression: 민감성 피부도 사용할 수 있나요? (mingamseong pibudo sayonghal su innayo?)
Pronunciation: min-gam-sung pee-boo-do sa-yong-hal soo een-na-yo?
Meaning: Can sensitive skin use this too? - Expression: 성분이 어떻게 돼요? (seongbuni eotteoke dwaeyo?)
Pronunciation: sung-boon-ee uh-dduh-keh dweh-yo?
Meaning: What are the ingredients? - Expression: 테스트해 볼 수 있어요? (teseuteuhae bol su isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: teh-seu-teu-heh bol soo ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Can I test this? / Can I try this? - Expression: 샘플 좀 주실 수 있어요? (saempeul jom jusil su isseoyo?)
Pronunciation: sem-peul jom joo-shil soo ee-ssuh-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me some samples? - Expression: 사용법 좀 알려주세요 (sayongbeop jom allyeojuseyo)
Pronunciation: sa-yong-bup jom al-lyuh-ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please tell me how to use it. - Expression: 유통기한이 언제까지예요? (yutonggihani eonjekkajiyeyo?)
Pronunciation: yoo-tong-gi-han-ee un-jeh-gga-ji-yeh-yo?
Meaning: What is the expiration date? - Expression: 이 색깔이 저한테 어울릴까요? (i saekkkari jeohante eoullilkkayo?)
Pronunciation: ee sek-ggal-ee juh-han-teh uh-ool-lil-gga-yo?
Meaning: Would this color suit me? - Expression: 더 밝은/어두운 색은 없어요? (deo balgeun/eoduun saegeun eopseoyo?)
Pronunciation: duh bal-geun / uh-doo-oon sek-eun up-suh-yo?
Meaning: Don’t you have a lighter/darker color? - Expression: 향이 너무 강하지 않아요? (hyangi neomu ganghaji anayo?)
Pronunciation: hyang-ee nuh-moo gang-ha-ji ah-na-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t the scent too strong?
Making a Purchase
Use these phrases when you are ready to buy your items.
- Expression: 이걸로 주세요 (igeollo juseyo)
Pronunciation: ee-gul-lo ju-seh-yo
Meaning: I’ll take this one. - Expression: 계산해 주세요 (gyesanhae juseyo)
Pronunciation: gyeh-san-heh ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please ring me up / Check out, please. - Expression: 카드로 계산할게요 (kadeuro gyesanhalgeyo)
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gyeh-san-hal-geh-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. - Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요 (hyeongeumeuro gyesanhalgeyo)
Pronunciation: hyun-geum-eu-ro gyeh-san-hal-geh-yo
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. - Expression: 영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo)
Pronunciation: yung-soo-jeung ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. - Expression: 봉투 필요 없어요 (bongtu piryo eopseoyo)
Pronunciation: bong-too pil-yo up-suh-yo
Meaning: I don’t need a bag. - Expression: 봉투에 담아주세요 (bongtue damajuseyo)
Pronunciation: bong-too-eh da-ma-ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please put it in a bag. - Expression: 선물 포장해 주세요 (seonmul pojanghae juseyo)
Pronunciation: sun-mool po-jang-heh ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please gift wrap it. - Expression: 할인 쿠폰 있어요 (harin kupon isseoyo)
Pronunciation: ha-rin koo-pon ee-ssuh-yo
Meaning: I have a discount coupon. - Expression: 포인트 적립해 주세요 (pointeu jeongniphae juseyo)
Pronunciation: po-in-teu jung-nip-heh ju-seh-yo
Meaning: Please add points (to my loyalty card). - Expression: 교환이나 환불 돼요? (gyohwanina hwanbul dwaeyo?)
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan-ee-na hwan-bool dweh-yo?
Meaning: Can I exchange or refund this? - Expression: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da
Meaning: Thank you.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can enhance your shopping experience in Korean cosmetics stores.
- Generous Samples: Korean beauty stores are famous for giving out free samples (‘샘플’ – saempeul) with purchases, and sometimes even just for browsing. Don’t be shy about asking for samples of products you’re interested in.
- Attentive Staff: Store staff (‘직원’ – jigwon) are generally very proactive and knowledgeable. They will often approach you to offer help. Feel free to ask them detailed questions about products and recommendations for your skin type.
- Skin Type Focus: Korean skincare places a strong emphasis on addressing specific skin concerns (dry, oily, sensitive, combination). Staff are trained to help you find products tailored to your needs.
- Promotions and Sets: Look out for special promotions (‘행사’ – haengsa) like “1+1” (buy one get one free) or gift sets (‘기획 세트’ – gihoek seteu), which offer great value. These are very common, especially in popular shopping districts like Myeongdong.
- Brand Stores: Many popular Korean cosmetic brands have their own standalone stores (‘로드샵’ – rodeusyap), offering a wide range of their specific products. Olive Young and Chicor are popular multi-brand health and beauty stores.
Real Conversation Example
This example shows a typical interaction when asking for a product recommendation.
- Situation: A customer enters a cosmetics store looking for a moisturizer.
-
Roles:
- A: Customer (손님 – sonnim)
- B: Store Clerk (직원 – jigwon)
-
Expression: B: 어서 오세요! 찾으시는 제품 있으세요? (eoseo oseyo! chajeusineun jepum isseuseyo?)
Pronunciation: uh-suh oh-seh-yo! cha-jeu-shi-neun jeh-poom ee-sseu-seh-yo?
Meaning: Welcome! Are you looking for a specific product? - Expression: A: 네, 수분 크림 좀 추천해 주시겠어요? 피부가 좀 건성이에요. (ne, subun keurim jom chucheonhae jusigesseoyo? pibuga jom geonseongieyo.)
Pronunciation: neh, soo-boon keu-rim jom choo-chun-heh joo-shi-ge-sseo-yo? pee-boo-ga jom gun-sung-ee-eh-yo.
Meaning: Yes, could you recommend a moisturizing cream? My skin is a bit dry. - Expression: B: 아, 건성 피부시군요. 그럼 이 제품 한번 써보세요. 보습력이 아주 좋아요. (a, geonseong pibusigunyo. geureom i jepum hanbeon sseoboseyo. boseumnyeogi aju joayo.)
Pronunciation: ah, gun-sung pee-boo-shi-goon-yo. geu-rum ee jeh-poom han-bun ssuh-bo-seh-yo. bo-seum-nyuh-gi ah-joo joh-ah-yo.
Meaning: Ah, you have dry skin. Then please try this product. It’s very moisturizing. - Expression: A: 이거 테스트해 볼 수 있나요? (igeo teseuteuhae bol su innayo?)
Pronunciation: ee-guh teh-seu-teu-heh bol soo een-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I test this one? - Expression: B: 네, 여기 테스터 있습니다. 손등에 한번 발라보세요. (ne, yeogi teseuteo itseumnida. sondeunge hanbeon ballaboseyo.)
Pronunciation: neh, yuh-gi teh-seu-tuh eet-sseum-ni-da. son-deung-eh han-bun bal-la-bo-seh-yo.
Meaning: Yes, here’s the tester. Try applying some on the back of your hand. - Expression: A: 와, 정말 촉촉하네요! 이걸로 주세요. (wa, jeongmal chokchokhaneyo! igeollo juseyo.)
Pronunciation: wah, jung-mal chok-chok-ha-neh-yo! ee-gul-lo ju-seh-yo.
Meaning: Wow, it’s really hydrating! I’ll take this one. - Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 계산 도와드릴게요. 샘플도 몇 개 챙겨드릴게요~ (ne, algesseumnida. gyesan dowadeurilgeyo. saempeuldo myeot gae chaenggyeodeurilgeyo~)
Pronunciation: neh, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. gyeh-san doh-wa-deu-ril-geh-yo. sem-peul-do myut geh cheng-gyuh-deu-ril-geh-yo~
Meaning: Yes, understood. I’ll help you with the checkout. I’ll also include a few samples for you~ - Expression: A: 감사합니다! (gamsahamnida!)
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you!
Practice Tips
Now that you have these phrases, try practicing them! Role-play with a friend, imagining you’re in a bustling Korean cosmetics shop~ Try describing your skin type and asking for recommendations using the Korean phrases. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become when shopping for K-beauty treasures in Korea! 화이팅! (hwaiting! – You can do it!)
