Trying On Hanbok in Korea

Experiencing Korean culture often involves trying on Hanbok, the beautiful traditional clothing. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural insights for renting and wearing Hanbok, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience, especially when visiting palaces or historical sites in Korea.

Core Expression

This is the fundamental phrase for the activity of trying on Hanbok.

• Expression: 한복 입어보기
  Pronunciation: Hanbok ibeobogi
  Meaning: Trying on Hanbok (Hanbok = Korean traditional clothing, 입어보다 = to try wearing something)

Basic Rental Phrases

Use these phrases when you first enter a Hanbok rental shop.

• Expression: 한복 빌리고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Hanbok billigo sipeoyo.
  Meaning: I want to rent a Hanbok.
• Expression: 대여료는 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: Daeyeoryoneun eolmayeyo?
  Meaning: How much is the rental fee?
• Expression: 몇 시간 동안 빌릴 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: Myeot sigan dongan billil su isseoyo?
  Meaning: For how many hours can I rent it?
• Expression: 하루 종일 빌리는 건 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: Haru jongil billineun geon eolmayeyo?
  Meaning: How much is it to rent for the whole day?
• Expression: 어떤 종류의 한복이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: Eotteon jongnyuui hanbogi innayo?
  Meaning: What kinds of Hanbok do you have?
• Expression: 입어볼 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: Ibeobol su isseulkkayo?
  Meaning: Can I try it on?
• Expression: 저한테 맞는 사이즈가 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: Jeohante manneun saijeuga isseulkkayo?
  Meaning: Do you have my size?
• Expression: 신분증 맡겨야 하나요?
  Pronunciation: Sinbunjeung matgyeoya hanayo?
  Meaning: Do I need to leave my ID card?
• Expression: 보증금 있어요?
  Pronunciation: Bojeunggeum isseoyo?
  Meaning: Is there a deposit?
• Expression: 액세서리도 포함인가요?
  Pronunciation: Aekseseorido pohamingayo?
  Meaning: Are accessories included?
• Expression: 머리 장식도 빌릴 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: Meori jangsikdo billil su innayo?
  Meaning: Can I rent hair accessories too?
• Expression: 가방(속치마)도 빌려주세요.
  Pronunciation: Gabang (sokchima)do billyeojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please lend me a bag (petticoat) too.

Trying On and Describing Hanbok

These expressions are useful when selecting and trying on different Hanbok styles.

• Expression: 이거 입어봐도 돼요?
  Pronunciation: Igeo ibeobwado dwaeyo?
  Meaning: Can I try this one on?
• Expression: 저거 보여주세요.
  Pronunciation: Jeogeo boyeojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please show me that one over there.
• Expression: 이 색깔 어때요?
  Pronunciation: I saekkkal eottaeyo?
  Meaning: How is this color?
• Expression: 다른 색깔도 있어요?
  Pronunciation: Dareun saekkkaldo isseoyo?
  Meaning: Do you have other colors?
• Expression: 더 밝은/어두운 색은 없나요?
  Pronunciation: Deo balgeun/eoduun saegeun eomnayo?
  Meaning: Don’t you have a brighter/darker color?
• Expression: 이게 저한테 잘 어울려요?
  Pronunciation: Ige jeohante jal eoullyeoyo?
  Meaning: Does this look good on me?
• Expression: 너무 커요/작아요.
  Pronunciation: Neomu keoyo/jagayo.
  Meaning: It’s too big/small.
• Expression: 길이가 너무 길어요/짧아요.
  Pronunciation: Giriga neomu gireoyo/jjalbayo.
  Meaning: The length is too long/short.
• Expression: 이 디자인이 마음에 들어요.
  Pronunciation: I dijaini maeume deureoyo.
  Meaning: I like this design.
• Expression: 좀 더 화려한/단순한 스타일은 없어요?
  Pronunciation: Jom deo hwaryeohan/dansunhan seutaireun eopseoyo?
  Meaning: Don’t you have a more fancy/simple style?
• Expression: 이걸로 할게요.
  Pronunciation: Igeollo halgeyo.
  Meaning: I’ll take this one.
• Expression: 사진 찍어도 돼요?
  Pronunciation: Sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?
  Meaning: May I take a picture?

Asking for Help and Assistance

Use these phrases if you need help from the shop staff.

• Expression: 도와주세요.
  Pronunciation: Dowajuseyo.
  Meaning: Please help me.
• Expression: 이거 어떻게 입어요?
  Pronunciation: Igeo eotteoke ibeoyo?
  Meaning: How do I wear this?
• Expression: 입는 것 좀 도와주시겠어요?
  Pronunciation: Imneun geot jom dowajusigesseoyo?
  Meaning: Could you help me put this on?
• Expression: 속치마는 어떻게 입나요?
  Pronunciation: Sokchimaneun eotteoke imnayo?
  Meaning: How do I wear the petticoat (sokchima)?
• Expression: 고름 매는 법 좀 알려주세요.
  Pronunciation: Goreum maeneun beop jom allyeojuseyo.
  Meaning: Please show me how to tie the goreum (ribbon).
• Expression: 머리는 어떻게 하는 게 좋을까요?
  Pronunciation: Meorineun eotteoke haneun ge joheulkkayo?
  Meaning: How should I style my hair?
• Expression: 어울리는 머리 장식 추천해 주세요.
  Pronunciation: Eoullineun meori jangsik chucheonhae juseyo.
  Meaning: Please recommend a hair accessory that matches.
• Expression: 신발도 빌릴 수 있나요?
  Pronunciation: Sinbaldo billil su innayo?
  Meaning: Can I rent shoes too?
• Expression: 남자 한복도 있나요?
  Pronunciation: Namja hanbokdo innayo?
  Meaning: Do you have men’s Hanbok too?
• Expression: 아이들 한복도 있어요?
  Pronunciation: Aideul hanbokdo isseoyo?
  Meaning: Do you have Hanbok for children?
• Expression: 반납은 언제까지 해야 해요?
  Pronunciation: Bannabeun eonjekkaji haeya haeyo?
  Meaning: By when do I need to return it?
• Expression: 늦으면 추가 요금이 있나요?
  Pronunciation: Neujeumyeon chuga yogeumi innayo?
  Meaning: Is there an additional charge if I’m late?

Korean Culture Notes

Understanding these points will enhance your Hanbok experience.

• Free Palace Entry: Wearing Hanbok often grants free admission to Seoul’s major palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, etc.) and some other historical sites. Check the specific site’s policy beforehand.
• Types of Hanbok: Rental shops usually offer both traditional Hanbok and “fusion” or modern Hanbok, which often feature brighter colors, shorter skirts, and more ornate designs popular among younger generations and tourists.
• Proper Attire: A complete Hanbok set typically includes a jeogori (upper garment), chima (skirt for women) or baji (trousers for men), and often a sokchima (petticoat) for women to give the skirt volume. Accessories like norigae (tassels), hairpins, and small bags complete the look.
• Occasions: While historically worn daily, Hanbok is now primarily worn on special occasions like holidays (Chuseok, Seollal), weddings, and first birthdays (dol). Renting Hanbok for sightseeing is a popular modern cultural experience.
• Etiquette: While walking around in rented Hanbok is common and accepted, remember it’s still traditional attire. Be mindful of keeping it clean and handle it with care. Avoid overly boisterous behavior that might seem disrespectful while wearing it.

Real Conversation Example

This conversation simulates renting a Hanbok at a shop near a palace.

Situation: A foreign tourist (A) wants to rent a Hanbok from a shop assistant (B).
Roles:
* A: Tourist
* B: Shop Assistant

• Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 한복 빌리고 싶어요.
  Pronunciation: Annyeonghaseyo. Hanbok billigo sipeoyo.
  Meaning: Hello. I want to rent a Hanbok.
• Expression: B: 네, 어서 오세요! 어떤 스타일 찾으세요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, eoseo oseyo! Eotteon seutail chajeuseyo?
  Meaning: Yes, welcome! What style are you looking for?
• Expression: A: 음… 예쁜 걸로 추천해 주세요. 대여료는 얼마예요?
  Pronunciation: Eum… yeppeun geollo chucheonhae juseyo. Daeyeoryoneun eolmayeyo?
  Meaning: Hmm… Please recommend a pretty one. How much is the rental fee?
• Expression: B: 기본 두 시간에 2만 원이고, 하루 종일은 4만 원이에요. 액세서리 포함 가격입니다.
  Pronunciation: Gibon du sigane iman wonigo, haru jongireun saman wonieyo. Aekseseori poham gagyeogimnida.
  Meaning: It’s 20,000 won for the basic two hours, and 40,000 won for the whole day. The price includes accessories.
• Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 저기 저 분홍색 한복 입어볼 수 있을까요?
  Pronunciation: Algesseumnida. Jeogi jeo bunhongsaek hanbok ibeobol su isseulkkayo?
  Meaning: I understand. Can I try on that pink Hanbok over there?
• Expression: B: 네, 그럼요. 이쪽으로 오세요. 사이즈 찾아드릴게요. 속치마랑 머리 장식도 같이 드릴까요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, geureomyo. Ijjogeuro oseyo. Saijeu chajadeurilgeyo. Sokchimarang meori jangsikdo gachi deurilkkayo?
  Meaning: Yes, of course. Come this way. I’ll find your size. Shall I give you a petticoat and hair accessories too?
• Expression: A: 네, 같이 주세요! 와, 정말 예뻐요. 이게 저한테 잘 어울려요?
  Pronunciation: Ne, gachi juseyo! Wa, jeongmal yeppeoyo. Ige jeohante jal eoullyeoyo?
  Meaning: Yes, please give them together! Wow, it’s really pretty. Does this look good on me?
• Expression: B: 네, 아주 잘 어울리세요! 색깔이 화사해서 사진도 잘 나올 거예요.
  Pronunciation: Ne, aju jal eoulriseyo! Saekkkari hwasahaeseo sajindo jal naol geoyeyo.
  Meaning: Yes, it suits you very well! The color is bright, so pictures will come out nicely too.
• Expression: A: 좋아요! 이걸로 할게요.
  Pronunciation: Joayo! Igeollo halgeyo.
  Meaning: Great! I’ll take this one.
• Expression: B: 네, 그럼 두 시간 빌리시는 거죠? 6시까지 반납해 주시면 됩니다.
  Pronunciation: Ne, geureom du sigan billisineun geojyo? Yeoseot si-kkaji bannaphae jusimyeon doemnida.
  Meaning: Okay, so you’re renting it for two hours, right? Please return it by 6 PM.

Practice Tips

Renting Hanbok is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in Korean culture! Try visiting a rental shop near Gyeongbok Palace or Bukchon Hanok Village~. Don’t be shy about asking questions using the phrases you learned! Practice saying the phrases aloud before you go. You can even role-play with a friend! Most importantly, have fun choosing your Hanbok and taking lots of beautiful pictures! Enjoy your Hanbok experience~!