Language/Korean/Vocabulary/Shopping-Vocabulary

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Korean → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Shopping Vocabulary

In this lesson, we will delve into an essential part of everyday life: shopping! Navigating a market or a store in Korea can be an exciting and sometimes challenging experience, especially if you're not familiar with the language. Understanding shopping vocabulary can not only enhance your experience but also help you connect with locals, making your trip more enjoyable and enriching.

We'll cover how to ask for prices, how to bargain, and how to engage in conversations at the market, which are all crucial skills for any traveler. By the end of this lesson, you will feel more confident using Korean in shopping scenarios.

Let's break down the lesson into manageable sections:

Importance of Shopping Vocabulary in Korean

Shopping is more than just a transaction; it's a cultural experience. Markets in Korea are bustling with energy, and knowing how to communicate can open doors to friendly interactions, bargaining for better deals, and even learning about local products. This vocabulary is particularly useful if you plan to explore traditional markets like Gwangjang Market or Namdaemun Market.

Key Vocabulary for Shopping

Let's start with some fundamental shopping vocabulary that you will encounter frequently.

Common Shopping Terms

Here are some key terms that will help you get started:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
가게	gage	store
가격	gajyeok	price
비싸요	bissa-yo	it's expensive
싸요	ssayo	it's cheap
얼마예요?	eolma-yeyo?	how much is it?
구매하다	gumaehada	to purchase
환불하다	hwanbulhada	to refund
할인	halin	discount
세일	seil	sale
쇼핑	syoping	shopping

Phrases for Asking Prices

Knowing how to ask for prices is crucial when you're shopping. Here are some useful phrases:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
이거 얼마예요?	igeo eolma-yeyo?	How much is this?
저것은 얼마예요?	jeogeoseun eolma-yeyo?	How much is that?
가격이 얼마인가요?	gajyeogi eolma-ingayo?	What is the price?
할인 있어요?	halin isseoyo?	Is there a discount?
세일 중이에요?	seil jung-ieyo?	Is there a sale?

Bargaining Vocabulary

Bargaining is a common practice in many markets in Korea. Here are some phrases that can help you during negotiations:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
좀 깎아 주세요.	jom kkakka juseyo.	Please lower the price.
너무 비싸요.	neomu bissa-yo.	It's too expensive.
다른 가격 없나요?	dareun gajyeok eobnayo?	Do you have another price?
이 가격에 살 수 있어요?	i gajyeoge sal su isseoyo?	Can I buy it at this price?
더 싸게 해 주세요.	deo ssage hae juseyo.	Please make it cheaper.

Engaging in Conversations

Interacting with shopkeepers can be a delightful experience. Here are some phrases to help you engage in conversation:

Korean	Pronunciation	English
어디서 왔어요?	eodiseo wasseoyo?	Where are you from?
한국어 잘 하시네요!	hangug-eo jal hasineyo!	You speak Korean well!
추천해 주세요.	chucheonhae juseyo.	Please recommend (something).
이것은 무엇이에요?	igeoseun mueos-ieyo?	What is this?
다시 올게요.	dasi olgeyo.	I will come back.

Practical Exercises

Now that you've learned some basic shopping vocabulary, let's put your knowledge to the test with some fun exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct vocabulary words.

1. 이 가게의 __________은 비싸요. (The price of this store is expensive.)

2. __________이 얼마예요? (How much is this?)

3. 저것은 __________예요. (That is cheap.)

4. __________ 주세요. (Please lower the price.)

5. __________ 중이에요? (Is there a sale?)

Solutions:

1. 가격 (gajyeok)

2. 이거 (igeo)

3. 싸요 (ssayo)

4. 깎아 (kkakka)

5. 세일 (seil)

Exercise 2: Role Play

Partner with a classmate and practice a shopping scenario. One person will be the customer, and the other will be the shopkeeper. Use the vocabulary and phrases learned in this lesson.

Example Scenario:

• Customer: 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)

• Shopkeeper: 10,000원이에요. (It's 10,000 won.)

• Customer: 너무 비싸요. 좀 깎아 주세요. (It's too expensive. Please lower the price.)

• Shopkeeper: 9,000원으로 해 드릴게요. (I'll give it to you for 9,000 won.)

Exercise 3: Vocabulary Matching

Match the Korean words with their English meanings.

1. 가게

2. 세일

3. 가격

4. 싸요

5. 환불하다

Solutions:

1. Store

2. Sale

3. Price

4. It's cheap

5. To refund

Exercise 4: Listening Practice

Listen to a recording of a shopping conversation in Korean. Write down any shopping-related vocabulary you hear.

Exercise 5: Create Your Own Dialogue

Write a short dialogue between a customer and a shopkeeper using at least five vocabulary words from this lesson.

Example:

• Customer: 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)

• Shopkeeper: 5,000원이에요. (It's 5,000 won.)

• Customer: 할인 있어요? (Is there a discount?)

• Shopkeeper: 네, 10% 할인 있어요. (Yes, there is a 10% discount.)

Exercise 6: Price Comparison

Look at three different items in your home. Write down their prices in Korean.

1. Item 1: __________ (price)

2. Item 2: __________ (price)

3. Item 3: __________ (price)

Example Responses can vary.

Exercise 7: Shopping Vocabulary Quiz

Create a short quiz with five multiple-choice questions based on the vocabulary learned in this lesson.

1. What does "가격" mean?

• a) Store

• b) Price

• c) Cheap

Answer: b) Price

2. How do you say "Please lower the price" in Korean?

• a) 싸요

• b) 좀 깎아 주세요

• c) 세일

Answer: b) 좀 깎아 주세요

Exercise 8: Role-Play Different Situations

Think of three different shopping situations (e.g., buying clothes, groceries, or souvenirs). Prepare phrases you would use in each scenario.

Exercise 9: Vocabulary Review

Create flashcards for the new vocabulary words. Review them with a partner.

Exercise 10: Cultural Insight

Research a traditional market in Korea and write a short paragraph about what you would like to buy and how you would use the vocabulary learned in this lesson.

By practicing these exercises, you’ll gain confidence in using Korean vocabulary in shopping situations and engaging with locals in Korea.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Use these phrases and vocabulary as much as you can, whether you're in class, talking with friends, or planning your next trip to Korea. Happy shopping, and see you in the next lesson!

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Korean Alphabets

• Reading and writing Korean Alphabets
• Korean Pronunciation
• Subject and Object Markers

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Hello and Goodbye
• Introducing Yourself
• Family and Friends

  ---

Korean Culture and Customs

• Korean Etiquette
• Korean Holidays
• Korean Cuisine

  ---

Sentence Building

• Basic Verb Conjugation
• Question Words
• Connecting Verbs

  ---

Daily Routine

• Daily Activities
• Means of Transportation
• Weather and Seasons

  ---

Korean Pop Culture

• Korean Dramas
• Korean Music
• Korean Cinema

  ---

Describing People and Things

• Describing People
• Describing Things
• Comparatives and Superlatives

  ---

Food and Drinks

• Food and Ingredients
• Drinks
• Cooking and Recipes

  ---

Korean Traditions

• Korean Weddings
• Korean Festivals
• Korean Games and Sports

  ---

Verb Tenses

• Past Tense
• Future Tense
• Progressive Tense

  ---

Travel and Sightseeing

• Travel Vocabulary
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Shopping Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Arts and Crafts

• Korean Calligraphy
• Korean Pottery
• Korean Paper Crafts

  ---

Conjunctions and Connectors

• Conjunctions
• Connectors
• Conditional Sentences

  ---

Health and Body

• Body Parts
• Health Vocabulary
• Exercise and Fitness Vocabulary

  ---

Korean Nature

• Korean National Parks
• Korean Folk Villages
• Korean Eco-Friendly Practices

Sources

• Ultimate List of Shopping related Words and Phrases in Korean
• 15 Korean Phrases For Shopping You Need To Know

Other Lessons

• Body
• How to say Good Bye?
• Daily Activities
• Introducing Yourself
• Sightseeing Vocabulary
• Hello and Goodbye
• Education
• Health Vocabulary
• Days of the Week

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