| Shopping in Korea is like shopping anywhere else in the world. If you’re a man it usually sucks, and if you’re a woman it usually sucks for your boyfriend. In Korean culture sales staff are attentive, but instead of incessantly asking if you need any help, they usually stare, smile and coalesce with other sales people who stare and smile. However, if sales have been particularly low that month, a sales person may gather their courage to say one of the following |
Can I help you? 도와 드릴까요? Doh Wah duh lil kai yo?
What are looking for? 무엇을 찾고 계세요? Moo-uh-sul chaht go gye say yo
In my case they may say: I'm sorry sir, we don’t have clothes that fit a person of your…umbrage. 우리는 빅 사이즈 옷이 없습니다. Oo-ri nun big size oh-shee op-soy yo.
You can answer by saying:
No, thanks. I am just looking 그냥 보는 거예요. Guhn yang boh-nun goy-yay-yo
Or...
Yes, I am looking for…
a shirt 셔츠 shirchuh
dress shoes 구두 goo-doo
tennis shoes 운동화 oon-dong-hwa
pants 바지 bah-jee
a dress 드레스 dressuh
a bathing suit 수영복 sue young boak
a suit 양복 Yang boak
a bag 가방 gah bahng
back pack 책가방 check gah bahng
|
a book 책 check
underwear 속옷 soak oat
a bra 브레지어 buh-ray-jee-ah
socks 양말 Yang mahl a hat 모자 Moe Jah
a souvenir 기념품 gee-nyum-pooma tie
neck tie 넥타이
a birthday card 생일카드 seng-ill cah-duh
a gift for a friend 친구선물 chin-goo sun-mool |
Or, you could say:
If you are me: Do I look like I need help? 제가 도움이 필요한 사람으로 보입니까? Jay-gah peel-yo-hahn sarahm boh-nee-kah?
If you are DeNiro: Are you talking to me…? 저에게 얘기를 하고 있습니까? Jaw-ay-gay yay-gee-lil ha-go-ee-soy-yo
After you find what you want, you may want to say:
•Do you have a larger size? 더 큰 사이즈 있습니까? Daw kun sigh-juh ee-sum-nee-dah
•Do you have this in a smaller size? (The answer will be yes 99% of the time) 이것으로 더 작은 사이즈가 있습니까? Ee-go-suh-roh daw jah-geun sigh-juh-gah ee-soy-yo
•Do you have it in a different color? 이것으로 다른 색깔 있습니까 ? Ee-go-suh-roh dah-reun seck-cal ee-sum-nee-kah
•Is this on sale? 이거 세일합니까? Ee-gaw sale hahm-nee-kah
•How much is it? 얼마입니까? Uhl-mah eem-nee-kah
•I need two, please. 두개 주세요. Doo-gay chew-say-yo
•This bra is too small. 이 브레지어가 너무 작습니다. Ee- buh-ray-jee-ah noh-moo jahk-sum-nee-dah
In the big department stores and supermarkets prices are usually fixed, but in the market places and smaller shops don’t be afraid to haggle. In such cases you may use the following:
•That’s too expensive! 너무 비쌉니다. Noh-moo bee-sah-yo
•Can’t you come down a little? 좀 깍아 줄 수 있습니까? Choam cock-ah chewl soo ee-soy-yo
•Can you give me the handsome (beautiful) face discount? (for me, that usually gets a laugh but never a discount) 잘 생긴 사람은 깍아 줄 수 있나요? Jahl seng-geen ashram cock-ah chewl-soo ee-nah-yo?
Now, go try it out at your local shop! ~Gus
