Korean Shopping Phrases: Prices, Sizes, Discounts & Tax Refunds in Myeongdong
Korean Travel · Shopping
Korean Shopping Phrases: Prices, Sizes, Discounts & Tax Refunds in Myeongdong
Learn how to ask prices, try on clothes, find another size, check payment options, and handle tax-refund questions while shopping in Seoul.
Quick Answer
The most useful Korean shopping phrases are 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?), 입어 봐도 돼요? (Can I try this on?), 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? (Do you have a bigger size?), and 택스 리펀 돼요? (Do you offer tax refunds?).
Learn More Korean for Shopping & Travel
Lesson Summary
- 얼마예요? — How much is it?
- 사이즈 — size
- 탈의실 — fitting room
- 할인 — discount
- 택스 리펀 — tax refund
What Korean Shopping Phrases Should You Learn First?
Quick answer: Learn one phrase each for price, looking at an item, trying it on, size, color, and browsing.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 이거 얼마예요? | i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo? | How much is this? | Pointing to an item |
| 이거 보여 주세요. | i-geo bo-yeo ju-se-yo. | Please show me this. | Display cases or high shelves |
| 입어 봐도 돼요? | i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo? | Can I try this on? | Clothing stores |
| 다른 색 있어요? | da-reun saek iss-eo-yo? | Do you have another color? | Checking color options |
| 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? | deo keun sa-i-jeu iss-eo-yo? | Do you have a bigger size? | Clothing stores |
| 그냥 둘러볼게요. | geu-nyang dul-leo-bol-ge-yo. | I'm just looking around. | When staff offers help |
How Do Key Shopping Words Break Down in Hangul?
eol-ma — how much
Add 예요? to form 얼마예요?
hal-in — discount
You may see 할인 or 세일 on sale signs.
sa-i-jeu — size
A loanword commonly used in clothing and shoe stores.
How Do You Ask About Clothing Sizes and Fitting Rooms?
Quick answer: Use 사이즈 for size, 탈의실 for fitting room, and ask for a bigger or smaller size rather than assuming Korean numeric sizes match international sizes exactly.
| Concept | Korean | Romanization | Practical Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 사이즈 | sa-i-jeu | Loanword used in most clothing stores |
| Free size / one size | 프리 사이즈 | peu-ri sa-i-jeu | One-size item; does not guarantee it fits everyone |
| Bigger size | 더 큰 사이즈 | deo keun sa-i-jeu | Ask when the current item feels small |
| Smaller size | 더 작은 사이즈 | deo ja-geun sa-i-jeu | Ask when the current item feels large |
| Fitting room | 탈의실 | tal-ui-sil | Changing / fitting room |
| Numeric sizes | 55 / 66 / 77 | o-o / yuk-yuk / chil-chil | Used by some Korean brands; fit varies by brand and cut |
How Do You Ask About Discounts, Payment, Samples, and Tax Refunds?
Quick answer: Fixed-price stores generally do not bargain, while some independent stalls may allow polite negotiation. Tax-refund procedures vary by participating store.
| Korean (Hangul) | Romanization | English | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 조금만 깎아 주세요. | jo-geum-man kka-kka ju-se-yo. | Could you lower the price a little? | More suitable at negotiable stalls than fixed-price chains |
| 카드 돼요? | ka-deu dwae-yo? | Can I pay by card? | Checking payment |
| 현금만 돼요? | hyeon-geum-man dwae-yo? | Is it cash only? | Small vendors or stalls |
| 샘플 있어요? | saem-peul iss-eo-yo? | Do you have any samples? | Cosmetics / beauty stores |
| 택스 리펀 돼요? | taek-seu ri-peon dwae-yo? | Do you offer tax refunds? | Participating tax-refund stores |
| 여권 필요해요? | yeo-gwon pil-yo-hae-yo? | Do I need my passport? | Checking tax-refund requirements |
Real-Life Dialogue: Shopping for Clothes in Myeongdong
Eo-seo o-se-yo. Chat-eu-si-neun geo iss-eu-se-yo?
Welcome. Are you looking for anything?
I syeo-cheu eol-ma-ye-yo?
How much is this shirt?
Hok-si i-beo bwa-do dwae-yo? Deo keun sa-i-jeu-do iss-eo-yo?
Can I try it on? Do you also have a bigger size?
Ne. Tal-ui-sil-eun jeo-jjok-e iss-eo-yo.
Yes. The fitting room is over there.
I-geol-lo hal-ge-yo. Ka-deu dwae-yo? Taek-seu ri-peon-do dwae-yo?
I’ll take this one. Can I pay by card? Do you also offer tax refunds?
What Common Shopping Korean Mistakes Should Beginners Avoid?
Quick answer: Use polite questions, avoid assuming every price is negotiable, and treat Korean size numbers as brand-specific rather than exact international equivalents.
- Correct spelling: write 깎아 주세요, not 깍아주세요.
- Discounts: do not bargain in fixed-price chain stores unless there is a clear reason to ask.
- Samples: 샘플 있어요? is more natural than directly asking for a freebie.
- 프리 사이즈: means one-size, not “fits everyone.”
- Tax refund: check the store's current requirements rather than relying on an old threshold or process.
Mini Korean Shopping Quiz
1. How do you ask “How much is this?”
A) 이거 얼마예요?
B) 카드 돼요?
C) 입어 봐도 돼요?
2. What does 프리 사이즈 mean?
A) Discount size
B) One-size item
C) Fitting room
3. Which phrase asks whether tax refunds are available?
A) 샘플 있어요?
B) 택스 리펀 돼요?
C) 현금만 돼요?
Show Answers
1. A · 2. B · 3. B
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use international credit cards in Myeongdong?
Major cards are widely accepted in many Myeongdong shops, especially chains and larger retailers, but small vendors may have different payment options. It is useful to carry some Korean won as a backup.
Is bargaining common in Myeongdong?
Not in fixed-price chain stores, department stores, or most major beauty shops. Polite price negotiation may be possible at some independent stalls or markets, but it should not be assumed everywhere.
What does 프리 사이즈 mean?
프리 사이즈 means a one-size garment. The actual fit varies by brand, cut, and fabric, so it does not literally mean the item will fit everyone.
How do tax refunds work for tourists in Korea?
Participating stores may offer immediate or post-purchase tax-refund procedures. Eligibility rules, identification requirements, minimum purchase amounts, and refund methods can change, so check the store's current Tax Free or Tax Refund information.
What should I say if I am just browsing?
Say 그냥 둘러볼게요 (geunyang dulleobolgeyo), which means 'I'm just looking around.'
Conclusion
Shopping in Myeongdong becomes much easier once you can ask a few short questions naturally. Start with 이거 얼마예요?, 입어 봐도 돼요?, 더 큰 사이즈 있어요?, and 택스 리펀 돼요?, then add payment and browsing phrases as your confidence grows.
