Short answer: for shopping in Korea, you do not need a huge phrasebook. Learn a few polite counter phrases, then add simple words for skin type, gift wrapping, receipt, bag, and payment. That is enough for most skincare and souvenir situations.
The most useful pattern is short and polite: point, say what you want, and add juseyo when asking for something. In busy shops, a clean phrase is better than a long sentence you cannot repeat confidently.
The safest shopping pattern
Use this order when you feel stuck:
- Point at the item.
- Ask a short question, or say igeo juseyo.
- Use card, receipt, bag, or gift-wrap phrases at the counter.
- If it is skincare, explain your skin type or concern in one phrase.
Do not worry about sounding like a textbook. You are trying to be clear and respectful, not dramatic.
10 shopping phrases to know first
| Korean | Simple reading | Meaning | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 이거 얼마예요? | igeo eolmayeyo? | How much is this? | You want the price of an item. |
| 이거 주세요. | igeo juseyo. | This one, please. | You are ready to buy or order. |
| 추천해 주세요. | chucheon hae juseyo. | Please recommend something. | You want staff help without explaining too much. |
| 카드 돼요? | kadeu dwaeyo? | Can I pay by card? | You want to check payment before checkout. |
| 영수증 주세요. | yeongsujeung juseyo. | Receipt, please. | You need a receipt for tracking, exchange, or tax refund steps. |
| 봉투 주세요. | bongtu juseyo. | Bag, please. | You need a shopping bag. |
| 봉투 괜찮아요. | bongtu gwaenchanayo. | No bag is okay. | You do not need a bag. |
| 선물 포장 돼요? | seonmul pojang dwaeyo? | Can you gift-wrap it? | You are buying a present. |
| 테스트해 봐도 돼요? | teseuteuhae bwado dwaeyo? | Can I test it? | You want to try texture or color where testers are available. |
| 택스 리펀드 돼요? | taekseu ripeondeu dwaeyo? | Is tax refund possible? | You want to ask whether this store/item supports it. |
The phrase dwaeyo? is useful because it asks whether something is possible. You will hear it in real shopping situations because it is short and flexible.
Skincare phrases
For K-beauty shopping, staff can help more if you give one clear skin clue. Keep it simple.
| Korean | Simple reading | Meaning | Visitor note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 민감성 피부예요. | mingamseong pibu-yeyo. | I have sensitive skin. | Useful before asking for a gentle option. |
| 건성 피부예요. | geonseong pibu-yeyo. | I have dry skin. | Pair with moisture words. |
| 지성 피부예요. | jiseong pibu-yeyo. | I have oily skin. | Useful for sunscreen, moisturizer, and cleanser choices. |
| 복합성 피부예요. | bokapseong pibu-yeyo. | I have combination skin. | Common K-beauty category language. |
| 향 없는 제품 있어요? | hyang eomneun jepum isseoyo? | Do you have a fragrance-free product? | Do not assume every product is fragrance-free. |
| 저자극 제품 있어요? | jeojageuk jepum isseoyo? | Do you have a low-irritation product? | A product label clue, not a medical guarantee. |
| 끈적이지 않는 거 있어요? | kkeunjeogiji anneun geo isseoyo? | Do you have something non-sticky? | Very useful for sunscreen and moisturizer texture. |
| 샘플 있어요? | saempeul isseoyo? | Do you have samples? | Ask politely; do not expect every shop to offer them. |
Skin concern words you may see
In Korean beauty stores, the English or Korean labels often group products by skin type, concern, texture, or ingredient. These words help you ask for the right shelf, but they do not prove a product will work for your skin.
| Korean / label clue | Simple reading | Practical meaning | Careful way to think about it |
|---|---|---|---|
| 보습 | bosup | moisturising / hydration direction | Useful if your skin feels dry. |
| 진정 | jinjeong | soothing direction | Often paired with cica or calming language. |
| 여드름 | yeodeureum | acne | Product categories vary; severe acne needs medical advice. |
| 미백 / 브라이트닝 | mibaek / brightening | brightening label context | Do not read it as an instant whitening promise. |
| 모공 | mogong | pores | Often appears in pore-care product language. |
| 세라마이드 | seramaideu | ceramide | Ingredient clue, often barrier/moisture context. |
| 히알루론산 | hialuronsan | hyaluronic acid | Common hydration ingredient clue. |
| 시카 / 병풀 | cica / byeongpul | centella / cica | Often used in soothing-positioned products. |
If you are shopping for sunscreen, cleanser, moisturizer, or sheet masks, combine this guide with how to read Korean skincare labels, Korean sunscreen terms, and how to choose a Korean moisturizer by skin type.
Souvenir and gift phrases
For gifts, you usually need three things: recommendation, packaging, and whether the item is fragile or travel-friendly.
| Korean | Simple reading | Meaning | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| 친구 선물이에요. | chingu seonmuriyeyo. | It is a gift for a friend. | You want staff to understand the purpose. |
| 한국적인 선물 추천해 주세요. | hangukjeogin seonmul chucheon hae juseyo. | Please recommend a Korean-style gift. | You want souvenir ideas. |
| 가벼운 거 있어요? | gabyeoun geo isseoyo? | Do you have something light? | Useful before a flight. |
| 깨지기 쉬워요? | kkaejigi swiwoyo? | Is it easy to break? | Ask before buying ceramics, glass, or packaged goods. |
| 기내 반입 가능해요? | ginae banip ganeunghaeyo? | Can I carry it onto the plane? | Ask, but still follow airline and airport rules. |
| 다른 색 있어요? | dareun saek isseoyo? | Do you have another color? | Good for accessories, clothes, stationery, and gifts. |
| 다른 사이즈 있어요? | dareun saijeu isseoyo? | Do you have another size? | Useful for clothes, shoes, and packaged sets. |
A two-minute shopping script
Here is a simple flow you can actually use:
- Start: annyeonghaseyo – hello.
- Ask: mingamseong pibu-yeyo. jeojageuk jepum isseoyo? – I have sensitive skin. Do you have a low-irritation product?
- Check: teseuteuhae bwado dwaeyo? – Can I test it?
- Buy: igeo juseyo. – This one, please.
- Counter: kadeu dwaeyo? yeongsujeung juseyo. – Can I pay by card? Receipt, please.
- Finish: gamsahamnida. – thank you.
This script is not perfect Korean theater. It is enough to be understood in a normal shopping moment.
What not to assume
- Do not assume every product has a tester. Some stores have testers; some items are sealed or unavailable for testing.
- Do not assume samples are automatic. Ask politely and accept the answer.
- Do not assume tax refund is always possible. Store eligibility, item type, paperwork, and current process can vary. Ask staff and follow current refund instructions.
- Do not assume “low-irritation” means safe for your skin. Patch-test when possible and avoid risky experiments if your skin is reactive.
- Do not assume staff can solve allergy or medical concerns. Use ingredient labels, translation tools, and professional advice when safety matters.
Useful next links
For the skincare side, read the beginner Korean skincare routine guide, cleansing oil vs cleansing balm, and what pH-balanced means on Korean skincare.
For travel basics around shopping days, pair this with what to pack for a first trip to Korea, Korea convenience store tips, basic Korean greetings, and how to say thank you in Korean.
Sources checked
- National Institute of Korean Language Korean-English Learners’ Dictionary, checked on 2026-06-16 as the official Korean learner dictionary reference.
- NIKL learner category search, checked on 2026-06-16 for `buying things` / shopping as a learner situation category.
- NIKL Open API documentation, checked on 2026-06-16 for learner dictionary category and semantic framing.
- Olive Young Global, checked on 2026-06-16 for current visible skincare product, skin type, skin concern, and featured ingredient category language.