Score Tech Deals on Karrot! Your Guide to Korean Used-Goods Apps
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever wanted to buy a new phone or laptop in Korea but felt worried about the price? Or maybe you’ve seen Koreans buying and selling all sorts of things on a cool app with an orange carrot logo? Today, we’re going to unlock the secrets of this world!
These days in Korea, using second-hand trading apps like the famous Karrot (당근) is a huge trend. It’s the best way to find amazing deals on electronics, furniture, and even K-pop idol goods! Let’s learn the key phrases you need to navigate these apps and score some awesome items like a local.
Core Expressions for Your Trading Adventure
Here are the essential phrases you’ll need to start buying and selling.
1. 혹시… 팔렸나요? (Hoksi… pallyeotnayo?)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Hok-si … pal-lyeot-na-yo?
- English Meaning: “By any chance… is this sold?”
- Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect first message to a seller. ‘혹시’ (hoksi) is a very polite and soft way to start a question, like “excuse me, but…” or “by any chance…”. ‘팔렸나요?’ (pallyeotnayo?) means “is it sold?”. It’s much more natural and polite than just asking “Can I buy this?”.
2. 네고 가능한가요? (Nego ganeung-hangayo?)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Ne-go ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
- English Meaning: “Is the price negotiable?”
- Detailed Explanation: Want a little discount? This is the phrase to use! ‘네고’ (nego) is a very common slang word that comes from the English word “negotiation.” ‘가능한가요?’ (ganeung-hangayo?) means “is it possible?”. It’s a casual but polite way to ask for a better price. Just remember to be reasonable!
3. 직거래 원해요. (Jikgeorae wonhaeyo.)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Jik-geo-rae won-hae-yo.
- English Meaning: “I’d like to do an in-person transaction.”
- Detailed Explanation: For electronics, it’s always safer to see the item before you buy it. ‘직거래’ (jikgeorae) means “direct trade” or “in-person transaction.” Most trades on neighborhood-based apps like Karrot happen this way. You simply meet the seller at a convenient public place, like a subway station, check the item, and pay.
4. 득템했어요! (Deuktem-haesseoyo!)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Deuk-tem-haes-seo-yo!
- English Meaning: “I got a great deal!” / “What a find!”
- Detailed Explanation: This is the victory cry after a successful purchase! ‘득템’ (deuktem) is a fun slang word combining ‘득’ (deuk), from a Chinese character meaning “to gain,” and the English word “item.” You use this phrase when you’re excited about something you bought, especially if it was a good price or a rare item.
Example Dialogue: Buying a Used Tablet
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation on a trading app.
- A (Buyer): 안녕하세요! 아이패드 광고 보고 연락드렸어요. 혹시 아직 안 팔렸나요?
(Hello! I’m contacting you about the iPad ad. By any chance, is it still available?) - B (Seller): 네, 아직 있어요.
(Yes, it’s still available.) - A (Buyer): 다름이 아니라, 네고 조금 가능한가요?
(I was wondering, is the price slightly negotiable?) - B (Seller): 음… 5,000원 정도는 빼드릴 수 있어요.
(Hmm… I can take off about 5,000 won.) - A (Buyer): 좋아요! 그럼 직거래 원해요. 어디서 만날 수 있을까요?
(Great! I’d like to do an in-person transaction. Where can we meet?) - B (Seller): 저는 강남역 2번 출구 앞에서 편해요.
(Meeting in front of Gangnam Station, Exit 2 is convenient for me.)
(Later, A tells their friend…)
- A (to friend): 나 오늘 아이패드 완전 싸게 샀어! 득템했어요!
(I bought an iPad for super cheap today! What a find!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
- The Secret of ‘Karrot’ (당근): The name of the most popular app, 당근 (dang-geun), means carrot. But it’s also a clever pun! It sounds like “당신 근처의” (dang-sin geun-cheo-ui), which means “near you.” The app is all about trading with your neighbors, which is why 직거래 (jikgeorae) is the standard method.
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Your “Manner Temperature” (매너온도): On Karrot, every user has a “Manner Temperature” (매너온도). It starts at 36.5°C (normal human body temperature). Positive reviews and polite interactions make your temperature go up, showing others you are a trustworthy person. Using polite phrases like “혹시…?” is a great way to keep your temperature high!
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Show Off Your #득템: For young Koreans, finding a great deal is something to be proud of. After a successful purchase, it’s very common to post a picture on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #당근득템 or #오늘의득템 (today’s find) to show off their amazing new item.
Let’s Practice!
Time to check your understanding. You’re now ready to find your own treasures!
- Fill in the blank: You found a used laptop you love, but you want to ask for a small discount. What do you say?
“노트북 가격, 혹시 _________ 가능한가요?”
- Make a sentence: You just bought a limited edition BTS album from another fan on a trading app for a very good price. How would you excitedly tell your friend? (Hint: Use our “victory” phrase!)
You’re all set to become a master of Korean trading apps! Try using one of these expressions to write a comment below. Happy trading and happy learning
