The Ultimate Guide to Gifting Books in Korea!

Hello! It’s your favorite Korean teacher from [매일한글] (Maeil Hangeul), here to level up your Korean skills!

Have you ever wanted to give a thoughtful gift to a friend in Korea? Forget the usual souvenirs! Today, we’re diving into a super trendy and heartfelt way to show you care: gifting a book.

Did you know that gifting books, especially beautifully written essays or poetry, is very popular in Korea right now? It’s seen as a chic and meaningful gesture. We’ll learn the essential Korean phrases you need to walk into a bookstore, pick the perfect book, and ask for it to be gift-wrapped like a local. Let’s get started!

Core Expressions for the Bookstore

Here are the key phrases that will make your book-gifting mission a success!

1. 이걸로 할게요 (Igeollo halgeyo)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Ee-guhl-lo hal-geh-yo
• English Meaning: I’ll take this one. / I’ll go with this.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the perfect, natural-sounding phrase to use when you’ve made your decision. 이걸로 (igeollo) means “with this thing,” and 할게요 (halgeyo) is a polite way to state your intention. It’s much smoother than saying “I want to buy this.” Use it for anything you’re buying, from coffee to clothes to books!

2. 선물 포장해 주세요 (Seonmul pojanghae juseyo)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Sun-mool po-jang-heh joo-seh-yo
• English Meaning: Please gift-wrap it.
• Detailed Explanation: This is the magic phrase! Let’s break it down: 선물 (seonmul) means “gift,” and 포장 (pojang) means “wrapping.” When you add ~해 주세요 (hae juseyo), you’re creating a polite request, “Please do ~ for me.” So, you’re literally saying, “Please do the gift wrapping.” It’s a must-know for any gift shopping in Korea.

3. 메시지 카드도 있나요? (Mesiji kadeudo innayo?)

• Pronunciation [Romanized]: Meh-si-ji ka-deu-do eet-na-yo?
• English Meaning: Do you have message cards, too?
• Detailed Explanation: A heartfelt gift needs a personal message! 메시지 카드 (mesiji kadeu) is a direct loanword from English, “message card.” The particle ~도 (do) means “also” or “too,” and 있나요? (innayo?) is a polite way to ask “Is there…?” or “Do you have…?” Use this to add that final personal touch to your present.

Example Dialogue in a Bookstore

Imagine you’re in a cozy little bookstore in Seoul, picking out a gift for your friend.

• A (You): 저기요, 이 책으로 할게요.
  • (Jeogiyo, i chaegeuro halgeyo.)
  • Excuse me, I’ll take this book.
• B (Staff): 네, 알겠습니다. 더 필요하신 거 있으세요?
  • (Ne, algesseumnida. Deo pillyohasin geo isseuseyo?)
  • Okay, I understand. Do you need anything else?
• A (You): 네, 선물 포장해 주세요.
  • (Ne, seonmul pojanghae juseyo.)
  • Yes, please gift-wrap it.
• B (Staff): 물론이죠. 잠시만 기다려주세요.
  • (Mullonijyo. Jamsiman gidaryeojuseyo.)
  • Of course. Please wait just a moment.
• A (You): 감사합니다! 아, 혹시 메시지 카드도 있나요?
  • (Gamsahamnida! A, hoksi mesiji kadeudo innayo?)
  • Thank you! Oh, by any chance, do you have message cards, too?
• B (Staff): 네, 여기 있습니다. 예쁜 걸로 골라보세요.
  • (Ne, yeogi isseumnida. Yeppeun geollo gollaboseyo.)
  • Yes, they’re right here. Please pick a pretty one.

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

In Korea, especially among the younger generation (the “MZ Generation”), there’s a huge appreciation for “동네 책방” (dongne chaekbang), or small, independent neighborhood bookstores.

Why? These aren’t just places to buy books. They are curated cultural spaces. The owners carefully select unique books, often from independent authors, that you can’t find in large chain stores. The gift-wrapping service at these shops is often an art form itself, using special paper, dried flowers, or custom stamps.

So, when you use the phrase “선물 포장해 주세요” at a dongne chaekbang, you’re not just getting a service; you’re participating in a modern Korean cultural trend that values thoughtfulness and aesthetics over mass-produced items. Gifting a book from one of these shops shows you’ve put in extra thought and care, which makes the gift even more special!

Wrap-up & Practice Time!

Great job today! You’ve learned how to confidently choose a book and ask for it to be gift-wrapped in Korean. You now know:
* 이걸로 할게요 (I’ll take this one.)
* 선물 포장해 주세요 (Please gift-wrap it.)
* 메시지 카드도 있나요? (Do you have message cards, too?)

Now, let’s test your knowledge!

1. Fill in the blank: You’ve found the perfect book for your friend. You take it to the counter and say:

이 책, ______ ______ 주세요.

2. Quick Quiz (O/X): If you want to say “I’ll take this one,” you should say “이거 주세요 (Igeo juseyo).” (Is this the most natural phrase we learned today? O or X?)

Leave your answers in the comments below! And for extra practice, try writing a sentence about a book you’d like to gift to a friend using today’s phrases. Keep up the amazing work