K-Fashion Shopping? Ask for Sizes & Colors Like a Pro!

K-Fashion Shopping? Ask for Sizes & Colors Like a Pro!

Hello! Welcome to Everyday Korean, your go-to for leveling up your Korean skills!

Have you ever been shopping in a trendy Seoul neighborhood, found the perfect item, but it wasn’t quite the right fit or color? Don’t let that stop you! Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases to ask for different sizes and colors, so you can shop with confidence.

Lately in Korea, Y2K fashion is making a huge comeback! Think wide-leg pants, crop tops, and cool vintage jackets. Imagine you’re in a cool boutique in Hongdae and you spot the perfect Y2K denim jacket, but it’s a little too big. What do you say? Let’s find out!

Core Expressions for Smart Shopping

Here are three must-know phrases that will make your shopping experience in Korea a breeze.

1. 이거 다른 색깔도 있어요? (Do you have this in other colors?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Igeo dareun saekkkal-do isseoyo?
• English Meaning: Do you have this in other colors?
• Detailed Explanation: This is your magic phrase when you love the style but not the color. Let’s break it down:
  • 이거 (igeo) = This
  • 다른 (dareun) = Different / Other
  • 색깔 (saekkkal) = Color
  • -도 (-do) = Also / Too
  • 있어요? (isseoyo?) = Do you have…? / Is there…?
    It’s a polite and universally understood question in any shop.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The word 색깔도 is not pronounced saek-kal-do, but rather [saekkaltto]. In Korean, when certain consonants meet, they become stronger. Here, the ㄷ(d) sound in 도(do) comes after a final consonant ㄹ(l), so it tenses up and becomes a ㄸ(tt) sound. This rule is called ‘경음화’ (gyeong-eumhwa), or ‘tensing’, and it will make you sound much more natural!

2. 더 큰/작은 사이즈 있어요? (Do you have a bigger/smaller size?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Deo keun/jageun saijeu isseoyo?
• English Meaning: Do you have a bigger/smaller size?

• Detailed Explanation: This is the key to finding the perfect fit!

  • 더 (deo) = More
  • 큰 (keun) = Big (from the verb 크다, to be big)
  • 작은 (jageun) = Small (from the verb 작다, to be small)
  • 사이즈 (saijeu) = Size (This is a Konglish word, from the English ‘size’!)
    Simply choose 큰 for ‘bigger’ or 작은 for ‘smaller’.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: For 작은, instead of saying jak-eun as two separate parts, the final consonant ㄱ(k) from 작(jak) moves over to the next syllable. So, you pronounce it smoothly as [ja-geun]. This is a fundamental pronunciation rule called ‘연음’ (yeon-eum), or ‘linking’, and you’ll see it everywhere!

3. 입어봐도 돼요? (May I try this on?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Ibeobwado dwaeyo?
• English Meaning: May I try this on?

• Detailed Explanation: Before you head to the fitting room, it’s polite to ask. This phrase is formed from the grammar pattern V-아/어 봐도 되다, which means “it’s okay to…” or “may I…”.

  • 입다 (ipda) = To wear
  • ~아/어 보다 (~a/eo boda) = To try doing something
  • ~아/어 봐도 돼요? (~a/eo bwado dwaeyo?) = May I try…?
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Just like our last tip, 입어봐도 uses the linking rule (‘연음’). The final consonant ㅂ(b) in 입(ip) links to the next vowel 어(eo). So, you pronounce it as one smooth flow: [i-beo-bwa-do], not ip-eo-bwa-do. Practice it slowly: i-beo-bwa-do. Perfect!

Example Dialogue

Let’s see these phrases in action! Imagine you are at a trendy shop in Seongsu-dong.

• A: (Holding a Y2K-style denim jacket) 저기요, 이거 너무 예쁜데… 더 작은 사이즈 있어요?
  • (Jeogiyo, igeo neomu yeppeunde… deo jageun saijeu isseoyo?)
  • Excuse me, this is so pretty… do you have a smaller size?
• B (Shopkeeper): 네, 잠시만요… 여기 있습니다.
  • (Ne, jamsimanyo… Yeogi itseumnida.)
  • Yes, just a moment… Here you are.
• A: 감사합니다! 혹시 입어봐도 돼요?
  • (Gamsahamnida! Hoksi ibeobwado dwaeyo?)
  • Thank you! By any chance, may I try it on?
• B (Shopkeeper): 그럼요. 피팅룸은 저쪽이에요.
  • (Geureomyo. Pitingrumeun jeojjog-ieyo.)
  • Of course. The fitting room is over there.

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

• K-Fashion Sizes: Korean clothing sizes can be different from what you’re used to! Women’s clothing often uses numbers like 44, 55, 66, and men’s tops are commonly 95, 100, 105. Many clothes in smaller boutiques, especially those popular with the younger generation, might even come in “Free Size” (프리사이즈), which is designed to be a one-size-fits-most. Don’t be afraid to ask about the fit!
• The Y2K Trend on Social Media: Korean Gen Z (Z세대) are fully embracing the Y2K aesthetic. On Instagram, you’ll see idols and influencers posting photos with hashtags like #Y2K패션 (Y2K fashion) or #세기말패션 (end-of-the-century fashion). Knowing today’s phrases will help you find your own unique Y2K items to join the trend!

Let’s Review & Practice!

Great job today! You’ve learned how to ask for different colors (다른 색깔), sizes (더 큰/작은 사이즈), and permission to try clothes on (입어봐도 돼요?).

Now, let’s test your knowledge!

1. Fill-in-the-blank: You love a shirt, but it’s blue and you want a different one. What do you ask?
   

   이거 _______ 색깔도 있어요? (Hint: The word for ‘other’)

2. Make a sentence: How would you ask, “May I try on these pants (이 바지)?”

Leave your answers in the comments below using the phrases we learned today. We’d love to see you try! Happy shopping