Got a Discount Card?

혹시 할인되는 카드 있으세요? (Got a Discount Card?)

Hello! It’s [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!

Ever been to a café in Korea, ordered a delicious coffee, and noticed the local in front of you confidently whipping out their phone to get a discount or save points? Ever wished you could do that too? Well, today is your lucky day! We’re going to learn the essential phrases to save money like a pro.

Lately in Korea, being smart with your money, a trend called ‘짠테크’ (Jjan-tech), is super popular, especially among the younger generation. ‘짠 (jjan)’ means ‘salty’ but also ‘stingy’ in a savvy way, and ‘테크 (tech)’ means ‘technology’. It’s all about using apps and memberships to get the best deals. So, let’s dive in and make your wallet happy!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are three key phrases that will turn you into a money-saving expert in Korea.

1. 포인트 적립 되나요? (Can I get points?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Pointeu jeongnip doenayo?
• English Meaning: “Can I get points for this?” or “Do you have a point system?”
• Detailed Explanation: This is the most common and essential phrase. ‘포인트’ (pointeu) is the English word “point,” and ‘적립’ (jeongnip) means ‘to accumulate’ or ‘to save up’. ‘되나요?’ (doenayo?) is a polite way of asking “Is it possible?”. You can use this almost anywhere: cafes, restaurants, cosmetic shops, and even convenience stores!
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  The pronunciation of ‘적립’ [jeongnip] is a bit tricky! The final consonant ‘ㄱ’ (k/g) in ‘적’ meets the initial consonant ‘ㄹ’ (r/l) in ‘립’. In this case, the ‘ㄱ’ sound changes to ‘ㅇ’ (ng), and the ‘ㄹ’ sound changes to ‘ㄴ’ (n). This is a rule called ‘nasalization’. So, instead of jeok-rip, it sounds much more natural as [jeongnip]. It’s a small change that makes a big difference!

2. 할인되는 카드 있으세요? (Do you have any discount cards?)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Harindoeneun kadeu isseuseyo?
• English Meaning: “Are there any cards that offer a discount?”
• Detailed Explanation: This is another great way to ask for a deal. ‘할인’ (harin) means ‘discount’, ‘카드’ (kadeu) means ‘card’, and ‘있으세요?’ (isseuseyo?) is a polite way to ask “Do you have?”. You’re essentially asking if the store has a partnership with any credit card companies or mobile carriers for a discount.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  For ‘있으세요’ [isseuseyo], the ‘ㅆ’ (ss) sound at the end of ‘있’ links to the next vowel ‘으’ (eu). This is a basic linking rule in Korean called ‘연음’ (yeon-eum). So, you don’t pronounce it as it-euseyo with a pause. Instead, the ‘ㅆ’ sound smoothly moves over, making it sound like one fluid word: [isseuseyo].

3. 핸드폰 번호로 해 주세요. (Please do it with my phone number.)

• Pronunciation [Romanization]: Haendeupon beonhoro hae juseyo.
• English Meaning: “Please use my phone number (to register the points).”
• Detailed Explanation: When the cashier says “Yes” to “포인트 적립 되나요?”, they will often ask for your phone number. This is your perfect response! ‘핸드폰 번호’ (haendeupon beonho) means ‘cell phone number’, ‘-(으)로’ (-ro) is a particle meaning ‘with’ or ‘by means of’, and ‘해 주세요’ (hae juseyo) is the magic phrase for “Please do this for me.”
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Listen closely to ‘번호로’ [beonhoro]. When a syllable ending in ‘ㄴ’ (n) like ‘번’ (beon) is followed by a syllable starting with ‘ㄹ’ (r/l) like ‘호’ (ho), the ‘ㄹ’ sound often changes to a ‘ㄴ’ (n) sound. So, beon-ro is pronounced more smoothly as [beonno]. This makes your speech sound much more fluent!

Example Dialogue

Let’s see these phrases in action at a trendy bakery famous for its 소금빵 (sogeum-ppang, Salt Bread), a huge trend in Korea right now!

• A (You): 안녕하세요! 소금빵 하나랑 아이스 아메리카노 주세요.
  (Annyeonghaseyo! Sogeum-ppang hanarang aiseu amerikano juseyo.)
  (Hello! One salt bread and an iced americano, please.)

• B (Cashier): 네, 총 7,500원입니다.
  (Ne, chong chil-cheon-obaek-won-imnida.)
  (Okay, that will be 7,500 won in total.)

• A (You): 감사합니다. 저기, 포인트 적립 되나요?
  (Gamsahamnida. Jeogi, pointeu jeongnip doenayo?)
  (Thank you. Excuse me, can I get points for this?)

• B (Cashier): 네, 가능합니다.
  (Ne, ganeunghamnida.)
  (Yes, it’s possible.)

• A (You): 그럼 핸드폰 번호로 해 주세요. 010-1234-5678이에요.
  (Geureom haendeupon beonhoro hae juseyo. Gong-il-gong, il-i-sam-sa, o-ryuk-chil-pal-ieyo.)
  (Then please use my phone number. It’s 010-1234-5678.)

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive

In Korea, saving points isn’t just about saving money; it’s a lifestyle! This ‘짠테크’ (Jjan-tech) culture is especially strong among the Z-generation. They use apps to track their spending, find coupons, and accumulate points from different stores into one integrated app.

Pro-Tip: The most common and powerful discounts are often linked to your mobile phone carrier (telecom company). Companies like SKT, KT, and LG U+ have membership programs that offer significant discounts at movie theaters, cafes, convenience stores, and restaurants.

So, when you ask, “할인되는 카드 있으세요?” (Harindoeneun kadeu isseuseyo?), the cashier might ask you which telecom company you use. If you have a Korean SIM card, it’s worth checking out your carrier’s membership app. Using it will make you look like a true local!

Wrap-up & Practice Time!

Great job today! You’ve learned how to confidently ask for points and discounts in Korean. Now you can enjoy Korea’s amazing food scene while being smart with your budget.

Let’s test your knowledge with a quick quiz!

1. You’re at a cosmetics store and want to save points. What do you say?
   

   ______ 적립 되나요?

2. The cashier asks for your number to save the points. How do you ask them to use your phone number (핸드폰 번호)?
   

   __________________ 해 주세요.

You’ve got this! Try to use one of these phrases the next time you’re out.

Leave a comment below using one of the expressions we learned today! See you in the next lesson