K-Shopping Hack: Master Points (포인트) & Gift Vouchers!
Hello! This is [Maeil Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills! ✨
Have you ever been in a cafe or store in Korea and seen someone pay for their entire purchase just by scanning a barcode on their phone? It feels like magic, right? Well, that magic is often powered by points (포인트) and gift vouchers (상품권)!
Lately in Korea, there’s a huge trend called ‘앱테크’ (App-tech), where people use apps to collect small amounts of points that add up to real money. It’s a smart and popular way to save. Today, you’ll learn the essential Korean phrases to join this trend and shop like a savvy local. Let’s unlock these K-shopping secrets together!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are the key phrases that will turn you into a points-collecting pro!
1. 포인트 사용할게요 (Pointeu sayonghalgeyo)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [Po-in-teu sa-yong-hal-ge-yo]
- English Meaning: I’ll use my points.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the go-to phrase when you want to pay with the points you’ve saved. The grammar pattern
-(으)ㄹ게요shows your intention or will to do something. It’s a polite and very common way to speak to a cashier or select an option online. - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Theㄹin할and theㄱin게요are pronounced smoothly without a pause. Don’t stress each syllable. Instead, let it flow naturally:sayong-halgeyo.
2. 포인트 적립해 주세요 (Pointeu jeongniphae juseyo)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [Po-in-teu jeong-ni-pae ju-se-yo]
- English Meaning: Please add the points (to my account).
- Detailed Explanation: Use this phrase after you pay to earn points on your purchase.
적립하다(jeongnipada) means “to accumulate” or “to save up.” Combined with~아/어 주세요(a/eo juseyo), it becomes a polite request: “Please do [verb] for me.” - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
This one has a tricky but important sound change! The word 적립 is spelled ‘jeok-rip’ but is pronounced [jeongnip]. The final consonantㄱ(k) changes toㅇ(ng) when it’s followed byㄹ(r/l), and thatㄹ(r/l) then changes toㄴ(n). It sounds complicated, but it makes the pronunciation much smoother. Practice saying [정닙, jeongnip]!
3. 상품권으로 결제할게요 (Sangpumgwoneuro gyeoljehalgeyo)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: [Sang-pum-ggwo-neu-ro gyeol-jje-hal-ge-yo]
- English Meaning: I’ll pay with a gift certificate/voucher.
- Detailed Explanation:
상품권(sangpumgwon) is the word for a gift certificate or voucher, which can be physical or digital (often called a ‘mobile gifticon’ – 모바일 상품권). The particle-(으)로means “with” or “by means of.”결제하다(gyeoljehada) is the verb “to pay.” - 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Notice the sound of 권? It’s pronounced [꿘, kkwon] with a strong, tenseㄲ(kk) sound, not a softㄱ(g). This is a common sound change called tensification (경음화). When a syllable ending in a nasal sound likeㅁ(m) is followed byㄱ(g),ㄷ(d), orㅂ(b), that next consonant becomes tense (ㄲ,ㄸ,ㅃ). So,상-품-권becomes [상-품-꿘].
Example Dialogue 🛍️
Here’s how these phrases might be used when two friends are talking about buying K-pop merch online.
- A: 드디어 새로운 아이브(IVE) 앨범 샀어! 온라인으로 주문했지.
(I finally bought the new IVE album! I ordered it online.) - B: 와, 축하해! 돈 많이 썼겠다.
(Wow, congrats! You must have spent a lot of money.) - A: 아니! 그동안 모은 포인트가 많아서, “전액 포인트 사용할게요” 옵션을 클릭했어. 공짜로 산 셈이야!
(Nope! I had a lot of points saved up, so I clicked the “I’ll use my points for the full amount” option. It was basically free!) - B: 대박! 나는 생일선물로 받은 상품권으로 결제할게. 아, 그리고 결제 후에 “포인트 적립해 주세요” 누르는 거 잊지 말아야지!
(Awesome! I’ll pay with the gift certificate I got for my birthday. Oh, and I can’t forget to press “Please add the points” after I pay!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive 🕵️♀️
In Korea, collecting points is more than just saving money; it’s a lifestyle known as 짠테크 (Jjan-tech). ‘짠’ means ‘salty’ but is slang for being frugal or stingy, and ‘테크’ is short for ‘technology.’ It refers to the practice of using apps and technology to make or save small amounts of money.
- How do people do it? Many Koreans use apps that reward them with points for walking a certain number of steps, watching short ads, or completing simple surveys.
- Why is it popular? Especially among the Z generation, it’s seen as a smart, productive, and almost game-like way to manage finances. Having a lot of points on a popular app like Naver Pay (네이버페이) or at a store like Olive Young (올리브영) is a point of pride!
- Pro-Tip: When you use these phrases, Koreans will see you as a savvy consumer who understands the local culture. It’s a great way to show you’re not just a tourist, but someone who really gets life in Korea!
Let’s Review & Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to save money and shop like a local in Korea. Remember these key phrases:
- 포인트 사용할게요 (I’ll use points)
- 포인트 적립해 주세요 (Please give me points)
- 상품권으로 결제할게요 (I’ll pay with a gift voucher)
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
1. Fill in the blank: You have a mobile gift voucher you want to use to buy a coffee. What do you show the cashier and say?
“이 ______으로 결제할게요.”
2. Quick Quiz (O/X): If you want to earn points on a purchase, you should say “포인트 사용할게요.” (Is this statement O or X?)
Leave your answers in the comments below! Also, tell us what you would buy in Korea with your points. Happy shopping! 💰
