Shopping in Korea: Finding Your Perfect Color!
Introduction
Hello! This is [Daily Korean], here to upgrade your Korean skills! 👋
Are you planning to go shopping for clothes in Korea? Today, we are going to learn how to ask for the specific color you want at a clothing store.
Nowadays in Korea, it’s not just about buying any color. There is a huge trend called “Personal Color” (퍼스널 컬러) analysis. Everyone is busy finding out if they are a “Warm Tone” or a “Cool Tone” to choose colors that make their face shine! 🌟
Knowing how to ask for the right color is essential to keeping up with this trend. Let’s learn how to shop like a local!
Key Expressions
Here are 3 essential expressions to help you find your perfect match!
1. 검은색 있어요?
- Pronunciation: [Geomeunsaek isseoyo?]
- English Meaning: Do you have this in black?
- Details: This is the most basic and useful phrase. You can replace ‘검은색’ (black) with any other color like ‘하얀색’ (white) or ‘파란색’ (blue). It is a polite way to ask for stock.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip (Liaison):
- When you say 검은 (geomeun), the bottom consonant ‘ㅁ(m)’ moves over to the empty ‘ㅇ’ spot in the next block. So, it sounds like [거믄 (geo-meun)].
- Similarly, 있어요 (isseoyo) sounds like [이써요 (i-sseo-yo)]. This flow makes your Korean sound very smooth!
2. 다른 색깔 보여 주세요.
- Pronunciation: [Dareun saek-kkal boyeo juseyo.]
- English Meaning: Please show me a different color.
- Details: If you like the design but not the color, use this phrase! ‘보여 주세요’ means “Please show me.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip (Tensification):
- Look at 색깔 (color). It is written as ‘saek-gal’, but pronounced [saek-kkal].
- Why? When the ending sound ‘ㄱ(k)’ meets the beginning sound ‘ㄱ(g)’, the sound becomes strong and tense, turning into a double ‘ㄲ(kk)’. Pronounce it with a little burst of energy!
3. 핑크색이 더 잘 어울려요.
- Pronunciation: [Pingkeusaegi deo jal eoullyeoyo.]
- English Meaning: Pink suits me better.
- Details: Use this when you want to express your opinion or decision. ‘잘 어울려요’ means “suits well” or “looks good on.” You can use this to compliment your friends too!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip (Liquidization):
- 어울려요 (eoullyeoyo): Notice the ‘ㄹ(l)’ sound? When ‘ㄹ’ meets a vowel, it rolls softly like an ‘L’.
- Also, 잘 (jal) + 어 (eo) connects to sound like [자러 (ja-reo)]. Don’t stop between the words; connect them!
Conversation Example
Let’s see how these expressions work in real life. Imagine you are at a trendy shop in Hongdae!
A (Customer): 저기요, 이 티셔츠 검은색 있어요?
(Excuse me, do you have this T-shirt in black?)B (Clerk): 아, 검은색은 품절이에요. 요즘 뉴진스(NewJeans)가 입어서 인기가 많거든요.
(Ah, black is sold out. It’s very popular because NewJeans wore it recently.)A (Customer): 아, 그래요? 그럼 다른 색깔 보여 주세요.
(Oh, really? Then please show me a different color.)B (Clerk): 네, 이 파란색은 어때요? 손님은 쿨톤이라서 잘 어울릴 것 같아요!
(Yes, how about this blue one? You seem to be a “Cool Tone,” so I think it will suit you well!)
Culture Tip & Trend Analysis: “Personal Color”
🛍️ Are you a “Warm Tone” or a “Cool Tone”?
As mentioned in the intro, the “Personal Color” craze is huge in Korea right now.
* Warm Tone (웜톤 – Wom-ton): You look better in gold jewelry, beige, and orange/brown shades.
* Cool Tone (쿨톤 – Kul-ton): You look better in silver jewelry, white, and blue/pink shades.
When you go shopping in Korea, clerks might actually compliment you by saying, “손님은 쿨톤이시네요!” (You are a Cool Tone!).
If you know your tone, you can say:
* “저 웜톤이에요.” (I am a Warm Tone.)
* “저 쿨톤이에요.” (I am a Cool Tone.)
This will help the clerk recommend the perfect ‘인생 컬러’ (Life Color – meaning the best color of your life) for you!
Wrap-up & Quiz
Today we learned how to ask for colors and express what looks good on you. Now you are ready to find the perfect outfit in Korea!
📝 Mini Quiz:
Try to complete the sentences below!
- (Looking for a white shirt)
__________ 있어요? (Do you have white?)
(Hint: White is ‘하얀색’ [hayan-saek]) -
(Asking to see a different color)
다른 __________ 보여 주세요.
(Hint: Color is ‘색깔’ [saek-kkal])
Leave your answers in the comments below! 👇
Also, tell us what your favorite color is in Korean!
See you in the next lesson! Annyeong! 👋
