Korea Trip: How to Ask for Sizes

Intro

Hello! This is [Daily Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills to the next level! 👋

Are you planning a trip to Korea soon? Recently, Seongsu-dong and The Hyundai Seoul have become the hottest spots for shopping, filled with trendy Pop-up Stores. From K-pop merch to designer brands, everyone is queuing up to buy the latest items!

But have you ever found a piece of clothing you absolutely loved, only to find it didn’t fit? Don’t worry! Today, we will learn how to ask for a different size and request permission to try clothes on. With these expressions, you can shop confidently like a local fashionista! 🛍️✨

Key Expressions

Here are 3 essential expressions to help you find the perfect fit.

1. 더 큰/작은 사이즈 있어요?

• Pronunciation: [Deo keun/jageun saijeu isseoyo?]
• English Meaning: Do you have a bigger/smaller size?
• Detail: This is the most important phrase when the display item doesn’t fit.
  • 더 (deo): More
  • 큰 (keun): Big / 작은 (jageun): Small
  • 있어요? (isseoyo?): Do you have…?
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip (Liason):
  • When you say 작은 (jageun), notice how the bottom consonant ‘ㄱ(k/g)’ moves over to the next syllable?
  • It is written as jak-eun but pronounced [ja-geun].
  • Similarly, 있어요 is written as it-eo-yo but pronounced [isseoyo]. This flow makes your Korean sound much smoother!

2. 입어 봐도 돼요?

• Pronunciation: [Ibeo bwado dwaeyo?]
• English Meaning: Can I try this on?
• Detail: Before buying, you must check the fit! This grammar pattern “-아/어 봐도 돼요?” is used to ask for permission to do something. It is polite and perfect for talking to store staff.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip (Liason):
  • Here is another linking sound! 입어 is not pronounced as ip-eo.
  • The ‘ㅂ(p/b)’ slides over to the vowel, making it sound like [ibeo].
  • Try saying it quickly: [Ibeo-bwado-dwaeyo].

3. 사이즈가 좀 작아요.

• Pronunciation: [Saijeuga jom jagayo.]
• English Meaning: The size is a bit small.
• Detail: Use this to explain why you need a different size.
  • 좀 (jom): A little / a bit (This softens the sentence, making it sound more polite than just saying “It’s small!”).
  • If it is too big, you can say: “사이즈가 좀 커요 (keoyo).”

Real-Life Dialogue

Imagine you are at a popular streetwear pop-up store in Seongsu-dong. You found a trendy jacket!

Staff (A): 어서 오세요! 도와드릴까요?
(Welcome! Can I help you?)

You (B): 네, 이 재킷 예쁘네요. 혹시 입어 봐도 돼요?
(Yes, this jacket is pretty. By any chance, can I try this on?)

Staff (A): 네, 저쪽 피팅룸 이용하세요.
(Yes, please use the fitting room over there.)

(After trying it on)

You (B): 저기요, 사이즈가 좀 작아요. 혹시 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? 요즘 오버핏(oversized fit)으로 입고 싶어서요.
(Excuse me, the size is a bit small. Do you have a bigger size? I want to wear it in an oversized fit these days.)

Staff (A): 네, 잠시만요. 새 상품으로 가져다 드릴게요!
(Yes, just a moment. I’ll bring you a new one!)

Culture Tip & Trend Analysis 🕶️

“Free Size” and the “Oversized” Trend

1. The “Oversized” Look: As mentioned in the dialogue, the “Oversized Fit” (오버핏) is huge in Korea right now among Gen Z. Even if a small size fits you, many Koreans intentionally ask for a bigger size to look hip and trendy. Don’t be afraid to ask, “더 큰 거 있어요?” (Do you have a bigger one?) even if you are slim!
2. What is “Free Size”? While shopping in Korea, especially at smaller boutiques or underground shopping malls, you will often see the tag “Free Size” (프리 사이즈).
   • This usually means “One Size Fits All.”
   • However, be careful! In Korea, “Free Size” typically fits a standard Small to Medium. If you see this tag, using today’s phrase “입어 봐도 돼요?” (Can I try this on?) is essential to ensure it fits you comfortably.

Wrap-up & Quiz

Today, we learned how to ask for different sizes and permission to try on clothes. Now you are ready to conquer the shopping streets of Seoul!

📝 Mini Quiz:
Fill in the blank to complete the sentence!

• Situation: The pants are too big. You want a smaller size.
• You: “더 [ __________ ] 사이즈 있어요?”

1. 큰 (keun)
2. 작은 (jageun)

Answer: __________ (Check the bottom of the post!)

Please leave a comment below using one of the expressions you learned today! Happy shopping! 🛍️

(Answer: 2. 작은)