Level Up Your K-Shopping: From “How Much?” to “Coupon, Please!”
Hello! It’s your favorite Korean teacher from [Everyday Hangul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Ever been shopping in Korea, found the perfect item, and wished you could get a little discount? Today, we’re going to learn the magic words to do just that! We’ll dive into how to use coupons and discounts like a local.
Especially these days in Korea, smart shopping is a huge trend called ‘앱테크’ (App-tech), where people use smartphone apps to collect points and coupons. After today’s lesson, you’ll be able to join in on the fun and save some won on your next shopping spree!
Core Expressions for Smart Shoppers
Here are three essential phrases you need to master.
1. 쿠폰 쓸게요 (Kupon sseulgeyo)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Kupon sseulgeyo
- English Meaning: I’ll use a coupon.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most direct and common way to tell a cashier you have a coupon you want to use. ‘쓸게요’ (sseulgeyo) comes from the verb ‘쓰다’ (sseuda), which means ‘to use’. The ‘-ㄹ게요’ (-lgeyo) ending is used to express your intention to do something. It’s polite and perfect for use in stores.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The ‘ㅆ’ (ss) in 쓸게요 (sseulgeyo) is a tensed consonant. It sounds stronger and higher-pitched than a single ‘ㅅ’ (s). To make this sound, tense the back of your tongue and push the air out forcefully, like the “ss” in “hiss”. The pronunciation is [쓸께요/sseulkkeyo]. It’s a subtle but important difference that will make you sound more natural!
2. 이거 사용할 수 있어요? (Igeo sayonghal su isseoyo?)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Igeo sayonghal su isseoyo?
- English Meaning: Can I use this?
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Detailed Explanation: This is a super useful question when you’re not sure if your coupon is valid for the item you’re buying. ‘이거’ (igeo) means ‘this’, and ‘사용할 수 있어요?’ (sayonghal su isseoyo?) is the question form of ‘can use’. You can say this while showing the coupon on your phone or a paper coupon.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Notice the word 있어요 (isseoyo). It’s written as ‘iss-eo-yo’, but the final ‘ㅆ’ (ss) consonant sound from the first syllable moves to the next syllable. This is a very common Korean pronunciation rule called liaison (or 연음, yeoneum). So, instead of a choppy ‘iss-eo-yo’, it flows smoothly as [이써요/isseoyo].
3. 할인 적용됐어요? (Harin jeogyongdwaesseoyo?)
- Pronunciation [Romanized]: Harin jeogyongdwaesseoyo?
- English Meaning: Is the discount applied?
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Detailed Explanation: After you’ve given the cashier your coupon, this is the perfect phrase to confirm that the discount has been successfully registered. ‘할인’ (harin) means ‘discount’, and ‘적용됐어요?’ (jeogyongdwaesseoyo?) means ‘has it been applied?’. It shows you’re paying attention and helps avoid any mistakes.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The syllable 됐 (dwaess) can look tricky! It’s a combination of ‘ㄷ+ㅗ+ㅣ+ㅆ’ which creates the ‘dwaess’ sound. The following ‘어요’ (eoyo) connects with the ‘ㅆ’ sound, again because of the liaison rule. So it’s pronounced smoothly as [적용돼써요/jeogyongdwaesseoyo].
Example Dialogue (At a Cosmetics Store)
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation at a popular store like Olive Young.
- A (Customer): 안녕하세요. 이거 계산해 주세요. (Annyeonghaseyo. Igeo gyesanhae juseyo.)
- Hello. I’d like to pay for this, please.
- B (Cashier): 네. 25,000원입니다. (Ne. Iman ocheon wonimnida.)
- Okay. That will be 25,000 won.
- A (Customer): 저, 앱 쿠폰 쓸게요. (Jeo, aep kupon sseulgeyo.)
- Excuse me, I’ll use the app coupon.
- B (Cashier): 네, 바코드 보여주세요. (Ne, bakodeu boyeojuseyo.)
- Sure, please show me the barcode.
- (A shows the phone screen)
- A (Customer): 5,000원 할인 적용됐어요? (Ocheon won harin jeogyongdwaesseoyo?)
- Is the 5,000 won discount applied?
- B (Cashier): 네, 적용됐습니다. 20,000원입니다. (Ne, jeogyongdwaetseumnida. Iman wonimnida.)
- Yes, it’s applied. The total is 20,000 won.
Culture Tip: Master the “App-Tech” Trend!
As I mentioned, 앱테크 (App-tech), a combination of ‘Application’ and ‘Tech’, is a huge part of daily life for young Koreans. It’s all about using apps to make or save money.
- How they do it: Before buying anything, from coffee to clothes, many Koreans will first check the brand’s official app or other popular shopping apps for daily coupons, flash sales, or loyalty points.
- Popular Apps: Almost every major brand has an app. For cosmetics, it’s 올리브영 (Olive Young). For furniture and home goods, 오늘의집 (O-House) is famous. Even your daily coffee at Starbucks can be cheaper with the app!
- Pro-Tip: If you’re staying in Korea for a while, ask a Korean friend which apps are essential for shopping. Using the phrases you learned today with these apps will make you look like a true local shopping expert!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to confidently use coupons in Korea. You now know:
* 쿠폰 쓸게요 (I’ll use a coupon)
* 이거 사용할 수 있어요? (Can I use this?)
* 할인 적용됐어요? (Is the discount applied?)
Now, let’s put it to the test!
Quick Quiz:
You’re at a bakery buying some delicious bread. You have a 10% discount coupon on your phone. What do you say to the cashier when you’re ready to pay?
Fill in the blank:
“계산해 주세요. 그리고… ____________________.” (Gyesanhae juseyo. Geurigo… ____________________.)
Leave your answer in the comments below using one of the expressions we learned today! I’ll check every single one. Happy shopping
