Hello! Welcome to [Daily Hangeul], the place to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever walked through a bustling Korean traditional market, mesmerized by the vibrant colors of fresh fruits and vegetables? You see the most delicious-looking tomatoes and want to buy them, but… how do you ask for the price? Don’t worry! Today, we’re going to learn the essential phrases you need to shop like a pro at a Korean market.
Lately in Korea, there’s a huge trend of cooking with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and many popular K-dramas feature charming scenes in traditional markets (sijang, 시장). So, learning these phrases will not only help you shop but also connect you more deeply with modern Korean culture! Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Market Shopping
Here are the top 3 phrases you absolutely need to know.
1. 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)
- Pronunciation [Igeo eolmayeyo?]
- English Meaning: How much is this?
- Detailed Explanation: This is the most fundamental and useful phrase for shopping anywhere in Korea. ‘이거’ (igeo) means ‘this thing,’ and ‘얼마예요?’ (eolmayeyo?) means ‘how much is it?’. You can simply point at what you want to buy and say this phrase. It’s polite and can be used with anyone.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Let’s look at 얼마예요 [eolmayeyo]. The letter ‘ㄹ’ (rieul) at the bottom of a syllable, like in ‘얼’ (eol), is pronounced like the ‘l’ in ‘school’. But when it’s followed by a vowel in the next syllable, it can sound more like a soft ‘r’ or even a flapped ‘l’ sound. Practice saying “eol-ma” smoothly. It’s not “e-ol-ma,” but a connected [eolma].
2. 너무 비싸요. (It’s too expensive.)
- Pronunciation [Neomu bissayo.]
- English Meaning: It’s too expensive.
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Detailed Explanation: While you might not use this every time, it’s a key phrase if you want to try bargaining, which is common in traditional markets! ‘너무’ (neomu) means ‘too’ or ‘very,’ and ‘비싸요’ (bissayo) means ‘it’s expensive.’ Say it with a friendly, slightly disappointed face for the best effect!
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The magic is in 비싸요 [bissayo]. Notice the ‘ㅆ’ (ssangsiot) sound. It’s a “tense” consonant. To make this sound, tighten the muscles in your throat and push the air out forcefully, like the ‘ss’ in ‘hiss’. It’s stronger and harder than a single ‘ㅅ’ (s). Practice the difference: 사 (sa) vs. 싸 (ssa). This tense sound is very common in Korean!
3. 이거 하나 주세요. (Please give me one of this.)
- Pronunciation [Igeo hana juseyo.]
- English Meaning: Please give me one of this.
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Detailed Explanation: You’ve asked the price, and you’ve decided to buy it! This is how you seal the deal. ‘이거’ (igeo) is ‘this,’ ‘하나’ (hana) is the native Korean number for ‘one,’ and ‘주세요’ (juseyo) is the magic word for ‘please give me.’ You can replace ‘하나’ (hana) with other numbers like ‘두 개’ (du gae – two items) or ‘세 개’ (se gae – three items).
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💡 Pronunciation Tip:
In 하나 [hana], the ‘ㅎ’ (hieut) sound is very soft and airy, almost like a whisper. Don’t pronounce it like a hard ‘h’ in “house.” It should be gentle. Think of it as breathing out as you start the word: [hana].
Example Dialogue at the Market
Let’s see how these phrases work in a real conversation! Imagine you are at a market, buying tomatoes like the main character in the new hit drama “Seoul Fresh Love.”
- A (You): (Pointing at a basket of tomatoes)
사장님, 이거 얼마예요?
[Sajangnim, igeo eolmayeyo?]
(Excuse me, how much is this?) -
B (Vendor):
그 토마토 한 바구니에 오천 원이에요.
[Geu tomato han bagunie ocheon wonieyo.]
(That basket of tomatoes is 5,000 won.) -
A (You):
와, 정말 신선해 보여요! 이거 하나 주세요.
[Wa, jeongmal sinseonhae boyeoyo! Igeo hana juseyo.]
(Wow, they look so fresh! Please give me one of this.) -
B (Vendor):
네! 덤이에요. 맛있게 드세요!
[Ne! Deomieyo. Masitge deuseyo!]
(Okay! This is a little extra, on the house. Enjoy the meal!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, especially at traditional markets (sijang), there’s a wonderful culture called 덤 (deom).
Deom is the culture of giving a little extra for free. When you buy something, the vendor might throw in an extra tomato or a couple of strawberries as a sign of generosity and to build a good relationship. This is different from a discount (harin, 할인). It’s a warm-hearted gesture!
So, when you use phrases like “이거 얼마예요?” and “이거 하나 주세요” with a smile, you’re not just buying food; you’re participating in this friendly cultural exchange. Don’t be surprised if you leave with more than you paid for! This is a big reason why visiting markets is a huge trend for both Koreans and tourists looking for an authentic experience.
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! You learned three essential phrases for shopping in a Korean market:
* 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)
* 너무 비싸요. (It’s too expensive.)
* 이거 하나 주세요. (Please give me one of this.)
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
Practice Question:
You are at a market and see a beautiful scarf you want to buy. How would you ask for the price?
Fill in the blank:
(Pointing at the scarf) _______ 얼마예요?
Leave your answer in the comments below using the phrases we learned today! We can’t wait to see you use your new Korean skills. Happy shopping
