Shop Like an Idol: Asking for Your Size in Korean!
Hello! It’s your favorite Korean teacher from [Everyday Hangul], here to upgrade your skills!
Have you ever been shopping in Myeongdong or Hongdae, found the perfect jacket, but it just wasn’t the right fit? Don’t worry, it happens to everyone! Today, we’re going to learn the essential Korean phrases to ask for a different size.
These days in Korea, oversized fashion inspired by K-pop idols is a huge trend! But “oversized” doesn’t always mean one-size-fits-all. Knowing how to ask for a bigger or smaller size will make you a much more confident shopper and help you get that perfect K-fashion look. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Shopping Success
Here are the key phrases you absolutely need to know.
1. 더 큰 사이즈 (A Bigger Size)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Deo keun saijeu
- English Meaning: A bigger size
- Detailed Explanation: This is a combination of three parts: 더 (deo) meaning ‘more’, 큰 (keun) meaning ‘big’ (from the verb 크다, to be big), and 사이즈 (saijeu), the Korean way of saying ‘size’. You can use this phrase to build the full question.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㅋ’ (k) in 큰 (keun) is an aspirated sound. This means you should release a strong puff of air when you say it, like the ‘k’ in “kite.” It’s stronger than the ‘ㄱ’ (g/k) in words like ‘가방’ (gabang). Practice saying “Keun!” with a little explosion of air!
2. 더 작은 사이즈 (A Smaller Size)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Deo jageun saijeu
- English Meaning: A smaller size
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Detailed Explanation: Just like the one above, this phrase uses 더 (deo) for ‘more’ and 사이즈 (saijeu) for ‘size’. The only difference is 작은 (jageun), which means ‘small’ (from the verb 작다, to be small).
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The ‘ㅈ’ (j) sound in 작은 (jageun) can be tricky. It’s somewhere between an English ‘j’ and ‘ch’. Try to make the sound at the front of your mouth. It’s a soft but clear sound.
3. 있어요? (Do you have…?)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Isseoyo?
- English Meaning: Do you have…? / Is there…?
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Detailed Explanation: This is one of the most useful expressions in Korean! You can attach it to the end of any noun to ask if it’s available. It’s polite, common, and perfect for talking to store staff.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The double consonant ‘ㅆ’ (ss) in 있어요 (isseoyo) is a tense sound. To make this sound, tense up the back of your tongue and push the air out without any puff. It should sound like a sharp, clear ‘s’, like the ‘s’ in “snake,” but with more tension. It’s different from the softer ‘ㅅ’ (s).
Example Conversation in a Store
Imagine you’re in a cool vintage shop in Hongdae, and you find a trendy oversized hoodie.
- A (You): (Holding up the hoodie) 이거 너무 예쁜데, 저한테 조금 작아요.
- (Igeo neomu yeppeunde, jeohante jogeum jagayo.)
- This is so pretty, but it’s a little small for me.
- A (You): 혹시 더 큰 사이즈 있어요?
- (Hoksi deo keun saijeu isseoyo?)
- Do you happen to have a bigger size?
- B (Clerk): 네, 잠시만요. 창고에서 확인해 볼게요.
- (Ne, jamsimanyo. Changgo-eseo hwanginhae bolgeyo.)
- Yes, one moment. I’ll check in the stockroom.
- A (You): 감사합니다!
- (Gamsahamnida!)
- Thank you!
Culture Tip & K-Fashion Trend Deep Dive
Decoding “Free Size” (프리사이즈)!
When you’re shopping in Korea, you’ll see the tag 프리사이즈 (peuri-saijeu) everywhere. This means “Free Size” or “One-size-fits-all.” This is very common because of the oversized trend. However, be careful! Korean “Free Size” is often designed for a standard Korean body type, which might be smaller than what you’re used to.
So, even if something is “Free Size,” it might feel too small or too big. That’s when today’s phrases become your secret weapon! You can ask “더 작은 사이즈 있어요?” if the oversized fit is just too baggy for your style. Knowing this will make you look like a real Korean shopping pro!
Many K-pop idols, like the members of NewJeans, are famous for making the oversized look cool and chic. They often wear clothes that are intentionally much larger to create a specific silhouette. By asking for a bigger size, you can try to recreate that trendy idol look for yourself!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! You’ve learned how to confidently ask for the size you need. Remember these two key sentences:
- 더 큰 사이즈 있어요? (Do you have a bigger size?)
- 더 작은 사이즈 있어요? (Do you have a smaller size?)
Now, let’s test your knowledge!
- Fill in the blank: You tried on some pants, but they are too big. You should say to the clerk:
“이거 너무 커요. 더 ____ 사이즈 있어요?”
(Igeo neomu keoyo. Deo ____ saijeu isseoyo?) - Make a sentence: How would you ask if they have this t-shirt (이 티셔츠) in a bigger size?
Leave your answers in the comments below using the phrases you learned today! Happy shopping
