9 Korean phrases for shopping and markets (얼마예요, 깎아 주세요)

I'm just looking.

Literally: (It) is just that (I) am looking around.

The answer to 뭐 찾으세요? (what are you looking for?) the moment you step into a small shop. 구경 is browsing or sightseeing, and 그냥 (just) is what keeps it friendly. Staff will leave you alone after this.

How much is this?

Point and ask. 얼마예요 on its own is enough at a market stall. For something across the counter, 저거 (that one over there), and if you want a few, 세 개에 얼마예요? (how much for three?).

Can I try it on?

Literally: Even if (I) try wearing, is it fine?

For clothes. Shoes take a different verb, 신어 봐도 돼요?, and accessories 해 봐도 돼요?. Some market stalls say no to tops, so ask rather than assume.

Do you have another colour?

Swap in what you need: 더 큰 사이즈 (a bigger size), 더 작은 거 (a smaller one), 다른 디자인 (another design). Sizes are mostly numbers or S/M/L, so you can also just hold up fingers.

Could you knock a little off?

Literally: Please shave (it) a little.

Bargaining belongs in markets and small independent shops, never in chains, department stores or anywhere with a barcode. It works best when you are buying several things, and 좀 (a little) keeps it from sounding like a demand.

I'll take this one.

The sentence that ends the browsing. 이거 하나 주세요 (one of these), 이거 두 개 주세요 (two of these). The same 주세요 orders food and asks for a bag, so you are already halfway there.

Do you take cards?

Almost everywhere in Korea does, including taxis and street food. Some market vendors will say 현금으로 하면 깎아 드릴게요, cash gets you the discount, which is the other half of bargaining.

A bag, please.

Plastic bags cost a small fee in Korea, so the cashier asks 봉투 필요하세요? (do you need a bag?) and you answer 네, 하나 주세요 or 아니요, 괜찮아요. 봉투 is the word for the bag; 가방 is a handbag or backpack.

Can I get a refund?

Keep the 영수증 (receipt). 교환 돼요? asks for an exchange instead. Big stores are easy about both within a week or two; markets generally are not, so decide at the stall.