9 Korean phrases for skincare shopping at Olive Young
An Olive Young on a Seoul street is small, bright, and so densely stocked that the first visit is overwhelming in a good way. Staff are attentive, the testers are out, and the deals are written in a shorthand of plus signs and percentages that takes a minute to decode.
These nine phrases get you from the door to the register in polite 요 speech, the right register for any shop. They cover browsing without being helped, asking the questions that actually improve a purchase, and the checkout exchanges that come up every single time.
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그냥 구경하는 거예요.
geunyang gugyeonghaneun geoyeyo.
I'm just looking.
Literally: Just looking-around thing is.
The answer to 뭐 찾으세요? (what are you looking for?) from staff who appear the moment you pick something up. Said with a smile, it buys you the whole aisle in peace.
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이거 테스트해 봐도 돼요?
igeo teseuteuhae bwado dwaeyo?
Can I try this one?
Literally: This test-try even-if, is it okay?
Most shelves have a 테스터 (tester) out already, and the -아/어 봐도 돼요 pattern is the polite way to ask before touching anything that does not say so.
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저는 건성이에요.
jeoneun geonseongieyo.
I have dry skin.
Literally: As for me, (I) am dry-type.
The four skin types staff will ask about: 건성 (dry), 지성 (oily), 복합성 (combination), 민감성 (sensitive). Say yours first and the recommendations get much better.
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민감한 피부에도 괜찮아요?
mingamhan pibuedo gwaenchanayo?
Is it okay for sensitive skin?
Literally: Sensitive skin-on-also fine?
Worth asking about anything with 미백 (brightening) or acids in it. 순해요 (it's gentle) is the reassuring answer; 자극적이에요 means it might sting.
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선크림 어디 있어요?
seonkeurim eodi isseoyo?
Where's the sunscreen?
Literally: Sun-cream where is?
선크림 is what everyone says; 자외선 차단제 is what the label says. Swap in 토너 (toner), 세럼 (serum), 마스크팩 (sheet mask), 클렌징폼 (foam cleanser) as needed.
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이거 세일해요?
igeo seilhaeyo?
Is this on sale?
Literally: This sale-does?
The big chains run a 세일 almost continuously, and the price tag shows both numbers. 행사 상품 on a shelf sign means the items there are part of a promotion.
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원플러스원이에요?
wonpeulleoseuwonieyo?
Is it buy one get one free?
Literally: One-plus-one is it?
Written 1+1 on the tag and pronounced as one Konglish word. Its cousins 2+1 (투플러스원) and 1+1 on a second brand only are common, so check the small print on the tag.
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택스 리펀 돼요?
taekseu ripeon dwaeyo?
Can I get a tax refund?
Literally: Tax refund is-possible?
Many stores handle the refund at the register if you show your passport, above a minimum spend. Ask before paying; it is much harder to arrange afterwards.
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봉투 필요 없어요.
bongtu piryo eopseoyo.
I don't need a bag.
Literally: Bag need not-exist.
Bags are charged for, so the cashier asks 봉투 드릴까요? (shall I give you a bag?). Say this, or 네, 하나 주세요 (yes, one please) if your hands are already full.
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Most of these are questions ending in 돼요? or 있어요?, which are the two shapes you will use in every shop in the country. The vocabulary that pays off is the skin-type words, because a single 저는 민감성이에요 changes everything the staff suggest. And if the sheer choice defeats you, 제일 잘 나가는 거 뭐예요? (what's the best seller?) is a question Korean shoppers ask all the time.