Clothes shopping in Korea involves more conversation than it does in most countries. Staff greet you, follow up, and often bring you things. Knowing four or five phrases turns that from uncomfortable into easy.
Browsing
Staff will approach within seconds with 뭐 찾으세요? — What are you looking for?
- 구경할게요. — I'm just looking.
- 그냥 볼게요. — I'll just look.
Both are standard and end the conversation politely. Nobody takes offence.
If you do want help:
- 원피스 찾고 있어요. — I'm looking for a dress.
- 이런 스타일 있어요? — Do you have something like this?
Sizes
Korean sizing runs small and uses several systems at once.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 프리 사이즈 | one size fits all |
| 55 / 66 / 77 | traditional women's sizes (roughly S / M / L) |
| S / M / L | also used |
| 55 반 | half size |
- 다른 사이즈 있어요? — Do you have another size?
- 더 큰 거 있어요? — Do you have a bigger one?
- 더 작은 거 있어요? — Do you have a smaller one?
프리 사이즈 is common in smaller shops and markets, and it usually means roughly a Korean small to medium.
Trying things on
This is where expectations differ. Many small shops and market stalls do not allow trying on clothes at all, especially tops.
- 입어 봐도 돼요? — Can I try it on?
- 탈의실 어디예요? — Where's the fitting room?
If the answer is no, it is not personal — it is standard practice in that kind of shop.
Colours and materials
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 검정 | black |
| 흰색 | white |
| 회색 | grey |
| 남색 | navy |
| 베이지 | beige |
| 면 | cotton |
| 니트 | knit |
| 청바지 | jeans |
- 다른 색 있어요? — Do you have another colour?
- 검정색 있어요? — Do you have it in black?
Opinions
If you are shopping with someone:
- 이거 어때요? — How's this?
- 잘 어울려요. — It suits you.
- 다 예뻐서 고르기 어려워요. — They're all nice, it's hard to choose.
어울리다 is the verb for something suiting a person, and it is the compliment you will hear most in a clothing shop.
Buying and leaving
- 이걸로 할게요. — I'll take this one.
- 얼마예요? — How much is it?
- 카드로 할게요. — By card.
- 좀 더 생각해 볼게요. — I'll think about it a bit more.
That last one is the polite exit. It is understood as "no" and nobody pushes back.
Returns
Return policies are stricter than in many countries. Market stalls and small shops often do not accept returns at all, and sale items rarely can be returned anywhere.
- 교환 돼요? — Can I exchange it?
- 환불 돼요? — Can I get a refund?
Ask before buying if it matters.
See it happen
Episode 56 of K-PATTO is a clothes shopping episode, and it includes the moment most learners will recognise — running short on cash and switching to card at the counter.
Read it at K-PATTO.