Negotiating at a Market or Small Shop

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Negotiating at Market

Haggle, ask for deals, and get the best price at Korean markets and shops.

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Iru Helper Note

At traditional Korean markets (재래시장) and some smaller shops, gentle price negotiation is culturally normal and even expected. The key is being friendly and respectful — a smile and the right phrase can go a long way.

좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?

(Could you give me a little discount?)

🏪 What You'll Learn Today

Whether you're at a 재래시장 (traditional market), a street vendor, or a small shop, knowing how to ask for a better price, bundle a deal, or gracefully accept or decline an offer is a practical and culturally valued skill in Korea. This lesson teaches you the vocabulary and phrases for friendly, effective market negotiation in Korean.

📌 Market Negotiation Expressions

Expression	Meaning	Notes
얼마예요?	How much is it?	Basic price question
좀 깎아 주세요	Please give me a discount	Core negotiation phrase
좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?	Could you give me a discount?	Polite version
너무 비싸요	It's too expensive	Price objection
조금만 더 깎아 주세요	Please discount it just a little more	Follow-up push
이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?	If I buy two, will you discount?	Bundle deal
이거 얼마까지 돼요?	What's the lowest you can go?	Price floor question
현금으로 내면요?	What if I pay in cash?	Cash discount offer
그냥 드릴게요	I'll give it to you (as a gift/bonus)	Vendor throwing in extra
덤으로 주세요	Please throw in a little extra	Asking for a freebie
그 가격엔 안 돼요	I can't do that price	Vendor declining
그럼 됐어요	Then never mind / That's okay	Politely walking away
마지막 가격이 얼마예요?	What's your final price?	Closing negotiation
잠깐만요	Just a moment	Pause phrase

💡 Key pattern: 얼마예요? → 너무 비싸요 → 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? → 이거까지 얼마예요? → 그럼 됐어요 / 알겠어요 — this price-check → object → negotiate → close flow works in any market context.

💬 Conversations in Action

Dialogue 1 — Traditional Market

A: 이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)

B: 오만 원이요. (50,000 won.)

A: 너무 비싸요. 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? (It's too expensive. Could you give me a discount?)

B: 사만오천 원에 드릴게요. (I'll give it to you for 45,000 won.)

A: 조금만 더 깎아 주세요. 사만 원은 안 돼요? (Please knock it down just a little more. Can you do 40,000?)

B: 그 가격엔 안 돼요. 사만이천 원이 마지막이에요. (I can't do that price. 42,000 is the final price.)

A: 알겠어요. 이걸로 할게요. (Alright. I'll take it.)

Dialogue 2 — Bundle Deal

A: 이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요? (If I buy two, will you give a discount?)

B: 두 개 사면 만 원 깎아 드릴게요. (If you buy two, I'll take off 10,000 won.)

A: 그리고 이거 덤으로 주실 수 있어요? (And could you throw this in as a bonus?)

B: 그건 그냥 드릴게요. (I'll just give you that one.)

A: 감사해요! (Thank you!)

🌏 Cultural Note — Haggling in Korea

Price negotiation is most appropriate at 재래시장 (traditional markets), 노점상 (street stalls), and some smaller independent shops. It is generally NOT done at department stores, chain retailers, or convenience stores where prices are fixed. A friendly tone, a smile, and using polite Korean (주실 수 있어요? rather than a blunt demand) makes negotiation far more successful. Vendors often appreciate that you're engaging with them respectfully — even if they can't lower the price, the interaction stays warm.

<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise

Practice negotiating prices and asking for deals in Korean.

A. Ask how much an item costs.

<summary>Answer

이거 얼마예요? (How much is this?)

</summary>

B. Say it's too expensive.

<summary>Answer

너무 비싸요. 좀 비싸네요. (It's too expensive. It's quite pricey.)

</summary>

C. Politely ask for a discount.

<summary>Answer

좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? (Could you give me a little discount?)

</summary>

D. Ask them to lower the price just a bit more.

<summary>Answer

조금만 더 깎아 주세요. (Please knock it down just a little more.)

</summary>

E. Ask if buying two gets a discount.

<summary>Answer

이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요? (If I buy two, will you discount?)

</summary>

F. Ask what the lowest price they can do is.

<summary>Answer

이거 얼마까지 돼요? 최저가가 얼마예요? (What's the lowest you can go?)

</summary>

G. Ask if there's a cash discount.

<summary>Answer

현금으로 내면 깎아 줘요? (If I pay cash, will you give a discount?)

</summary>

H. Ask the vendor to throw something in as a bonus.

<summary>Answer

이거 덤으로 주실 수 있어요? (Could you throw this in as a bonus?)

</summary>

I. Ask what the final price is.

<summary>Answer

마지막 가격이 얼마예요? (What's your final price?)

</summary>

J. Politely walk away if the price doesn't work.

<summary>Answer

그럼 됐어요. 감사해요. (Then never mind. Thank you.)

</summary>

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Expression Reference

Expression	Use
얼마예요?	How much?
너무 비싸요	Too expensive
좀 깎아 주세요	Please discount
좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?	Could you discount?
조금만 더 깎아 주세요	A little more off
두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?	Bundle discount?
얼마까지 돼요?	Lowest price?
현금으로 내면요?	Cash discount?
덤으로 주세요	Throw in extra
마지막 가격이 얼마예요?	Final price?
그럼 됐어요	Never mind

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Tip: The Negotiation Arc

Start with 얼마예요? → react with 너무 비싸요 → ask with 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? → push with 조금만 더 → close with 마지막 가격이 얼마예요? or 그럼 됐어요. Keep your tone friendly throughout — smiling while you negotiate works in Korean.

</summary>

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Want more reps?

Imagine you're at a 재래시장 buying traditional snacks, clothing, or souvenirs. Run through the full negotiation arc in your head — price check, objection, discount request, bundle offer, and closing line. That mental rehearsal is exactly what prepares you for the real market.

📦 Practice Hub — Negotiating at Market

Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression

Pick the best expression for each market situation.

A. You want to know the price of an item. You say:

a) 좀 깎아 주세요

b) 얼마예요?

c) 그럼 됐어요

<summary>Answer

b) 얼마예요? — how much is it?

B. The price is too high. You say:

a) 덤으로 주세요

b) 너무 비싸요

c) 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?

<summary>Answer

b) 너무 비싸요 — it's too expensive.

C. You politely ask for a discount. You say:

a) 이걸로 할게요

b) 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?

c) 현금으로 내면요?

<summary>Answer

b) 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? — could you give me a discount?

D. You want to ask for a little more off. You say:

a) 조금만 더 깎아 주세요

b) 얼마예요?

c) 그럼 됐어요

<summary>Answer

a) 조금만 더 깎아 주세요 — please knock it down a little more.

E. You ask if buying two gets a discount. You say:

a) 덤으로 주세요

b) 이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?

c) 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?

<summary>Answer

b) 이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요? — if I buy two, will you discount?

F. You want to ask for a cash discount. You say:

a) 현금으로 내면 깎아 줘요?

b) 너무 비싸요

c) 덤으로 주세요

<summary>Answer

a) 현금으로 내면 깎아 줘요? — if I pay cash, will you discount?

G. You want to ask what the lowest price is. You say:

a) 얼마까지 돼요?

b) 조금만 더 깎아 주세요

c) 그 가격엔 안 돼요

<summary>Answer

a) 얼마까지 돼요? — what's the lowest you can go?

H. You want to ask the vendor to throw in an extra item. You say:

a) 좀 깎아 주세요

b) 덤으로 주세요

c) 현금으로 내면요?

<summary>Answer

b) 덤으로 주세요 — please throw in a little extra.

I. You want to know the final price. You say:

a) 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?

b) 너무 비싸요

c) 그럼 됐어요

<summary>Answer

a) 마지막 가격이 얼마예요? — what's your final price?

J. The price doesn't work, so you politely walk away. You say:

a) 덤으로 주세요

b) 조금만 더 깎아 주세요

c) 그럼 됐어요

<summary>Answer

c) 그럼 됐어요 — then never mind.

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Quick Reference

Expression	Meaning
얼마예요?	How much?
너무 비싸요	Too expensive
좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?	Could you discount?
조금만 더 깎아 주세요	A little more off
두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?	Bundle discount?
현금으로 내면 깎아 줘요?	Cash discount?
얼마까지 돼요?	Lowest price?
덤으로 주세요	Throw in extra
마지막 가격이 얼마예요?	Final price?
그럼 됐어요	Never mind

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Pitfall: Don't demand — ask

좀 깎아 줘요 (just give me a discount) sounds blunt. 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? (could you give me a discount?) is polite and gets far better results. The ~실 수 있어요? form shows respect and keeps the interaction warm.

Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation

Translate each sentence naturally into English.

A. 이거 얼마예요?

<summary>Answer

How much is this?

B. 너무 비싸요. 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?

<summary>Answer

It's too expensive. Could you give me a little discount?

C. 이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?

<summary>Answer

If I buy two, will you give me a discount?

D. 현금으로 내면 더 싸게 되나요?

<summary>Answer

Would it be cheaper if I pay in cash?

E. 조금만 더 깎아 주세요.

<summary>Answer

Please knock it down just a little more.

F. 이거 얼마까지 돼요?

<summary>Answer

What's the lowest price you can go?

G. 이거 덤으로 주실 수 있어요?

<summary>Answer

Could you throw this in as a bonus?

H. 그 가격엔 안 돼요.

<summary>Answer

I can't do that price.

I. 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?

<summary>Answer

What's your final price?

J. 그럼 됐어요. 다음에 또 올게요.

<summary>Answer

Then never mind. I'll come back another time.

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Vocabulary Cheat Sheet

Korean	English
깎다	to lower (a price)
덤	bonus / freebie
현금	cash
마지막 가격	final price
싸게	cheaply / at a low price
얼마까지	up to how much
됐어요	it's okay / never mind
두 개	two items

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Grammar Tip: ~면

이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요? — ~면 means "if." 두 개 사면 = if I buy two. This conditional structure is essential for negotiating bundle deals or conditions.

Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence

Fill in the blank with the correct word or phrase.

A. 이거 ? (How much is this?)

<summary>Answer

이거 얼마예요?

B. 너무 . 좀 깎아 주세요. (It's too expensive.)

<summary>Answer

너무 비싸요.

C. 좀 깎아 주실 수 ? (Could you give me a discount?)

<summary>Answer

좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?

D. 이거 두 개 사면 ? (If I buy two, will you discount?)

<summary>Answer

이거 두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?

E. 이거 얼마까지 ? (What's the lowest you can go?)

<summary>Answer

이거 얼마까지 돼요?

F. 현금으로 요? (What if I pay in cash?)

<summary>Answer

현금으로 내면요?

G. 이거 주세요. (Please throw this in as a bonus.)

<summary>Answer

이거 덤으로 주세요.

H. 가격이 얼마예요? (What's the final price?)

<summary>Answer

마지막 가격이 얼마예요?

I. 그 가격엔 . (I can't do that price.)

<summary>Answer

그 가격엔 안 돼요.

J. 그럼 . (Then never mind.)

<summary>Answer

그럼 됐어요.

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Sentence Starters

Starter	Use for
얼마예요?	Price check
너무 비싸요	Price objection
좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?	Discount request
~사면 깎아 줘요?	Bundle deal
얼마까지 돼요?	Lowest price
덤으로 주세요	Ask for freebie
마지막 가격이 얼마예요?	Final price
그럼 됐어요	Walk away

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Production Tip

At a 재래시장, start with a friendly 얼마예요? and react naturally. If the price is fair, just buy. If not, try 너무 비싸요 + 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? Most vendors expect this and appreciate the engagement.

Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion

Complete the market negotiation dialogue.

A. 상인: 어서 오세요! → You: (Ask how much the item you're pointing at costs.)

<summary>Answer

이거 얼마예요?

B. 상인: 삼만 원이에요. → You: (Say it's a bit expensive.)

<summary>Answer

좀 비싸네요. 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?

C. 상인: 이만오천 원 드릴게요. → You: (Ask for just a little more off.)

<summary>Answer

조금만 더 깎아 주세요. 이만 원은 안 돼요?

D. 상인: 그건 좀 힘들어요. → You: (Ask what the absolute lowest they can go is.)

<summary>Answer

그럼 얼마까지 돼요?

E. 상인: 이만삼천 원이 마지막이에요. → You: (Ask if buying two gets a discount.)

<summary>Answer

두 개 사면 좀 더 깎아 줘요?

F. 상인: 두 개면 사만 원 드릴게요. → You: (Ask if they can throw in a small extra item.)

<summary>Answer

이거 덤으로 주실 수 있어요?

G. 상인: 이건 어렵고 이거 드릴게요. → You: (Say thank you and agree.)

<summary>Answer

감사해요. 그럼 이걸로 할게요.

H. 상인: 현금이에요, 카드예요? → You: (Say cash and ask if there's a cash discount.)

<summary>Answer

현금이요. 현금으로 내면 더 깎아 줘요?

I. 상인: 이미 많이 깎아드렸어요. → You: (Say you understand and you'll take it.)

<summary>Answer

알겠어요. 그럼 이걸로 할게요.

J. 상인: 또 오세요! → You: (Say you'll definitely come again.)

<summary>Answer

네, 또 올게요! 감사해요.

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Useful Phrases

Phrase	Meaning
상인	Vendor / market seller
어서 오세요	Welcome (to the shop)
힘들어요	It's difficult / hard
이미 많이 깎았어요	I've already discounted a lot
또 오세요	Please come again
그럼 이걸로 할게요	Then I'll take this
알겠어요	I understand / I see

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Conversation Tip

When a vendor says 이미 많이 깎아드렸어요 (I already discounted a lot), it's the cue that they've reached their limit. At this point, accept gracefully with 알겠어요 or walk away with 그럼 됐어요. Pushing further strains the interaction.

Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice

Role-play each market scenario out loud in Korean.

A. You see a scarf at a market stall. Ask the price and begin negotiating.

<summary>Sample Answer

이 스카프 얼마예요? 너무 비싸요. 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?

B. The vendor offers a small discount. Push for just a little more off.

<summary>Sample Answer

감사해요. 근데 조금만 더 깎아 주세요. 조금이라도요.

C. Ask what the lowest price is.

<summary>Sample Answer

그럼 얼마까지 돼요? 마지막 가격이 얼마예요?

D. Offer to buy two items in exchange for a discount.

<summary>Sample Answer

두 개 사면 좀 깎아 줘요? 둘 다 살게요.

E. Ask if paying cash gets you a better deal.

<summary>Sample Answer

현금으로 내면 더 싸게 되나요? 현금 있어요.

F. Ask the vendor to throw in a small extra item.

<summary>Sample Answer

이거 덤으로 주실 수 있어요? 작은 거라도요.

G. The final price is acceptable. Close the deal.

<summary>Sample Answer

알겠어요. 그 가격에 할게요. 감사해요.

H. The price is too high and you can't agree. Politely walk away.

<summary>Sample Answer

그럼 됐어요. 감사해요. 다음에 다시 올게요.

I. Wrap up the whole negotiation arc — price, objection, counter, close.

<summary>Sample Answer

얼마예요? 너무 비싸요. 좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요? 조금만 더요. 알겠어요, 이걸로 할게요.

J. You got a good deal and want to express how happy you are.

<summary>Sample Answer

와, 잘 샀다! 정말 감사해요. 또 올게요!

📚

Sentence Starters

Starter	Use
얼마예요?	Price check
너무 비싸요	Objection
좀 깎아 주실 수 있어요?	Discount request
조금만 더 깎아 주세요	Push for more
두 개 사면 깎아 줘요?	Bundle deal
덤으로 주세요	Freebie request
마지막 가격이 얼마예요?	Final price
그럼 됐어요	Walk away
이걸로 할게요	Close the deal

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Speaking Challenge

Run through a full market negotiation in your head: a 30,000 won item, you push to 25,000, they offer 27,000, you ask for a freebie, they agree. Use only Korean. Under 8 exchanges. That's a real 재래시장 conversation.

시장에서 자신 있게 흥정할 수 있어요! ✨