πŸ›οΈ

Shopping: Department Store, Market, Convenience Store

Keywords
백화점 / μ‹œμž₯ / 편의점
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Vocabulary
🧭
TL;DR β€” 5 Words for This Lesson
  • 백화점 β€” department store
  • μ‹œμž₯ β€” market
  • 편의점 β€” convenience store
  • 마트 β€” mart / supermarket
  • 영수증 β€” receipt
πŸ¦‹
From upscale 백화점 to bustling μ‹œμž₯ to the always-open 편의점, Korea offers a shopping spot for every mood and budget. Up next, we head to <mention-page url="
πŸ₯
Essentials: Pharmacy, Hospital, Bank"> to learn essential places like the pharmacy, hospital, and bank. Here's all 5 words together: "백화점은 λΉ„μ‹Έμ„œ λ§ˆνŠΈμ—μ„œ μž₯을 λ΄€μ–΄μš”. νŽΈμ˜μ μ—μ„œ 간식도 사고, μ‹œμž₯μ—μ„œλŠ” 과일을 μ‹Έκ²Œ μƒ€μ–΄μš”. μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ€ κΌ­ μ±™κΈ°μ„Έμš”!" (The department store was expensive, so I did my grocery shopping at the mart. I also bought snacks at the convenience store, and bought fruit cheaply at the market. Be sure to keep your receipt!)

🎯 Big Picture

Shopping in Korea ranges from the high-end 백화점 (department store) with luxury brands, to the practical 마트 (mart/supermarket) for groceries, the lively μ‹œμž₯ (market) where bargaining is part of the fun, and the ever-present 편의점 (convenience store) for late-night snacks. And no matter where you shop, hold onto your 영수증 (receipt) β€” you'll need it for refunds or exchanges.

πŸ“– Core Vocabulary Family

1. 백화점 (department store)

A large, upscale store with many brand sections β€” clothing, cosmetics, electronics, and more.
  • λ°±ν™”μ μ—μ„œ μ˜·μ„ μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (I bought clothes at the department store.)
  • 백화점은 λΉ„μ‹Έμ§€λ§Œ ν’ˆμ§ˆμ΄ μ’‹μ•„μš”. (Department stores are expensive, but the quality is good.)
Grammar note: μ—μ„œ + 사닀 (buy) β€” λ°±ν™”μ μ—μ„œ 사닀 = "to buy at the department store."

2. μ‹œμž₯ (market)

A traditional market, often outdoors or covered, known for fresh produce and bargaining.
  • μ‹œμž₯μ—μ„œ 과일을 μ‹Έκ²Œ μ‚΄ 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (You can buy fruit cheaply at the market.)
  • 전톡 μ‹œμž₯은 μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ λ§Žμ•„μš”. (Traditional markets are crowded.)
Grammar note: μ „ν†΅μ‹œμž₯ (traditional market) is a common compound; μ‹œμž₯ alone can also mean "market" in an economic sense.

3. 편의점 (convenience store)

A small store open long hours (often 24/7) for snacks, drinks, and daily essentials.
  • νŽΈμ˜μ μ€ 24μ‹œκ°„ μ—΄λ € μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Convenience stores are open 24 hours.)
  • νŽΈμ˜μ μ—μ„œ κΉ€λ°₯을 μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (I bought gimbap at the convenience store.)
Grammar note: μ—΄λ € μžˆλ‹€ (to be open) and λ‹«ν˜€ μžˆλ‹€ (to be closed) describe a store's status.

4. 마트 (mart / supermarket)

A general grocery store, larger than a convenience store but smaller (and cheaper) than a department store.
  • λ§ˆνŠΈμ—μ„œ μž₯을 λ΄μš”. (I do grocery shopping at the mart.)
  • 이 λ§ˆνŠΈλŠ” μ§‘μ—μ„œ κ°€κΉŒμ›Œμš”. (This mart is close to my house.)
Grammar note: μž₯을 보닀 is a set phrase meaning "to go grocery shopping" β€” don't translate it literally.

5. 영수증 (receipt)

Proof of purchase β€” needed for refunds, exchanges, or expense records.
  • μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ„ λ°›μœΌμ„Έμš”. (Please take your receipt.)
  • 영수증이 μžˆμ–΄μ•Ό ν™˜λΆˆν•  수 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (You need a receipt to get a refund.)
Grammar note: μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ„ μ£Όλ‹€ (give a receipt) / μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ„ λ°›λ‹€ (receive a receipt) β€” μ£Όλ‹€/λ°›λ‹€ pair naturally with it.

πŸ—£οΈ How They Work in a Sentence

  1. λ§ˆνŠΈμ—μ„œ μž₯을 보고 μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ„ λ°›μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (I did grocery shopping at the mart and got a receipt.)
  1. 백화점은 λΉ„μ‹Έμ§€λ§Œ, μ‹œμž₯μ΄λ‚˜ νŽΈμ˜μ μ€ 더 μ‹Έμš”. (Department stores are expensive, but markets or convenience stores are cheaper.)
  1. νŽΈμ˜μ μ—μ„œ μ‚° 물건도 영수증이 있으면 ν™˜λΆˆν•  수 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (Even things bought at a convenience store can be refunded if you have the receipt.)

🧱 General Formation Rule

  • μ—μ„œ + 사닀/νŒ”λ‹€ marks where buying/selling happens: μ‹œμž₯μ—μ„œ 사닀 (buy at the market).
  • μž₯을 보닀 is the set expression for "to go grocery shopping," regardless of where (마트, μ‹œμž₯, etc.).
  • μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ„ λ°›λ‹€/μ£Όλ‹€/μ±™κΈ°λ‹€ β€” common verbs paired with receipts (receive/give/keep).
  • A rough scale by size and price: 백화점 (large, expensive) > 마트 (medium, everyday) > μ‹œμž₯ (variable, often cheaper, bargaining possible) > 편의점 (small, convenient, slightly pricier per item).
πŸ”Ž
Cross-check: ν‘œμ€€κ΅­μ–΄λŒ€μ‚¬μ „ (korean.go.kr) defines 백화점 as a large retail store divided into departments selling a wide variety of goods, μ‹œμž₯ as a place where goods are bought and sold, 편의점 as a small retail store offering daily necessities with extended hours, 마트 (from English "mart") as a general term for a supermarket-style store, and 영수증 as a document proving receipt of money or goods.

πŸ” Synonym Alert

  • 마트 vs. μ‹œμž₯ β€” 마트 has fixed prices and indoor aisles, like a supermarket; μ‹œμž₯ is a traditional market where bargaining is common and stalls are often outdoors or under a covered roof.
  • 백화점 vs. 마트 β€” 백화점 is a high-end department store with brand boutiques (clothing, cosmetics, luxury goods); 마트 is a practical supermarket for everyday groceries and household items.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  1. Bargaining (가격을 κΉŽλ‹€) is common and expected at μ‹œμž₯, but not at 마트 or 백화점 β€” fixed prices there.
  1. Don't confuse the scale: 백화점 (upscale, large) β‰  마트 (everyday groceries) β‰  편의점 (small, quick stops).
  1. μž₯을 보닀 means "to go grocery shopping" β€” it's idiomatic, not literally "to see the market."
  1. Always keep your 영수증 β€” many stores require it for ν™˜λΆˆ (refund) or κ΅ν™˜ (exchange).
  1. 편의점 are everywhere in Korea and often open 24 hours β€” useful for late-night needs, but usually pricier per item than 마트.
백화점, μ‹œμž₯, 편의점, 마트만 μ•Œλ©΄ μ–΄λ””μ„œλ“  μ‡Όν•‘ν•  수 μžˆμ–΄μš”! πŸ›οΈπŸ›’πŸ§Ύ
Try this exercise
Fill in the blanks with 백화점, μ‹œμž₯, 편의점, 마트, or 영수증.
A. ___μ—μ„œ μ˜·μ„ μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (department store)
B. ___μ—μ„œ 과일을 μ‹Έκ²Œ μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (market)
C. ___은 24μ‹œκ°„ μ—΄λ € μžˆμ–΄μš”. (convenience store)
D. ___μ—μ„œ μž₯을 λ΄μš”. (mart)
E. ___이 μžˆμ–΄μ•Ό ν™˜λΆˆν•  수 μžˆμ–΄μš”. (receipt)
F. ___은 λΉ„μ‹Έμ§€λ§Œ ν’ˆμ§ˆμ΄ μ’‹μ•„μš”. (department store)
G. 전톡 ___은 μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ λ§Žμ•„μš”. (market)
H. ___μ—μ„œ κΉ€λ°₯을 μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (convenience store)
I. 이 ___λŠ” μ§‘μ—μ„œ κ°€κΉŒμ›Œμš”. (mart)
J. ___을 λ°›μœΌμ„Έμš”. (receipt)
Answer Key
A. 백화점
B. μ‹œμž₯
C. 편의점
D. 마트
E. 영수증
F. 백화점
G. μ‹œμž₯
H. 편의점
I. 마트
J. 영수증
πŸ“˜
Vocabulary Box: 백화점 (department store) Β· μ‹œμž₯ (market) Β· 편의점 (convenience store) Β· 마트 (mart/supermarket) Β· 영수증 (receipt)
⚠️
Pitfalls Recap: μ‹œμž₯ = bargaining OK Β· 백화점 > 마트 > 편의점 in price/scale Β· μž₯을 보닀 = grocery shop (idiom) Β· 영수증 needed for ν™˜λΆˆ/κ΅ν™˜ Β· 편의점 = 24/7 convenience.
πŸ”₯
Want more reps? Head down to the Practice Hub below for 50 more questions on shopping vocabulary!
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πŸ“¦
Practice Hub β€” 50 extra reps to lock in 백화점, μ‹œμž₯, 편의점, 마트, 영수증 and related shopping vocabulary. New bonus words: 가격 (price), 세일 (sale), 할인 (discount), κ³„μ‚°ν•˜λ‹€ (to pay/calculate), μΉ΄λ“œ (card), ν˜„κΈˆ (cash), 포μž₯ν•˜λ‹€ (to wrap/pack), κ΅ν™˜ν•˜λ‹€ (to exchange), μ‡Όν•‘λ°± (shopping bag), 맀μž₯ (store/shop).

Exercise 1 β€” Word Recall: Korean β†’ English πŸ”

  1. 가격
  1. 세일
  1. 할인
  1. κ³„μ‚°ν•˜λ‹€
  1. μΉ΄λ“œ
  1. ν˜„κΈˆ
  1. 포μž₯ν•˜λ‹€
  1. κ΅ν™˜ν•˜λ‹€
  1. μ‡Όν•‘λ°±
  1. 맀μž₯
Answer Key
  1. price
  1. sale
  1. discount
  1. to pay / to calculate
  1. card
  1. cash
  1. to wrap / pack
  1. to exchange
  1. shopping bag
  1. store / shop

Exercise 2 β€” Word Recall: English β†’ Korean πŸ”

  1. department store
  1. market
  1. convenience store
  1. mart / supermarket
  1. receipt
  1. price
  1. discount
  1. cash
  1. to exchange
  1. shopping bag
Answer Key
  1. 백화점
  1. μ‹œμž₯
  1. 편의점
  1. 마트
  1. 영수증
  1. 가격
  1. 할인
  1. ν˜„κΈˆ
  1. κ΅ν™˜ν•˜λ‹€
  1. μ‡Όν•‘λ°±

Exercise 3 β€” Particle & Verb Practice (μ—μ„œ/을/λ₯Ό) 🧩

  1. μ‹œμž₯___ 과일을 μƒ€μ–΄μš”. (μ—μ„œ/에)
  1. μΉ΄λ“œ___ κ³„μ‚°ν–ˆμ–΄μš”. (둜/을)
  1. 이 옷___ κ΅ν™˜ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”. (을/이)
  1. 영수증___ λ°›μœΌμ„Έμš”. (을/이)
  1. 마트___ μž₯을 λ΄μš”. (μ—μ„œ/에)
  1. 할인___ λ°›μ•˜μ–΄μš”. (을/이)
  1. ν˜„κΈˆ___ μžˆμ–΄μš”? (이/을)
  1. μ‡Όν•‘λ°±___ ν•„μš”ν•΄μš”. (이/을)
  1. 가격___ λ„ˆλ¬΄ λΉ„μ‹Έμš”. (이/을)
  1. 이 물건___ 포μž₯ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”. (을/이)
Answer Key
  1. μ—μ„œ (μ‹œμž₯μ—μ„œ μƒ€μ–΄μš”)
  1. 둜 (μΉ΄λ“œλ‘œ κ³„μ‚°ν–ˆμ–΄μš”)
  1. 을 (μ˜·μ„ κ΅ν™˜ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”)
  1. 을 (μ˜μˆ˜μ¦μ„ λ°›μœΌμ„Έμš”)
  1. μ—μ„œ (λ§ˆνŠΈμ—μ„œ μž₯을 λ΄μš”)
  1. 을 (할인을 λ°›μ•˜μ–΄μš”)
  1. 이 (ν˜„κΈˆμ΄ μžˆμ–΄μš”?)
  1. 이 (쇼핑백이 ν•„μš”ν•΄μš”)
  1. 이 (가격이 λΉ„μ‹Έμš”)
  1. 을 (물건을 포μž₯ν•΄ μ£Όμ„Έμš”)
πŸ“š
Quick Reference: μ—μ„œ = where you shop/buy Β· 둜 = means of payment (μΉ΄λ“œλ‘œ, ν˜„κΈˆμœΌλ‘œ) Β· 을/λ₯Ό = direct object marker for things you buy, exchange, or receive.

Exercise 4 β€” Sentence Translation: English β†’ Korean ✍️

  1. I bought a bag at the department store.
  1. The market is crowded on weekends.
  1. I'll pay by card.
  1. Is there a sale today?
  1. Can I get a discount?
  1. I don't have cash, only a card.
  1. I'd like to exchange this item.
  1. Please give me a shopping bag.
  1. The price is too expensive.
  1. I went to the convenience store to buy water.
Answer Key
  1. λ°±ν™”μ μ—μ„œ 가방을 μƒ€μ–΄μš”.
  1. μ‹œμž₯은 주말에 μ‚¬λžŒμ΄ λ§Žμ•„μš”.
  1. μΉ΄λ“œλ‘œ κ³„μ‚°ν• κ²Œμš”.
  1. 였늘 μ„ΈμΌν•΄μš”?
  1. 할인 받을 수 μžˆμ–΄μš”?
  1. ν˜„κΈˆμ΄ μ—†κ³  μΉ΄λ“œλ§Œ μžˆμ–΄μš”.
  1. 이 물건을 κ΅ν™˜ν•˜κ³  μ‹Άμ–΄μš”.
  1. μ‡Όν•‘λ°± μ£Όμ„Έμš”.
  1. 가격이 λ„ˆλ¬΄ λΉ„μ‹Έμš”.
  1. 물을 μ‚¬λŸ¬ νŽΈμ˜μ μ— κ°”μ–΄μš”.

Exercise 5 β€” Mixed Review: Match the Scenario 🧩

  1. You want to buy a luxury bag from a brand boutique
  1. You're haggling over the price of vegetables
  1. You need a snack at midnight
  1. You're doing your weekly grocery shopping
  1. The cashier hands you proof of purchase
  1. You're paying without using cash
  1. The price has been reduced for a limited time
  1. You ask to swap an item for a different size
  1. You need something to carry your purchases home
  1. The general section of a store selling a certain type of product
Answer Key
  1. 백화점
  1. μ‹œμž₯
  1. 편의점
  1. 마트
  1. 영수증
  1. μΉ΄λ“œ
  1. 할인 / 세일
  1. κ΅ν™˜ν•˜λ‹€
  1. μ‡Όν•‘λ°±
  1. 맀μž₯
백화점, μ‹œμž₯, 편의점, 마트만 μ•Œλ©΄ μ–΄λ””μ„œλ“  μ‡Όν•‘ν•  수 μžˆμ–΄μš”! πŸ›οΈπŸ›’πŸ§Ύ