How to Say "How Much?" in Korean — 얼마예요 and Negotiating Like a Local

Why Knowing How to Ask the Price in Korean Changes Everything

When I first arrived in Seoul 12 years ago, my first solo mission was buying bed sheets at Namdaemun Market. I stood there in front of an ajumma (아줌마) who was showing me prices on a calculator because I was staring blankly at her. Those days are long gone. Today, I negotiate in Korean, and believe me, it changes everything — prices drop and smiles multiply.

In this article, I'll give you every expression you need to ask a price, negotiate like a Seoul local, and pay without stress. Let's go!

얼마예요? — The Magic Question

The most important phrase you'll learn today:

• 얼마예요? (eolmayeyo?) — How much is it?

It's polite, it's universal, and it works absolutely everywhere: markets, restaurants, cafés, shops, taxis. You can point at an item and confidently drop your 얼마예요? like a pro.

Variations by Politeness Level

My tip: always use 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?) at markets. The 이거 (igeo — "this") combined with a gesture toward the item makes everything crystal clear.

Numbers for Understanding Prices

In Korea, prices use the Sino-Korean number system (일, 이, 삼...). Here are the essentials:

Warning: Koreans count in units of 만 (man = 10,000). So 50,000 ₩ is said as 오만 원 (oman won), not "fifty thousand." This concept tripped me up the most when I first arrived.

Real Price Examples

• 삼천 원이에요 (samcheon wonieyo) — It's 3,000 won
• 만 오천 원이에요 (man ocheon wonieyo) — It's 15,000 won
• 이만 원이에요 (iman wonieyo) — It's 20,000 won

Survival tip: if you don't understand the spoken price, ask the vendor to type it on a calculator. Korean merchants do this naturally with foreigners.

Negotiating Like a Local — The Art of 깎아 주세요

Where Can You Negotiate in Korea?

Contrary to what you might think, you can't negotiate everywhere in South Korea.

✅ You can negotiate:

• Traditional markets (Namdaemun 남대문, Dongdaemun 동대문, Gwangjang 광장)
• Electronics shops in Yongsan
• Independent non-franchise shops
• Bulk purchases

❌ You don't negotiate:

• Supermarkets and konbini (편의점)
• Restaurants
• Chain stores (Olive Young, Daiso, etc.)
• Cafés

Key Negotiation Phrases

Here's your bargaining arsenal:

• 너무 비싸요 (neomu bissayo) — It's too expensive
• 깎아 주세요 (kkakka juseyo) — Give me a discount please
• 좀 깎아 주세요 (jom kkakka juseyo) — Could you lower the price a bit?
• 좀 더 싸게 해 주세요 (jom deo ssage hae juseyo) — Make it a bit cheaper
• 두 개 사면 깎아 줄 수 있어요? (du gae samyeon kkakka jul su isseoyo?) — If I buy two, can you lower the price?

My Namdaemun Negotiation Technique

After 12 years, here's my proven method:

1. Ask the price: 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?)
2. React softly: 음... 좀 비싸네요 (eum... jom bissaneyo — hmm, it's a bit expensive)
3. Propose: X원에 안 돼요? (X woneh an dwaeyo? — Can't it be X won?)
4. Play the quantity card: 두 개 살게요, 깎아 주세요 (du gae salgeyo, kkakka juseyo — I'll buy two, give me a deal)
5. Thank them: 감사합니다! (gamsahamnida!)

The ultimate trick: always smile and stay friendly. Negotiation in Korea is never aggressive. It's a social game.

Paying — Essential Expressions

Card or Cash?

• 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) — Do you accept cards?
• 현금만 돼요? (hyeongeumman dwaeyo?) — Is it cash only?
• 카드로 할게요 (kadeuro halgeyo) — I'll pay by card
• 현금으로 할게요 (hyeongeumeuro halgeyo) — I'll pay cash
• 영수증 주세요 (yeongsujeung juseyo) — Receipt please

Good news: Korea is one of the most cashless countries in the world. Your card works almost everywhere, even in small markets. But at Namdaemun, the smallest stalls still prefer cash.

Paying at a Restaurant

• 계산이요 (gyesanniyo) — Check please (call out politely in the restaurant)
• 같이 계산해 주세요 (gachi gyesanhae juseyo) — We'll pay together
• 따로따로 해 주세요 (ttarottaro hae juseyo) — We'll pay separately

Fun fact: in Korea, it's often one person who pays for everyone. Fighting to pay the bill is a national sport. If a Korean insists on paying, let them — you can insist next time.

Bonus Vocabulary — Price Adjectives

When you see a 세일 (seil) sign in a window, go for it. Sales in Korea are generous, especially in Myeongdong and duty-free shops.

Tourist Traps and How to Avoid Them

After 12 years in Seoul, here are my warnings:

1. Itaewon and Myeongdong: prices are often inflated for tourists. Don't hesitate to compare with Naver Shopping (네이버 쇼핑) before buying.
2. Taxis: always check that the meter is running. If the driver quotes a flat rate, say 미터기로 해 주세요 (miteogiro hae juseyo — use the meter please).
3. Night markets: displayed prices are usually final. Little room for negotiation on street food.

Practice Dialogue — At Dongdaemun Market

You: 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?) — How much is this?

Vendor: 삼만 원이에요. (samman wonieyo.) — It's 30,000 won.

You: 아, 좀 비싸네요... 이만 원에 안 돼요? (a, jom bissaneyo... iman woneh an dwaeyo?) — Ah, that's a bit expensive... Can't it be 20,000?

Vendor: 이만 오천 원에 해 줄게요. (iman ocheon woneh hae julgeyo.) — I'll do it for 25,000.

You: 좋아요! 카드 돼요? (joayo! kadeu dwaeyo?) — Great! Do you accept cards?

Vendor: 네, 돼요. (ne, dwaeyo.) — Yes, we do.

Quick Reference

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