Korea is one of the well-known places that takes beauty care very seriously. If you have plans on shopping for cosmetic products in Korea, here are some simple and basic phrases that may help you with your shopping spree.
Vocabulary
Makeup - 화장 (Hwajang) | Eyebrow Pencil - 아이브로우 펜슬 (Aibeurou Penseul) |
Cosmetics - 화장품 (Hwajangpum) | Mascara - 마스카라 (Maseukara) |
Eyeliner - 아이라이너 (Airaineo) | Skincare - 스킨케어 (Seukinkeeo) |
Eyeshadow - 아이섀도우 (Aisyaedowo) | Sunscreen - 썬크림 (Sseonkeurim) |
Lipstick - 립스틱 (Ripseutik) | Lotion - 로션 (Rosyeon) |
Blush - 블러셔 (Beulleosyeo) | Toner - 토너 (Toneo) |
Concealer - 컨실러 (Keonsilleo) | Cleanser - 클렌저 (Keullenjeo) |
Foundation - 파운데이션 (Paundeisyeon) | Face Mask/Pack - 마스크/팩 (Maseukeu/Paek) |
Highlighter - 하이라이터 (Hairaiteo) | All skin type - 모든 피부 (modeun pibu) |
Cushion Compact - 쿠션 (Kusyeon) | Combination skin - 복합성 피부 (bokhapseong pibu) |
Lip Balm - 립밤 (Ripbam) | Dry Skin - 건성 피부 (geonseong pibu) |
Primer - 프라이머 (Peuraimeo) | Oily skin - 지성 피부 (jiseong pibu) |
Powder - 파우더 (Paudeo) | Sensitive skin - 민감성 (피부) mingamsung(pibu) |
1.Is there a product you are looking for?
찾는 제품 있으세요? (Channeun jepum isseuseyo?)
When you enter a cosmetic shop or any store in general, a staff member may ask you this question to help you in case you need assistance. If you need assistance in finding a certain product, the next phrase will help you.
Example:
Salesperson: 찾는 제품 있으세요? (Channeun jepum isseuseyo??)
Is there a product you are looking for?
Customer: 아니요, 그냥 보고 있어요. (Aniyo, geunyang bogo issoyo.)
No, I'm just looking at it.
2. I'm looking for (product name).
(제품이름) + -을 찾고 있어요. (Jepeum ireum + -eul chatgo isseoyo.)
If you need help in finding a product, you can use this phrase and put the product name in the blank.
Example:
Salesperson: 찾는 제품 있으세요? (Channeun jepum isseuseyo??)
Is there a product you are looking for?
Customer: 네, 로션을 찾고 있어요. (Ne, losyeoneul chatgo isseoyo.)
Yes, I'm looking for lotion.
파운데이션을 찾고 있어요. (Paeundeisyeoneul chatgo isseoyo.)
I'm looking for a foundation.
3. What is your skin type?
피부 타입이 어떻게 되세요? (Pibu taibi ottoke doeseyo?)
건성이에요 / 지성이에요 / 복합성 피부예요 / 피부가 좀 예민해요.
(Gonsongieyo / jisongieyo / bokapssong pibueyo / pibuga jom yeminhaeyo.)
I have dry/oily/combination skin/my skin is a bit sensitive.
If you need some help for product recommendation according to your specific skin type, use these phrases.
Example:
Customer: 새 클린져를 찾고 있어요. (Sae cleurinjyereul chakkoisseoyo)
I’m looking for a new cleanser.
Salesperson: 피부 타입이 어떻게 되세요? (Pibu taibi ottoke doeseyo?)
What is your skin type?
Customer: 저는 복합성 피부에요.( jeoneun bokhapseong pibuyeyo.)
I have combination skin.
4.Can you recommend a foundation/lipstick color?
파운데이션 / 립스틱 색깔 좀 추천해줄 수 있으세요?
(Paundeisyeon/lipseutik saekkkal jom chucheonhaejul su isseuseyo?)
Use this phrase if you want to ask for a foundation/lipstick shade recommendation.
Example:
Customer: 네, 립스틱 색깔 좀 추천해줄 수 있으세요?
(Ne, lipseutik saekkal jom chucheonhaejul su isseoseyo?)
Yes, can you recommend a lipstick color?
Salesperson: 그럼요. 이 쿨톤 핑크 립스틱을 추천해요.
(Geuromyo! I kulton pingkeu lipsseutikeul chuchonhaeyo.)
Of course! I recommend this cool tone pink lipstick.
5.What's the difference between this and this?
이거랑 이거는 뭐가 달라요? (Igeorang igeoneun mwoga dallayo?)
If you are confused about some products and want to know more information, you can try asking this question.
Example:
Customer: 이거랑 이거는 뭐가 달라요? (Igeorang igeoneun mwoga dallayo?)
What's the difference between this and this?
Salesperson: 이 제품은 매트한 립스틱이고 다른 제품은 촉촉한 립스틱이에요.
This product is a matte lipstick, and the other product is a moisturizing lipstick.
혹시, 샘플 써 볼 수 있어요? (Hokshi, saempeul sseo bol su isseoyo?)
If you want to try a certain product but don’t want to buy a full size yet, this phrase is perfect for you.
Example:
Customer: 혹시, 샘플 써 볼 수 있어요? (Hokshi, saempeul sseo bol su isseoyo?)
By any chance, can I try a sample?
Salesperson: 네, 그럼요! 이거 한번 해보시겠어요? (Ne, geureomyo! Igeo han bon haeboshigesseoyo?)
Yes, of course! Would you like to try this one?
7.Is there anything on sale?
혹시, 할인하고 있는 거 있어요?
(Hokshi, halinhago issneun geo isseoyo?)
Most shops offer promos, don’t be embarrassed to ask, it’s okay!
Example:
Customers: 혹시, 할인하고 있는 거 있어요?? (Hokshi halinhago issneun geo isseoyo?)
Is there anything on sale?
Salesperson: 네! 오늘 보통 크기 사시면 페이스팩 3개와 작은 사이즈 토너 받을 수 있어요. (
Yes! If you buy a normal size today, you can get three face packs and a small size toner.
제 피부가 좀 예민해서요. 유해성분은 없나요?
(Je pibuga jom yeminhaesoyo. Yuhaesongbuneun omnayo?)
If you are concerned about the potential risks of using a product and prefer a safer product, you can ask this question.
Example:
Customer: 제 피부가 좀 예민해서요. 유해성분은 없나요? (Je pibuga jom yeminhaesoyo. Yuhaesongbuneun omnayo?)
My skin is a little sensitive. Are there any harmful ingredients?
Salesperson: 네, 예민한 피부시면 더욱 추천드려요. (ne, yeminhan pibusimyeon deouk chucheondeuryeoyo)
No. In fact, this one is recommended for sensitive skin.
9.Can pregnant women use it too?
임산부도 사용할 수 있어요?? (Imsanbudo sayonghal su osseoyo?)
There are some ingredients that are not safe for pregnant women, use this phrase for confirmation.
Example:
Customer:임산부도 사용할 수 있어요?? (Imsanbudo sayonghal su osseoyo?)
Can pregnant women use it too?
Salesperson: 그건 좋지 않을 것 같아요. 대신 이걸 추천드려요. (Geugo jochianeulgeot gataeyo. Daeshin igeol chucheondeuryeoyo.)
That one may not be safe for pregnant women. I recommend this one instead.
10. Do you have this product?
이 제품 있나요? 이거 주세요. (I jepumi innayo? Igeo juseyo.)
If you are looking for a certain item and you are not sure if they are selling it, you can show the salesperson an image of it and ask this question.
Example:
Customer: 이 제품 있나요? 이거 주세요. (I jepumi innayo? Igeo juseyo.)
Do you have this product? Please give me this one.
Salesperson: 네, 여기 있어요. (Ne, yeogi isseoyo.)
Yes, we have it here.
11.How to use this face mask?
이 마스크는 어떻게 사용하나요? (I maseukeuneun ottoke sayonghanayo?)
If you are uncertain about how to use a certain product, ask the salesperson this question. Just change ‘마스크 (maseukeu)’ into the item name.
Example:
Customer: 이 마스크는 어떻게 사용하나요? (I maseukeuneun ottoke sayonghanayo?)
How to use this face mask?
Salesperson: 마스크를 15-20분 정도 붙였다가 떼주세요. (maseukeuleul sip eseo isip bun jeongdo bucheottaga ttejuseyo.)
Leave the mask for 15-20 minutes and remove it.
12.These are our bestsellers.
이게 인기 상품이에요. (Ige ingi sangpumieyo.)
Some shops are famous for certain products and salespersons may recommend their best selling products.
Example:
Customer: 보습 크림 찾고 있는데 어떤 걸 사야 할지 모르겠어요.
(Boseub keurim chajgo issneunde eotteon geol saya halji moleugesseyo.)
I'm looking for a moisturizer cream, but I don't know which one to buy.
Salesperson: 요즘 이게 인기상품이에요. 한번 써 보실래요?
(yojeum ige ingi sangpumieyo. Hanbeon sseobosilreyo?)
This is our bestseller. Would you like to try it?
Yey! You are now ready to shop cosmetics in Korea!
What do you want to learn next? Comment down below.
collaborator : Camille Ced
Cmille is a Korean language learner and a freelance copywriter. We study Korean together, and Camille wrote the draft. Then, I corrected mistakes and supplemented what was needed.
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