Moving vocabulary
이사Moving (to a new home)
이삿짐 센터Moving company
포장이사Full-service move (they pack everything)
반포장이사Half-service (they move, you pack small stuff)
용달Small truck rental (budget move)
사다리차Ladder truck (for moving through windows in tall buildings)
이사떡Moving rice cakes (gift for neighbors)
집들이Housewarming party
Textbook이사 업체에 견적을 요청하겠습니다i-sa eop-che-e gyeon-jeok-eul yo-cheong-ha-get-seup-ni-daI will request a quote from the moving company
Real이삿짐 센터 견적 몇 군데 받아봐i-sat-jim sen-teo gyeon-jeok myeot gun-de bat-a-bwaGet quotes from a few moving companies🏷️ Daily conversation
견적 (quote/estimate) is the key word. Always get 3+ quotes — prices vary wildly. 포장이사 is pricier but worth it if you have a lot of stuff. 용달 (small truck) is the budget option for minimal belongings.
Moving day phrases
짐 조심해 주세요Please be careful with the stuff
이거 깨지기 쉬운 거예요This is fragile
여기에 놓아주세요Please put it here
수고하셨습니다 (to movers)Good work / Thank you (to movers at the end)
팁 드려야 하나? (→ 음료수나 간식이 더 일반적)Should I tip? (→ drinks/snacks are more common than cash tips)
Korean moving companies don't traditionally expect tips, but giving them 음료수 (drinks) and 간식 (snacks) is standard courtesy. Some people give cash (만원 per mover) — appreciated but not expected.
After moving: 집들이 (housewarming party). Invite friends, get gifts (the traditional gift is 화장지 toilet paper = life unrolling smoothly, or 세제 detergent = clean new start). Cook or order food. 집들이 is how Koreans christen a new home — it's not optional for your social life.
Quick Quiz