Today's Real Korean Expression

Asking about sizes

Do you have a bigger size of this clothing?

Textbook이 옷의 더 큰 사이즈가 있습니까?i os-ui deo keun sa-i-jeu-ga it-seum-ni-kka?

Real이거 한 치수 큰 거 있어요?i-geo han chi-su keun geo it-seo-yo?

치수 means clothing size. 한 치수 큰 거 = one size up. You can also just hold it up and say 이거 M 있어요? (do you have this in M?). Korean sizing uses S/M/L or 44/55/66.

Haggling at a market

Could you lower the price a little?

Textbook가격을 좀 낮춰 주실 수 있나요?ga-gyeo-geul jom nat-chwo ju-sil su it-na-yo?

Real좀 깎아주세요~ / 에이, 좀 빼주세요jom kka-kka-ju-se-yo~ / e-i, jom ppae-ju-se-yo

At Korean markets, 깎다 (to shave off) is THE haggling word. 좀 깎아주세요 with a smile works wonders. Adding 에이~ (come on~) shows you're playing the game. Never haggle in department stores though.

Greeting a friend

Hello, have you been well?

Textbook안녕하세요, 잘 지내셨어요?an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, jal ji-nae-syeoss-eo-yo?

Real야, 밥 먹었어?ya, bap meo-geoss-eo?

밥 먹었어? (have you eaten?) is the classic Korean greeting between friends. It doesn't literally ask about food — it's like asking "how are you?" Answering about your actual meal is perfectly fine too.

Saying something is delicious

This food is delicious

Textbook이 음식이 맛있습니다i eum-si-gi ma-sit-seum-ni-da

Real이거 미쳤다i-geo mi-chyeot-da

맛있다 is correct but boring. 미쳤다 (literally: insane) is the go-to real reaction when food is amazing. You'll hear this in every K-drama eating scene.

Ordering coffee

One iced americano please

Textbook아이스 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요a-i-seu a-me-ri-ka-no han jan ju-se-yo

Real아아 하나요a-a ha-na-yo

Koreans abbreviate 아이스 아메리카노 to 아아. The 주세요 (please) is dropped — 요 at the end is polite enough. At busy cafes, shorter = better.