10 Simple Korean Phrases International Students Can Use at a Convenience Store

Starting life in Korea often means quick visits to convenience stores. Below are 10 useful Korean phrases to help international students buy snacks, pay, and ask for basic services. After the phrases, you will find a short verified notes section about bags and receipts and a few practical tips.

1. 이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolmayeyo?) - Meaning: How much is this? - When to use: Ask the price of an item. Point at the item if you do not know its name.

2. 계산할게요. (gyesanhalkkeyo) - Meaning: I'll pay / I would like to check out. - When to use: Tell the clerk you are ready to pay or are moving to the register.

3. 카드 돼요? (kadeu dwaeyo?) - Meaning: Do you accept cards? - When to use: Ask if you can pay by card. Payment methods vary by store, so asking is the safest option.

4. 포장해 주세요. (pojanghae juseyo) - Meaning: Please bag/wrap this. - When to use: Ask for items to be packed for takeout. You can also say 봉투 주세요 (bongtu juseyo) to request a bag.

5. 데워 주세요. (deowo juseyo) - Meaning: Please heat this up. - When to use: Ask staff to warm food or drinks. Whether staff will heat an item depends on store equipment and store policy.

6. 영수증 주세요. (yeongsujeung juseyo) - Meaning: Please give me a receipt. - When to use: Request a standard receipt after payment for proof of purchase.

7. 포인트 적립해 주세요. (pointeu jeogribhae juseyo) - Meaning: Please add points (to my membership). - When to use: Show your store membership barcode or app if you want to collect loyalty points. Membership and point procedures vary by store.

8. 여기서 먹어도 돼요? (yeogiseo meogeodo dwaeyo?) - Meaning: Can I eat here? - When to use: Ask whether there is seating or if eating in is allowed. Some stores have seating, but policies differ by location.

9. 물 좀 주세요. (mul jom juseyo) - Meaning: Please give me some water. - When to use: Ask for bottled water or a small cup. Providing free cups of water is a store practice that may differ between locations and is not uniformly guaranteed.

10. 봉투/비닐 주세요. (bongtu / binil juseyo) - Meaning: Please give me a bag / plastic bag. - When to use: Ask for a paper or plastic bag. In Korea, single-use bags are subject to regulation and their free provision may be restricted or subject to a charge; exceptions can apply depending on bag type or item.

Official notes (verified):

- Single-use bags: Under Korea’s resource-saving and recycling rules, single-use bags (including disposable shopping bags) are defined as single-use items and are regulated. This means free provision of such bags can be restricted and charges may apply. Exceptions in the rules include certain paper bags and specific plastic bags used for moist foods such as fish, meat, or wet produce.

- Receipts and cash receipts: You can request a standard receipt or a cash-receipt (현금영수증) after payment. Official guidance indicates that merchants who are registered for cash-receipts may face administrative sanctions if they refuse a lawful cash-receipt request or issue receipts incorrectly. If you experience problems with receipt issuance, consult official consumer guidance or relevant authorities.

Practical tips:

- Store practices differ by franchise and location. If you are unsure whether a service is available, ask politely using the phrases above rather than assuming it will be provided.

- Use polite endings like -요 (-yo) when you are unsure. Pointing at an item or showing your phone screen helps when vocabulary is limited.

- For legal or official confirmation about regulations (for example, single-use bag rules or consumer complaint procedures), refer to official government guidance.

Notes: This article keeps language-learning phrases concise and cautious about store practices. It does not guarantee services or legal outcomes—official rules should be consulted for binding guidance.