Welcome to our guide on how to say “Can I pay” in Korean! Whether you’re planning a trip to Korea, or simply looking to expand your language skills, this guide will provide you with various ways to ask if you can pay in Korean. We’ll cover both formal and informal ways, with examples and tips along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Can I Pay” in Korean
When speaking formally, it’s important to use respectful language. Here are a few ways to ask if you can pay:
1. 혹시 계산해도 될까요? (hokshi gyesanhaedo doelkkayo?)
If you want to ask politely if you can pay, this phrase is commonly used in formal situations. Here, “hokshi” means “if,” “gyesanhae” means “to pay,” “doelkka” means “can (I) do,” and “yo” adds politeness to the sentence.
Example: “Excuse me, can I pay?” – 실례합니다, 혹시 계산해도 될까요? (sillyehamnida, hokshi gyesanhaedo doelkkayo?)
2. 계산할 수 있을까요? (gyesanhal su isseulkkayo?)
This phrase is another formal way to ask if you can pay. “Gyesanhal” means “to pay,” “su isseulkka” means “can (I) do,” and “yo” adds politeness.
Example: “May I pay, please?” – 계산할 수 있을까요? (gyesanhal su isseulkkayo?)
3. 계산하겠습니다. (gyesan-hagesseumnida.)
If you want to be more assertive and tell the staff that you would like to pay, this phrase is appropriate. “Gyesan-ha” means “to pay,” “geot” implies the intention to do something, and “ssseumnida” adds a level of formality.
Example: “I would like to pay.” – 계산하겠습니다. (gyesan-hagesseumnida.)
Informal Ways to Say “Can I Pay” in Korean
When speaking informally, sayings like “Can I pay?” are simplified. Here are a few informal ways to ask if you can pay:
1. 계산해도 돼? (gyesanhaedo dwae?)
This phrase is commonly used among friends and people of similar age. “Gyesanhae” means “to pay,” “doelkka” means “can (I) do,” and “dwae” implies permission or agreement.
Example: “Hey, can I pay?” – 얘, 계산해도 돼? (ye, gyesanhaedo dwae?)
2. 계산해도 되지? (gyesanhaedo doejji?)
Similar to the previous phrase, this version adds “되지” (doejji) which is a casual way of saying “is it okay?” or “can (I) do?” at the end of the sentence.
Example: “Is it okay if I pay?” – 계산해도 되지? (gyesanhaedo doejji?)
3. 내가 계산할게. (naega gyesanhalge.)
If you want to take the initiative and say that you will pay, you can use this phrase. “Naega” means “I,” “gyesan-ha” implies payment, and “ge” is a marker indicating an action done by the speaker.
Example: “Don’t worry, I’ll pay.” – 걱정말고, 내가 계산할게. (geokjeongmalgo, naega gyesanhalge.)
Tips for Using These Phrases
- Always remember to include “please” (주세요 – juseyo) at the end of your sentence to make it more polite.
- Maintain a respectful tone, especially when speaking to older people or in formal settings.
- If you’re unsure about the right level of politeness, it’s better to err on the side of formality.
- Don’t forget to smile and use appropriate body language to express your politeness and sincerity.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have learned various ways to say “Can I pay” in Korean, you can confidently handle payment situations during your interactions in Korea. Remember to use the appropriate phrase based on the formality of the situation and the relationship you have with the person you are speaking to. Practice these phrases and immerse yourself in the Korean language to become more comfortable and fluent over time.
