편의점
pyeonuijeom[pʰjʌ̹nɰid͡ʑʌ̹m]
The English phrase "convenience store" is 편의점 (pyeonuijeom) in Korean. Wiktionary also lists 소매점 (somaejeom).
Meaning: a small retail store (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 편의점 | pyeonuijeom | [pʰjʌ̹nɰid͡ʑʌ̹m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [pʰjʌ̹nid͡ʑʌ̹m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 소매점 | somaejeom | [ˈsʰo̞(ː)mɛd͡ʑʌ̹m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈsʰo̞(ː)me̞d͡ʑʌ̹m] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korea, the term 편의점 is used to refer to major chains like CU, GS25 and 7-Eleven.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 편의점 is a compound of 편의 (convenience) and 점 (store/shop).
Which one should you use?
While 소매점 means 'retail store' in a general sense, 편의점 is the specific term used for the ubiquitous 24-hour convenience stores found in Korea.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate movement toward a convenience store, the particle 에 is added to the noun.
How do you pronounce it?
pyeonuijeom
Did you know?
- Some 편의점 in Korea offer 'taxi calling' services for customers who cannot find a ride through an app.
- In Korea, many 편의점 function as official postal pickup points or even mini-banks where you can perform basic financial transactions.
- The word 편의점 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning it is derived from Chinese characters 便宜店.
Examples in context
- 편의점에 가는 길에 비가 내리기 시작했어요.It started raining on my way to the convenience store.This sentence shows how to use the form 편의점 to describe a direction of movement.Tatoeba #13155957 by atitarev, translation #13155956 by atitarev
- 편의점이 어디 있나요?Where is the convenience store?
- 편의점에서 음식 주문하고 싶어요.I want to order food at the convenience store.
- 집 근처에 편의점이 있어요.jib geun-cheo-e pyeon-ui-jeom-i iss-eo-yo.There is a convenience store near my house.
- 편의점에서 우유를 샀어요.pyeon-ui-jeom-e-seo u-yu-reul sass-eo-yo.I bought milk at the convenience store.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are deciding where to buy a snack.
- 지훈 Ji-hun배고픈데 편의점 갈까?bae-go-pun-de pyeon-ui-jeom gal-kka?I'm hungry, should we go to a convenience store?
- 수빈 Su-bin좋아, 같이 가자.jo-a, gat-i ga-ja.Okay, let's go together.
- 지훈 Ji-hun거기서 음료수도 살까?geo-gi-seo eum-ryo-su-do sal-kka?Should we buy some drinks there too?
- 수빈 Su-bin응, 시원한 걸로 사자.eung, si-won-han geol-lo sa-ja.Yes, let's buy something cold.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “convenience store” translations and entries 편의점, 소매점, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 소매점, 편의점, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
