Meaning
To visit a public market, typically for buying goods.
Cultural Background
Traditional markets often have '5-day' cycles in rural areas, known as 'O-il-jang'. Even in cities, markets are the best place to find seasonal ingredients. The concept of 'Deom' (extra free goods) is a hallmark of the market experience. It's a way for sellers to show generosity. Street food (Bun-sik) is a major reason young people 'go to the market' today, especially to places like Gwangjang Market. Bargaining is expected in traditional markets, unlike in modern department stores. It's seen as a form of social interaction.
Use '장 보러 가다' for chores
If you are specifically going to buy food for dinner, '장 보러 가다' sounds more natural than just '시장에 가다'.
Watch the particle
Don't forget the '에'. Without it, '시장 가다' is okay in slang, but '시장에 가다' is the proper form.
Meaning
To visit a public market, typically for buying goods.
Use '장 보러 가다' for chores
If you are specifically going to buy food for dinner, '장 보러 가다' sounds more natural than just '시장에 가다'.
Watch the particle
Don't forget the '에'. Without it, '시장 가다' is okay in slang, but '시장에 가다' is the proper form.
Haggling is an art
In a '시장', it's okay to ask for a discount, but do it with a smile and a '깎아 주세요'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct destination particle.
저는 오늘 시장___ 가요.
The particle '에' is used to indicate the destination of the verb '가다'.
Which sentence means 'I went to the market'?
Choose the correct past tense form.
'갔어요' is the past tense of '가다'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 어디 가요? B: ___________.
The question asks 'Where are you going?', so the answer should be 'I am going to [Place]'.
Match the sentence to the situation.
You want to suggest going to the market to a friend.
'-ㄹ까요?' is used to make suggestions.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Sijang vs. Mart
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 오늘 시장___ 가요.
The particle '에' is used to indicate the destination of the verb '가다'.
Choose the correct past tense form.
'갔어요' is the past tense of '가다'.
A: 어디 가요? B: ___________.
The question asks 'Where are you going?', so the answer should be 'I am going to [Place]'.
You want to suggest going to the market to a friend.
'-ㄹ까요?' is used to make suggestions.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
14 questionsNo, use '백화점에 가다' for department stores and '쇼핑몰에 가다' for malls.
'시장에 가다' is grammatically correct for destination. '시장을 가다' is sometimes used colloquially.
'시장' is a traditional market; '마트' is a modern supermarket like E-Mart.
과일을 사러 시장에 가요.
It is neutral. You can make it formal by saying '시장에 갑니다'.
They are traditional markets that open every five days, common in rural Korea.
Only if you are already at the market when you say it.
It's another word for traditional/conventional market.
No, Korean does not use articles like 'a' or 'the'.
It sounds like 'si-jang-e'.
Yes, '벼룩시장에 가다' (going to a flea market).
Yes, in traditional markets it is very common and expected.
It is the 'extra' bit of food a seller gives you for free.
시장이 어디에 있어요?
Related Phrases
장 보다
similarTo shop for groceries
마트에 가다
contrastTo go to a supermarket
구경하다
builds onTo look around / sightsee
들르다
specialized formTo stop by
