Korean Dictionary
How to say "Thrift Store" in Korean
“Thrift Store” in Korean is 중고 가게 (pronounced "jung-go ga-ge").
중고 가게
jung-go ga-ge
Usage & Context
중고 가게 is a thrift store selling used items at low prices. These stores are becoming more popular in Korea as people embrace sustainable shopping.
Example Sentence
중고 가게에서 좋은 물건을 찾았어요.
I found great items at the thrift store.
How to use 중고 가게 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Thrift Store” is 중고 가게, romanized as jung-go ga-ge.
Usage tip
Shopping Korean usually sounds more natural when you use short polite questions instead of translating English directly.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 중고 가게.
Pronunciation Guide
For "중고 가게" (jung-go ga-ge), "중고" is pronounced with "jung" sounding like "joong" in "moon" but with a 'j' sound, and "go" like the English word "go." "가게" has "ga" sounding like "gah" in "garage," and "ge" like "geh" in "get." The stress is fairly even, with slight emphasis on "jung" and "ga."
More Example Sentences
Describing a casual weekend activity with friends.
주말에 친구랑 중고 가게 구경 갔어요.
I went thrift store browsing with a friend on the weekend.
Recommending a specific store for its diverse inventory.
여기 중고 가게는 물건이 정말 다양해요.
This thrift store has a really wide variety of items.
Explaining a sustainable lifestyle choice.
환경을 생각해서 중고 가게를 자주 이용해요.
I often use thrift stores to be environmentally conscious.
Cultural Context
While "중고 가게" (thrift store) traditionally referred to charity shops or very inexpensive goods, its perception in Korea is evolving. With growing interest in sustainability and unique fashion, younger Koreans are increasingly exploring thrift stores, especially in trendy districts. Online platforms like 당근마켓 (Daangn Market) have also significantly popularized the buying and selling of "중고" (used) items, making it a common part of daily life.
Editorial note
We review entries like 중고 가게 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
중고 물품
used goods
중고 시장
second-hand market
중고로 팔다
to sell second-hand
Related Expressions
헌 옷 수거함
heon ot su-geo-ham
used clothes collection box
벼룩시장
byeo-ruk-si-jang
flea market
재활용 센터
jae-hwal-yong sen-teo
recycling center
중고 거래
jung-go geo-rae
second-hand transaction (often online)
More Shopping Words
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