Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 싸다 | ssada | [s͈a̠da̠] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | predicative |
| 싼 | ssan | [s͈a̠n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | attributive |
The term is used to describe something that is low or reduced in price. While 싸다 is the standard term, if you wish to describe something as inexpensive or affordable in a more positive, formal way without the connotation of being low quality, you can use 저렴하다. Additionally, in very formal situations to denote minimal cost or expenditure, the phrase 비용이 적다 is appropriate.
Which one should you use?
Use 싸다 to state that something is cheap. If you want to modify a noun directly, such as saying "cheap clothes", use the attributive form 싼. For a more formal and positive nuance meaning "inexpensive", use 저렴하다.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In South Korea, the term 싸구려 is used specifically to refer to something that is cheap in a way that implies it is shoddy or of poor quality.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word has two main forms depending on its position: the predicative form 싸다 is used to say "is cheap", while the attributive form 싼 is used before a noun to say "cheap [noun]", such as 싼 옷 (cheap clothes).
How do you pronounce it?
ssada
Did you know?
- The word 싸다 is a homonym that can also mean 'to wrap' or 'to pack', as well as 'to defecate'.
- Calling a person 싼 can be an insult, implying they have low self-worth or lack dignity.
- The word 싸다 originally meant 'to be worth' or 'to be appropriate' in Middle Korean, a complete reversal of its modern meaning of 'low price'.
Examples in context
- 이 옷은 싸다.This dress is cheap.This sentence demonstrates how to use 싸다 to say a dress is cheap.
- 오늘은 싼 옷을 구매했어.Today, I bought some cheap clothes.
- 여기 물건 값이 낮아서 정말 좋아.The prices of the items here are low, so I really like it.
- 그 가게는 물건이 싸다.geu gagaeneun mulgeoni ssada.The goods at that store are cheap.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are shopping at a market.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 이 사과 보세요. 정말 싸다!Hyeon-u ssi, i sagwa boseyo. jeongmal ssada!Hyunwoo, look at these apples. They are really cheap!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말 저렴하네요. 몇 개 살까요?jeongmal jeoryeomhaneyo. myeot gae salkkayo?They really are affordable. How many should we buy?
- 수빈 Su-bin다섯 개만 사요. 아주 싸다.daseot gae-man sayo. 아주 ssada.Let's just buy five. It's very cheap.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo좋아요. 제가 계산할게요.joayo. jega gyesan-halgeyo.Okay. I will pay for them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheap” translations and entries 싸다, 싼, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 싸다, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
