비싸다
bissada[pis͈a̠da̠]
The Korean word for "expensive" is 비싸다 (bissada).
비싸다 is an adjective used to describe something that has a high price or cost. You can intensify the word by using 정말 (very) or 진짜 (really) before it. If you want to say something is "relatively expensive," use 비교적 비싸다, and if you want to specify that something is "expensive in value," use 값이 비싸다. To use the word as an adverb meaning "expensively," use 비싸게.
Meaning: having a high price or cost (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word takes different forms depending on the level of politeness and the context. The dictionary form 비싸다 is used in written text, journals or when speaking to oneself, but is rarely used in direct conversation with others. The standard way to speak in daily life is using the polite form 비싸요. For the casual form, use 비싸.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on tense and politeness. The polite form is 비싸요, and the formal/polite form is 비쌉니다. To express the past tense (was expensive), use 비쌌다.
How do you pronounce it?
bissada
Did you know?
- To describe something as 'overpriced' or 'too expensive', Koreans often use the expression 바가지 쓰다, which literally means 'to wear a gourd'.
- Korean has a specific word 금값 which literally means 'gold price' and is used metaphorically to describe any item that has become suddenly and exorbitantly expensive.
- In Korean markets, saying 비싸요 (it is expensive) is often a strategic opening move for bargaining rather than a simple statement of fact.
Examples in context
- 이 사전은 비싸다.This dictionary is expensive.This sentence is useful for practicing the dictionary form of 비싸다 in a written context.Tatoeba #7342923 by yesjustryan, translation #58833 by CK
- 라즈베리는 너무 비싸다.Raspberries are very expensive.This sentence shows how to use 비싸다 to describe something being very expensive.Tatoeba #11106848 by intertime, translation #2793114 by CK
- 옷이 비싸요.The clothes are expensive.
- 이 레스토랑은 비교적 비싸다.This restaurant is relatively expensive.
- 이거 너무 비싸!This is too expensive!
- 그 가방은 너무 비싸다.geu gabang-eun neomu bissada.That bag is too expensive.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Seoyeon are shopping for a new bag.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo이 가방 정말 예뻐요.i gabang jeongmal yeppeoyo.This bag is really pretty.
- 서연 Seo-yeon그런데 너무 비싸다.geureonde neomu bissada.But it is too expensive.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo조금만 더 찾아볼까요?jogeumman deo chajabolkkayo?Shall we look for a bit more?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 다른 매장으로 가요.ne, dareun maejang-euro gayo.Yes, let's go to another store.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “expensive” translations and entries 비싸다, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
