Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 가격 | gagyeok | [ka̠ɡjʌ̹k̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 값 | gap | [ka̠p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, the term for price refers to the cost required to gain possession of something. You can use the phrase 값을 치르다 to mean both literally paying a cost and figuratively suffering consequences. Other useful phrases include 너무 비싸다 for "It's too expensive", 깎아주세요 for "Please lower the price" and 만 원 to express 10,000 Korean won.
Which one should you use?
While both words mean price, 가격 is typically used in formal, commercial or technical contexts, such as discussing market prices or official price tags. In contrast, 값 is a more general, everyday term used in casual conversation or when referring to the inherent value or cost of something.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 가격 as the subject of a sentence, it often takes the subject marker –이 (가격이). If the price is the object of an action, such as checking the price, it takes the object marker –을 (가격을).
How do you pronounce it?
gagyeok
Did you know?
- In Korean, if you want to say something is 'a rip-off' or 'overpriced', you might use the expression 바가지 (bagaji), which literally means a 'traditional gourd water jar'.
- The term 값 can be combined with other words to describe a person's behavior, such as 값싸게 굴다, which means to act in a cheap or undignified manner.
- The word 가격 contains the Hanja character 格, which means 'level' or 'standard'. Literally, it describes the 'standard of the value'.
Examples in context
- 가격을 깎을 수 있나요?Can the price be discounted?This sentence is useful for asking if a price can be discounted using 가격.Tatoeba #4963081 by rainbow4us, translation #1167766 by soj4l
- 누군가는 값을 치러야 한다.Someone has to pay the price.This sentence shows the figurative use of 값 in the phrase "to pay the price".Tatoeba #13188659 by Uwe, translation #2996727 by CK
- 기름 가격은 이번 주에 떨어졌다.The price of oil is down this week.This sentence demonstrates the use of 가격 in a commercial context regarding oil prices.Tatoeba #5526782 by raining211, translation #374801 by saeb
- 그 제품은 어느 정도의 가격인가요?What is the price range for that product?
- 이 신발 얼마에 샀어?How much did you buy these shoes for?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a clothing store, Minji asks about a shirt.
- 민지 Min-ji이 셔츠 가격이 얼마예요?i syeocheu gagyeogi eolmayeyo?How much is the price of this shirt?
- 지훈 Ji-hun삼만 원입니다.samman wonimnida.It is thirty thousand won.
- 민지 Min-ji생각보다 가격이 높네요.saenggakboda gagyeogi nopneyo.The price is higher than I thought.
- 지훈 Ji-hun품질이 아주 좋아서 그래요.pumjiri aju joraseo geuraeyo.It's because the quality is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “price” translations and entries 가격, 값, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 가격, 값, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
