공짜
gongjja
To say something is free in Korean, meaning it costs nothing, use 공짜 (gongjja).
공짜 is the everyday word for something that costs no money. To say it is free, add an ending: 공짜예요 is polite and standard and 공짜야 is casual for friends.
Which one should you use?
무료 means free of charge and is the word used on signs, in advertisements and in official announcements. A free meal, for example, is 무료 식사. Other ways to say there is no cost are 비용이 없습니다 in a formal tone and 비용 안 들어 in everyday talk.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
무료입니다 is a formal way to say it is free, while 무료야 is informal.
How do you pronounce it?
It is romanized as gongjja.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Use 공짜 only for things that cost nothing. It does not mean free in the sense of liberated or available.
Did you know?
- While 무료 is used for services, you will often see the word 서비스 ('service') used by restaurant owners to describe a free appetizer or drink given to customers.
- In Korea, the phrase 공짜 좋아하다 ('liking free things') is often used as a mild criticism of someone who is overly greedy or opportunistic.
- The word 공짜 comes from the Chinese character 空 meaning 'empty' or 'void'. It literally describes a transaction where the price is empty.
Examples in context
- 이 서비스는 무료입니다.This service is free.
- 지금은 시작할 때 비용이 없습니다.At the moment, there is no cost to start.
- 이 앱은 무료야.This app is free.
- 이 행사에 참여하면 비용 안 들어.If you participate in this event, there is no cost involved.
- 이거 공짜예요?Is this free?
- 이건 공짜예요.Igeon gongjjayeyo.This is free.
- 음료수는 공짜입니다.Eumryosuneun gongjjaimnida.Drinks are free.
- 공짜로 드려요.Gongjjaro deuryeoyo.I am giving it to you for free.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Jieun are at a promotional event in a mall.
- 지훈 Ji-hun지은 씨, 이 사은품 공짜예요?Jieun ssi, i saeunpum gongjjayeyo?Jieun, is this gift free?
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 공짜예요.Ne, gongjjayeyo.Yes, it is free.
- 지훈 Ji-hun와, 정말 공짜네요!Wa, jeongmal gongjjaneyo!Wow, it really is free!
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨도 하나 받으세요.Jihoon ssi-do hana badeuseyo.Jihoon, you should take one too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 공짜, CC BY-SA 4.0.
