Korean Dictionary
How to say "Cost an Arm and a Leg" in Korean
“Cost an Arm and a Leg” in Korean is 엄청나게 비싸다 (pronounced "Eomcheonnage Bissada").
엄청나게 비싸다
Eomcheonnage Bissada
Usage & Context
Costing an arm and a leg means something is very expensive. This concept is well understood in Korean where informal expressions for high prices are frequently used.
Example Sentence
그 명품 가방은 엄청나게 비싸서 살 수가 없어요.
That luxury bag costs an arm and a leg so I cannot buy it.
How to use 엄청나게 비싸다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Cost an Arm and a Leg” is 엄청나게 비싸다, romanized as Eomcheonnage Bissada.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
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 엄청나게 비싸다.
Pronunciation Guide
"Eom-cheong-na-ge Bi-ssa-da" is pronounced 'uhm-chong-nah-geh bee-ssah-dah'. "Eom" is like 'um' in 'umbrella', "cheong" like 'chong' in 'strong' but with a 'ch' sound. "Na" is like 'nah', and "ge" like 'geh' in 'get'. "Bi-ssa-da" has a tense 'ㅆ' sound, like a sharp 's' in 'ssah'.
More Example Sentences
Complaining about housing costs.
요즘 집값이 엄청나게 비싸서 내 집 마련하기가 너무 힘들어.
Housing prices are incredibly expensive these days, so it's really hard to buy my own home.
Discussing an expensive restaurant.
그 레스토랑은 분위기는 좋지만 음식이 엄청나게 비싸서 자주 갈 수는 없어.
That restaurant has a nice atmosphere, but the food is incredibly expensive, so I can't go often.
Considering canceling travel plans due to cost.
해외여행 경비가 엄청나게 비싸서 포기할까 생각 중이야.
The cost of overseas travel is incredibly expensive, so I'm thinking of giving up.
Cultural Context
Koreans often express the concept of something being '엄청나게 비싸다' (eomcheonnage bissada) with a sense of exasperation or awe, especially when discussing luxury goods, real estate, or education. While the literal translation means 'tremendously expensive,' it carries the same emotional weight as 'costing an arm and a leg.' It's common to hear this phrase in daily conversations, particularly when comparing prices or lamenting high living costs.
Editorial note
We review entries like 엄청나게 비싸다 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
와, 이거 엄청나게 비싸네!
Wow, this is incredibly expensive!
요즘 물가가 엄청나게 비싸졌어.
Prices have become incredibly expensive these days.
엄청나게 비싸도 살 사람은 다 사더라.
Even if it's incredibly expensive, people who want it still buy it.
Related Expressions
값비싸다
Gapsbissada
Expensive / Costly.
바가지 쓰다
Bagaji sseuda
To be ripped off / To be overcharged.
돈이 많이 들다
Doni mani deulda
To cost a lot of money.
거금
Geogeum
A large sum of money.
More Idioms & Proverbs Words
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