Korean Dictionary
How to say "Expensive" in Korean
“Expensive” in Korean is 비싸다 (pronounced "Bissada").
비싸다
Bissada
Usage & Context
Housing and beef are notoriously expensive in Korea. If something is too pricey, you can say '너무 비싸요' to express that the price is too high.
Example Sentence
서울 집값이 너무 비싸요.
Housing prices in Seoul are too expensive.
How to use 비싸다 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Expensive” is 비싸다, romanized as Bissada.
Usage tip
Shopping Korean usually sounds more natural when you use short polite questions instead of translating English directly.
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 비싸다.
What learners usually mean by “Expensive in Korean”
People usually need this while shopping, ordering, or reacting to prices.
Real usage
비싸요 is the polite everyday way to say 'it's expensive.' 비싸 is casual, and 가격이 높아요 sounds more formal or analytical.
Avoid this mistake
Do not say 비싸 directly to staff in a blunt tone unless you want to sound critical. Softening it with 좀 helps.
Better pattern
Use 좀 비싸요 for 'it's a bit expensive,' 너무 비싸요 for 'too expensive,' and 가격이 괜찮아요 for a positive price comment.
soft price reaction
생각보다 좀 비싸요.
It's a bit more expensive than I expected.
shopping
이건 너무 비싸서 못 사겠어요.
This is too expensive, so I can't buy it.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'bi-ssa-da' — 'bi' is a quick 'bee,' 'ssa' has a tensed 'ss' with open 'ah,' and 'da' ends flat.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
비쌉니다
bissamnida
Formal form, used in writing or formal speech
Casual (반말)
비싸
bissa
Casual exclamation of sticker shock
More Example Sentences
complaining about real estate
서울 집값이 너무 비싸요.
Seoul housing prices are too high.
reviewing a restaurant
비싸지만 맛있어요.
It's expensive but delicious.
declining a gift
비싼 선물은 부담스러워요.
Expensive gifts feel burdensome.
Cultural Context
비싸다 often comes out as an exclamation — 헐, 비싸! ('Whoa, pricey!'). Korean shoppers are famously price-sensitive and app-savvy, hunting deals through apps like 쿠팡 and 당근마켓. 명품 (luxury/designer brand) is synonymous with 비싸지만 좋은 것 — expensive but good.
Editorial note
We review entries like 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
비싸요!
It's expensive!
너무 비싸요.
It's too expensive.
비싼데 살까?
It's pricey — should I buy it?
Related Expressions
싸다
ssada
cheap (antonym)
가격
gagyeok
price
비싼
bissan
expensive (modifier)
명품
myeongpum
luxury brand
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct pronunciation of the Korean word 비싸다 (Bissada) for "expensive"?+
The Korean word 비싸다 (bissada) is pronounced with a "bi" sound similar to "bee" in English, followed by "ssa" which is a tense "sa" sound (like "ssa" in "bossy" but shorter and sharper), and finally "da" like "da" in "dollar". The double 'ㅆ' (ss) indicates a tense, aspirated 's' sound, making it distinct from a regular 'ㅅ' (s).
How do I politely say "It's too expensive" when shopping in Korea?+
To politely express "It's too expensive" in Korean, you can use "너무 비싸요" (neomu bissayo). "너무" (neomu) means "too" or "very," and "비싸요" (bissayo) is the polite, present-tense form of 비싸다. This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversations and shopping scenarios, conveying your sentiment respectfully without being impolite.
Are there any synonyms or antonyms for 비싸다 (Bissada) to describe prices?+
Yes, there are. An antonym for 비싸다 (bissada, expensive) is 싸다 (ssada), meaning "cheap" or "inexpensive." While there aren't direct synonyms that are commonly used in the same context as 비싸다, you might hear expressions like '가격이 높다' (gagyeogi nopda, "the price is high") which conveys a similar meaning.
What are common mistakes non-native speakers make when using 비싸다 (Bissada)?+
A common mistake is using the dictionary form 비싸다 directly in sentences when a conjugated form is needed. For example, instead of saying "이거 비싸다," which sounds abrupt, one should use polite forms like "이거 비싸요" (igeo bissayo, "This is expensive") or formal forms like "이것은 비쌉니다" (igeoseun bissamnida). Also, remember to use "너무" (neomu) for "too" expensive.
How can I use 비싸다 (Bissada) to ask "Is this expensive?" when shopping?+
When shopping, you can ask "Is this expensive?" by saying "이거 비싸요?" (igeo bissayo?). Adding a question mark intonation to "비싸요" turns the statement into a question. For a slightly more formal or explicit question, you could say "이것은 비싼가요?" (igeoseun bissangayo?). Both are perfectly acceptable and commonly understood in retail environments.
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