Korean Dictionary
How to say "Second-Hand" in Korean
“Second-Hand” in Korean is 중고 (pronounced "jung-go").
중고
jung-go
Usage & Context
중고 refers to second-hand or used items. The second-hand market is growing in Korea with platforms like Naver Carrot and Danggeun Market.
Example Sentence
중고 물건을 샀어요.
I bought a second-hand item.
How to use 중고 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Second-Hand” is 중고, romanized as jung-go.
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 중고.
Pronunciation Guide
'Jung-go' sounds like 'joong-go,' where 'joong' rhymes with 'moon' and 'go' rhymes with 'go.' The 'g' sound is soft, almost like a 'k' at the beginning of 'go' when spoken quickly.
More Example Sentences
Sharing a smart purchase with a friend.
중고 책을 사서 돈을 아꼈어요.
I saved money by buying second-hand books.
Talking about using a specific app for shopping.
당근마켓에서 중고 가구를 찾아보고 있어요.
I'm looking for second-hand furniture on Danggeun Market.
Observing a current trend in consumer behavior.
요즘 중고 거래가 정말 활발해요.
Second-hand trading is really active these days.
Cultural Context
The second-hand market in Korea has exploded in popularity, largely driven by apps like 당근마켓 (Danggeun Market) and 번개장터 (Bungaejangter). These platforms allow local residents to buy and sell used items, fostering a sense of community and sustainability. It's common to find everything from electronics and furniture to clothes and baby items, often in excellent condition, reflecting a growing eco-conscious and frugal mindset.
Editorial note
We review entries like 중고 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
중고로 팔다.
To sell second-hand.
중고 물건.
Second-hand item.
중고 시장.
Second-hand market.
Related Expressions
새것
sae-geot
new item (antonym)
중고 거래
jung-go geo-rae
second-hand transaction/trade
당근마켓
Dang-geun Ma-ket
a popular second-hand trading app
재활용
jae-hwal-yong
recycling
More Shopping Words
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