Korean

가격

The word "가격" is an essential and frequently used noun in Korean.

Core Meaning

가격 (價格) simply means "price," "cost," or "rate." It refers to the amount of money that is expected, required, or given in payment for something.

Key Characteristics

가격 is a neutral term for the monetary value assigned to a good or service. It can be used in virtually any context where money is exchanged.

Common Usages and Contexts

You will encounter "가격" in a wide variety of situations:

1. General Price of Goods & Services

  • "이 가격이 얼마예요?" (How much is this price?) - A very common way to ask "How much is this?"
  • "가격이 비싸다/싸다" (The price is expensive/cheap.)
  • "가격을 내리다/올리다" (To lower/raise the price.)

2. Specific Types of Prices

  • 정가 (定價): The fixed price or list price.
  • 할인 가격 (割引價格): The discounted price.
  • 시세 (市勢) / 시장 가격 (市場價格): The market price.
  • 도매 가격 (都賣價格): Wholesale price.
  • 소매 가격 (小賣價格): Retail price.

3. In Restaurants, Cafes, and Stores

  • "가격표" (Price tag, price list).
  • "메뉴 가격" (Menu prices).

4. For Accommodation and Travel

  • "방 가격" (Room rate).
  • "항공권 가격" (Air ticket price).

5. In Business and Economics

  • "가격 경쟁" (Price competition).
  • "가격 정책" (Price policy).
  • "유가 (油價)" (Oil price).

Example Sentences

  • "이 상품의 가격은 1만 원입니다."
    (The price of this product is 10,000 won.)
  • "가격이 합리적이에요."
    (The price is reasonable.)
  • "가격을 조금 깎아 주시겠어요?"
    (Could you lower the price a little?)
  • "주유소마다 휘발유 가격이 달라요."
    (The price of gasoline is different at every gas station.)

Important Distinction: 가격 vs. 값

Both 가격 and 값 can be translated as "price," but they are used slightly differently.

  • 가격 (Gagyeok): This is the more formal, standard word for "price." It is used in most written and spoken contexts, especially in business, retail, and news. It's the safe, all-purpose word to use.
  • 값 (Gap): This is a more native Korean word. It is often used in everyday, casual conversation and can sometimes imply the "value" or "worth" of something, not just its monetary cost.

In many cases, they are interchangeable, but here's a general guideline:

  • You would almost always see 가격 on a price tag (가격표).
  • In a casual market, you might hear: "이것 값이 얼마예요?" (How much is this?)
  • 값 is often used in compound words related to value:
    • 숫자값 (numerical value)
    • 절대값 (absolute value)

In Conclusion:

"가격" is the fundamental and most common word for "price" in Korean. Whether you are shopping, dining out, reading a business report, or discussing the economy, 가격 is the word you will need. It is precise, neutral, and universally understood in any context involving cost.