Dictionary — Entry No. 0745
싸다
ssada · adjective
싸다
ssada
[SSA-da]
adjectivebeginner
Meaning
Dictionary form meaning ‘to be cheap’ or ‘inexpensive’ — the direct opposite of 비싸다. In speech: 싸요 (polite) or 싸 (casual). Expresses that something is a good price, used at markets, street stalls, and whenever someone is bragging about a deal.
K-Pop & K-Drama Context
Korea’s traditional markets — Namdaemun (남대문) and Dongdaemun (동대문) in Seoul — are legendary for 싸고 맛있는 (cheap and delicious) street food. Reply 1988 lovingly depicts 1980s neighborhood culture where everything was affordable and communities shared freely. NewJeans built their brand on being relatable and approachable — aesthetically the opposite of the 비싼 (expensive) luxury idol.
Example Sentences
여기 떡볶이 진짜 싸고 맛있어!
Yeogi tteokbokki jinjja ssago massisseo!
The tteokbokki here is seriously cheap and delicious! (싸고 = ‘cheap and…’ — the best possible combination in Korean food culture)
이 가격에 이 퀄리티면 너무 싼 거 아니에요?
I gagyeoge i kweolliti-myeon neomu ssan geo anieyo?
With this quality at this price, isn’t it incredibly cheap? (rhetorical — expressing pleasant surprise at great value)
세일 기간에 사면 훨씬 싸게 살 수 있어요.
Seil gigan-e samyeon hwolssin ssage sal su isseoyo.
If you buy during a sale, you can get it much cheaper. (practical travel tip — 훨씬 means ‘by far’ or ‘much more’)
⚠️ Don’t use ssada when…
Critical: 싸다 has two meanings — ‘cheap/inexpensive’ AND ‘to urinate’ in informal speech. Context always clarifies, but it’s why native speakers may smirk when learners enthusiastically announce something is 싸다 out of nowhere. Also do not confuse 싸다 (cheap) with 사다 (to buy).
🎵 Heard In
- K-Drama: Reply 1988 (응답하라 1988) — Deok-sun’s family excitedly haggles at the neighborhood market, calling everything 싸다, capturing the warmth and modesty of 1980s Seoul community life.
- K-Pop: NewJeans — Hype Boy
ℹ️ Editorial Note: The cultural context and example usage are for educational reference only. Artist names, song titles, and drama references are used descriptively to illustrate vocabulary in context. This content is AI-assisted and reviewed for accuracy. For official information, please refer to the respective artists’ or studios’ official channels.