Korean word

아깝다

Pronunciation

Romanizationakkaptta

Meaning

  • adjectivea waste

Example

이 옷은 상태가 좋은데 버리기에는 아깝다.i o seun sang tae ga cho eun de peo ri gi e neun a kkap tta

This garment is in good condition, but it would be a waste to throw it away.

Illustration for 아깝다 (a waste)

More examples

할인 기간을 놓쳐서 가방을 싸게 못 산 게 아깝다.ha rin ki ga neul no cheo seo ka bang eul ssa ge mot san ke a kkap tta

It is a shame that I missed the discount period and therefore could not buy the bag cheaply.

Core concept

Letting go of something valuable feels wasteful because its value will be lost.

Common phrases

  • 버리기에는 아깝다peo ri gi e neun a kkap tta

    too good to throw away

  • 시간이 아깝다si ga ni a kkap tta

    too valuable to waste

  • 돈이 아깝다to ni a kkap tta

    too valuable to spend

Similar words

아쉽다aswiptta: Feeling disappointed when a hoped-for chance or result does not happen.
안타깝다antakkaptta: Feeling sorry when an unfortunate result causes emotional pain.
섭섭하다seopsseopada: Feeling hurt and empty after a goodbye or an unmet expectation.

Definition in Korean

버리거나 잃으면 가치가 낭비된 것처럼 느껴질 때 쓰는 형용사peo ri geo na i reu myeon ka chi ga nang bi doen keot cheo reom neu kkyeo jil ttae sseu neun hyeong yong sa

Word origin

The historical source of this adjective is uncertain, so its present-day form does not provide a reliable etymology.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, this adjective can stand alone as a short reaction when a valuable object, chance, or effort is lost.

Other meanings

  • a shameadjective

Related words

  • 아까움akkaumwastefulnessnoun
  • 아까워하다akkawohadabegrudge wastingverb
  • 아깝게도akkapkkedoregrettablyadverb

Word lists with this word