Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to buy" in Korean: 사다
사다sada
to buy in Korean is 사다 (sada). 사다 is buy; 살다 is live and has a different ㄹ in its dictionary form.
to buy: an everyday statement
시장에서 과일을 사요.sijangeseo gwaireul sayo.
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How to pronounce 사다
Say it
sada
/sata/
Read 사다 as sada. The spoken form 사요 is sayo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to buy" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 사다sada | to buy Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 사요sayo | to buy (polite present) Use 사요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 사요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 샀어요sasseoyo | to buy (polite past) Use 샀어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 샀어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 사다 in real life
- 1to buy: an everyday statement
시장에서 과일을 사요.
sijangeseo gwaireul sayo.
I buy fruit at the market.
사요 is the present form of 사다.
- 2to buy: a different situation
어제 표를 샀어요.
eoje pyoreul sasseoyo.
I bought a ticket yesterday.
샀어요 is the past form of 사다.
- 3to buy: a question or request
어디에서 사요?
eodieseo sayo?
Where do you buy it?
사요 is the present form of 사다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 사다
Incorrect: 사다.
Correct: 사요.
When practicing to buy, 사다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 사요.
Incorrect: 어제 사요.
Correct: 어제 샀어요.
When practicing to buy, for a completed event yesterday, use 샀어요; the present form 사요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
사다 is buy; 살다 is live and has a different ㄹ in its dictionary form. 사요 is the polite conversational form of 사다; 샀어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 사다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
시장에서 과일을 사요.
sijangeseo gwaireul sayo.
I buy fruit at the market.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 표를 샀어요.
eoje pyoreul sasseoyo.
I bought a ticket yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to buy" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to buy" in Korean
How do I use 사다 in polite speech?
사요 is the polite conversational form of 사다; 샀어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 사다 in a past-tense sentence?
샀어요 is the polite past form. 사다 is buy; 살다 is live and has a different ㄹ in its dictionary form.
What does 사요 mean here?
사요 is used for to buy. For example, 시장에서 과일을 사요. means “I buy fruit at the market.”
What should I remember about 사다?
사다 is buy; 살다 is live and has a different ㄹ in its dictionary form.
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