~당

The Korean suffix ~당 (當) is a foundational element of the language used to express the concept of 'per' or 'each' in relation to a specific unit. Derived from the Hanja character 當, which carries meanings of 'to correspond,' 'to match,' or 'to be equal to,' this suffix is indispensable when discussing rates, prices, distributions, and statistics. Unlike the English word 'per' which often stands alone as a preposition, the Korean ~당 functions as a dependent noun or suffix that attaches directly to the noun it modifies, creating a cohesive unit of measurement.

Core Concept

It establishes a ratio between two quantities, where the noun preceding ~당 serves as the base unit.

In everyday life, you will encounter this word most frequently in commercial settings. Whether you are at a traditional market looking at the price of fruit or at a modern supermarket checking the cost of meat, ~당 is the standard way to denote how much something costs relative to its weight or quantity. For instance, '100그램당' (per 100 grams) is the ubiquitous standard for pricing meat and produce in Korea. It provides a clear, mathematical way to understand value and comparison.

Beyond simple commerce, ~당 is vital in the professional world. When discussing wages, Koreans use terms like '시간당' (per hour) to refer to hourly rates, '일당' (daily wage) for day labor, and '건당' (per case/task) for freelance or commission-based work. This suffix allows for precise communication regarding compensation and productivity. It is also used heavily in academic and sociological contexts, such as '1인당 GDP' (GDP per capita) or '가구당 평균 소득' (average income per household), demonstrating its versatility from the street market to the highest levels of economic analysis.

Furthermore, ~당 is used in social coordination. If a group of friends is splitting a bill, they might calculate the '1인당 금액' (amount per person). In gaming or sports, one might talk about '경기당 득점' (points per game). The suffix acts as a logical bridge, dividing a total sum into manageable, understandable units. It is a word that brings order and mathematical clarity to the Korean language, allowing speakers to quantify the world around them with ease.

Common Pairings

It is almost always paired with counters (개, 명, 시, 분) or units of measurement (그램, 미터, 리터).

To truly master ~당, one must understand its subtle nuance compared to other distributive markers. While ~씩 implies 'at a time' or 'distributed in such a way,' ~당 is the cold, hard ratio. If you say '한 명씩' you mean 'one person at a time,' but if you say '한 명당' you mean 'per one person.' This distinction is crucial for accurate communication in Korean. As you progress in your studies, you will find that ~당 appears in increasingly complex structures, but its core meaning of 'per unit' remains constant and reliable.

In summary, ~당 is a versatile, Hanja-based suffix that functions as the primary way to express 'per' in Korean. It is essential for shopping, working, analyzing data, and organizing social life. Its placement directly after the noun or counter makes it grammatically straightforward, yet its conceptual importance is vast, serving as the linguistic tool for all forms of rate-based calculation in the Korean-speaking world.

Using ~당 in a sentence is grammatically simple but requires an understanding of Korean counters and measurement units. The basic formula is: [Noun/Unit] + 당 + [Value/Result]. Unlike many other Korean particles, ~당 does not require a space between it and the noun it follows, as it is treated as a suffix in most contexts, though some stylistic variations exist in formal writing. The key is identifying the 'base unit' you are calculating against.

The Price Formula

Noun + (Number) + Counter + 당 + Price + 이다/예요. Example: '사과 한 개당 천 원이에요.'

When discussing prices, ~당 is often used with counters. If you are buying eggs, you might talk about the price '판당' (per tray) or '알당' (per egg). Notice how the suffix directly follows the counter. This structure is very efficient. For example, '이 고기는 100그램당 3,000원입니다' (This meat is 3,000 won per 100 grams). Here, '100그램' is the base unit. In English, we say 'per 100 grams,' and in Korean, the order is identical: unit first, then the 'per' equivalent.

In professional contexts, particularly when discussing time and labor, ~당 is attached to time units. '시간당' (per hour) is the most common, used for hourly wages (시급) or service fees. '일당' (per day) is often used as a noun itself to mean 'daily wage,' but can also function as 'per day' in sentences like '하루당 8시간 근무합니다' (I work 8 hours per day). However, '하루에' is more common for frequency, while '하루당' is used when calculating a specific rate or quota. This distinction is subtle but important for reaching a natural B1 or B2 level of fluency.

Another common usage is with people. '1인당' (per person) is a set phrase used in restaurants, for tickets, or for statistical data. If a restaurant has a minimum order, they might say '1인당 1메뉴 주문 필수' (One menu item per person required). If you are distributing flyers, you might say '사람당 두 장씩 나눠주세요' (Please give out two sheets per person). Note here the combination of ~당 and ~씩. ~당 sets the unit (per person), and ~씩 describes the distribution (two at a time).

Statistical Contexts

In news or reports, you will see '가구당' (per household), '지역당' (per region), or '기업당' (per company).

Finally, ~당 can be used with abstract concepts or events. '건당' (per case/instance) is used for tasks, insurance claims, or delivery fees. '회당' (per episode/session) is used for TV shows or therapy sessions. '게임당' (per game) is used in sports. In all these cases, the grammar remains identical: [Unit] + 당. This consistency makes it one of the more reliable suffixes to learn in Korean, as it doesn't undergo complex conjugations or changes based on the final consonant of the preceding noun.

To sound more natural, remember that in very casual speech, Koreans might omit ~당 and just use '에' or '마다'. For example, '한 개에 얼마예요?' (How much for one?) is very common. However, ~당 adds a level of precision and formality that is necessary for business, clear transactions, and academic discussion. By mastering this suffix, you move from basic survival Korean to a more precise and professional level of expression.

If you step into a Korean Mart (마트) or a traditional market (시장), ~당 is the word you will see on almost every price tag. In the meat section, the price is never just '10,000 won'; it is '100g당 2,500원.' This allows consumers to compare the value of different cuts of meat regardless of the total package weight. You will hear vendors shouting prices using this suffix to emphasize value. In this context, it is the language of value and comparison, used by both the seller to promote their goods and the buyer to calculate their budget.

The Marketplace

Listen for it at butcher shops (정육점) and fruit stalls. It is the rhythmic pulse of Korean commerce.

In the workplace, ~당 is the standard for discussing compensation, especially for part-time jobs (아르바이트). While '시급' is the noun for 'hourly wage,' the actual calculation is often discussed as '시간당 얼마.' If you are doing delivery work, which has become massive in Korea through apps like Baedal Minjok or Coupang Eats, the pay is calculated '배달 건당' (per delivery case). Freelancers in the creative industries—translators, designers, writers—negotiate their rates '단어당' (per word), '페이지당' (per page), or '프로젝트당' (per project). In these high-stakes negotiations, ~당 is the word that defines the value of one's time and effort.

The news and media are perhaps the most frequent users of ~당. When the Korean government releases economic reports, the term '1인당 국민소득' (national income per capita) is featured in every headline. Statistics about social issues often use '천 명당' (per thousand people) to describe birth rates, crime rates, or healthcare access. If you watch a documentary about urban planning, you will hear about '면적당 인구 밀도' (population density per area). In these contexts, the suffix is not just a grammatical tool; it is a vital part of the vocabulary used to describe the state of the nation and the world.

In the service industry, particularly in restaurants and cafes, ~당 is used to manage expectations and logistics. A popular buffet will state its price '1인당' (per person). A PC room (PC방) will charge '시간당' (per hour). A parking garage in a busy area like Gangnam will have signs showing the price '10분당' (per 10 minutes). Even in hobby classes, like a pottery workshop or a yoga studio, the cost might be calculated '회당' (per session). Hearing ~당 in these settings tells you exactly what you are paying for and how your time or consumption is being measured.

Digital Contexts

On social media or YouTube, creators might discuss '조회수당 수익' (revenue per view count).

Finally, in academic or technical settings, ~당 is the standard for scientific ratios. Chemistry students talk about '몰당 질량' (molar mass per mole), and physics students discuss '단위 면적당 압력' (pressure per unit area). For anyone studying in Korea or working in a technical field, this suffix is a constant companion. It is a word that bridges the gap between everyday shopping and high-level scientific inquiry, making it one of the most useful and widely heard suffixes in the entire Korean language.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is confusing ~당 with 마다 (every). While both can often be translated as 'each' or 'per' in English, their usage in Korean is distinct. 마다 is used for frequency or to indicate every member of a set (e.g., '날마다' - every day, '사람마다' - every person/everyone). In contrast, ~당 is strictly for ratios and calculations. You wouldn't say '날당' to mean 'every day'; you would say '일당' to mean 'per day' in a calculation context (like a daily rate). Using the wrong one can make your sentence sound mathematically focused when you meant to talk about frequency, or vice-versa.

The Mistake

Incorrect: '저는 아침당 운동해요.' (I exercise per morning.) -> Correct: '저는 아침마다 운동해요.' (I exercise every morning.)

Another common error is failing to use the correct counter with ~당. Beginners often try to attach ~당 directly to a general noun when a specific counter is required. For example, instead of saying '사람당' (per person), it is often more natural and formal to say '1인당' (per one person) or '명당' (per person). While '사람당' is understandable, '1인당' is the standard for business and statistics. Similarly, instead of '시간당' (per hour), beginners might mistakenly use '시당' (incorrect). Understanding which counters pair best with ~당 is key to sounding like a native speaker.

A subtle mistake involves the use of ~씩 in combination with ~당. English speakers might forget to include ~씩 when describing a distribution. For instance, if you want to say 'Give two candies per person,' saying '사람당 두 개 주세요' is okay, but '사람당 두 개씩 주세요' is much more natural because ~씩 reinforces the 'each' or 'at a time' nature of the distribution. ~당 sets the ratio, while ~씩 handles the distributive action. Omitting ~씩 can sometimes make the sentence feel incomplete or slightly robotic.

Furthermore, learners often struggle with ~당 vs. 에. In many casual price-related sentences, '에' is used: '이거 한 개에 얼마예요?' (How much for one of these?). This is perfectly correct and very common. The mistake is thinking that ~당 can always replace '에' in these casual settings. While '한 개당 얼마예요?' is grammatically correct, it can sound a bit stiff or overly precise in a casual conversation at a fruit stall. The trick is to use '에' for simple, casual questions and ~당 for more formal, technical, or comparative contexts where the 'per unit' aspect is being emphasized.

Formality Mismatch

Using '~당' in a very casual chat about buying a single snack might sound like you're reading from a textbook.

Lastly, avoid attaching ~당 to verbs. It is strictly a noun/suffix for nouns. If you want to say 'per use,' you must use the noun form of 'use' (이용 or 사용), resulting in '이용당' (incorrect, usually '이용 건당' or '회당') or '사용 시'. You cannot attach it to '사용하다'. This is a common pitfall for those trying to translate English phrases like 'per acting' or 'per going.' Always find the noun or counter equivalent before applying ~당. By avoiding these common errors, you will use ~당 with the precision and natural flow of a native speaker.

To truly master the nuances of 'per' and 'each' in Korean, it is essential to compare ~당 with its close relatives: 마다, 씩, and 별로. Each of these words covers a different aspect of distribution or frequency, and choosing the right one is a hallmark of advanced proficiency. While they might all be translated as 'each' in a dictionary, their grammatical functions and nuances vary significantly.

~당 vs. 마다

~당 focuses on the ratio or rate (e.g., 100g당 500원). 마다 focuses on every single instance or member (e.g., 나라마다 - every country, 날마다 - every day). You use ~당 to calculate and 마다 to generalize.

Next, consider ~씩. This particle is often used alongside ~당 but serves a different purpose. ~씩 emphasizes the distribution of a quantity—'a certain amount at a time.' For example, '하루에 세 번씩' (three times each day). If ~당 is the 'per' in a math equation, ~씩 is the 'each' in an action. '1인당 사과를 두 개씩 주세요' (Give two apples per person) uses both: ~당 for the unit and ~씩 for the distributive action. Without ~씩, the sentence might feel like it's missing the 'distributive' flavor.

Another important alternative is ~별로. This suffix means 'by' or 'according to' and is used to categorize things. While ~당 calculates a rate, ~별로 groups items. For instance, '나이별로' means 'by age,' and '지역별로' means 'by region.' If you are looking at a chart of income, you might see '지역별 1인당 소득' (income per capita by region). Here, ~별 groups the data, and ~당 provides the specific rate for each group. Understanding this hierarchy is vital for interpreting data and reports in Korean.

Finally, the particle 에 is the most common casual alternative for ~당 when talking about prices. '천 원에 세 개' (three for 1,000 won) is the standard way to speak at a market. While ~당 is 'per,' 에 is 'for' or 'at.' In many everyday situations, 에 is preferred for its brevity and natural tone. However, as soon as the conversation shifts to something more structured, like a contract, a scientific measurement, or a statistical comparison, ~당 becomes the superior choice. Learning when to switch between these similar words is a key step in achieving natural, context-appropriate Korean fluency.

Summary Table

• ~당: Mathematical ratio/rate (Per)
• 마다: Temporal/Set frequency (Every)
• ~씩: Distributive action (Each/At a time)
• 에: Casual price/unit (For)

By expanding your vocabulary beyond just ~당, you gain the ability to express complex relationships between quantities, time, and categories. Whether you are splitting a bill with friends, negotiating a salary, or reading an economic report, knowing these alternatives will ensure you are always understood perfectly and sound like a sophisticated speaker of the Korean language.