Meaning
To use money to buy things or pay for services.
Cultural Background
The 'Sonda' (쏘다) culture is a way of showing social status or generosity. If you get a promotion, you are expected to 'spend money' on your colleagues. Modern 'Flex' (플렉스) culture among youth involves spending money on luxury items to show off on social media, often contrasting with the traditional value of 'Jeolyak' (frugality). The concept of 'N-bbang' (splitting the bill) is becoming the norm for casual hangouts, especially among students, to avoid the burden of one person spending too much. During traditional holidays like Seollal, elders 'spend money' by giving 'Sebaetdon' (New Year's money) to children.
The 'Sseuda' Multi-tool
Remember that 'sseuda' is a multi-tool. If you are 'using' something, 'writing' something, or 'wearing' something on your head, this is your verb!
Irregular Alert
Don't say '쓰어요'. The 'ㅡ' always runs away when '어' comes. It's always '써요'.
Meaning
To use money to buy things or pay for services.
The 'Sseuda' Multi-tool
Remember that 'sseuda' is a multi-tool. If you are 'using' something, 'writing' something, or 'wearing' something on your head, this is your verb!
Irregular Alert
Don't say '쓰어요'. The 'ㅡ' always runs away when '어' comes. It's always '써요'.
Shorten it!
In casual texting (KakaoTalk), people often just say '돈 썼어' instead of '돈을 썼어'.
The Power of 'Sonda'
If you want to make Korean friends, saying '내가 쏠게!' (I'll shoot/treat) is the fastest way to their hearts.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of '돈을 쓰다' in the past tense.
어제 백화점에서 ______.
'어제' (yesterday) indicates the past tense, so '썼어요' is correct.
Which sentence means 'I spent too much money'?
Choose the most natural sentence.
'쓰다' is the most natural verb for general spending. '내다' is paying, '사용하다' is formal, and '보내다' is sending.
Fill in the blank for the dialogue.
A: 왜 기분이 안 좋아요? B: 쇼핑몰에서 ______.
'써 버렸어요' expresses the regret of spending all the money, which explains why the person feels bad.
Match the phrase to the situation: '돈을 아껴 쓰다'
When would you say this?
'아껴 쓰다' means to spend frugally/save, which is necessary when money is tight.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Sseuda vs. Naeda
Practice Bank
4 exercises어제 백화점에서 ______.
'어제' (yesterday) indicates the past tense, so '썼어요' is correct.
Choose the most natural sentence.
'쓰다' is the most natural verb for general spending. '내다' is paying, '사용하다' is formal, and '보내다' is sending.
A: 왜 기분이 안 좋아요? B: 쇼핑몰에서 ______.
'써 버렸어요' expresses the regret of spending all the money, which explains why the person feels bad.
When would you say this?
'아껴 쓰다' means to spend frugally/save, which is necessary when money is tight.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but '월세를 내다' (to pay monthly rent) is more specific and common.
It is neutral. To be more polite to an elder, you can say '돈을 쓰셨어요' (honorific past).
'쓰다' is native Korean and used in daily speech. '사용하다' is Sino-Korean and used in formal or technical contexts.
You can say '돈을 낭비했어요' or '돈을 버렸어요' (literally: I threw away money).
Yes, '힘을 쓰다' or '신경을 쓰다' (to spend/use one's nerves/attention) are very common.
Yes, '지르다' (to splurge) or '플렉스하다' (to flex).
It's an 'ㅡ' irregular verb. When the stem ends in 'ㅡ' and meets '아/어', the 'ㅡ' is dropped.
No, '보내다' means to send money (like a bank transfer).
It means to spend money very recklessly, as if money were as common and cheap as water.
You say '얼마 썼어요?'
No, for shoes use '신다'. '쓰다' is only for things on the head (hats, glasses).
It's a slang term for money spent to relieve stress caused by work or life.
Related Phrases
돈을 벌다
contrastTo earn money
돈을 아끼다
contrastTo save/spare money
돈을 내다
similarTo pay money
돈을 낭비하다
specialized formTo waste money
돈을 물 쓰듯 하다
idiomTo spend money like water
돈을 지르다
slangTo splurge/pull the trigger
