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A2 particle #1,000 most common 8 min read

~씩

-ssik
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ~씩 in 30 Seconds
Explanation ~씩 in your Level:
At the A1 level, the Korean particle ~씩 is introduced as a simple way to say 'each' or 'one by one.' Beginners learn that when they want to distribute items equally, they cannot just use the number; they must add ~씩. For example, if you have two friends and you want to give them one apple each, you say '하나씩' (one each). The most common phrase taught at this level is '조금씩' (little by little). Beginners practice attaching ~씩 to basic native Korean numbers like 하나 (one), 둘 (two), and 셋 (three). They learn the structure: Number + 씩. For instance, '하나씩 주세요' means 'Please give them to me one by one' or 'Please give one to each.' It is a very practical particle for basic survival Korean, especially when shopping, eating out, or sharing things with friends. At this stage, the focus is purely on physical distribution of objects and basic memorization of phrases like '조금씩' without worrying about complex counter stacking or abstract concepts. Teachers emphasize that ~씩 goes at the end of the quantity phrase.
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At the A2 level, learners expand their use of ~씩 by combining it with a wider variety of Korean counters. Instead of just saying '하나씩' (one each), they learn to say '한 개씩' (one item each), '두 명씩' (two people each), or '세 잔씩' (three cups each). This requires a solid grasp of the Noun + Number + Counter structure. Learners practice sentences like '학생들이 책을 한 권씩 읽어요' (The students read one book each). Furthermore, A2 learners begin to use ~씩 with time expressions to indicate frequency. They learn to combine time periods with ~에 and quantities with ~씩, such as '하루에 세 번씩' (three times a day each). This is particularly useful for talking about daily routines, taking medication, or describing habits. The concept of distribution becomes more nuanced, applying not just to physical objects handed out to people, but also to actions distributed over time. Learners are also taught to avoid the common mistake of attaching ~씩 directly to the subject noun, reinforcing that it belongs strictly with the quantity.
At the B1 level, the use of ~씩 becomes more abstract and versatile. Learners start using it to describe gradual changes or incremental progress. Sentences like '한국어 실력이 조금씩 늘고 있어요' (My Korean skills are improving little by little) become common. They also use ~씩 to describe spatial distribution, such as '한 줄씩 서세요' (Please stand in single lines) or '두 발짝씩 앞으로 가세요' (Move forward two steps at a time). At this intermediate stage, learners are expected to comfortably mix ~씩 with other grammatical structures, such as ~마다 (every). They can construct complex distributive sentences like '사람마다 두 개씩 가져가도 돼요' (Every person may take two each). B1 learners also encounter ~씩 in professional or academic contexts, such as dividing tasks ('이 페이지씩 번역하세요' - Translate two pages each). The particle is no longer just for physical objects but for managing actions, time, and responsibilities. Mastery at this level involves understanding the subtle difference between '하루에 두 번' (twice a day) and '하루에 두 번씩' (twice a day, emphasizing the regular, distributed nature of the habit).
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At the B2 level, learners encounter ~씩 in more complex, authentic texts and spoken Korean, including news reports, formal presentations, and detailed instructions. The usage of ~씩 expands to include percentages, fractions, and large numbers. For example, '매년 5퍼센트씩 증가하고 있습니다' (It is increasing by 5 percent each year). Learners understand how ~씩 is used to articulate trends, statistics, and economic data. Additionally, B2 learners practice using ~씩 with abstract nouns and emotional states, such as '자신감을 조금씩 얻었다' (Gained confidence little by little). They also learn to stack particles with ~씩 for added nuance, such as ~씩이나 (as much as [amount] each, expressing surprise) or ~씩만 (only [amount] each, expressing limitation). For instance, '커피를 하루에 다섯 잔씩이나 마셔요?' (You drink as many as five cups of coffee a day?). This level requires a deep understanding of pragmatics—knowing when ~씩 adds necessary clarity and when it is redundant. Learners can effortlessly switch between ~당 (per) and ~씩 depending on whether they are stating a formal ratio or describing a distributed action.
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At the C1 level, ~씩 is used with near-native fluency and precision. Advanced learners utilize ~씩 in highly sophisticated contexts, such as legal documents, technical manuals, and academic writing, where precise distribution and incremental steps must be articulated flawlessly. They understand the subtle rhythmic and rhetorical effects of using ~씩 in speeches or persuasive writing. For example, a politician might say '한 걸음씩 나아가겠습니다' (We will move forward step by step) to emphasize steady, deliberate progress. C1 learners are also adept at using idiomatic expressions involving ~씩, recognizing that the particle is deeply embedded in the Korean conceptualization of time and effort. They can detect and correct subtle unnatural usages of ~씩 in their own and others' speech. At this level, the focus is on the stylistic choice of using ~씩 versus other phrasing options to achieve the exact desired tone, whether it be encouraging, restrictive, or purely objective. They also master complex nested distributions, such as '각 조마다 두 명씩 세 그룹으로 나누세요' (Divide into three groups with two people each per team).
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At the C2 level, the comprehension and application of ~씩 are indistinguishable from an educated native speaker. Learners at this mastery level intuitively grasp the cultural and cognitive underpinnings of ~씩, understanding how the Korean language favors explicit markers of distribution in narratives and descriptions. They encounter and use ~씩 in classical literature, poetry, and highly idiomatic colloquialisms. In literary contexts, ~씩 might be used to paint a vivid picture of a scene, such as '눈송이가 하나씩 떨어졌다' (Snowflakes fell one by one), where the particle enhances the sensory detail of the description. C2 learners can also play with the particle for comedic or dramatic effect in conversation. They understand the historical evolution of such particles and can explain their grammatical function to others. At this pinnacle of proficiency, ~씩 is not just a grammatical rule to be followed, but a flexible tool used to shape thought, structure complex arguments, and express the finest gradations of meaning in any conceivable context, from casual banter to philosophical discourse.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

~씩 in 30 Seconds

  • Means 'each' or 'apiece'.
  • Attaches to numbers and counters.
  • Used for equal distribution.
  • Expresses 'little by little' (조금씩).
The Korean particle ~씩 is an essential grammatical tool used to indicate distribution, division, or equal allocation of items, actions, or time. When attached to a noun, counter, or number, it translates to 'each,' 'apiece,' 'respectively,' or 'at a time' in English. Understanding ~씩 is crucial for learners because it fundamentally changes how quantities are perceived in a sentence. Instead of a total amount, it breaks the amount down into manageable, distributed chunks. For example, if you say '사과를 두 개 먹었어요' (I ate two apples), it means a total of two apples were consumed. However, if you say '사과를 두 개씩 먹었어요' (We ate two apples each, or I ate them two at a time), the particle ~씩 distributes the action. This distributive property is widely used in everyday Korean, from buying groceries to giving instructions.
Distribution
The primary function of ~씩 is to distribute a quantity equally among multiple subjects or over multiple instances.

학생들이 책을 한 권~씩 받았습니다.

Furthermore, ~씩 is frequently paired with time words to indicate frequency or gradual progression. Words like '조금씩' (little by little) or '천천히 하나씩' (slowly one by one) are staples in the Korean language. The particle emphasizes the incremental nature of an action. When a doctor prescribes medication, they will use ~씩 to tell you how many pills to take per dose.
Increment
Indicates that an action is performed in small, measured steps rather than all at once.

매일 한국어를 한 시간~씩 공부해요.

It is also important to note that ~씩 can be used with abstract concepts, not just physical objects. For instance, you can distribute effort, time, or even emotional energy.

조금~씩 나아지고 있어요.

When people use this word, they are inherently organizing the world into sets. If a teacher hands out candy, they don't just say 'give candy'; they specify 'give two candies to each person' using ~씩.
Allocation
Assigning a specific quota or amount to individuals within a group.

두 명~씩 짝을 지으세요.

This organizational aspect makes ~씩 indispensable in professional, educational, and casual settings alike. Whether you are dividing a bill at a restaurant (만 원씩 내자 - let's pay 10,000 won each) or organizing a line (한 줄씩 서세요 - please stand in single file lines), ~씩 is the particle that makes the instruction clear and unambiguous.

하루에 세 번~씩 약을 드세요.

Mastering ~씩 allows learners to move beyond simple statements of total quantity and express complex, distributed actions with native-like fluency.
Using ~씩 in a sentence requires an understanding of Korean noun and counter structures. Unlike English, where 'each' can float around the sentence ('They each got two' or 'They got two each'), the Korean particle ~씩 must be attached directly to the quantity it is distributing. This usually means it attaches to a number-counter combination. For example, '사과 한 개' means 'one apple.' To say 'one apple each,' you attach ~씩 to the counter '개', resulting in '사과 한 개씩'.
Structure
Noun + Number + Counter + 씩

커피를 한 잔~씩 마셨어요.

Another common pattern involves using ~씩 with time durations to express frequency or regular intervals. When you want to say 'once a day,' you combine '하루에' (per day) with '한 번씩' (one time each).
Frequency
Time period + 에 + Number + Counter + 씩

일주일에 두 번~씩 운동해요.

You can also use ~씩 to describe how an action is performed incrementally. In these cases, ~씩 attaches to words indicating size, amount, or steps.

계단을 두 칸~씩 올라갔어요.

It is also possible to stack particles with ~씩, though it is less common for beginners. For example, you might see ~씩만 (only [amount] each) or ~씩이나 (as much as [amount] each).
Particle Stacking
Adding auxiliary particles after ~씩 to add nuance like limitation or surprise.

사탕을 하나~씩만 가져가세요.

Understanding these sentence patterns is vital. The placement of the ~씩 phrase usually comes right before the verb it modifies, acting adverbially. For example, in '아이들에게 선물을 하나씩 주었어요' (I gave the children one gift each), '하나씩' directly modifies the verb '주었어요' (gave), explaining *how* the giving was done.

종이를 두 장~씩 나누어 주세요.

By mastering these structures, you ensure your sentences are grammatically sound and clearly convey the intended distribution.
The particle ~씩 is ubiquitous in spoken and written Korean, appearing in almost every domain of daily life. One of the most common places you will hear ~씩 is in commercial transactions, particularly in markets, restaurants, and cafes. When ordering food for a group, you might say '김밥 두 줄씩 주세요' (Please give us two rolls of gimbap each).
Dining Out
Used extensively to specify portions per person when ordering or dividing food.

맥주 한 병~씩 마실까요?

Another major domain is healthcare and medicine. Pharmacists and doctors rely heavily on ~씩 to provide dosage instructions. A typical prescription instruction will sound like '식후 삼십 분에 두 알씩 드세요' (Take two pills each time, thirty minutes after meals).
Medical Instructions
Crucial for specifying the exact number of pills or volume of medicine per dose.

이 약을 하루에 세 번, 한 알~씩 드세요.

In educational settings, teachers use ~씩 constantly to manage classrooms and distribute materials. '두 명씩 짝을 지으세요' (Get into pairs / two people each) or '질문을 하나씩 하세요' (Ask questions one by one) are standard classroom phrases.

단어를 열 개~씩 외우세요.

Furthermore, in the workplace, ~씩 is used for scheduling and task delegation. A manager might ask employees to submit reports '일주일에 한 번씩' (once a week) or assign tasks '한 사람당 두 개씩' (two per person).
Workplace Delegation
Used to distribute workload or establish regular reporting intervals.

프로젝트를 세 단계~씩 나누어 진행합시다.

Finally, in personal development and habit tracking, Koreans often talk about doing things '조금씩' (little by little) or saving money '매달 십만 원씩' (100,000 won each month).

매일 물을 여덟 잔~씩 마시려고 노력해요.

Because it touches so many aspects of life, from the highly formal to the completely casual, ~씩 is a particle you will hear multiple times a day in Korea.
While ~씩 is a relatively straightforward particle, English speakers frequently make specific errors due to the differences in how 'each' or 'per' is structured in English versus Korean. The most common mistake is attaching ~씩 to the wrong word. In English, we might say 'each person gets an apple.' A learner might directly translate this to '사람씩 사과를 받아요,' which is completely unnatural.
Attachment Error
Attaching ~씩 to the subject or the main noun instead of the quantity/counter.

사람마다 사과를 하나~씩 받아요. (Correct)

Another frequent error is confusing ~씩 with ~에 when talking about rates or prices. In English, we say 'Apples are 1,000 won each.' Learners might say '사과가 천 원씩이에요.' While understandable, the correct particle for 'per' in pricing is ~에.
Pricing Confusion
Using ~씩 instead of ~에 to indicate the price per unit.

이 사과는 한 개에 천 원입니다. (Not 한 개씩)

However, if you are distributing money, ~씩 is correct: '용돈을 만 원씩 주었어요' (I gave them 10,000 won each).

아이들에게 천 원~씩 주었어요.

A third mistake involves redundancy. Learners sometimes use both '각자' (each person) and ~씩 in a way that feels repetitive, though it is grammatically permissible, it can be stylistically clunky if overused.
Redundancy
Over-specifying the distribution by using multiple 'each' markers in one short sentence.

한 명당 두 개~씩 가져가세요.

Lastly, learners sometimes forget that ~씩 requires a counter. Saying '물 두씩 마셔요' is incorrect; you must specify the counter: '물 두 잔씩 마셔요' (Drink two glasses of water each).

책을 세 권~씩 샀어요.

Always remember the formula: Noun + Number + Counter + 씩. By avoiding these common pitfalls, your Korean will sound much more natural and precise.
When learning ~씩, it is essential to compare it with other particles and words that convey similar meanings, such as ~마다, ~당, and ~에. While they all relate to distribution, frequency, or allocation, their grammatical usage and nuances differ significantly.
~마다 (Every / Each)
~마다 attaches to nouns to mean 'every' or 'each' in the sense of all members of a group without exception.

사람마다 성격이 달라요. (Every person has a different personality.)

Another similar particle is ~당, which means 'per.' It is often used in more formal or statistical contexts, such as 'per capita' or 'per ticket.'
~당 (Per)
Attaches to nouns to indicate a ratio or rate per unit.

일 인당 오만 원입니다. (It is 50,000 won per person.)

While ~당 focuses on the ratio, ~씩 focuses on the physical or conceptual act of distributing that amount. You can even combine them: '일 인당 오만 원씩 내세요' (Please pay 50,000 won per person). The particle ~에 is also used to mean 'per' or 'for,' especially when talking about prices or time frequency.
~에 (Per / For)
Used for pricing (three for 1000 won) or frequency (twice a week).

일주일에 두 번 갑니다. (I go twice a week.)

Lastly, the word '각자' (each person / individually) is a noun or adverb, not a particle. It is used to emphasize that individuals do things separately.

각자 계산합시다. (Let's pay individually.)

각자 하나~씩 고르세요. (Each person choose one.)

Understanding the subtle boundaries between ~씩, ~마다, ~당, ~에, and 각자 will drastically improve your ability to express complex logistical and distributive concepts in Korean accurately.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Because ~씩 is a bound particle, it can never stand alone. You cannot just say '씩!' to mean 'each!' It must always hold onto a noun or counter like a grammatical backpack.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɕ͈ik̚/
US /ɕ͈ik̚/
Unstressed, attaches to the preceding word.
Rhymes With
식 딕 킥 픽 틱 믹 닉 릭
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing it as a relaxed 'shik' instead of the tense 'ssik'.
  • Releasing the final 'k' sound (saying 'ssi-keu' instead of stopping at 'ssik').
  • Pausing before ~씩. It should be pronounced seamlessly with the preceding counter.
  • Confusing the vowel 'i' with 'eu'.
  • Failing to apply tense consonant rules if the preceding word ends in a stop consonant.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Very easy to recognize in text, always attached to numbers or counters.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowing the correct counter for the noun before attaching ~씩.

Speaking 3/5

Pronouncing the tense 'ss' correctly without a pause can be slightly tricky for beginners.

Listening 2/5

The sharp 'ssik' sound is distinct and easy to catch in spoken Korean.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

하나 둘 개 명 조금

Learn Next

마다 당 에 각자 나누다

Advanced

각각 배분하다 할당하다 점진적으로 순차적으로

Grammar to Know

Korean Counters (분, 명, 개, 잔, 권, etc.)

사람은 '명', 물건은 '개'를 쓰고 그 뒤에 ~씩을 붙입니다. (두 명씩, 세 개씩)

Particle ~에 for frequency

시간 명사 뒤에 ~에를 붙여 빈도를 나타냅니다. (하루에 한 번씩)

Particle ~마다 for 'every'

주체에는 ~마다를, 수량에는 ~씩을 씁니다. (사람마다 두 개씩)

Native vs. Sino-Korean Numbers

~씩 is used with both, depending on the counter. (세 개씩 - Native, 삼 인분씩 - Sino)

Adverbial usage of ~씩

~씩 phrases act as adverbs modifying the verb. (하나씩 먹다 - eat one by one)

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Examples by Level

1

사과를 하나씩 주세요.

Please give me the apples one by one.

하나 (one) + 씩 (each)

2

조금씩 드세요.

Please eat little by little.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (each/by)

3

두 개씩 샀어요.

I bought two of each.

두 개 (two items) + 씩 (each)

4

빵을 하나씩 먹어요.

We eat one bread each.

하나 (one) + 씩 (each)

5

천천히 하나씩 하세요.

Do it slowly, one by one.

하나 (one) + 씩 (by one)

6

세 명씩 오세요.

Please come in groups of three.

세 명 (three people) + 씩 (each/by)

7

물을 한 잔씩 마셔요.

Drink one glass of water each.

한 잔 (one glass) + 씩 (each)

8

조금씩 주세요.

Please give me a little bit at a time.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

1

하루에 세 번씩 약을 드세요.

Take the medicine three times a day.

세 번 (three times) + 씩 (each)

2

학생들이 두 명씩 짝을 지었어요.

The students paired up, two by two.

두 명 (two people) + 씩 (each)

3

단어를 매일 열 개씩 외워요.

I memorize ten words each day.

열 개 (ten items) + 씩 (each)

4

우리는 만 원씩 냈어요.

We paid 10,000 won each.

만 원 (10,000 won) + 씩 (each)

5

한 줄씩 서 주세요.

Please stand in single file lines.

한 줄 (one line) + 씩 (by)

6

일주일에 두 번씩 운동해요.

I exercise twice a week.

두 번 (two times) + 씩 (each)

7

종이를 두 장씩 나누어 주세요.

Please hand out two sheets of paper to each person.

두 장 (two sheets) + 씩 (each)

8

계단을 두 칸씩 올라갔어요.

I went up the stairs two steps at a time.

두 칸 (two steps) + 씩 (by)

1

한국어 실력이 조금씩 나아지고 있어요.

My Korean skills are improving little by little.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

2

사람마다 선물을 두 개씩 받았어요.

Every person received two gifts each.

두 개 (two items) + 씩 (each)

3

한 달에 십만 원씩 저축하고 있습니다.

I am saving 100,000 won each month.

십만 원 (100,000 won) + 씩 (each)

4

이 약은 식후 30분에 한 알씩 복용하세요.

Take one pill of this medicine 30 minutes after meals.

한 알 (one pill) + 씩 (each)

5

아이들에게 사탕을 세 개씩만 주세요.

Please give the children only three candies each.

세 개 (three items) + 씩 (each) + 만 (only)

6

문제를 한 번에 하나씩 해결합시다.

Let's solve the problems one at a time.

하나 (one) + 씩 (by)

7

각 조에서 한 명씩 발표해 주세요.

Please have one person from each group present.

한 명 (one person) + 씩 (each)

8

나무를 2미터 간격으로 한 그루씩 심었어요.

We planted trees one by one at 2-meter intervals.

한 그루 (one tree) + 씩 (each)

1

물가가 매년 3퍼센트씩 오르고 있습니다.

Prices are rising by 3 percent each year.

3퍼센트 (3 percent) + 씩 (each/by)

2

그는 하루에 커피를 다섯 잔씩이나 마셔요.

He drinks as many as five cups of coffee a day.

다섯 잔 (five cups) + 씩 (each) + 이나 (as much as)

3

프로젝트를 세 단계씩 나누어 진행할 예정입니다.

We plan to proceed with the project divided into three stages at a time.

세 단계 (three stages) + 씩 (by)

4

조금씩 양보하면 갈등을 해결할 수 있어요.

If we yield little by little, we can resolve the conflict.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

5

참가자 전원에게 기념품을 하나씩 배부했습니다.

We distributed one souvenir each to all participants.

하나 (one) + 씩 (each)

6

매일 아침 신문을 두 부씩 배달해 주세요.

Please deliver two copies of the newspaper each morning.

두 부 (two copies) + 씩 (each)

7

두 팀씩 조를 짜서 토너먼트를 진행합니다.

We will form groups of two teams each to run the tournament.

두 팀 (two teams) + 씩 (each)

8

스트레스가 조금씩 쌓여서 결국 병이 났어요.

Stress accumulated little by little, and eventually I got sick.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

1

회사의 매출이 분기별로 10%씩 꾸준히 성장하고 있다.

The company's revenue is steadily growing by 10% each quarter.

10% + 씩 (by/each)

2

한 걸음씩 나아가다 보면 결국 목표에 도달할 것입니다.

If you move forward step by step, you will eventually reach your goal.

한 걸음 (one step) + 씩 (by)

3

각 부서당 예산을 천만 원씩 삭감하기로 결정했습니다.

It was decided to cut the budget by 10 million won for each department.

천만 원 (10 million won) + 씩 (each)

4

전문가들은 이 약을 12시간 간격으로 1회 2정씩 투여할 것을 권장합니다.

Experts recommend administering this drug in doses of 2 tablets each time, at 12-hour intervals.

2정 (2 tablets) + 씩 (each)

5

그는 자신의 재산을 세 자녀에게 동일한 비율로 조금씩 증여했다.

He gifted his wealth to his three children little by little in equal proportions.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

6

매일 1페이지씩이라도 꾸준히 읽는 습관이 중요합니다.

The habit of reading steadily, even if it's just one page each day, is important.

1페이지 (1 page) + 씩 (each) + 이라도 (even if)

7

오랜 시간에 걸쳐 조금씩 훼손된 문화재를 복원 중입니다.

We are restoring cultural assets that have been damaged little by little over a long period.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

8

참석자들에게 발언 시간을 5분씩 엄격하게 제한하겠습니다.

We will strictly limit the speaking time to 5 minutes each for the attendees.

5분 (5 minutes) + 씩 (each)

1

어둠 속에서 별들이 하나둘씩 모습을 드러내기 시작했다.

In the darkness, the stars began to reveal themselves one by one.

하나둘 (one or two) + 씩 (by)

2

그의 기억은 세월의 풍파 속에 조금씩 마모되어 갔다.

His memories gradually wore away amidst the weathering of time.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

3

수십 년간 한 푼 두 푼씩 모은 전 재산을 기부하셨습니다.

They donated their entire fortune, which they had gathered penny by penny over decades.

한 푼 두 푼 (penny by penny) + 씩 (by)

4

역사의 진보는 단번에 이루어지는 것이 아니라 한 뼘씩 전진하는 것이다.

The progress of history is not achieved all at once, but advances one span at a time.

한 뼘 (one handspan) + 씩 (by)

5

그 미세한 균열들이 조금씩 모여 결국 거대한 붕괴를 초래했다.

Those minute cracks gathered little by little and eventually caused a massive collapse.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

6

시인은 단어 하나하나씩 공들여 조탁하며 시를 완성했다.

The poet completed the poem by painstakingly polishing each and every word.

하나하나 (one by one) + 씩 (each)

7

권력이 소수에게 조금씩 집중되는 현상을 경계해야 한다.

We must be wary of the phenomenon where power gradually concentrates in the hands of a few.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

8

낙숫물이 바위를 뚫듯, 하루하루의 노력이 조금씩 세상을 바꾼다.

Just as dripping water pierces a rock, the efforts of each day change the world little by little.

조금 (a little) + 씩 (by)

Common Collocations

조금씩
하나씩
두 개씩
한 번씩
두 명씩
한 걸음씩
조금씩 조금씩
천천히 하나씩
하루에 ~씩
한 줄씩

Common Phrases

조금씩 나아지다

— To improve little by little. Used to describe gradual positive progress.

건강이 조금씩 나아지고 있어요.

하나씩 천천히

— One by one, slowly. Used to calm someone down or give patient instructions.

서두르지 말고 하나씩 천천히 하세요.

두 명씩 짝을 짓다

— To pair up in twos. A very common classroom instruction.

선생님이 두 명씩 짝을 지으라고 하셨어요.

하루에 한 번씩

— Once a day each. Used for daily habits or medical instructions.

이 약은 하루에 한 번씩 드세요.

조금씩 모으다

— To gather or save little by little. Often used regarding money.

돈을 조금씩 모아서 여행을 갈 거예요.

한 사람당 ~씩

— Amount per person. Combines ~당 (per) and ~씩 (each) for clarity.

한 사람당 두 개씩 가져가세요.

조금씩 변하다

— To change gradually. Used for slow transformations.

세상이 조금씩 변하고 있습니다.

하나씩 확인하다

— To check one by one. Used for thorough inspections.

서류를 하나씩 확인해 주세요.

한 입씩 먹다

— To take one bite each. Used when sharing food.

케이크를 한 입씩 나누어 먹었어요.

조금씩 익숙해지다

— To get used to something little by little.

새로운 환경에 조금씩 익숙해지고 있어요.

Often Confused With

~씩 vs 마다

~마다 means 'every' and attaches to the subject/noun (every person). ~씩 means 'each' and attaches to the quantity (two apples each).

~씩 vs 에

~에 is used for 'per' when stating a price (1000 won per apple). ~씩 is used when physically distributing or paying that amount.

~씩 vs 당

~당 is a formal suffix meaning 'per' (per capita). ~씩 is the active distribution of that ratio.

Idioms & Expressions

"티끌 모아 태산 (using 조금씩)"

— Gathering dust makes a mountain. Often explained using '조금씩 모으면'.

조금씩 모으면 티끌 모아 태산이 될 거예요.

proverb
"한 술 밥에 배부르랴 (using 한 번씩)"

— You can't get full on the first spoonful. Implies doing things '조금씩' over time.

한 번씩 꾸준히 해야지, 한 술 밥에 배부르겠어요?

proverb
"천리길도 한 걸음부터 (using 한 걸음씩)"

— A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Encourages taking things '한 걸음씩'.

천리길도 한 걸음부터니까, 한 걸음씩 나아갑시다.

proverb
"한 우물만 파다 (using 조금씩)"

— To dig only one well (focus on one thing). Done by digging '조금씩'.

조금씩 파다 보면 물이 나올 거예요.

idiom
"가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다 (using 조금씩)"

— You don't realize your clothes are getting wet in a drizzle. Small things (조금씩) add up.

조금씩 쓰는 돈이 가랑비에 옷 젖는 줄 모른다니까요.

proverb
"한 푼 두 푼씩"

— Penny by penny. Saving money very gradually.

한 푼 두 푼씩 모아서 집을 샀어요.

idiomatic phrase
"하나를 보면 열을 안다 (using 하나씩)"

— See one, know ten. Observing things '하나씩' reveals the whole.

행동을 하나씩 보면 그 사람을 알 수 있어요.

proverb
"눈 코 뜰 새 없다 (using 조금씩)"

— No time to open eyes or nose (extremely busy). Even then, try '조금씩'.

눈 코 뜰 새 없이 바빠도 조금씩 쉬세요.

idiom
"우보천리 (using 한 걸음씩)"

— A cow's step reaches a thousand miles. Slow and steady progress '한 걸음씩'.

우보천리의 마음으로 한 걸음씩 전진합시다.

four-character idiom
"십시일반 (using 조금씩)"

— Ten spoons make one bowl. Everyone contributing '조금씩' helps greatly.

우리가 조금씩 도우면 십시일반이 될 거예요.

four-character idiom

Easily Confused

~씩 vs 마다

Both translate to 'each' or 'every' in English.

~마다 focuses on the totality of the group without exception (every single one). ~씩 focuses on the quota or amount given to members of that group. You use them together: '사람마다(every person) 두 개씩(two each)'.

학생마다 책을 한 권씩 받았습니다.

~씩 vs 에

Both can translate to 'per' or 'a' (e.g., twice a week).

~에 establishes the baseline rate or frequency. ~씩 emphasizes the distributive action over that baseline. '하루에 두 번' is a simple fact. '하루에 두 번씩' emphasizes the regular, repeated distribution of the action.

일주일에 한 번씩 만나요.

~씩 vs 당

Both mean 'per' or 'each'.

~당 is a Sino-Korean suffix used for formal ratios and statistics (per person, per hour). ~씩 is a native Korean particle used for the actual amount distributed. They are often combined: '일 인당 만 원씩'.

시간당 칠천 원씩 받아요.

~씩 vs 각자

Both relate to individuals doing things separately.

'각자' is a noun meaning 'each person' or 'individually'. '~씩' is a particle attached to a quantity. '각자' tells you WHO is doing it; '~씩' tells you HOW MUCH they are doing/getting.

각자 하나씩 고르세요.

~씩 vs 각각

Both mean 'respectively' or 'each'.

'각각' is a formal adverb meaning 'each respectively'. '~씩' is the grammatical particle that attaches to the number to make the distribution happen in the sentence.

각각 두 개씩 배정되었습니다.

Sentence Patterns

A1

[Number] + [Counter] + 씩 주세요.

사과를 하나씩 주세요.

A1

조금 + 씩 + [Verb].

조금씩 드세요.

A2

[Time] + 에 + [Number] + [Counter] + 씩 + [Verb].

하루에 세 번씩 약을 먹어요.

A2

[Number] + 명 + 씩 + 짝을 짓다.

두 명씩 짝을 지으세요.

B1

[Noun] + 마다 + [Number] + [Counter] + 씩 + [Verb].

사람마다 두 개씩 가져가세요.

B1

[Number] + [Counter] + 씩 + 나누다.

케이크를 세 조각씩 나누었어요.

B2

[Number] + [Counter] + 씩이나 + [Verb].

커피를 다섯 잔씩이나 마셔요?

C1

[Number] + [Counter] + 씩이라도 + [Verb].

하루에 한 페이지씩이라도 읽으세요.

Word Family

Related

마다
당
에
각자
각각
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How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High

Common Mistakes
  • 사람씩 사과를 받아요. → 사람마다 사과를 하나씩 받아요.

    You cannot attach ~씩 to the receiver (사람). It must attach to the quantity being distributed (하나).

  • 사과씩 한 개 주세요. → 사과 한 개씩 주세요.

    The particle ~씩 must come at the very end of the quantity phrase, attached to the counter.

  • 이 사과는 한 개씩 천 원이에요. → 이 사과는 한 개에 천 원이에요.

    When stating the price per item, use the particle ~에, not ~씩.

  • 물 두씩 마셔요. → 물 두 잔씩 마셔요.

    You cannot attach ~씩 directly to a native Korean number without a counter (except 하나, 둘, 셋 in abstract contexts). You must use the counter '잔' (glass).

  • 조금 조금 해. → 조금씩 해.

    To say 'do it little by little', you must use the distributive particle ~씩. '조금 조금' is unnatural.

Tips

Always Use Counters

Remember the golden rule: Noun + Number + Counter + 씩. Never skip the counter!

Tense Consonant

Make sure to pronounce the 'ss' in ~씩 with tension. It should sound sharp, not soft.

Time Expressions

Use ~에 for the time period and ~씩 for the frequency: 일주일에(per week) 두 번씩(twice each).

Master '조금씩'

'조금씩' (little by little) is one of the most useful adverbs in Korean. Memorize it as a set phrase.

Splitting Bills

When eating out, use '[Amount]씩 내요' to suggest how much each person should pay.

Don't Overuse

If you already said '각자' (each person), you don't strictly need ~씩, though using both is common. Just don't make sentences too wordy.

No Spaces

Particles stick to words. Write '한 명씩', not '한 명 씩'.

Emphasis with ~이나

Add ~이나 to ~씩 to express shock at a large distributed amount: '다섯 개씩이나?!' (Five each?!).

Limitation with ~만

Add ~만 to ~씩 to strictly limit the amount: '하나씩만 가져가세요' (Take ONLY one each).

Medical Korean

Listen for ~씩 at the pharmacy. It's the key to knowing your dosage.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the sound 'ssik' as the sound of a knife slicing a pie into equal pieces. *Ssik, ssik, ssik*—one piece for EACH person.

Visual Association

Imagine a teacher handing out papers. With every paper handed out, they make a 'ssik' sound. One paper... ssik! Two papers... ssik! This represents giving them out 'each'.

Word Web

씩 하나씩 조금씩 두 개씩 각자 나누다 배분 마다

Challenge

Next time you are eating a snack with a friend, try to divide it equally and say '하나씩 먹자' (Let's eat one each).

Word Origin

The particle ~씩 is a native Korean grammatical marker. It has evolved over centuries to serve its specific distributive function. It is deeply rooted in the agglutinative nature of the Korean language, where meaning is built by adding suffixes to root words. Historical texts show its consistent use in agricultural and trade contexts for dividing goods.

Original meaning: Distribution or allocation per unit.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

No specific cultural sensitivity issues. It is a neutral, universally used grammatical particle.

English speakers often just use the word 'each' at the end of a sentence ('Give them two each'). In Korean, the 'each' (~씩) must be physically attached to the 'two'.

The common phrase '조금씩 조금씩' (little by little) appears in countless Korean pop songs and dramas to describe falling in love or healing from a breakup. In traditional Korean recipes, ingredients are often added '조금씩' to taste. Educational campaigns often use '하루에 한 번씩' (once a day each) to promote healthy habits.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Ordering food or drinks for a group.

  • 커피 한 잔씩 주세요.
  • 김밥 두 줄씩 시킬까요?
  • 각자 하나씩 고르세요.
  • 맥주 한 병씩 마셔요.

Giving or receiving medical instructions.

  • 하루에 세 번씩 드세요.
  • 한 알씩 복용하세요.
  • 식후에 하나씩 드세요.
  • 여섯 시간마다 한 알씩 드세요.

Classroom or workplace instructions.

  • 두 명씩 짝을 지으세요.
  • 한 줄씩 서 주세요.
  • 종이를 한 장씩 가져가세요.
  • 질문을 하나씩 하세요.

Talking about gradual progress or habits.

  • 조금씩 나아지고 있어요.
  • 매일 한 시간씩 공부해요.
  • 조금씩 모으고 있어요.
  • 천천히 하나씩 하세요.

Splitting bills or costs.

  • 만 원씩 냅시다.
  • 각자 오천 원씩 내면 돼요.
  • 얼마씩 내야 해요?
  • 똑같이 반씩 나눕시다.

Conversation Starters

"하루에 커피를 몇 잔씩 마셔요?"

"스트레스 받을 때 조금씩 하는 취미가 있어요?"

"친구들이랑 밥 먹을 때 보통 얼마씩 내요?"

"매일 한국어를 몇 시간씩 공부하세요?"

"어릴 때 부모님께 용돈을 얼마씩 받았어요?"

Journal Prompts

매일 조금씩 실천하고 있는 좋은 습관에 대해 써 보세요.

하루에 물을 몇 잔씩 마시는지, 건강을 위해 어떤 노력을 하는지 적어 보세요.

친구들과 여행을 갈 때 비용을 어떻게 얼마씩 나누는지 설명해 보세요.

한국어 단어를 하루에 몇 개씩 외우는지 당신의 공부 방법을 공유해 보세요.

천천히 하나씩 해결해야 할 현재의 고민이나 목표에 대해 써 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, this is a very common mistake. You cannot say '사과씩'. You must use a number and a counter. The correct way is '사과 한 개씩' (one apple each).

'조금' just means 'a little' (amount). '조금씩' means 'little by little' or 'gradually' (distribution over time). If you say '조금 먹어', it means 'eat a small amount'. If you say '조금씩 먹어', it means 'take small bites over time'.

No, ~씩 is a particle, and in Korean, particles are always attached directly to the preceding word without a space. For example, '두 개씩' is correct, not '두 개 씩'.

Yes, absolutely. It is very common to use ~씩 with time durations to show frequency. For example, '하루에 한 시간씩' means 'one hour each day'.

The particle ~씩 itself is neutral. It can be used in the most casual conversations with friends or in highly formal business presentations. The formality of the sentence depends on the verb endings you use.

You can say '하나씩' (one each/one by one). If you want to emphasize the slow or sequential nature, you can say '천천히 하나씩' (slowly one by one) or '차례대로 하나씩' (one by one in order).

No, ~씩 cannot attach directly to verbs. It must attach to a noun phrase representing a quantity, number, or counter. However, the whole phrase (e.g., 두 개씩) acts as an adverb modifying the verb.

It means 'Let's pay 10,000 won each.' This is the standard way to suggest splitting a bill equally among friends in Korea.

Yes. You can add particles like ~만 (only) or ~이나 (as much as) after ~씩 to add nuance. For example, '하나씩만' means 'only one each'.

Both are grammatically correct. Adding ~씩 emphasizes the regular, distributed nature of the action. It sounds more like an instruction or a strict habit ('three times each and every day').

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Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate: 'Please give me one each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

하나씩 주세요.

하나 (one) + 씩 (each) + 주세요 (please give).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

하나 (one) + 씩 (each) + 주세요 (please give).

writing

Translate: 'Eat little by little.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

조금씩 드세요.

조금씩 means little by little.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

조금씩 means little by little.

writing

Translate: 'We paid 10,000 won each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

만 원씩 냈어요.

만 원 (10k won) + 씩 (each) + 냈어요 (paid).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

만 원 (10k won) + 씩 (each) + 냈어요 (paid).

writing

Translate: 'Take the medicine three times a day.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

하루에 세 번씩 약을 드세요.

하루에 (per day) + 세 번씩 (three times each).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

하루에 (per day) + 세 번씩 (three times each).

writing

Translate: 'Please pair up in twos.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

두 명씩 짝을 지으세요.

두 명씩 means two people each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 명씩 means two people each.

writing

Translate: 'Read one book each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

책을 한 권씩 읽으세요.

한 권씩 means one book each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 권씩 means one book each.

writing

Translate: 'Drink one cup of coffee each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

커피를 한 잔씩 마셔요.

한 잔씩 means one cup each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 잔씩 means one cup each.

writing

Translate: 'Exercise twice a week.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

일주일에 두 번씩 운동해요.

일주일에 (per week) + 두 번씩 (twice each).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

일주일에 (per week) + 두 번씩 (twice each).

writing

Translate: 'Stand in single file (one line each).'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

한 줄씩 서 주세요.

한 줄씩 means one line each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 줄씩 means one line each.

writing

Translate: 'Go up two steps at a time.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

계단을 두 칸씩 올라가세요.

두 칸씩 means two steps each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 칸씩 means two steps each.

writing

Translate: 'Memorize ten words each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

단어를 열 개씩 외우세요.

열 개씩 means ten items each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

열 개씩 means ten items each.

writing

Translate: 'Hand out two sheets of paper each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

종이를 두 장씩 나누어 주세요.

두 장씩 means two sheets each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 장씩 means two sheets each.

writing

Translate: 'Save 100,000 won each month.'

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Sample answer

한 달에 십만 원씩 저축해요.

십만 원씩 means 100k won each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

십만 원씩 means 100k won each.

writing

Translate: 'Give only three candies each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

사탕을 세 개씩만 주세요.

세 개씩만 means only three each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

세 개씩만 means only three each.

writing

Translate: 'Prices rise by 3% each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

물가가 3퍼센트씩 올라요.

3퍼센트씩 means by 3% each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

3퍼센트씩 means by 3% each.

writing

Translate: 'Do you drink as many as five cups each?'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

다섯 잔씩이나 마셔요?

다섯 잔씩이나 means as many as five cups each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

다섯 잔씩이나 means as many as five cups each.

writing

Translate: 'Proceed in three stages each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

세 단계씩 진행합시다.

세 단계씩 means three stages each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

세 단계씩 means three stages each.

writing

Translate: 'Distributed one souvenir each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

기념품을 하나씩 배부했어요.

하나씩 means one each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

하나씩 means one each.

writing

Translate: 'Deliver two copies each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

두 부씩 배달해 주세요.

두 부씩 means two copies each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 부씩 means two copies each.

writing

Translate: 'Form groups of two teams each.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

두 팀씩 조를 짜세요.

두 팀씩 means two teams each.

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 팀씩 means two teams each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Pronounce with a tense 'ss' on 씩.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

조금씩 is a very common phrase.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

만 원씩 is useful for splitting bills.

speaking

Read this aloud:

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Useful at the pharmacy.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Common classroom instruction.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 권씩 uses the book counter.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 잔씩 uses the cup counter.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Useful for talking about habits.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 줄씩 means one line each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 칸씩 means two steps each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

열 개씩 means ten items each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 장씩 means two sheets each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

십만 원씩 means 100k won each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

세 개씩만 means only three each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

3퍼센트씩 means by 3% each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

다섯 잔씩이나 expresses surprise.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

세 단계씩 means three stages each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

하나씩 means one each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 부씩 means two copies each.

speaking

Read this aloud:

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 팀씩 means two teams each.

listening

What is the speaker advising?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

조금씩 means little by little.

listening

What is the speaker suggesting?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

만 원씩 means 10,000 won each.

listening

How often should it be taken?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

세 번씩 means three times each.

listening

How many people in a group?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 명씩 means two people each.

listening

How many should you take?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

하나씩 means one each.

listening

How many books each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 권씩 means one book each.

listening

How many cups each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 잔씩 means one cup each.

listening

How many times each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 번씩 means twice each.

listening

How should they stand?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

한 줄씩 means one line each.

listening

How many steps at a time?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 칸씩 means two steps each.

listening

How many items each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

열 개씩 means ten items each.

listening

How many sheets each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

두 장씩 means two sheets each.

listening

How much each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

십만 원씩 means 100k won each.

listening

How many each?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

세 개씩만 means only three each.

listening

By what percent?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

3퍼센트씩 means by 3% each.

/ 200 correct

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