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A2 adjective 7 min read

유료이다

yuryoida
Examples Notes & Tips 유료이다 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 유료이다 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should learn '유료이다' as a simple way to say 'it is not free.' Think of it as a label. You will mostly see this on signs or hear it in very short sentences. For example, if you ask 'Free?' (무료예요?), someone might answer 'No, it's paid' (아니요, 유료예요). It is important to know that '유료' is the noun and '이다' makes it a sentence. At this level, don't worry about complex grammar; just remember '유료예요' (polite) and '유료입니다' (formal). You will use this word when talking about parking, plastic bags at the store, or simple apps on your phone. It is one of the most practical words for a tourist or a beginner living in Korea because it helps you avoid unexpected costs.
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At the A2 level, you can start using '유료이다' in more complete sentences with basic conjunctions. You should be able to explain *why* or *when* something is paid. For example, 'During the day it is paid, but at night it is free' (낮에는 유료이지만 밤에는 무료예요). You should also recognize the compound noun form '유료 주차장' (paid parking lot). At this stage, you should be comfortable asking questions like '이거 유료인가요?' (Is this a paid service?) when you are unsure. You will also start to notice this word in environments like bus terminals or when buying tickets for a museum. Understanding the contrast between '무료' and '유료' is key to basic survival and navigation in Korean cities.
By B1, you should understand how '유료이다' fits into more complex grammatical structures, such as conditional sentences ('If it is paid, I won't use it' - 유료라면 안 쓸 거예요) or expressing reasons ('Since it is paid, the quality is better' - 유료라서 품질이 더 좋아요). You will also encounter the word in digital contexts, such as '유료 회원' (paid member/subscriber). You should be able to distinguish between '유료' and '유상,' understanding that '유상' is often used for repairs or formal business transactions. You might also start using the word '유료화' to describe the process of a service becoming paid. This level requires you to use the word not just for physical objects but for abstract services and digital content.
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At the B2 level, '유료이다' is used in discussions about economics, social services, and business models. You should be able to debate the pros and cons of certain services being paid. For example, 'Should public transportation be paid or free?' (대중교통은 유료여야 할까요, 무료여야 할까요?). You will see this word in news articles about '유료 도로' (toll roads) or '유료 방송' (pay TV). You should also be familiar with more advanced vocabulary like '수수료' (commission fee) or '사용료' (usage fee) which are related to the concept of '유료.' At this stage, your usage should be precise, using '유료' to describe the category of service and '비용' to describe the actual amount of money involved.
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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand '유료이다' within the context of complex societal structures and legal frameworks. You might read academic papers or listen to lectures discussing the '유료화 정책' (monetization policy) of government-funded projects. You should be able to use the term in nuanced ways, such as discussing the '유료 서비스의 질적 향상' (the qualitative improvement of paid services). You will also understand idiomatic or highly formal expressions where '유료' is implied, and you can compare Korean '유료' systems with those of other countries using sophisticated language. Your ability to conjugate and integrate this word into long, nested sentences should be seamless.
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At the C2 level, you have a masterly command over the concept of '유료이다.' You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'the end of the free internet' or the ethical considerations of making essential services like water or basic healthcare '유료.' You can use the word in high-level literary or journalistic writing, perhaps critiquing how '유료' models affect social equity. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its Hanja roots deeply, and you can detect subtle tones of sarcasm or frustration when a speaker uses the word '유료' to complain about corporate greed. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for complex socio-economic analysis.
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Examples Notes & Tips

유료이다 in 30 Seconds

  • 유료이다 means a service or item requires payment to access, serving as the direct opposite of '무료이다' (to be free).
  • It is commonly used for parking, highway tolls, digital content, and professional services where fees are mandatory.
  • Grammatically, it is a noun plus the copula '이다', often appearing as '유료예요' or '유료입니다' in daily life.
  • Knowing this word is essential for navigating Korean urban environments and understanding service terms and conditions.

The term 유료이다 is a fundamental Korean expression used to describe services, products, or facilities that require a monetary payment to access or use. Linguistically, it is composed of the noun 유료 (meaning 'paid' or 'fee-based') and the copula 이다 (meaning 'to be'). In English, we often translate this simply as 'to be paid' or 'to cost money,' but in Korean, it specifically highlights the status of a service as not being free. This distinction is vital in a society where public services are often balanced between free accessibility and paid premium options.

Hanja Origin
The word is derived from Chinese characters: 有 (유) meaning 'to have' or 'exist,' and 料 (료) meaning 'fee' or 'material.' Literally, it means 'having a fee.'
Common Contexts
You will encounter this word most frequently when dealing with parking lots, digital applications, highway tolls, and museum entries. It is the standard way to inform someone that a service is not complimentary.

Understanding 유료이다 is essential for navigating daily life in Korea. For example, when you see a sign that says '주차 유료' (Parking is paid), you know immediately that you must look for a payment kiosk. It is the direct antonym of 무료이다 (to be free of charge). In the digital age, this word has taken on even more significance with the rise of 'freemium' models, where basic services are free but advanced features are 유료.

이 주차장은 오후 6시부터 유료입니다.

Translation: This parking lot is fee-based starting from 6 PM.

When using this word, it is important to remember that it is a descriptive state. You aren't just saying something costs a certain amount; you are defining its category as a paid service. This is why it is so common in formal announcements and written signs. In professional settings, using 유료이다 sounds more precise than saying '돈을 내야 해요' (you have to pay money), which is more colloquial.

앱의 기본 기능은 무료이지만, 고급 기능은 유료입니다.

Translation: The app's basic functions are free, but the advanced functions are paid.

Grammatically, 유료이다 functions as a noun (유료) followed by the copula (이다). This means it conjugates just like any other noun-based predicate in Korean. Depending on the level of politeness and the tense, the ending will change significantly. For English speakers, it is helpful to think of it as 'It is a paid-thing.'

Polite Informal (해요체)
유료예요 (Yuryo-yeyo). This is the most common form used in daily conversation when talking to colleagues or strangers in a friendly manner.
Formal (하십시오체)
유료입니다 (Yuryo-imnida). You will see this on official notices, signs, and in professional business presentations.

When you want to use 유료 to describe a noun (acting like an adjective), you use the form 유료인. For example, '유료인 서비스' means 'a service that is paid.' However, it is much more common to simply use it as a compound noun: 유료 서비스 (paid service), 유료 주차장 (paid parking lot), or 유료 도로 (toll road).

이 서비스는 다음 달부터 유료로 전환됩니다.

Translation: This service will switch to being paid starting next month.

In questions, you simply raise the intonation or change the ending. '유료인가요?' (Is it paid?) is a very polite and common way to ask about a fee. If you are asking a friend, you might say '이거 유료야?' (Is this paid?). It is also important to know how to use it with particles. For instance, '유료로' means 'as a paid service' or 'for a fee.'

박물관 입장은 유료이지만, 학생은 할인됩니다.

Translation: Museum entry is paid, but students get a discount.

In South Korea, you will hear 유료이다 in several specific high-frequency environments. The most common is likely the urban transportation and parking infrastructure. Seoul and other major cities have limited space, so '유료 주차' (paid parking) is the norm rather than the exception. When you enter a parking garage, a voice prompt or a sign will often confirm the status of the facility.

Another major area is the digital landscape. Korea has a very advanced app and webtoon culture. Platforms like KakaoPage or Naver Webtoon use the term 유료 회차 to refer to episodes that you must pay to read. If you are watching a movie on a streaming service like TVING or Coupang Play, certain premium titles will be marked as 유료 콘텐츠.

Public Announcements
"본 시설은 유료로 운영되고 있습니다." (This facility is being operated on a paid basis.) You will hear this in parks, sports complexes, or specialized libraries.
Customer Service
When asking for a repair or a replacement, a technician might say, "이 부품 교체는 유료입니다." (Replacing this part is paid/costs a fee.)

고속도로 통행료는 유료이며, 하이패스로 결제 가능합니다.

Translation: Highway passage is paid, and payment can be made via Hi-pass.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent health measures, the term was also frequently used regarding testing and vaccinations. While many were free (무료), certain travel-related certificates were 유료. This demonstrates how the word is used to clarify financial responsibility in administrative contexts.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 유료이다 with 비싸다 (to be expensive). While a paid service might be expensive, 유료 simply denotes the presence of a fee, regardless of whether that fee is 100 won or 100,000 won. Using '비싸요' when you mean 'it is not free' can sound like you are complaining about the price rather than stating a fact about the service type.

Another mistake involves the word 유료화. Learners often use 유료이다 when they actually want to describe the process of a free service becoming a paid one. 유료화(하다/되다) is the correct term for 'monetization' or 'becoming paid.' For example, 'The app became paid' should be '앱이 유료화되었어요' rather than '앱이 유료였어요' (which just means the app was paid in the past).

Incorrect Usage
Using '유료하다'. Unlike some other nouns that become verbs by adding '하다', '유료' must be paired with '이다' to describe a state. You cannot say '이 서비스는 유료해요'.
Confusion with '돈'
Learners often say '돈이다' (it is money). While logically true, it is not how Koreans describe a paid service. Always use '유료' for services and '유상' for business transactions.

❌ 이 게임은 유료해요.
✅ 이 게임은 유료예요.

Lastly, be careful with the particle -로. While '유료로' (as a paid service) is correct, some learners try to use '유료에' which is generally incorrect in the context of describing the status of a service. Stick to '유료이다' for the state and '유료로' for the method of operation.

While 유료이다 is the most versatile term, several other words occupy similar semantic space. Understanding the nuances between them will make your Korean sound more natural and professional.

유상 (有償)
This is a more formal, legalistic term. It is often used in contracts or technical support. '유상 수리' refers to a 'paid repair' (usually after a warranty expires). While '유료' is about the fee itself, '유상' is about the exchange of compensation.
비용이 들다 / 비용이 발생하다
These phrases mean 'a cost is incurred.' They are used to describe the act of spending money rather than the status of the service. "추가 비용이 발생합니다" means "Additional costs will be incurred."
돈을 내다
The most literal and colloquial way to say 'to pay money.' Use this when talking about the action: "돈을 내고 샀어요" (I paid money and bought it).

무상 수리 기간이 끝나면 유상으로 진행됩니다.

Translation: After the free repair period ends, it will proceed as a paid service (유상).

In summary, use 유료 for general services and facilities, 유상 for formal/legal/repair contexts, and 비용 when discussing the specific amount or occurrence of a charge. Always remember that the direct opposite of all these is 무료 (free) or 무상 (without compensation).

Fun Fact

In the past, '료' (料) was often used to describe grain or food given as payment or rations. Today, it is the standard suffix for all types of fees in Korean (e.g., 요금, 수수료, 재료).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ju.ɾjo.i.da/
US /ju.ɾjo.i.da/
The stress is slightly on the first syllable '유', but Korean is generally a syllable-timed language.
Rhymes With
무료이다 (Muryoida) 재료이다 (Jaeryoida) 동료이다 (Dongryoida) 음료이다 (Eumryoida) 서류이다 (Seoryuida) 조류이다 (Joryuida) 교류이다 (Gyoryuida) 비료이다 (Biryoida)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing '유' like 'you' with too much emphasis on the 'w' sound.
  • Pronouncing '료' as 'rio' (two syllables) instead of one smooth syllable.
  • Failing to connect '유료' and '이다' smoothly.
  • Confusing '유료' with '우료' (which is not a word).
  • Pronouncing the 'r' in 'ryo' like an American 'r' (rhotic).
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Examples by Level

1

이것은 유료예요.

This is paid.

Simple polite form (해요체).

2

주차는 유료입니다.

Parking is paid.

Formal polite form (하십시오체).

3

커피는 유료예요?

Is the coffee paid?

Question form of the polite informal.

4

봉투는 유료입니다.

Bags are paid.

Common phrase used in supermarkets.

5

와이파이가 유료예요.

Wi-Fi is paid.

Subject marker '가' used with 유료.

6

화장실이 유료예요.

The restroom is paid.

Common in some tourist areas.

7

이 앱은 유료예요.

This app is paid.

Describing digital products.

8

물은 유료가 아니에요.

Water is not paid (it's free).

Negative form using '가 아니에요'.

1

주말에는 주차가 유료입니다.

Parking is paid on weekends.

Time marker '에는' used.

2

이 서비스는 유료로 이용하세요.

Please use this service as a paid one.

Using '유료로' to mean 'by paying'.

3

입구에서 유료 티켓을 사세요.

Buy a paid ticket at the entrance.

Compound noun '유료 티켓'.

4

무료가 아니라 유료예요.

It's not free; it's paid.

Contrastive structure 'A가 아니라 B'.

5

모든 음료는 유료입니다.

All drinks are paid.

Using '모든' (all) to generalize.

6

유료인 경우에는 미리 알려주세요.

If it is paid, please let me know in advance.

Noun modifying form '유료인'.

7

이곳은 유료 주차장이에요.

This place is a paid parking lot.

Compound noun '유료 주차장'.

8

박물관은 어른만 유료예요.

The museum is paid only for adults.

Particle '만' (only).

1

유료 서비스라서 더 친절해요.

Because it's a paid service, they are kinder.

Reasoning with '-(이)라서'.

2

유료라고 들었는데 사실인가요?

I heard it's paid; is that true?

Indirect quotation '-라고 들었다'.

3

유료로 전환되면 사용자가 줄어들 거예요.

If it switches to paid, users will decrease.

Conditional '-(으)면'.

4

유료인 줄 몰랐어요.

I didn't know it was paid.

Structure '-(으)ㄴ 줄 몰랐다'.

5

유료 회원에게만 혜택이 있어요.

There are benefits only for paid members.

Noun '유료 회원' (paid member).

6

이 구간은 유료 도로입니다.

This section is a toll road.

Technical term '유료 도로'.

7

유료로 구매한 콘텐츠는 평생 소장 가능합니다.

Content purchased for a fee can be owned for life.

Adverbial '유료로'.

8

수리는 유료이지만 부품비는 무료입니다.

The repair is paid, but the part cost is free.

Contrast with '-(이)지만'.

1

콘텐츠의 유료화에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?

What do you think about the monetization of content?

Noun '유료화' (monetization).

2

유료임에도 불구하고 인기가 아주 많아요.

Despite being paid, it is very popular.

Structure '-(이)ㅁ에도 불구하고'.

3

유료 서비스로의 전환은 신중해야 합니다.

The transition to a paid service must be handled carefully.

Directional particle '-(으)로의'.

4

이것은 유료로 제공되는 프리미엄 옵션입니다.

This is a premium option provided for a fee.

Passive-like structure '제공되는'.

5

유료인지 무료인지 확인해 봐야겠어요.

I should check whether it is paid or free.

Structure '-ㄴ지 -ㄴ지'.

6

유료 관람객 수가 작년보다 늘었습니다.

The number of paid visitors has increased compared to last year.

Noun '유료 관람객' (paid visitor).

7

대부분의 기능이 유료로 운영되고 있습니다.

Most functions are being operated on a paid basis.

Progressive form '-고 있다'.

8

유료 결제 시 추가 포인트를 적립해 드립니다.

We will provide additional points upon paid checkout.

Time noun '시' (at the time of).

1

공공 서비스의 유료화는 사회적 합의가 필요합니다.

Monetizing public services requires social consensus.

Abstract noun usage.

2

유료 콘텐츠 시장의 규모가 급격히 확대되고 있습니다.

The scale of the paid content market is expanding rapidly.

Economic context.

3

유료로 전환하더라도 기존 회원은 우대해야 합니다.

Even if we switch to paid, existing members should be given preferential treatment.

Concession '-더라도'.

4

해당 도로는 민간 자본으로 건설된 유료 도로입니다.

The road in question is a toll road built with private capital.

Formal passive construction.

5

유료인 만큼 그에 상응하는 가치를 제공해야 합니다.

Inasmuch as it is paid, it must provide corresponding value.

Structure '-(으)ㄴ 만큼'.

6

지식 정보의 유료화가 정보 격차를 심화시킬 수 있습니다.

The monetization of knowledge and information can deepen the information gap.

Sociological context.

7

유료 구독 모델은 안정적인 수익 구조를 보장합니다.

A paid subscription model guarantees a stable profit structure.

Business terminology.

8

이 서비스는 유료임을 원칙으로 합니다.

As a rule, this service is paid.

Substantive form '-(이)ㅁ' used as an object.

1

플랫폼의 유료화 전략은 양날의 검과 같습니다.

A platform's monetization strategy is like a double-edged sword.

Metaphorical usage.

2

무료 보편적 서비스가 유료로 전환되는 과정에서의 갈등.

Conflicts in the process of transitioning free universal services to paid ones.

Complex noun phrase.

3

유료화의 당위성을 설명하기 위해 방대한 데이터를 제시했다.

Vast amounts of data were presented to explain the necessity of monetization.

High-level vocabulary '당위성'.

4

유료 서비스에 대한 소비자들의 저항 심리를 분석했다.

The psychological resistance of consumers toward paid services was analyzed.

Psychological/Marketing context.

5

디지털 재화의 유료화는 저작권 보호의 핵심적 요소이다.

The monetization of digital goods is a core element of copyright protection.

Legal/Philosophical context.

6

유료 여부와 상관없이 품질 관리는 철저해야 한다.

Regardless of whether it is paid or not, quality control must be thorough.

Structure '-(이)냐 아니냐와 상관없이'.

7

유료로 운영되는 국립공원의 보존 가치에 대한 논의.

Discussion on the conservation value of national parks operated on a paid basis.

Environmental policy context.

8

유료화가 가져올 사회적 파급 효과를 간과해서는 안 된다.

The social ripple effects that monetization will bring must not be overlooked.

Structure '-아서는 안 된다'.

Common Collocations

유료 주차장
유료 서비스
유료 도로
유료 콘텐츠
유료 회원
유료로 전환하다
유료 관람
유료 앱
유료 터널
유료 낚시터

Common Phrases

유료인가요?

— Is it paid? This is the most common way to ask about a fee.

이 주차장 유료인가요?

유료로 이용 가능합니다.

— It is available for a fee. Often seen on service descriptions.

라운지는 유료로 이용 가능합니다.

전 구간 유료

— The entire section is paid. Seen on highways or paths.

이 도로는 전 구간 유료입니다.

유료 입장

— Paid entry. Seen at gates of parks or exhibits.

어린이 공원은 유료 입장입니다.

유료 배송

— Paid delivery (not free shipping).

제주도는 유료 배송입니다.

유료 수리

— Paid repair. Used when the warranty is void.

액정 파손은 유료 수리 대상입니다.

유료 옵션

— Paid option. Extra features that cost money.

가죽 시트는 유료 옵션이에요.

유료 채널

— Paid channel. Premium TV channels.

이 영화는 유료 채널에서만 볼 수 있어요.

유료 시사회

— Paid preview. A movie screening you pay to see early.

유료 시사회 티켓을 예매했어요.

유료 주차

— Paid parking. The general concept of paying to park.

강남역 근처는 대부분 유료 주차예요.

Idioms & Expressions

"세상에 공짜는 없다"

— There is no such thing as a free lunch. Often used when explaining why something is '유료'.

세상에 공짜는 없으니 이 서비스도 유료인 게 당연해요.

General
"돈값을 하다"

— To be worth the money. Used to justify a '유료' service.

이 유료 앱은 정말 돈값을 하네요.

Colloquial
"유료화의 물결"

— The wave of monetization. Referring to many things becoming paid at once.

최근 인터넷 서비스에 유료화의 물결이 일고 있다.

Journalistic
"지갑을 열게 하다"

— To make someone open their wallet. Making people pay for a '유료' service.

이 게임은 사람들의 지갑을 열게 하는 유료 아이템이 많아요.

Business/Colloquial
"유료로 풀리다"

— To be released as a paid version (often after a free trial).

이 소설은 내일부터 유료로 풀려요.

Digital Content
"유료의 벽"

— The paywall. The barrier created by a paid service.

유료의 벽 때문에 기사를 읽을 수 없어요.

Digital
"유료 결제 유도"

— Inducing paid payment. Techniques to make users pay.

이 앱은 유료 결제 유도가 너무 심해요.

Tech/Critique
"무료에서 유료로"

— From free to paid. Describing a change in business model.

무료에서 유료로 바뀌니까 사용자들이 불만이 많아요.

General
"유료 고객 모시기"

— Inviting/treating paid customers. Focusing on premium users.

백화점들이 유료 고객 모시기에 열을 올리고 있다.

Business
"유료인 만큼 확실하다"

— It's reliable because it's paid. Trusting the quality of paid services.

유료인 만큼 서비스가 확실하네요.

General

Word Family

Nouns

유료 (Paid/Fee-based)
유료화 (Monetization)
사용료 (Usage fee)
수수료 (Commission fee)
통행료 (Toll fee)

Verbs

유료화하다 (To monetize/make paid)
유료화되다 (To become paid)
결제하다 (To pay/settle)
지불하다 (To pay)

Adjectives

유료인 (Paid - modifying form)
유상인 (Paid/Compensated - formal)
비싼 (Expensive)
저렴한 (Inexpensive)

Related

무료 (Free)
입장료 (Entrance fee)
주차비 (Parking fee)
구독 (Subscription)
결제 (Payment)
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yu' as 'YOU' and 'Ryo' as 'Real money'. So, 'YOU' need 'Real money' because it is '유료'.

Visual Association

Imagine a bright red sign on a parking gate that says '유료' with a giant dollar sign ($) next to it.

Word Web

유료 (Paid) 무료 (Free) 주차 (Parking) 도로 (Road) 서비스 (Service) 결제 (Payment) 돈 (Money) 비용 (Cost)

Challenge

Try to find three things in your house that were '유료' (paid) and three things that were '무료' (free) and say them out loud in Korean.

Word Origin

The word is a Sino-Korean formation. 'Yu' (有) comes from Middle Chinese /hjuw/ meaning 'to have'. 'Ryo' (料) comes from Middle Chinese /lewX/ meaning 'material' or 'fee'.

Original meaning: The original meaning in Hanja was 'having materials' or 'possessing costs,' which evolved into the modern sense of 'requiring a fee.'

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Cultural Context

Be careful when assuming something is free in Korea; always look for the '유료' sign to avoid social embarrassment or fines.

In English-speaking countries, we often use 'paid' or 'toll' (for roads). In Korea, '유료' covers all these contexts under one word.

Naver Webtoon 'Paid episodes' (유료 회차) Seoul City's 'Namsan Tunnel' toll (유료 도로) Netflix's 'Paid subscription' (유료 구독)
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