Explanation at your level:
You use 팔다 when you sell something. If you have an apple and someone gives you money for it, you are 팔다. It is a very important word for shopping.
At this level, you learn to use 팔다 in sentences like 'I sell books.' It is used with objects, so you usually say [Object]을/를 팔다.
As you advance, you will use 팔다 in more complex situations, such as selling a house or a car. You will also learn to distinguish it from formal synonyms like 판매하다.
At the B2 level, you explore the nuance of 팔다 in metaphorical contexts. You might talk about 'selling an idea' or 'selling oneself' (meaning self-promotion) in professional environments.
Advanced learners use 팔다 to discuss economic trends or market dynamics. You will understand the subtle difference between selling a product versus 'marketing' (마케팅하다) it, using the verb in diverse professional reports.
At the mastery level, you appreciate the cultural weight of 팔다. You can use it in literary contexts, discussing the 'selling of one's soul' or the commodification of culture, showing deep command over both literal and figurative meanings.
Word in 30 Seconds
- 팔다 means to sell.
- It is the opposite of 사다 (to buy).
- It is a neutral, everyday verb.
- Use 판매하다 for formal business contexts.
The Korean verb 팔다 is the direct equivalent of the English verb 'to sell'. It describes the action of exchanging an item or service for currency. Whether you are at a market, a store, or an online shop, this is the primary word you will encounter.
Think of 팔다 as the opposite of 사다 (to buy). While 'buying' focuses on the acquisition of an item, 'selling' focuses on the distribution and the exchange. It is a versatile verb used in both casual daily conversations and formal business settings.
The word 팔다 has deep roots in the Korean language, tracing back to Middle Korean forms. Historically, it evolved alongside the development of trade and market systems on the Korean peninsula. It is a native Korean word, distinct from Sino-Korean terms like 판매하다 (to conduct a sale).
Over centuries, the usage of 팔다 has remained remarkably stable. Unlike many modern loanwords, it has retained its core meaning of 'transferring goods for value' throughout the evolution of the language. It reflects the ancient importance of barter and marketplace culture in Korean society.
You use 팔다 when you are the one providing the item. Common collocations include 물건을 팔다 (to sell goods) or 가게를 팔다 (to sell a shop). It is often used in the progressive form 팔고 있다 to describe someone currently engaged in selling.
In formal contexts, you might see the noun form 판매 (sale). However, when speaking naturally to friends or shopkeepers, 팔다 is the standard and most effective way to express the concept of selling. It is highly flexible and conjugates easily with various Korean grammar endings.
1. 양심을 팔다: Literally 'to sell one's conscience', meaning to compromise one's morals for personal gain. 2. 웃음을 팔다: To 'sell smiles', often used for entertainers who must please others to make a living. 3. 몸을 팔다: A sensitive term referring to prostitution. 4. 가게를 팔다: To sell a business. 5. 명예를 팔다: To sacrifice one's reputation for money.
Fun Fact
It is a pure Korean word, not derived from Chinese characters.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'p', short vowel 'a', 'l' sound, ending in 'da'.
Similar to UK, focus on the 'l' articulation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'l' as 'r'
- Dropping the 'da'
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read.
Needs correct particles.
Easy to pronounce.
Very common.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Object Particle 을/를
사과를 팔아요.
Verb Conjugation -아요
팔아요.
Past Tense -았/었
팔았어요.
Examples by Level
저는 사과를 팔아요.
I sell apples.
Present tense.
무엇을 팔아요?
What do you sell?
Question form.
이것을 팔고 싶어요.
I want to sell this.
Want to pattern.
그는 꽃을 팔아요.
He sells flowers.
Subject-Object-Verb.
어디에서 팔아요?
Where do you sell it?
Location marker.
책을 팔아요.
I sell books.
Simple verb.
우유를 팔아요.
They sell milk.
Object particle.
싸게 팔아요.
I sell it cheaply.
Adverb usage.
그들은 신발을 팔아요.
저는 매일 커피를 팔아요.
가게에서 무엇을 팔아요?
어제 차를 팔았어요.
내일 집을 팔 거예요.
그녀는 빵을 팔아요.
우리는 과일을 팔아요.
왜 그것을 팔아요?
회사는 새 제품을 팔기 시작했어요.
그는 자신의 그림을 팔아서 돈을 벌었어요.
요즘은 온라인으로 물건을 팔기가 쉬워요.
그 가게는 맛있는 음식을 팔기로 유명해요.
그는 자신의 양심을 팔고 싶지 않았어요.
정부는 국유지를 팔 계획이에요.
비싼 시계를 팔았어요.
누가 이 옷을 팔아요?
그는 자신의 재능을 팔아 생계를 유지해요.
회사는 사업부를 팔기로 결정했어요.
그는 거짓 정보를 팔아서 이득을 취했어요.
시장에서 신선한 채소를 팔고 있어요.
그는 자신의 꿈을 팔지 않겠다고 다짐했어요.
많은 가게들이 크리스마스에 할인해서 팔아요.
그는 중고차를 팔고 새 차를 샀어요.
그들은 희망을 파는 기업이 되고 싶어 해요.
그는 자신의 철학을 팔아 대중의 인기를 얻었어요.
기업은 데이터를 팔아 수익을 창출합니다.
그는 영혼을 팔아서라도 성공하고 싶어 했어요.
시장은 미래의 가치를 파는 곳입니다.
그는 자신의 명예를 팔지 않는 정직한 사람이에요.
예술가는 자신의 작품을 팔아 생계를 이어갑니다.
그들은 전쟁 중에 무기를 팔아 부를 쌓았어요.
이 회사는 고객 정보를 팔지 않는다고 약속했어요.
그는 자신의 신념을 팔아 권력을 쟁취한 인물로 묘사됩니다.
역사적으로 이 지역은 향신료를 팔아 부를 축적했습니다.
그는 자신의 고통을 팔아 문학적 성취를 이루었어요.
현대 사회는 개인의 시간을 팔아 돈을 얻는 구조입니다.
그는 자신의 비밀을 팔아 위기를 모면했어요.
이 상점은 전통을 파는 곳으로 유명합니다.
그는 자신의 양심을 팔지 않겠다는 신념을 지켰어요.
그들은 미래의 희망을 파는 사기꾼들이었습니다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"양심을 팔다"
To compromise one's morals.
돈 때문에 양심을 팔지 마세요.
formal"웃음을 팔다"
To entertain for money.
그는 무대에서 웃음을 팔아요.
neutral"몸을 팔다"
Prostitution.
매우 조심스러운 표현입니다.
formal"명예를 팔다"
To sacrifice reputation.
그는 명예를 팔아 출세했어요.
formal"꿈을 팔다"
To sell a vision/dream.
그는 사람들에게 꿈을 팔아요.
neutralEasily Confused
Antonym
Buy vs Sell
사과를 사다 vs 팔다.
Synonym
Formal vs Neutral
제품을 판매합니다.
Similar sound
Borrow vs Sell
책을 빌리다.
Context
Receive vs Sell
돈을 받다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 팔다
저는 차를 팔아요.
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 싸게 + 팔다
사과를 싸게 팔아요.
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 온라인으로 + 팔다
옷을 온라인으로 팔아요.
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 팔기로 + 결정하다
집을 팔기로 결정했어요.
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 팔아서 + 이득을 + 얻다
물건을 팔아서 이득을 얻었어요.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up the direction of the transaction.
Selling is the act; marketing is the strategy.
Must use object particle with transitive verb.
Using formal words in casual settings sounds stiff.
Irregular stems can be tricky.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize your favorite shop.
Native Usage
Used in every store.
Market Culture
Essential for market trips.
Verb Ending
Use -아요 for present.
Crisp L
Don't skip the L.
Don't swap
Don't confuse sell/buy.
Pure Korean
It's not Chinese-based.
Flashcards
Use with '사다'.
Professional
Use 판매하다 at work.
Past Tense
Use 팔았어요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
P-al-da sounds like 'pal' (friend) + 'da'. Imagine selling things to your 'pal'.
Visual Association
A market stall with a sign saying '팔아요'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to sell an imaginary item to a friend in Korean.
Word Origin
Korean
Original meaning: To exchange goods for value.
Cultural Context
Avoid using '몸을 팔다' unless necessary in a clinical context.
Directly maps to 'sell'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At a market
- 얼마에 팔아요?
- 이거 팔아요?
- 싸게 팔아주세요.
In business
- 제품을 판매합니다.
- 사업을 팔 계획입니다.
- 시장 점유율.
Online shopping
- 온라인으로 팔고 있어요.
- 품절되었습니다.
- 배송 가능합니다.
Daily life
- 중고 물건을 팔아요.
- 차를 팔았어요.
- 가게를 정리해요.
Conversation Starters
"What is the most expensive thing you have ever sold?"
"Do you prefer buying or selling online?"
"Have you ever sold something you regretted?"
"What do you think is the hardest thing to sell?"
"How do you feel about selling your old belongings?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you sold something at a garage sale.
Describe the feeling of selling your first car.
Explain why selling is important in an economy.
If you could sell anything, what would it be?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is neutral and standard.
사다 (to buy).
Yes, metaphorically.
Yes, mostly.
팔았어요.
판매하다 is more formal.
No, that is offensive.
Yes, very often.
Test Yourself
저는 사과를 ___.
The context implies selling apples.
Which means 'to sell'?
팔다 is the verb for selling.
팔다 is the same as 사다.
They are opposites.
Word
Meaning
Basic vocabulary matching.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
팔다 is the essential verb for any transaction where you are the provider of goods or services.
- 팔다 means to sell.
- It is the opposite of 사다 (to buy).
- It is a neutral, everyday verb.
- Use 판매하다 for formal business contexts.
Memory Palace
Visualize your favorite shop.
Native Usage
Used in every store.
Market Culture
Essential for market trips.
Verb Ending
Use -아요 for present.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More daily_life words
사고
A2An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally.
주소
A1Address, the details of where a building is located.
오전
A1Morning, A.M.
약속
A1Appointment; Promise
사월
A1April; the fourth month of the year.
밤에
A2during the night; at night
다니다
A1To attend; to commute to.
팔월
A1August; the eighth month of the year.
나쁘게
A2Badly; in an unsatisfactory or improper way.
가방
A1Bag
