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B2 noun #3,500 most common 9 min read

주가

juga Top 3,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 주가 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 주가 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '주가' relates to money and companies. You can think of it as the 'price of a company.' In simple terms, when a company is doing well, the '주가' is high. When a company is doing poorly, the '주가' is low. You might see this word on the news or in a newspaper. At this stage, just remember that it is a noun and it usually goes with words like '비싸다' (expensive) or '싸다' (cheap). You don't need to worry about complex financial meanings yet. Just recognize that it is about the cost of buying a piece of a business. For example, '삼성 주가가 비싸요' (Samsung stock price is expensive).

At the A2 level, you should understand that '주가' is the 'stock price' and it changes every day. You should learn the basic verbs that go with it, like '오르다' (to go up) and '내리다' (to go down). This is a very common topic of conversation among adults in Korea. You might hear someone say '주가가 올랐어요' (The stock price went up) and see them looking happy. You should also be able to distinguish between '주식' (the stock itself) and '주가' (the price of the stock). You buy '주식', and you check the '주가'. It is a useful word for basic daily news and understanding why people might be talking about the economy.

At the B1 level, you can use '주가' to discuss more detailed economic situations. You should start using more formal verbs like '상승하다' (to rise) and '하락하다' (to fall) instead of just '오르다' and '내리다'. You can also talk about the '주가 지수' (stock price index) like the KOSPI. At this level, you should be able to explain simple reasons why a price changed, such as '회사가 돈을 많이 벌어서 주가가 올랐어요' (The stock price rose because the company made a lot of money). You are also becoming aware of the metaphorical use, where '주가' refers to a person's popularity or value in their job market. You can understand sentences like '그 가수는 요즘 주가가 아주 높아요' (That singer's popularity/value is very high these days).

At the B2 level, which is where '주가' is officially classified, you should have a comprehensive understanding of its use in financial, economic, and social contexts. You should be comfortable with terms like '폭등' (skyrocketing), '폭락' (crashing), and '변동' (fluctuation). You should understand how '주가' is influenced by external factors like interest rates (금리) and global market trends. You can participate in discussions about investment and market analysis. Furthermore, you should be able to use the metaphorical meaning of '주가' fluently in conversations about careers, celebrities, and social standing. You understand nuances such as '주가 조작' (stock price manipulation) and '주가 반영' (reflection in the price). Your grammar should be precise, correctly using subject and object markers depending on whether the price is the subject of a change or the object of an action.

At the C1 level, you use '주가' with the precision of a native speaker. You can analyze complex financial reports and understand how '주가' relates to '기업 가치' (corporate value) and '주주 가치' (shareholder value). You can discuss technical concepts like '주가수익비율' (PER - Price-to-Earnings Ratio) or '주가순자산비율' (PBR - Price-to-Book Ratio). Your vocabulary includes highly specialized terms like '보합' (steady), '반등' (rebound), and '조정' (correction). You can write essays or give presentations on the Korean stock market and its impact on the national economy. In literature or high-level journalism, you can interpret subtle metaphorical uses of '주가' that describe the shifting power dynamics within a political party or a large corporation. You understand the historical context of the Korean market and how '주가' movements reflect national sentiment.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '주가' and all its related economic theory. You can engage in academic debates about market efficiency and how '주가' represents all available information. You can discuss macroeconomic policies and their direct and indirect effects on '주가' volatility. You are capable of interpreting and producing professional-grade financial analysis. Beyond finance, you can use '주가' in sophisticated rhetorical ways to discuss sociology and the 'commodification' of human reputation in modern society. You understand the deepest levels of wordplay and cultural references involving '주가' in Korean media. For you, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for analyzing the complex interplay between money, power, and perception in the modern world.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

주가 in 30 Seconds

주가 means stock price, derived from Hanja 株 (stock) and 價 (price).
It is a central word in Korean financial news and daily economic discussions.
Metaphorically, it describes a person's rising or falling popularity and market value.
Key verbs include 오르다 (rise), 하락하다 (fall), and 폭등하다 (skyrocket).

The Korean word 주가 (株價) is a cornerstone of economic and everyday vocabulary in South Korea. Etymologically, it is derived from two Hanja characters: 株 (주), which means 'stock' or 'share', and 價 (가), which translates to 'price' or 'value'. Together, they represent the market price of a single share of stock in a publicly traded company. However, the significance of this word extends far beyond the ticker tape of the Korea Exchange (KRX). In a society where stock investment has become a mainstream method of wealth building, particularly among the 'MZ generation', 주가 is a term that appears in morning news headlines, office coffee breaks, and family dinner conversations.

Financial Context: In its primary sense, 주가 refers to the numerical value at which a stock is currently trading. It is influenced by corporate earnings, macroeconomic indicators, and investor sentiment. When the 주가 of a major company like Samsung Electronics or SK Hynix moves, it is seen as a barometer for the entire Korean economy.
Metaphorical Meaning: Beyond finance, 주가 is frequently used metaphorically to describe a person's rising or falling popularity, reputation, or social standing. For instance, if an actor stars in a hit drama, people might say their '주가' is rising, meaning their market value and fame are increasing.

최근 그 회사의 주가가 급격히 상승하고 있습니다.

Translation: Recently, that company's stock price has been rising sharply.

Understanding 주가 requires an awareness of its volatile nature. It is rarely static; it is always 'fluctuating' (변동하다), 'climbing' (상승하다), or 'falling' (하락하다). In South Korean culture, the 'Ant' (개미) investors—individual retail investors—closely monitor these movements, leading to a vibrant culture of online forums and YouTube channels dedicated specifically to analyzing 주가 trends. The word is often paired with specific verbs that indicate the degree of change, such as '폭등' (skyrocketing) or '폭락' (crashing), which carry heavy emotional weight for those involved in the market.

이번 올림픽 금메달로 그의 주가가 상한가를 치고 있다.

Translation: With this Olympic gold medal, his popularity (stock price) is hitting the upper limit.

Economic Indicators: Economists use 주가 as a leading indicator. If the general 주가 index (like the KOSPI) is rising, it often suggests confidence in future economic growth. Conversely, a falling index may signal an impending recession or lack of investor confidence.

In summary, 주가 is more than a financial figure; it is a reflection of value—both monetary and social. Whether you are reading a financial report or a celebrity gossip column, you will encounter this word. It encapsulates the dynamic, competitive, and value-driven nature of modern Korean society. For learners, mastering the nuances of 주가 means being able to navigate both the business world and the subtle ways Koreans express social prestige.

Using 주가 effectively involves understanding its relationship with specific verbs and particles. Since 주가 is a noun representing a value, it most commonly functions as the subject of a sentence, followed by the subject marker -가. When discussing the movement of prices, Koreans utilize a specific set of vocabulary that describes the direction and intensity of the change. For instance, the most basic way to say the price went up is 주가가 올랐다, and to say it went down is 주가가 떨어졌다.

Basic Movement Verbs

상승하다 (To rise): Formal and used in news. (예: 주가가 상승했다.)
하락하다 (To fall): Formal and professional. (예: 주가가 하락했다.)
오르다 / 내리다: Common, everyday verbs for up and down.

금리 인상 소식에 주가가 일제히 하락했습니다.

Translation: At the news of the interest rate hike, stock prices fell all at once.

For intermediate and advanced learners, it is important to use more descriptive terms that convey the speed of the change. 폭등 (Plummeting) and 폭락 (Skyrocketing) are essential for describing dramatic market shifts. Additionally, the term 반등하다 (to rebound) is used when a price starts rising again after a period of decline. When a price stays the same, we use 보합세를 유지하다 (to remain steady). These collocations allow you to speak more precisely about market conditions.

Advanced Collocations

주가를 조작하다: To manipulate stock prices (illegal activity).
주가에 반영되다: To be reflected in the stock price (e.g., news or earnings).
주가가 바닥을 치다: To hit rock bottom.

실적 호조가 이미 주가에 반영되어 있습니다.

Translation: The good performance is already reflected in the stock price.

Finally, consider the metaphorical usage in professional contexts. If you are discussing a colleague's career success, you might say, "그 대리는 요즘 회사 내에서 주가가 아주 높아요" (That assistant manager's 'stock' is very high in the company lately). This implies they are highly regarded and likely to be promoted. This flexibility makes 주가 a versatile tool in your Korean vocabulary arsenal, bridging the gap between cold financial data and warm social dynamics.

The word 주가 is inescapable in South Korea's media-saturated environment. One of the most common places you will hear it is during the 9 o'clock news or specialized business channels like SBS Biz or Korea Business TV. In these settings, the tone is formal (하십시오체 or 해요체), and the word is usually accompanied by complex economic terms. You will hear anchors reporting on the 'closing price' (종가) or the 'opening price' (시가) as part of the daily 주가 report.

News & Media: News reports often start with phrases like "오늘 국내 주가는..." (Today's domestic stock prices...). They analyze why the 주가 of certain sectors, like semiconductors or secondary batteries, moved. This is the most structured and academic environment for the word.

오늘 주가 지수가 역대 최고치를 경신했습니다.

Translation: Today the stock price index broke the all-time record.

In the workplace, 주가 is a frequent topic of informal conversation. Korean office workers, often referred to as 'salarymen', frequently invest in stocks to supplement their income. During lunch or smoking breaks, you might hear colleagues whispering about which company's 주가 is expected to rise due to a new contract or technological breakthrough. In this context, the word is often used with more slang-like or emotional terms, such as '떡상' (huge surge) or '떡락' (huge crash).

너 어제 그 주식 샀어? 오늘 주가 장난 아니게 올랐던데!

Translation: Did you buy that stock yesterday? The stock price rose like crazy today!

Another interesting venue is entertainment news. When a celebrity signs a massive deal with a global brand or wins a prestigious award, entertainment reporters will often use 주가 to describe their marketability. You will hear phrases like "몸값과 주가가 동시에 뛰고 있다" (Their appearance fee and market value are jumping at the same time). This usage highlights how the concept of 'price' is applied to human talent and fame in the competitive entertainment industry.

Digital Spaces: Online communities like DC Inside's Stock Gallery or Naver Finance's discussion boards are filled with the word 주가. Here, you'll see it used in technical analysis discussions, memes about losing money, and heated debates about market manipulation (주가 조작).

For English speakers learning Korean, the most common mistake is confusing 주가 (stock price) with 주식 (stock/share). While they are intimately related, they serve different grammatical and conceptual functions. You can buy and sell 주식, but you cannot buy and sell 주가. The 주가 is merely the price tag on the 주식. Mistakes often occur when learners try to say "I bought the stock price," which sounds nonsensical in Korean.

Confusion with '주식'

Incorrect: 주가를 샀어요. (I bought the stock price.)
Correct: 주식을 샀어요. (I bought the stock.)
Correct: 주가가 얼마예요? (What is the stock price?)

많은 사람들이 주가가 낮을 때 주식을 사려고 합니다.

Translation: Many people try to buy stocks when the stock price is low.

Another frequent error involves the misuse of particles. Because 주가 is a measurement that changes, it is almost always the subject of intransitive verbs like 오르다 (to rise) or 떨어지다 (to fall). Learners sometimes use the object marker -를 incorrectly. For example, saying "주가를 올랐어요" is grammatically wrong because 'rise' is an intransitive action the price does itself. You must use the subject marker -가: "주가가 올랐어요."

A third mistake is using 주가 when you actually mean 물가 (cost of living/prices of goods). While both end in -가 (price), 물가 refers to the general price of consumer goods like bread, milk, and rent. If you are complaining about how expensive groceries have become, using 주가 will confuse your listener, as it implies the stock market is the problem rather than inflation.

Confusion with '물가'

주가: Value of a share in a company.
물가: General level of prices for goods and services in an economy.

While 주가 is the standard term for stock price, several other words share the same semantic space and are used depending on the context and level of formality. Understanding these alternatives will help you sound more natural and precise in your Korean communication.

주가 vs. 시세 (Market Price): 시세 (時勢) is a broader term that refers to the current market price of any commodity, including stocks, real estate, gold, or even vegetables. While you can use 시세 to talk about stocks, 주가 is much more specific. Use 시세 when you want to talk about the general 'market trend' or 'current going rate' of something.
주가 vs. 가치 (Value): 가치 (價値) refers to the 'intrinsic value' or 'worth' of something. In finance, a company's 주가 (market price) might be lower than its actual 기업 가치 (corporate value). This is a common point of discussion for value investors. In social contexts, 가치 is more abstract, while 주가 is a more dynamic, market-driven metaphor.

현재 주가는 기업의 실제 가치보다 저평가되어 있습니다.

Translation: The current stock price is undervalued compared to the company's actual value.

Other related terms include 지수 (Index), as in 주가 지수 (Stock Price Index like KOSPI), and 금액 (Amount), which is a general word for a sum of money. If you are speaking very informally, you might even hear 주식값 (stock price/value), though this is less common in professional settings. In the realm of technical analysis, you will encounter 종가 (closing price), 시가 (opening price), 고가 (high price), and 저가 (low price). These are all sub-categories of 주가 that specify when the price was recorded during the trading day.

For metaphorical use, alternatives to 주가 include 인기 (popularity) or 명성 (fame/reputation). However, 주가 adds a nuance of 'marketability' and 'current demand' that these other words lack. Saying someone's '주가' is rising suggests they are not just liked, but that their value in their professional 'market' is increasing, often leading to better contracts or more opportunities.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 株 originally meant 'tree stump'. In finance, it came to represent the 'root' or 'portion' of a company, which we now call a 'share'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /dzu.ɡa/

US /dzu.ɡɑ/

In Korean, there is no strong word stress like in English, but the first syllable '주' often carries a slightly higher pitch in this compound.

Rhymes With

국가 (Nation) 물가 (Price of goods) 추가 (Addition) 대가 (Price/Master) 원가 (Original cost) 시가 (Market price) 작가 (Author) 화가 (Painter)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '주' as 'zu' (with a vibrating Z sound).
Pronouncing '가' with a very heavy English 'G' sound; it should be softer.
Confusing the pitch with '추가' (addition), which starts with an aspirated 'CH' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in headlines, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct particle usage and knowledge of specific financial verbs.

Speaking 3/5

Commonly used in daily life; pronunciation is straightforward.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in news; context usually makes the meaning clear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

돈 (Money) 회사 (Company) 가격 (Price) 오르다 (To rise) 내리다 (To fall)

Learn Next

주식 (Stock) 투자 (Investment) 배당 (Dividend) 실적 (Performance/Earnings) 금융 (Finance)

Advanced

공매도 (Short selling) 선물거래 (Futures trading) 유상증자 (Paid-in capital increase) 상장폐지 (Delisting)

Grammar to Know

Subject Marker -이/가 with Intransitive Verbs

주가**가** 올랐어요. (The stock price rose.)

Object Marker -을/를 with Transitive Verbs

정부가 주가**를** 관리해요. (The government manages the stock price.)

Conditional -(으)면

주가가 오르**면** 팔 거예요. (If the stock price rises, I will sell.)

Reason -아/어서

주가가 너무 낮**아서** 걱정이에요. (I'm worried because the stock price is too low.)

Noun + 에 대한 (About/Toward)

주가**에 대한** 전망이 밝아요. (The outlook for the stock price is bright.)

Examples by Level

주가가 비싸요.

The stock price is expensive.

주가 (subject) + -가 (subject marker) + 비싸요 (adjective).

주가가 싸요.

The stock price is cheap.

주가 (subject) + -가 (subject marker) + 싸요 (adjective).

오늘 주가가 얼마예요?

How much is the stock price today?

얼마예요 is the standard way to ask for a price.

삼성 주가를 봐요.

Look at the Samsung stock price.

Here, 주가 is the object of the verb '보다' (to see/look).

주가가 낮아요.

The stock price is low.

낮다 is an adjective meaning 'low'.

주가가 높아요.

The stock price is high.

높다 is an adjective meaning 'high'.

이것은 주가예요.

This is a stock price.

Noun + -예요 (to be).

주가가 중요해요.

The stock price is important.

중요하다 is an adjective meaning 'important'.

오늘 주가가 많이 올랐어요.

The stock price rose a lot today.

많이 (adverb) + 올랐어요 (past tense of 오르다).

어제 주가가 조금 떨어졌어요.

The stock price dropped a little yesterday.

조금 (adverb) + 떨어졌어요 (past tense of 떨어지다).

주가가 왜 내려가요?

Why is the stock price going down?

내려가다 is a compound verb meaning 'to go down'.

뉴스를 보고 주가를 확인해요.

I watch the news and check the stock price.

-고 (and) connects two actions.

주가가 오르면 기분이 좋아요.

When the stock price rises, I feel good.

-(으)면 (if/when) expresses a condition.

주가가 너무 비싸서 못 사요.

The stock price is too expensive, so I can't buy it.

-아서/어서 (because/so) expresses a reason.

친구와 주가에 대해 이야기해요.

I talk with a friend about the stock price.

-에 대해 (about) is used to indicate the topic.

매일 주가를 검색해요.

I search for the stock price every day.

매일 (every day) + 검색해요 (search).

미국 시장의 영향으로 주가가 하락했습니다.

Stock prices fell due to the influence of the US market.

-의 영향으로 (due to the influence of) is a formal expression.

주가가 갑자기 폭등해서 깜짝 놀랐어요.

I was surprised because the stock price suddenly skyrocketed.

폭등하다 is a more advanced word for 'skyrocket'.

주가 지수가 3000선을 돌파했습니다.

The stock price index broke through the 3000 mark.

돌파하다 (to break through/surpass) is common in news.

그 배우는 최근 인기가 많아져서 주가가 높아요.

That actor's 'stock' (popularity) is high because they became popular recently.

Metaphorical use of 주가 to mean social/professional value.

회사의 실적이 좋으면 보통 주가가 올라갑니다.

If a company's performance is good, the stock price usually goes up.

실적 (performance/earnings) is a key business term.

주가가 계속 떨어져서 걱정이에요.

I'm worried because the stock price keeps falling.

계속 (continuously) + 떨어지다 (to fall).

경제 전문가들이 내년 주가를 예측하고 있어요.

Economic experts are predicting next year's stock prices.

예측하다 (to predict) is a B1 level verb.

주가가 안정될 때까지 기다리는 것이 좋겠어요.

It would be good to wait until the stock price stabilizes.

안정되다 (to be stabilized) + -ㄹ 때까지 (until).

금리 인하에 대한 기대감이 주가에 반영되었습니다.

Expectations for an interest rate cut have been reflected in the stock price.

반영되다 (to be reflected) is a crucial B2 passive verb.

주가 조작 혐의로 검찰 조사를 받고 있습니다.

They are under investigation by the prosecution on charges of stock price manipulation.

주가 조작 (stock manipulation) is a common legal/financial term.

대외적인 불확실성 때문에 주가가 요동치고 있습니다.

The stock price is fluctuating wildly due to external uncertainties.

요동치다 (to fluctuate wildly/shake) adds descriptive power.

이번 신제품 발표 이후 기업의 주가가 상한가를 기록했습니다.

After the announcement of the new product, the company's stock price hit the upper limit.

상한가 (upper limit) is the maximum a stock can rise in one day in Korea.

주가가 바닥을 쳤다고 판단한 투자자들이 매수를 시작했습니다.

Investors who judged that the stock price had hit rock bottom began buying.

바닥을 치다 (to hit rock bottom) is a common idiom.

반도체 업황이 개선되면서 관련 주가가 일제히 상승했습니다.

As the semiconductor industry conditions improved, related stock prices rose all at once.

업황 (industry conditions) + 일제히 (all at once).

주가 변동성이 커지면서 시장의 불안감이 확산되고 있습니다.

As stock price volatility increases, anxiety in the market is spreading.

변동성 (volatility) + 확산되다 (to spread).

그 정치인은 스캔들 이후 정치적 주가가 급락했습니다.

That politician's political 'stock' (standing) plummeted after the scandal.

Metaphorical use in a political context.

주가는 모든 경제적 변수와 심리적 요인을 함축하고 있다.

The stock price encapsulates all economic variables and psychological factors.

함축하다 (to encapsulate/imply) is a high-level academic verb.

주가수익비율(PER)을 통해 주가가 저평가되었는지 분석해야 합니다.

We must analyze whether the stock price is undervalued through the Price-to-Earnings Ratio (PER).

저평가되다 (to be undervalued) is essential for financial analysis.

글로벌 공급망 위기는 국내 주가에 하방 압력으로 작용했습니다.

The global supply chain crisis acted as downward pressure on domestic stock prices.

하방 압력 (downward pressure) and 작용하다 (to act/function).

주가가 기업의 내재 가치를 제대로 반영하지 못하는 경우가 많습니다.

There are many cases where the stock price does not properly reflect the intrinsic value of a company.

내재 가치 (intrinsic value) is a technical financial term.

기관 투자자들의 대량 매도로 인해 주가가 급격히 조정을 받았습니다.

The stock price underwent a sharp correction due to mass selling by institutional investors.

조정을 받다 (to undergo a correction) is a specific market term.

주가 폭락 사태 이후 정부는 시장 안정화 대책을 발표했습니다.

After the stock price crash, the government announced market stabilization measures.

안정화 대책 (stabilization measures) is a formal policy term.

개인 투자자들의 매수세가 주가를 지지하는 버팀목 역할을 하고 있습니다.

The buying spree of individual investors is serving as a support (prop) for the stock price.

버팀목 역할 (role of a prop/support) is a common metaphor.

주가의 향방은 연준의 통화 정책에 따라 결정될 것으로 보입니다.

The direction of the stock price is expected to be determined by the Fed's monetary policy.

향방 (direction/course) and 통화 정책 (monetary policy).

주가는 자본주의 시장의 역동성과 집단 지성의 총합을 보여주는 지표이다.

The stock price is an indicator that shows the dynamics of the capitalist market and the sum of collective intelligence.

집단 지성의 총합 (sum of collective intelligence) is a philosophical expression.

효율적 시장 가설에 따르면 주가는 이미 모든 공개된 정보를 반영하고 있다.

According to the Efficient Market Hypothesis, stock prices already reflect all public information.

효율적 시장 가설 (Efficient Market Hypothesis) is a high-level academic term.

주가의 변동성은 때로 합리적 판단을 넘어서는 투기적 광풍에 의해 지배된다.

The volatility of stock prices is sometimes dominated by speculative frenzies that exceed rational judgment.

투기적 광풍 (speculative frenzy) is a sophisticated descriptive phrase.

거시경제적 관점에서 주가는 한 국가의 경제 체력을 가늠하는 척도가 된다.

From a macroeconomic perspective, the stock price serves as a yardstick for measuring a nation's economic strength.

경제 체력 (economic strength/stamina) and 척도 (yardstick/measure).

주가 형성에 있어서 비대칭적 정보의 존재는 시장의 불완전성을 초래한다.

The existence of asymmetric information in stock price formation leads to market imperfections.

비대칭적 정보 (asymmetric information) is a core concept in economic C2 study.

주가 지수의 장기적 추세는 기술 혁신과 인류의 생산성 향상을 궤를 같이한다.

The long-term trend of stock price indices moves in tandem with technological innovation and human productivity improvements.

궤를 같이하다 (to move in tandem/share the same path) is an advanced idiom.

주가 하락 국면에서 나타나는 패닉 셀링은 시장의 자기실현적 예언을 강화한다.

Panic selling that appears during a stock price downturn reinforces the market's self-fulfilling prophecy.

자기실현적 예언 (self-fulfilling prophecy) is a psychological and economic term.

주가는 실물 경제의 거울이기도 하지만, 때로는 그 거울이 왜곡된 상을 비추기도 한다.

The stock price is a mirror of the real economy, but sometimes that mirror reflects a distorted image.

실물 경제 (real economy) and 왜곡된 상 (distorted image).

Common Collocations

주가가 오르다

주가가 떨어지다

주가를 조작하다

주가에 반영되다

주가가 폭락하다

주가가 폭등하다

주가 지수

주가 변동성

주가 하락

주가 상승

Common Phrases

주가가 바닥을 치다

— To hit rock bottom. Used when prices are at their lowest point before potentially rising.

이제 주가가 바닥을 치고 올라갈 일만 남았다.

주가가 천장을 뚫다

— To break through the ceiling. Used for prices rising beyond expectations.

그 종목의 주가는 천장을 뚫고 계속 오르고 있다.

주가가 상한가를 치다

— To hit the daily upper limit. Also used metaphorically for peak popularity.

그 드라마 덕분에 그의 주가가 상한가를 치고 있다.

주가를 견인하다

— To pull up or lead the stock price. Used when a specific factor or stock drives the market.

반도체 주식이 전체 주가를 견인하고 있습니다.

주가에 거품이 끼다

— A bubble has formed in the stock price. Used when prices are higher than intrinsic value.

전문가들은 현재 주가에 거품이 많이 끼었다고 경고한다.

주가가 곤두박질치다

— To take a nosedive. Used for a very sudden and steep fall.

갑작스러운 뉴스에 주가가 곤두박질쳤다.

주가 흐름

— The trend or flow of stock prices.

요즘 주가 흐름을 보면 투자가 망설여진다.

주가 관리

— Managing stock prices. Often refers to companies trying to keep their stock value stable.

회사는 주가 관리를 위해 자사주를 매입했다.

주가 전망

— Stock price outlook or forecast.

내년 주가 전망이 밝지만은 않습니다.

주가 부양

— Boosting stock prices. Usually refers to government or corporate actions to increase value.

정부는 주가 부양을 위해 새로운 정책을 내놓았다.

Often Confused With

주가 vs 주식

주식 is the stock itself (the thing you own). 주가 is the price of that stock.

주가 vs 물가

물가 is the general price level of consumer goods (inflation). 주가 is only for stocks.

주가 vs 시가

시가 can mean market price or opening price. 주가 is the more general term for stock price.

Idioms & Expressions

"주가가 뛰다"

— Literally 'stock price jumps'. Used for a rapid increase in price or fame.

광고 출연 이후 그의 주가가 뛰기 시작했다.

Casual

"주가를 올리다"

— To raise one's own value or reputation through hard work or achievement.

그는 이번 프로젝트 성공으로 자신의 주가를 확실히 올렸다.

Neutral

"주가가 꺾이다"

— The rising trend of a stock price (or popularity) has broken and started to fall.

계속 오르던 그의 주가도 이제는 한풀 꺾인 모양새다.

Neutral

"개미들이 주가를 받치다"

— Retail investors (ants) are supporting the stock price by buying when institutions sell.

외국인의 매도에도 개미들이 주가를 간신히 받치고 있다.

Business/Slang

"주가로 말하다"

— To prove one's worth through the stock price (or market results).

경영진의 능력은 결국 주가로 말하는 법이다.

Formal

"주가가 널뛰기하다"

— To fluctuate wildly (like a seesaw).

불안정한 정세 속에 주가가 널뛰기하고 있다.

Casual/Journalistic

"주가에 찬물을 끼얹다"

— To throw cold water on the stock price. Used when bad news ruins a rising trend.

금리 인상 발표가 오르던 주가에 찬물을 끼얹었다.

Neutral

"상한가 주가"

— A person or thing at the peak of their value.

그는 지금 연예계에서 상한가 주가를 달리고 있다.

Metaphorical

"주가가 바닥 밑에 지하실이 있다"

— A humorous/depressing way to say a price that seemed like rock bottom fell even further.

바닥인 줄 알고 샀는데 주가에 지하실이 있을 줄이야.

Slang/Internet

"주가에 빨간불이 켜지다"

— A red light (warning) has turned on for the stock price. Usually implies a dangerous fall.

수출 감소로 인해 기업 주가에 빨간불이 켜졌다.

Journalistic

Easily Confused

주가 vs 주가 (株價)

Sounds like '주가' (house/home) in some dialects or contexts.

Stock price (Hanja) vs. House/Home (Rarely used in this simple form today).

주가가 올랐다 (Stock price rose) vs. 주가(住家)를 수리하다 (Repair a house - very formal/rare).

주가 vs 추가 (追加)

Similar pronunciation.

Stock price vs. Addition/Supplement.

주가를 확인하다 (Check stock price) vs. 옵션을 추가하다 (Add an option).

주가 vs 국가 (國家)

Ends in -가.

Stock price vs. Nation/Country.

주가 하락 (Stock drop) vs. 국가 경제 (National economy).

주가 vs 원가 (原價)

Both relate to price.

Stock price vs. Original cost/Cost of production.

주가가 얼마예요? vs. 원가가 얼마예요? (What was the production cost?)

주가 vs 시가 (市價)

Both relate to market value.

주가 is only for stocks. 시가 can be for anything (gold, fish, etc.).

이 횟집은 생선이 시가예요. (This raw fish restaurant sells at market price.)

Sentence Patterns

N(주가) + 이/가 + Adjective

주가가 비싸요.

N(주가) + 이/가 + V(오르다/내리다)

주가가 올랐어요.

N(주가) + 이/가 + Adv + V

주가가 갑자기 폭락했어요.

N(이유) + 때문에 + 주가가 + V

실적 악화 때문에 주가가 하락했습니다.

N(주가) + 에 + 반영되다

뉴스가 주가에 반영되었어요.

N(주가) + 의 + 향방/전망

주가의 향방을 예측하기 어렵습니다.

N(주가) + 를 + 견인하다

수출 호조가 주가를 견인하고 있다.

N(주가) + 는 + N(지표/척도) + 이다

주가는 경제의 바로미터이다.

Word Family

Nouns

주식 (Stock)

주주 (Shareholder)

주권 (Stock certificate)

증권 (Securities)

가격 (Price)

Verbs

주식투자하다 (To invest in stocks)

상장하다 (To list on the stock exchange)

매수하다 (To buy/purchase stocks)

매도하다 (To sell stocks)

코스피 (KOSPI)

코스닥 (KOSDAQ)

거래소 (Exchange)

배당금 (Dividend)

시가총액 (Market Cap)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in news, business, and adult conversations.

Common Mistakes

Using '주가를 샀어요' (I bought the stock price). → 주식을 샀어요. (I bought the stock.)
You buy the asset (주식), not the price (주가).
Confusing '물가' with '주가'. → 식료품 물가가 올랐어요. (Grocery prices rose.)
물가 is for general goods; 주가 is only for stocks.
Saying '주가를 올랐어요'. → 주가가 올랐어요. (The stock price rose.)
오르다 is intransitive; it takes the subject marker -가.
Using '주가' for the price of a car or house. → 차 가격 / 집값
주가 is specific to the stock market.
Using '주가' to mean the number of shares. → 주식 수
주가 is the price per share, not the quantity.

Tips

Learn Directional Verbs

To talk about 주가, you must master 오르다 (up), 내리다 (down), 유지하다 (stay), and 변동하다 (fluctuate).

Particle Precision

Remember: 주가 + 이/가 (Subject) for natural changes. 주가 + 를 (Object) for intentional actions.

Understand the 'Ants'

Knowing that '개미' means retail investors will help you understand 90% of online 주가 discussions.

Use it for People

Try saying '너 요즘 주가가 높네!' to a friend who just got a promotion or a lot of praise.

News Keywords

When listening to news, '주가' is often followed by '지수' (index) or '전망' (outlook).

Look for Hanja

If you see the character 株 in a newspaper, it almost always refers to stocks or 주가.

Contextualize

Always specify whose 주가 it is (e.g., 삼성전자 주가) for clarity.

Formal Synonyms

Use '상승/하락' in meetings to sound more professional than '오르다/내리다'.

Internet Lingo

Words like '떡상' and '떡락' are the slang versions of 주가 movements you'll see on social media.

Price of Juice

JU-GA = JUice GAme price. It’s a simple way to never forget the sound.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of **JU**icy apples in a **GA**me. The **JU-GA** is the price of a share in that apple game.

Visual Association

Imagine a green arrow pointing up towards a skyscraper. The skyscraper represents the '주' (building/company) and the arrow is the '가' (price).

Word Web

삼성전자 상승 하락 투자 돈 경제 그래프 개미

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about a real stock price, one about a celebrity's '주가', and one using the word '폭락'.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja) characters. It has been used in Korean since the modernization of the financial system in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Original meaning: The value (價) of a share (株).

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing '주가' with someone who might have recently lost a lot of money in the market; it can be a sensitive subject.

In English, we say 'stock price' or 'share price'. We also use the metaphor 'someone's stock is rising,' which is identical to the Korean '주가가 오르다'.

The K-Drama 'Start-Up' frequently discusses corporate valuation and 주가. News reports on Samsung Electronics' 주가 are a daily staple of Korean life. The movie 'The Scam' (작전) is entirely about 주가 조작 (stock manipulation).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Watching the News

오늘의 주가
주가 지수
상승 마감
하락 반전

At the Office

주가가 올랐어요?
그 회사 주가 어때요?
주가에 반영됐나 봐요
주가가 많이 빠졌네요

Investing with Friends

주가 떡상
주가 떡락
물타기 해야겠어
익절했다

Talking about Celebrities

주가가 올랐다
상한가 주가
몸값이 뛰다
전성기다

Reading Economic Reports

주가 변동성
주가 수익 비율
주가 전망
거품 논란

Conversation Starters

"요즘 삼성전자 주가 흐름이 어떤 것 같아요?"

"어제 미국 증시가 폭락해서 오늘 국내 주가도 걱정되네요."

"그 배우는 이번 작품으로 주가가 진짜 많이 오른 것 같아요."

"주가가 바닥을 친 것 같은데, 지금이 매수 타이밍일까요?"

"주가 지수가 2500선 아래로 내려갈까요?"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 관심 있게 본 기업의 주가 변화와 그 이유에 대해 써보세요.

내가 투자하고 있는 주식의 주가가 오르면 무엇을 하고 싶은지 적어보세요.

한국 사회에서 '주가'가 가지는 의미는 무엇이라고 생각하나요?

나 자신의 '주가'를 높이기 위해 올해 어떤 노력을 할 것인지 계획을 세워보세요.

주가 폭락장이 온다면 나는 어떻게 대처할 것인지 논리적으로 써보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, while it is most commonly used for the KOSPI/KOSDAQ, you can use it to refer to any stock price worldwide, such as '미국 주가' (US stock prices) or '테슬라 주가' (Tesla stock price).

No, for real estate prices, you should use '집값' (house price) or '부동산 시세' (real estate market price). 주가 is strictly for stocks.

'오르다' is a native Korean verb and is more common in daily conversation. '상승하다' is a Sino-Korean verb and is used more in formal writing, news, and business reports. Both mean the same thing.

'개미' is a slang term for individual retail investors in Korea. They are called ants because they are small compared to 'whales' (institutional/foreign investors) but collectively powerful.

Technically, no. For cryptocurrencies, people use '코인 가격' or '시세'. However, because the markets are similar, people might occasionally slip up, but it is not correct.

It means 'stock price manipulation'. This is an illegal activity where individuals or groups artificially inflate or deflate a stock price to make a profit.

You can say '주가가 사상 최고치를 기록했습니다' or '주가가 신고가를 경신했습니다'.

The opposite is '주가가 폭락하다' (to crash/plummet).

Yes, but usually we say '기업 이미지' or '평판'. Using '주가' for a company usually refers to its actual stock value. Using it for a *person* refers to their reputation.

Yes, especially in dramas involving 'chaebols' (conglomerates), corporate takeovers, or characters who are investors.