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손해보다

B1 verb #6,000 most common 11 min read

손해보다

sonhaeboda Top 6,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 손해보다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 손해보다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should understand '손해보다' as a basic way to say 'I lost money' or 'This is not a good deal.' Think of it as the opposite of 'I like this' or 'This is cheap.' You will mostly encounter it in shopping contexts. For example, if you buy an apple for 5,000 won but you find out later it usually costs 1,000 won, you might say '손해 봤어요.' At this stage, focus on the past tense '손해 봤어요' (I lost out) and the simple present '손해예요' (It is a loss). You don't need to worry about the complex social meanings yet; just think of it as a way to express that a transaction didn't go in your favor. It is helpful to learn it alongside words like '비싸다' (expensive) and '돈' (money). Imagine you are at a market and you want to tell your friend that you paid too much; this is the word you would use. It's a very practical word for survival in Korea.

At the A2 level, you can start using '손해보다' to describe simple situations beyond just money. You might use it when talking about time. For example, 'I waited for an hour but the bus didn't come, so I lost time' (시간을 손해 봤어요). You should also be able to use it with the particle '를' as in '손해를 보다.' This level involves understanding that '손해' is a noun that can be combined with '보다.' You might also see it in short warnings like '손해 보지 마세요' (Don't lose out / Don't let yourself be disadvantaged). You are beginning to understand that this word covers 'disadvantage' in general. You can use it to describe why you chose one thing over another. For instance, 'If I go to this school, I lose out on travel time.' It's about weighing two options and identifying the negative outcome of one. You should also recognize the word in simple advertisements or store signs claiming they are 'selling at a loss.'

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '손해보다' to describe social and emotional disadvantages. This is the level where you use it to talk about group work, relationships, and fairness. You might say, 'I feel like I'm the only one losing out in our friendship' (우리 관계에서 나만 손해 보는 것 같아). You understand the nuance that 'sonhae' isn't just about cash; it's about effort, emotion, and 'giving more than you get.' You can use more complex grammar patterns like '손해 보더라도' (even if I lose out) or '손해 볼까 봐' (for fear that I might lose out). You can also distinguish '손해보다' from its synonyms like '피해를 보다' (to suffer damage) in most contexts. This is the stage where you start to navigate the cultural concept of 'Gyesan' (calculating gains and losses) and how it affects Korean social life. You can express opinions about fairness in the workplace or school using this verb.

At the B2 level, you can use '손해보다' in professional and argumentative contexts. You can discuss business strategies, market trends, and legal implications using this word. You should be able to use formal versions like '손해를 감수하다' (to take/bear a loss) or '손해를 보전하다' (to compensate for a loss). You understand the subtle difference between '손해를 보다' (to experience a loss) and '손해를 입다' (to sustain a loss), using the latter in more formal or written reports. You can engage in debates about whether 'kind people always lose out' and provide nuanced arguments using this term. Your vocabulary around this word expands to include abstract concepts, such as '손해를 끼치다' (to cause loss to someone else) and '손해배상' (damages/compensation). You are also able to catch the sarcasm when someone says '손해 보고 판다' in a market, knowing it's likely a sales tactic. You use the word to analyze complex situations where multiple parties are involved.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of the philosophical and societal implications of '손해보다.' You can use it to talk about national interests, economic policies, and complex human psychology. You understand how the concept of 'loss' plays into the Korean psyche of 'Jeong' (affection/attachment) and 'Han' (unresolved resentment). You can use the word in literary or academic writing to describe the 'net loss' of a cultural shift or a historical event. You are familiar with idioms and proverbs that involve loss, and you can use '손해' in highly specific collocations like '치명적인 손해' (fatal loss) or '막대한 손해' (enormous loss). You can also discuss the 'opportunity cost' (기회비용) in relation to '손해.' At this level, you don't just use the word; you understand its weight in the fabric of Korean society. You can interpret the subtext in political speeches when leaders talk about 'national loss' and explain the emotional resonance it has with the public.

At the C2 level, your usage of '손해보다' is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You can use it with perfect timing and tone, whether in a high-stakes business negotiation, a legal brief, or a poetic reflection on life. You understand the most obscure nuances, such as when '손해보다' is used ironically to mean the opposite, or when it is used to downplay a significant sacrifice. You can navigate the most complex honorifics and registers associated with the word. You are capable of explaining the historical evolution of the term and its Sino-Korean roots (損害) to others. You can use it to describe the 'loss of face' or 'loss of dignity' in sophisticated ways. Your ability to use '손해보다' reflects a total integration into Korean culture, where you understand that sometimes, 'losing is winning' (지는 게 이기는 거다), and you can articulate this paradox using the vocabulary of loss and gain with absolute precision and cultural sensitivity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

손해보다 in 30 Seconds

Used to describe losing money, time, or effort in a transaction or social situation.
Commonly heard in markets, business meetings, and discussions about fairness.
Can be used as a standalone verb or with the object marker '를'.
Essential for expressing the feeling of being disadvantaged or 'the sucker' in a deal.

The Korean verb 손해보다 (sonhaeboda) is a quintessential term in the Korean language that bridges the gap between financial transactions and social dynamics. At its core, it translates to 'to suffer a loss' or 'to be at a disadvantage.' However, its usage extends far beyond simple accounting. In Korean culture, where social reciprocity and 'nunchi' (social intuition) are paramount, knowing when you are 'losing out' is a vital survival skill. The word is composed of two parts: 손해 (sonhae), meaning 'damage' or 'loss,' and 보다 (boda), which usually means 'to see' but in this context functions as an auxiliary verb meaning 'to experience' or 'to undergo.'

Financial Loss: This is the most literal application. When a business transaction results in less money coming in than what was spent, or when an investment fails, one would say they 'saw a loss.' It is frequently used in stock market discussions, real estate, and everyday haggling at traditional markets.

주식 투자로 큰 손해를 봤어요. (I suffered a big loss through stock investment.)

Social and Psychological Disadvantage: In interpersonal relationships, this word describes situations where one person feels they are doing more work, giving more effort, or receiving less credit than others. It captures the feeling of being 'the sucker' in a deal or a group project. Koreans often use this to express a sense of unfairness in how time or effort is distributed.

착한 사람이 항상 손해 보는 것 같아요. (It seems like kind people are always the ones who lose out.)

The word is heavily used in the context of 'Gyesan' (calculation). In Korea, people are often very aware of whether a situation is 'gainful' (이득) or 'loss-inducing' (손해). However, paradoxically, there is a cultural virtue in 'willingly taking a loss' (손해를 감수하다) for the sake of a relationship or a greater cause, which is seen as a sign of maturity and generosity. If you never allow yourself to 'sonhae-boda,' you might be labeled as 'yaksap-hada' (calculating and selfish).

Comparative Disadvantage: This applies when comparing two choices. If choosing Option A leads to a worse outcome than Option B, Option A is where you 'lose out.' This can apply to time management, educational paths, or even choosing a seat on a bus.

지금 안 사면 손해예요. (If you don't buy it now, it's your loss/you're losing out.)

In summary, '손해보다' is a versatile verb used to express anything from losing five dollars to feeling emotionally exploited. It is a key word for navigating both the Korean marketplace and the complex web of social obligations. Understanding this word helps learners grasp the Korean mindset regarding fairness, value, and sacrifice.

정직하게 장사하면 절대 손해 보지 않습니다. (If you do business honestly, you will never truly lose out.)

Using 손해보다 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical flexibility. It can function as a standalone verb or as part of a larger noun phrase. The most common structure is [Subject] + [Context/Reason] + [손해보다]. Because it is a compound of a noun (손해) and a verb (보다), you can actually split it into 손해를 보다 to emphasize the 'loss' itself.

The Object Marker Usage: When you want to emphasize the specific amount or type of loss, use '손해를 보다'. For example, '큰 손해를 보다' (to see a big loss) or '금전적 손해를 보다' (to see a financial loss). The particle '를' makes the noun '손해' the direct object of the action 'seeing/experiencing'.

그 계약 때문에 우리 회사가 손해를 많이 봤어요. (Our company suffered a lot of losses because of that contract.)

The Combined Verb Usage: In casual speech, '손해보다' is often treated as a single unit. It conjugates like any other '보다' verb. Past: 손해봤어, Present: 손해봐, Future: 손해볼 거야. It is often used with conditional endings like '-면' (if) to warn someone of a potential negative outcome.

너만 손해볼 짓은 하지 마. (Don't do things where only you will be at a disadvantage.)

Another important grammatical pattern is using it with the causative or passive nuances. While '손해보다' is what *you* experience, if you want to say someone *made* you lose, you use '손해를 입히다' (to inflict loss). If you are the victim of a situation, you might use '손해를 입다' (to receive/sustain a loss). However, '손해보다' remains the most natural way to describe the subjective experience of losing out.

Using with Adverbs: You can modify the intensity of the loss using adverbs like '엄청' (hugely), '약간' (slightly), or '절대로' (never). This adds flavor to the sentence and clarifies the stakes involved.

조금 손해 보더라도 친구를 돕고 싶어요. (Even if I lose out a little, I want to help my friend.)

Finally, consider the sentence ending. In formal business environments, you will hear '손해를 보았습니다' or '손해를 보게 되었습니다.' In casual friendship contexts, '손해 봤지 뭐' (I lost out, I guess) is a common way to express resigned acceptance of a bad deal. The word is incredibly flexible across all levels of formality.

결국 그 사람이 손해 보게 될 거예요. (In the end, that person will end up losing out.)

In South Korea, 손해보다 is a word you will hear dozens of times a week, whether you are at a market, in an office, or watching a K-drama. It is deeply embedded in the 'transactional' nature of daily life. Let's explore the specific environments where this word is most prevalent.

Traditional Markets and Shopping: If you go to Namdaemun Market or a local 'sijang,' you will hear vendors say, '이거 진짜 손해 보고 파는 거예요!' (I'm really selling this at a loss!). This is a classic sales tactic used to convince the buyer that they are getting an incredible deal. It implies the seller is sacrificing their profit for the customer's benefit.

사장님, 손해 보고 주시는 거 맞죠? (Boss, you're giving this to me at a loss, right? - said jokingly by a buyer.)

The Corporate Office: In the workplace, '손해보다' is used during project evaluations and negotiations. If a company agrees to a contract that has low margins, they are '손해를 감수하다' (accepting the loss) to build a long-term relationship. Managers might also use it to describe employees who work extra hours without pay: '김 대리가 이번에 손해를 많이 봤지' (Assistant Manager Kim really lost out/sacrificed a lot this time).

회사의 이익을 위해 개인의 손해를 당연하게 생각하지 마세요. (Don't take an individual's sacrifice/loss for granted for the sake of company profit.)

Television dramas (K-dramas) are another prime location. You will often see a protagonist who is 'too kind' and constantly '손해본다' (loses out) to the villain. The audience feels frustrated on their behalf, often shouting at the screen. This theme of 'the struggle of the honest person' is a major trope in Korean storytelling. In variety shows, celebrities often joke about '손해' when they lose a game and have to buy everyone dinner.

Educational and Social Settings: Students use this word when discussing grades or group projects. If one student does all the work while others get the same grade, the hard worker is said to '손해보다.' In social circles, if you always pay for the taxi or the drinks, your friends might say, '너만 너무 손해 보는 거 아니야?' (Aren't you losing out too much?).

모둠 과제에서 나만 손해 보는 기분이야. (I feel like I'm the only one losing out in this group project.)

Ultimately, '손해보다' is the language of the 'zero-sum game' mindset that can sometimes dominate competitive societies, but it is also the language of empathy used when acknowledging someone's unfair treatment. Whether in the boardroom or the living room, it is a word that captures the weight of inequality.

국가적으로 큰 손해를 본 협상이었습니다. (It was a negotiation where we suffered a great loss on a national level.)

While 손해보다 is a common word, learners often trip up on its nuances, particularly when distinguishing between 'experiencing' a loss and 'causing' one. Because Korean verbs are very specific about the direction of an action, using the wrong form can completely change your meaning—or make your sentence sound very awkward.

Mistake 1: Confusing '손해보다' with '손해를 입히다': '손해보다' is intransitive in its feel (you are the one losing). If you want to say 'I caused a loss to the company,' you cannot use '손해봤다.' You must use '손해를 입혔다' (inflicted loss) or '손해를 끼쳤다' (caused loss). Using '손해봤다' in this context would make it sound like the company made *you* lose money.

❌ 회사에 손해봤어요. (Wrong: I suffered loss to the company.)
✅ 회사에 손해를 끼쳤어요. (Right: I caused the company to suffer a loss.)

Mistake 2: Overusing it for Physical Damage: If you break your phone or your car gets a dent, you don't usually say '손해봤다.' Instead, you would say '망가졌다' (it broke) or '고장 났다' (it malfunctioned). '손해보다' refers to the *value* or *result* of the event, not the physical act of breaking. You '손해보다' when you have to pay the expensive repair bill, but the accident itself is not '손해보다.'

❌ 사고가 나서 차가 손해봤어요. (Wrong: The car lost out because of the accident.)
✅ 사고 때문에 금전적으로 손해를 봤어요. (Right: I suffered financial loss due to the accident.)

Mistake 3: Misplacing the Particle '에' vs '를': Learners often forget that '손해' is a noun. If you want to say 'I lost 1,000 won,' you should say '천 원의 손해를 봤다' or '천 원 손해봤다.' You shouldn't say '천 원에 손해봤다' unless you mean 'I lost out *at* the price of 1,000 won,' which is rarely what you mean.

❌ 5만원에 손해봤어요. (Awkward)
✅ 5만원 손해봤어요. (Natural: I lost 50,000 won.)

Lastly, be careful with the register. While '손해보다' is acceptable in almost all situations, saying it too often about small things (like a 10-cent difference) can make you sound 'jjajja-hada' (petty). In Korean culture, being overly focused on not '손해보는' can sometimes be perceived as a lack of 'daebeom-ham' (magnanimity).

작은 일에 너무 손해 본다고 생각하지 마세요. (Don't think you are losing out over small matters.)

Korean has several words that overlap with 손해보다, but each carries a specific nuance. Choosing the right one depends on whether you are talking about money, physical damage, or general misfortune. Let's compare the most common alternatives.

밑지다 (Mit-jida): This is a very specific term used in business and commerce. It means to sell something for less than its cost price. While '손해보다' is general, '밑지다' is almost always about a merchant's profit margin. If you say '밑지고 판다,' you are saying you are selling below cost.

이건 정말 밑지고 파는 거예요. (I am really selling this at a loss [below cost].)

피해를 보다 (Pi-hae-reul Boda): While '손해' is 'loss,' '피해' is 'harm' or 'damage.' You use '피해를 보다' when you are a victim of a crime, a natural disaster, or someone's bad behavior. It has a stronger connotation of being a 'victim' (pi-hae-ja) than '손해보다' does.

태풍으로 인해 많은 농민들이 피해를 봤습니다. (Many farmers suffered damage/harm due to the typhoon.)

적자를 보다 (Jeok-ja-reul Boda): This is a formal accounting term. '적자' (red letters) means a deficit. You use this when talking about monthly budgets, corporate earnings, or national trade balances. It is the opposite of '흑자' (surplus/black letters).

우리 가게는 3개월째 적자를 보고 있어요. (Our store has been running a deficit for three months.)

If you want to describe a situation where you 'missed out' on a benefit (rather than losing something you already had), you might use '기회를 놓치다' (to miss an opportunity). If you feel like you are being treated unfairly in a way that is 'less' than others, '불이익을 당하다' (to suffer a disadvantage) is a more formal, often legalistic way to put it.

Summary Table

손해보다: General loss, disadvantage (Daily use).
밑지다: Selling below cost (Business use).
피해를 보다: Being a victim of harm/damage (Legal/Social use).
적자를 보다: Financial deficit (Accounting use).

어떤 단어를 써야 할지 모를 때는 손해보다를 쓰세요. (When you don't know which word to use, use 'sonhaeboda'.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'boda' in 'sonhaeboda' is the same 'boda' as 'to see.' In Korean, many experiential verbs use 'boda' to indicate that you are 'witnessing' or 'experiencing' a state, like '맛보다' (to taste) or '간보다' (to test the waters).

Pronunciation Guide

UK /son.hɛ.bo.da/

US /soʊn.heɪ.boʊ.dɑː/

The stress is relatively even, but a slight emphasis is often placed on the first syllable '손' (son) and the third syllable '보' (bo).

Rhymes With

오다 (oda) 보다 (boda) 가다 (gada) 자다 (jada) 나다 (nada) 타다 (tada) 마다 (mada) 사다 (sada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'hae' as 'hee'.
Over-emphasizing the 'h' in 'sonhae'.
Confusing the 'o' in 'son' with the 'u' in 'sun'.
Making the 'b' in 'boda' too aspirated (like 'p').
Dragging the final 'da' too long.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and books, easy to recognize.

Writing 4/5

Requires correct particle usage (를/에서).

Speaking 3/5

Very common in daily speech, easy to conjugate.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

돈 (money) 보다 (to see) 비싸다 (expensive) 이익 (profit) 팔다 (to sell)

Learn Next

피해 (damage) 보상 (compensation) 감수하다 (to bear) 억울하다 (to feel unfair) 본전 (break-even)

Advanced

기회비용 (opportunity cost) 매몰비용 (sunk cost) 손익분기점 (break-even point)

Grammar to Know

Auxiliary verb '~보다'

먹어 보다 (try eating), 손해 보다 (experience loss).

Conditional '~면'

손해 보면 속상해요. (If I lose out, I'm upset.)

Concessive '~더라도'

손해 보더라도 할 거예요. (Even if I lose out, I'll do it.)

Causative '~게 하다'

나를 손해 보게 하지 마. (Don't make me lose out.)

Reason '~어서/아서'

비싸게 사서 손해 봤어. (I lost out because I bought it expensively.)

Examples by Level

사과를 비싸게 사서 손해 봤어요.

I bought apples expensively, so I lost out.

Past tense '봤어요' is used for a completed loss.

이건 손해예요.

This is a loss.

Noun + '예요' (it is) structure.

돈을 손해 보고 싶지 않아요.

I don't want to lose money.

'-고 싶지 않아요' expresses desire not to do something.

시장에서 손해 봤어요.

I lost out at the market.

Location particle '에서'.

너무 비싸요. 손해예요.

It's too expensive. It's a loss.

Simple sentences for basic communication.

친구가 손해 봤어요.

My friend lost out.

Subject '친구' with particle '가'.

조금 손해 봤어요.

I lost out a little.

Adverb '조금' (a little).

어제 쇼핑에서 손해 봤어요.

I lost out during shopping yesterday.

Time word '어제' (yesterday).

시간을 너무 많이 손해 봤어요.

I lost too much time.

Using '시간' (time) as the object of loss.

손해 보지 않게 조심하세요.

Be careful not to lose out.

'-지 않게' (so that... not).

그 물건은 사면 손해예요.

If you buy that item, it's a loss.

Conditional '-면' (if).

제 생각에는 우리가 손해 봤어요.

In my opinion, we lost out.

'제 생각에는' (In my opinion).

싸게 팔아서 손해 봤어요.

I sold it cheaply, so I lost out.

'-아서' (reason/cause).

이 계약은 손해 볼 것 같아요.

I think we will lose out on this contract.

'-ㄹ 것 같아요' (I think/It seems).

누가 손해 봤어요?

Who lost out?

Interrogative '누가' (who).

절대로 손해 보지 마세요.

Never lose out.

Adverb '절대로' (never).

착하게 살면 손해 본다는 말이 있어요.

There is a saying that if you live kindly, you lose out.

Indirect quotation '-는다는 말이 있다'.

친구를 돕느라 제 시간을 손해 봤어요.

I lost my own time because I was helping a friend.

'-느라' (because of doing something).

손해 보더라도 정직하게 행동하고 싶어요.

Even if I lose out, I want to act honestly.

'-더라도' (even if).

이번 거래에서 큰 손해를 봤지만 배웠어요.

I suffered a big loss in this deal, but I learned something.

'-지만' (but).

나만 손해 보는 기분이 들어서 속상해요.

I feel upset because I feel like I'm the only one losing out.

'-는 기분이 들다' (to have the feeling that...).

금전적으로 손해 보는 것보다 마음이 아파요.

It hurts more than losing out financially.

'-는 것보다' (more than doing...).

손해 볼까 봐 걱정하지 마세요.

Don't worry for fear that you might lose out.

'-ㄹ까 봐' (for fear that...).

어떻게 해야 손해 보지 않을까요?

What should I do so I don't lose out?

'-지 않을까요' (won't it/shall we?).

회사의 이익을 위해 개인의 손해를 감수했습니다.

I accepted personal loss for the company's profit.

'감수하다' (to bear/accept) paired with '손해'.

투자를 잘못해서 막대한 손해를 보게 되었습니다.

I ended up suffering enormous losses due to a bad investment.

'-게 되다' (to come to/end up).

그 정책은 서민들이 손해 보는 구조예요.

That policy is structured so that ordinary people lose out.

Noun + '구조' (structure).

손해를 보지 않으려면 철저히 준비해야 합니다.

To avoid losing out, you must prepare thoroughly.

'-으려면' (if you want to/in order to).

상대방에게 손해를 끼치지 않는 것이 원칙입니다.

It is a principle not to cause loss to the other party.

'손해를 끼치다' (to cause loss).

이번 협상은 양쪽 모두 손해 보는 결과였습니다.

This negotiation was a result where both sides lost out.

Noun + '결과' (result).

손해를 보더라도 원칙을 지키는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to keep one's principles even if one loses out.

'-는 것이 중요하다' (doing... is important).

그는 손해 보는 장사는 절대 하지 않는 사람이에요.

He is a person who never does business that loses money.

Noun-modifying form '-는'.

단기적인 손해를 보더라도 장기적인 안목이 필요합니다.

Even if we suffer short-term losses, a long-term perspective is necessary.

'안목' (perspective/eye for things).

무분별한 개발로 인해 환경이 큰 손해를 보고 있습니다.

The environment is suffering great loss due to indiscreet development.

'-로 인해' (due to/because of).

정신적인 손해를 보상받을 길이 막막합니다.

The way to be compensated for psychological loss is bleak.

'막막하다' (to be at a loss/bleak).

사회적 약자들이 손해 보는 시스템을 개선해야 합니다.

We must improve the system where the socially vulnerable lose out.

'사회적 약자' (the socially vulnerable).

그의 명예가 훼손되면서 큰 손해를 보게 되었습니다.

As his reputation was damaged, he suffered a great loss.

'-면서' (while/as).

누군가의 희생과 손해 위에 세워진 평화는 위태롭습니다.

Peace built upon someone's sacrifice and loss is precarious.

'위태롭다' (to be precarious).

손해를 보는 쪽이 항상 정의로운 것은 아닙니다.

The side that loses out is not always the righteous one.

'-는 것은 아니다' (it is not the case that...).

국가 간의 이해관계 속에서 손해를 보지 않으려는 외교전이 치열합니다.

The diplomatic war to avoid losing out amidst national interests is fierce.

'이해관계' (interests).

인생의 긴 여정에서 때로는 손해 보는 것이 진정한 이득일 수 있습니다.

In the long journey of life, sometimes losing out can be a true gain.

Philosophical usage of '손해' and '이득'.

그 정책은 표면적으로는 공정해 보이나 실질적으로는 특정 계층이 손해를 보게끔 설계되었습니다.

That policy looks fair on the surface, but is designed so that a specific class loses out.

'-게끔' (so that/in a way that).

법률적 미비로 인해 피해자가 오히려 손해를 보는 모순된 상황이 발생했습니다.

A contradictory situation occurred where the victim actually lost out due to legal inadequacies.

'미비' (inadequacy/deficiency).

자신의 안위만을 생각하며 남의 손해를 방관하는 태도는 지양해야 합니다.

We should avoid the attitude of looking on at others' losses while only thinking of our own safety.

'지양하다' (to avoid/refrain from).

경제적 손실을 넘어선 문화적 손해는 수치로 환산하기 어렵습니다.

Cultural loss that goes beyond economic loss is difficult to convert into numbers.

'환산하다' (to convert/change).

그 기업은 윤리적 가치를 지키기 위해 기꺼이 손해를 보는 길을 택했습니다.

The company chose the path of willingly taking a loss to uphold ethical values.

'기꺼이' (willingly/gladly).

정보의 비대칭성으로 인해 소비자가 손해를 보는 시장 환경이 지속되고 있습니다.

A market environment continues where consumers lose out due to information asymmetry.

'비대칭성' (asymmetry).

손해를 보는 것이 두려워 도전을 멈추는 것은 인생에서 가장 큰 손해입니다.

Stopping challenges because you fear losing out is the greatest loss in life.

Double usage of '손해' for emphasis.

Common Collocations

큰 손해를 보다

금전적으로 손해보다

시간을 손해보다

정신적으로 손해보다

손해를 감수하다

손해를 메우다

손해를 끼치다

손해를 입히다

손해를 청구하다

절대로 손해 안 보다

Common Phrases

손해 봐도 어쩔 수 없지

— It can't be helped even if I lose out. Expresses resignation.

이미 벌어진 일이니 손해 봐도 어쩔 수 없지.

나만 손해 보는 것 같아

— I feel like I'm the only one losing out. Common complaint.

왜 나만 손해 보는 것 같지?

손해 보는 셈 치고

— Let's just consider it a loss and move on. Used when taking a risk.

손해 보는 셈 치고 한번 해보자.

손해 볼 거 없잖아

— There's nothing to lose, right? Encouraging someone to try.

밑져야 본전인데, 손해 볼 거 없잖아.

진짜 손해 보고 파는 거예요

— I'm really selling this at a loss. Classic vendor phrase.

사장님, 이거 진짜 손해 보고 파는 거예요?

손해 나다

— To result in a loss. Used for situations/businesses.

이 사업은 손해 날 확률이 높아요.

손해를 보다 못해

— Unable to stand the loss anymore.

손해를 보다 못해 결국 가게를 닫았어요.

한 번만 손해 봐 줘

— Just lose out this once for me. Asking for a favor.

제발 이번 한 번만 손해 봐 줘.

손해 볼 일은 없다

— There is no chance of losing out.

이 투자는 손해 볼 일은 없어요.

손해를 무릅쓰고

— Risking a loss. Doing something despite the danger.

그는 손해를 무릅쓰고 진실을 말했다.

Often Confused With

손해보다 vs 손해를 입히다

This means to CAUSE loss to someone else, whereas '손해보다' is to experience it yourself.

손해보다 vs 피해를 보다

This refers more to harm, damage, or being a victim of an event rather than just a bad deal.

손해보다 vs 실패하다

To fail. You can fail without '손해보다' (losing resources), and you can '손해보다' without failing a goal.

Idioms & Expressions

"밑져야 본전"

— Even if I lose, I'm back to where I started. (Nothing to lose).

밑져야 본전이니까 고백해 봐.

Informal

"제 살 깎아먹기"

— Cutting one's own flesh. A loss caused by one's own actions.

과도한 가격 경쟁은 제 살 깎아먹기예요.

Neutral

"눈 뜨고 코 베이다"

— To have one's nose cut off with eyes wide open. To be cheated/lose out in broad daylight.

서울은 눈 뜨고 코 베이는 곳이다.

Informal

"본전도 못 찾다"

— To not even get back the original investment. A total loss.

도박을 하다가 본전도 못 찾았어요.

Neutral

"죽 쒀서 개 준다"

— To make porridge and give it to a dog. To do hard work only for someone else to benefit.

내가 다 했는데 승진은 김 대리가 했어. 죽 쒀서 개 줬지.

Informal

"배보다 배꼽이 더 크다"

— The belly button is bigger than the belly. When the side costs/losses are bigger than the main thing.

배송비가 물건값보다 비싸서 배보다 배꼽이 더 커요.

Neutral

"밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기"

— Pouring water into a bottomless jar. A losing effort that never ends.

그 사업은 밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기예요.

Neutral

"아끼다 똥 된다"

— If you save too much, it becomes poop. Losing out because you were too stingy to use something.

음식 아끼다 똥 되기 전에 먹어.

Slang

"호구 잡히다"

— To be caught as a 'hogu' (sucker). To be taken advantage of.

그 가게에서 호구 잡혀서 비싸게 샀어.

Slang

"닭 쫓던 개 지붕 쳐다본다"

— A dog chasing a chicken looks at the roof. To lose out on a goal at the last minute.

계약이 취소되니 닭 쫓던 개 지붕 쳐다보는 격이네요.

Informal

Easily Confused

손해보다 vs 밑지다

Both mean to lose money.

'밑지다' is strictly for selling below cost price. '손해보다' is general.

장사를 하면 밑질 때도 있고 남을 때도 있다.

손해보다 vs 까먹다

Slang for losing money or forgetting.

'까먹다' is very informal and often implies losing money through waste or bad luck.

주식으로 돈 다 까먹었어.

손해보다 vs 낭비하다

Both involve losing something (like time).

'낭비하다' is 'to waste' (active choice), '손해보다' is 'to suffer a loss' (result).

시간을 낭비해서 결국 손해를 봤다.

손해보다 vs 적자

Both mean financial loss.

'적자' is a noun meaning 'deficit' used in formal accounting. '손해' is more personal/general.

올해는 적자가 예상됩니다.

손해보다 vs 불이익

Both mean disadvantage.

'불이익' is a noun used in formal/legal contexts. '손해' is more common in speech.

부당한 불이익을 당하지 마세요.

Sentence Patterns

[Item] + 손해예요.

이거 손해예요.

[Verb-아서] + 손해 봤어요.

늦게 가서 손해 봤어요.

[Person] + 만 손해보다.

나만 손해 보는 것 같아.

손해 볼까 봐 [Verb].

손해 볼까 봐 안 샀어요.

손해를 감수하고 [Verb].

손해를 감수하고 도와줬어요.

손해를 끼치지 않도록 [Verb].

손해를 끼치지 않도록 조심해.

[Abstract Noun] + 손해를 보다.

정신적 손해를 봤습니다.

손해를 보는 것이 [Outcome].

손해를 보는 것이 나을 수도 있습니다.

Word Family

Nouns

손해 (loss)

손실 (loss/damage)

손해액 (amount of loss)

손해배상 (compensation for damages)

Verbs

손해를 입히다 (to cause loss)

손해를 끼치다 (to inflict loss)

손해를 감수하다 (to bear a loss)

Adjectives

손해되는 (loss-inducing)

해로운 (harmful)

이익 (profit)

피해 (damage)

적자 (deficit)

밑지다 (to lose money)

본전 (break-even)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life, business, and media.

Common Mistakes

Using '손해보다' to mean 'to lose a game'. → 졌다 (lost a game).
'손해보다' is about loss of value/resources, not scores or competition results.
Saying '나를 손해봤어' to mean 'I made a loss'. → 내가 손해봤어.
'나를' makes you the object. You are the subject who experiences the loss.
Using '손해보다' for physical damage to a car. → 차가 망가졌다 / 피해를 입었다.
'손해보다' is the result of the damage (paying for it), not the damage itself.
Confusing '손해를 보다' with '손해를 끼치다'. → I caused loss = 손해를 끼쳤다.
This is a directional error. One is receiving, the other is giving.
Using '손해보다' for losing a physical object like a wallet. → 지갑을 잃어버렸다.
Losing an object is '잃어버리다'. The resulting financial situation is '손해'.

Tips

Don't forget the particle '를'

While '손해보다' is common, using '손해를 보다' makes your Korean sound more precise in formal writing or when you want to add an adjective like '큰' (big).

The Sincerity of 'Sonhae'

In Korea, saying you are willing to '손해보다' for someone is a very strong expression of friendship or loyalty. It shows you value them more than money.

Conjugate like '보다'

Since the verb ends in '보다', all the conjugation rules for '보다' apply. Past: 봤다, Future: 볼 것이다, Present: 본다.

Pair with '이익'

Always learn '손해' (loss) and '이익' (profit) together. They are the yin and yang of Korean business vocabulary.

Use with '기분'

To express that you feel cheated, use '손해 보는 기분이에요' (I feel like I'm losing out). This is a very common way to express social frustration.

Avoid Causative Confusion

Never say '내가 손해봤어' if you mean you made someone else lose. That is a very common mistake for beginners.

Business Etiquette

In a meeting, if you want to say a proposal is bad, saying '손해가 클 것 같습니다' is a polite but firm way to reject it.

밑져야 본전

Use this phrase when you want to encourage someone to try something. It means 'The worst that can happen is you stay where you are'.

Formal Reports

In written reports, use '손실' instead of '손해' to sound more professional. '손실이 발생했습니다' (A loss has occurred).

Soft 'H'

The 'h' in 'sonhae' is often quite soft in fast speech. It might sound almost like 'son-ae'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'seeing' (boda) your 'son' (son) lose his lunch money. You 'see the loss'—손해보다.

Visual Association

Imagine a red graph line going down into a pit. That pit is labeled '손해'. You are standing at the top looking down into it (boda).

Word Web

Money Disadvantage Business Fairness Sacrifice Market Regret Negotiation

Challenge

Try to use '손해보다' in a sentence about a time you bought something that was on sale, but later found it even cheaper elsewhere.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean characters: 損 (son) meaning 'decrease' or 'damage' and 害 (hae) meaning 'harm' or 'evil'. Together, they form 'sonhae' (damage/loss).

Original meaning: To experience a reduction in one's wealth or well-being due to external harm.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this word about someone else's business; it can be sensitive if they are actually struggling financially.

In English, we say 'It's my loss' or 'I got the short end of the stick.' '손해보다' covers both of these and more.

The K-drama 'Start-Up' frequently discusses business losses. The song 'Sae-byeok' by various artists often touches on the loss of time and youth. Korean variety show 'Running Man' features members constantly trying not to 'lose out' on prizes.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping

깎아주세요, 손해 안 보시잖아요.
이거 손해 보고 파는 거예요.
비싸게 사서 손해 봤어요.
환불 안 해주면 손해예요.

Investing

주식으로 손해를 많이 봤어요.
손해를 메우기 위해 더 투자했어요.
손절매(stop-loss)를 해야 해요.
큰 손해를 입었습니다.

Relationships

나만 손해 보는 기분이야.
손해 보더라도 참을게.
너한테 손해 끼치고 싶지 않아.
우리는 서로 손해 볼 게 없어.

Work

회사가 손해를 보게 되었습니다.
이 프로젝트는 손해 날 것 같아요.
제 시간을 손해 보면서 일했어요.
손해를 감수하고 진행합시다.

Legal/Official

손해 배상을 청구하겠습니다.
정신적 손해가 큽니다.
국가적인 손해입니다.
손해를 증명해야 합니다.

Conversation Starters

"최근에 쇼핑하다가 손해 본 적 있어요?"

"주식 투자로 손해 본 경험이 있으신가요?"

"착한 사람이 항상 손해 본다는 말에 동의하세요?"

"시간을 손해 보는 게 가장 아깝다고 생각하시나요?"

"손해 보더라도 꼭 지키고 싶은 원칙이 있나요?"

Journal Prompts

살면서 가장 크게 손해 봤다고 느꼈던 순간에 대해 써보세요.

다른 사람을 위해 기꺼이 손해를 감수했던 경험이 있나요?

금전적인 손해와 정신적인 손해 중 무엇이 더 견디기 힘든가요?

'손해 보는 것이 이기는 것이다'라는 말에 대해 어떻게 생각하나요?

오늘 하루 중 시간을 손해 봤다고 느낀 순간이 있었나요?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you wouldn't use it for health. Use '건강이 나빠지다' (health gets worse) or '몸을 상하다' (to harm one's body). '손해보다' is for value, time, and money.

Yes, it inherently describes a negative outcome. However, '손해를 감수하다' (accepting loss) can be seen as a positive, noble action.

The most direct opposite is '이익을 보다' (to see a profit) or '득을 보다' (to benefit).

Only if losing the game resulted in a specific disadvantage, like having to pay for dinner. If it's just about the score, use '졌어요' (I lost).

They mean the same thing, but '손해를 보다' is slightly more formal and emphasizes the noun 'loss' more than the action.

Use '손해를 끼쳐서 죄송합니다.' Do not use '손해 봐서 죄송합니다' as that means 'I am sorry because I lost out.'

No, it's a noun. To use it like an adjective, you say '손해되는' (loss-inducing) or '손해인' (that is a loss).

Yes, it is a standard Korean word used in both the North and South, though economic contexts may differ.

It literally means 'business without loss,' but it's often used to describe a situation where there is no risk and only benefit.

Not usually. For losing a relationship, use '친구를 잃다.' '손해보다' would only be used if losing that friend caused you a specific disadvantage.