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A2 adjective #2,000 most common 5 min read

아깝다

akkapda
At the A1 level, '아깝다' is used for very simple, concrete situations involving physical objects or food. Learners use it to say 'It's a waste' when they see something being thrown away. The focus is on the basic present tense '아까워요'. Example: '음식이 아까워요' (The food is a waste).
At the A2 level, learners expand the use to include 'time' and 'money'. They start to use the '-서' (because) ending to explain why they are doing something. For example, '돈이 아까워서 안 샀어요' (I didn't buy it because it's a waste of money). They also recognize the word in simple K-drama contexts.
At the B1 level, the usage becomes more abstract. Learners use '아깝다' to describe missed opportunities or 'close calls' in sports or games. They also start using the '-기(에) 아깝다' structure (too good to...). Example: '혼자 보기 아까운 영화예요' (This movie is too good to watch alone).
At the B2 level, learners use '아깝다' to describe human potential and relationships. They can express that someone is 'too good' for a certain job or person. They understand the nuance of social value. Example: '그 사람의 능력이 아깝네요' (That person's ability is being wasted [in this role]).
At the C1 level, learners use the word with sophisticated grammar and in literary contexts. They can distinguish between '아깝다' and '안타깝다' (pitiful/heartbreaking) in complex emotional narratives. They use it to discuss societal waste, such as environmental issues or economic inefficiencies.
At the C2 level, the word is used with philosophical depth. It might describe the 'waste' of a human life or the tragic loss of cultural heritage. The learner can use it in high-level debates, literature, and formal speeches to evoke a sense of profound regret over the loss of something irreplaceable.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

아깝다 in 30 Seconds

  • Expresses the feeling of 'waste' or 'too good to lose'.
  • Commonly used for food, money, time, and talent.
  • Differs from '아쉽다' (regret due to lack) by focusing on 'value'.
  • Can describe people (e.g., someone being too good for their partner).

The Korean adjective 아깝다 (akkapda) is a deeply emotive word that captures the specific pain of waste, loss, or missed potential. At its core, it describes a situation where something of value—be it time, money, talent, or an object—is being discarded, underutilized, or lost in a way that feels regrettable. Unlike the English word 'waste,' which can be a neutral noun or verb, 아깝다 is an adjective that describes the feeling of the observer. When you say '아까워요,' you are expressing a personal sense of stinginess or heartache over the loss of something precious.

The Core Sentiment
The feeling that something is 'too good' to be treated the way it is being treated. It implies a high valuation of the object or person in question.
Material Waste
Commonly used when throwing away food that is still edible or spending money on something useless.
Abstract Loss
Used for intangible assets like time, opportunities, or even a person's beauty or talent that is being 'wasted' on an unworthy partner or job.

"음식을 다 못 먹고 버리다니 정말 아깝다." (It's such a waste to throw away food you couldn't finish.)

— Common daily expression

In interpersonal relationships, 아깝다 takes on a fascinating nuance. If a friend is dating someone who is perceived as much less attractive or kind, Koreans might say, "그 여자가 아까워요" (That woman is too good for him). Here, her value is seen as being 'wasted' on an unworthy recipient. It is a word that balances between appreciation of value and the sorrow of its misuse.

"시간이 아까우니까 빨리 결정하자." (Since time is precious/a waste to lose, let's decide quickly.)

Using 아깝다 correctly requires understanding its conjugation and its typical subjects. Since it is an adjective (descriptive verb), it follows the standard 'ㅂ' irregular-adjacent rules, though it is actually regular in its stem. The stem is 아깝-.

  • Polite Present: 아까워요 (A-kka-wo-yo)
  • Formal Present: 아깝습니다 (A-kkap-seum-ni-da)
  • Past Tense: 아까웠어요 (A-kka-wot-seo-yo)
  • Reasoning: 아까워서 (Because it's a waste...)

It is frequently paired with the particle -이/가 to indicate what is being wasted. For example, 돈이 아깝다 (Money is a waste/I regret the money spent) or 시간이 아깝다 (Time is being wasted). When you want to say something is 'too good to throw away,' you use the structure -기(에) 아깝다.

"이 옷은 버리기에 너무 아까워요." (This clothing is too good/precious to throw away.)

Another common usage is expressing that someone is 'too good' for someone else. In this context, the person being 'wasted' is the subject. "제 친구가 그 남자한테 너무 아까워요." (My friend is way too good for that guy.) This implies the friend has a higher 'value' than the partner.

You will encounter 아깝다 in almost every facet of Korean life, from the dinner table to high-stakes business meetings. It is a ubiquitous expression of regret that permeates Korean social dynamics.

In the Kitchen
Parents often tell children "음식 남기면 아깝다" (It's a waste if you leave food). This reflects a generational value of not wasting resources.
In K-Dramas
The 'Second Lead Syndrome' often involves the audience saying "그 남자가 너무 아깝다" (That guy is too good to lose/to be rejected). It's also used when a character makes a huge sacrifice.
In Sports
When a player misses a goal by an inch, the commentator might shout "아깝습니다!" (So close! / What a pity!). In this context, it translates to 'that was a wasted opportunity'.

"아, 1점 차이로 지다니 정말 아깝다!" (Ah, to lose by just one point, what a shame!)

In shopping contexts, if you find a beautiful item that is slightly too expensive or doesn't fit, you might sigh and say "아깝다..." to yourself, expressing the regret of not being able to possess something of such high value.

The most frequent mistake learners make is the confusion between 아깝다 and 아쉽다. Because both are translated as 'it's a pity' or 'regrettable' in English dictionaries, they are often used interchangeably by mistake.

  • Wrong: "친구가 이사를 가서 너무 아까워요."
  • Right: "친구가 이사를 가서 너무 아쉬워요."

    (Use 아쉽다 because you are sad about the absence/lack of your friend, not because your friend is being 'wasted'.)

Another mistake is using 아깝다 to mean 'sad' (슬프다). 아깝다 is specifically about value. If you lose your wallet, the money inside is 아깝다 (a waste/loss), but the feeling of losing your favorite wallet is 슬프다 (sad) or 아쉽다 (regrettable loss of a sentimental item).

To truly master 아깝다, you should understand the words that live in its neighborhood. These synonyms and related terms help define its boundaries.

아쉽다 (Asuipda)
To feel bad because something is lacking or didn't quite meet expectations. Focuses on the gap between reality and desire.
소중하다 (Sojunghada)
To be precious or valuable. This is the positive counterpart. Because something is 소중하다, losing it feels 아깝다.
허비하다 (Heobihada)
To waste (verb). This is the action of wasting, whereas 아깝다 is the feeling resulting from that action.

"재능이 아까우니까 포기하지 마세요." (Since your talent is too precious to waste, don't give up.)

Understanding these distinctions allows you to express specific types of regret. Use 아깝다 when you see a 5-star meal in the trash; use 아쉽다 when you miss the bus by 5 seconds.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

""

Informal

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

음식이 아까워요.

The food is a waste.

Subject + Adjective

2

물이 아까워요. 빨리 꺼요.

Water is being wasted. Turn it off quickly.

Simple command

3

이 연필은 아까워서 못 버려요.

I can't throw this pencil away because it's too good.

-어서 (reason)

4

돈이 아까워요.

It's a waste of money.

Basic noun + particle

5

아까워! 거의 다 왔는데.

So close! We were almost there.

Exclamatory form

6

종이가 아까워요. 뒤에도 쓰세요.

Paper is a waste. Use the back too.

Daily life advice

7

사과가 아까워요. 다 드세요.

The apple is a waste (to leave). Eat it all.

Encouragement

8

장난감이 아까워요. 고쳐 주세요.

The toy is too good (to throw away). Please fix it.

Request

1

시간이 아까우니까 빨리 가요.

Since time is a waste (to lose), let's go quickly.

-(으)니까 (reason)

2

이 옷은 비싸서 버리기 아까워요.

This clothing is expensive, so it's a waste to throw away.

-기 아깝다 (too ... to)

3

택시비가 아까워서 걸어갔어요.

I walked because the taxi fare was a waste.

Past tense + reason

4

남은 피자가 아까워서 냉장고에 넣었어요.

The leftover pizza was a waste, so I put it in the fridge.

Compound sentence

5

새 신발인데 더러워져서 아까워요.

They are new shoes, so it's a pity they got dirty.

-어서 (cause/effect)

6

공부한 시간이 아깝지 않게 열심히 하세요.

Work hard so the time you spent studying isn't a waste.

-지 않게 (so that not)

7

그 영화는 돈이 아까웠어요.

That movie was a waste of money.

Past tense

8

버리기에는 너무 아까운 물건이에요.

It's an item that's too good to throw away.

-기에는 (comparison/standard)

1

1점 차이로 지다니 정말 아깝네요.

To lose by one point, it's really a pity.

-다니 (expressing surprise/regret)

2

이 재능을 그냥 썩히기엔 너무 아까워요.

It's too much of a waste to let this talent go to rot.

-기엔 (shortened -기에)

3

혼자 먹기 아까울 정도로 맛있어요.

It's so delicious it's a waste to eat it alone.

-(으)ㄹ 정도로 (to the extent that)

4

아까운 기회를 놓치고 말았어요.

I ended up missing a precious opportunity.

-고 말다 (unintentional result)

5

버리자니 아깝고 쓰자니 불편해요.

It's a waste to throw it away, but it's uncomfortable to use.

-자니... -자니 (dilemma)

6

그 사람은 정말 아까운 인재예요.

That person is a truly valuable talent (wasted here).

Adjective modifying noun

7

청춘이 아깝지 않도록 여행을 떠나세요.

Go on a trip so your youth isn't wasted.

Abstract noun usage

8

선물을 받았는데 쓰기가 아까워요.

I received a gift, but it's too precious to use.

-기가 아깝다

1

그 여자는 그 남자에게 정말 아까운 사람이에요.

That woman is way too good for that man.

Social comparison

2

범인을 다 잡았는데 놓치다니 정말 아깝군요.

To have almost caught the criminal and then lose him, how regrettable.

-군요 (realization)

3

내 노력이 아깝지 않게 결과가 잘 나왔어요.

The results came out well so my effort wasn't a waste.

Negative construction

4

이런 곳에 있기에는 당신의 실력이 아깝습니다.

Your skills are too good for you to be in a place like this.

Formal register

5

죽기에는 아직 아까운 나이예요.

It's an age that's still too precious to die.

Philosophical usage

6

시간을 아깝게 여기는 사람이 성공합니다.

People who consider time precious succeed.

-게 여기다 (to consider as)

7

기름값이 아까워서 대중교통을 이용해요.

I use public transport because gas prices are a waste.

Economic reasoning

8

아까운 청춘을 방황하며 보내지 마세요.

Don't spend your precious youth wandering aimlessly.

Metaphorical waste

1

그의 죽음은 국가적으로 정말 아까운 손실입니다.

His death is a truly regrettable loss for the nation.

Formal/Academic

2

단 1초가 아까운 긴박한 상황이었습니다.

It was a tense situation where every single second was precious.

Hyperbolic emphasis

3

재능을 썩히는 것은 사회적으로 아까운 일이다.

Letting talent go to waste is a regrettable thing for society.

Gerund phrase as subject

4

그 영화는 배우들의 연기가 아까울 정도로 대본이 별로였다.

The script of that movie was so bad that the actors' performances were a waste.

Complex comparison

5

한 방울의 물도 아깝게 생각해야 합니다.

We must think of even a single drop of water as precious.

Ethical imperative

6

아까운 기회를 놓친 것에 대해 자책하고 있어요.

I am blaming myself for missing a precious opportunity.

Psychological state

7

그의 천재성이 아깝게도 빛을 보지 못했다.

Regrettably, his genius never saw the light of day.

-게도 (adverbial emphasis)

8

세금이 아깝지 않도록 투명하게 운영해야 한다.

It must be operated transparently so that taxes are not wasted.

Political context

1

천하를 얻고도 목숨을 잃으면 무엇이 아깝지 않으리오.

Even if one gains the world, if they lose their life, what would not be a waste?

Archaic/Literary rhetorical question

2

그의 고결한 인품이 세속의 풍파에 씻기는 것이 아깝기 그지없다.

It is beyond regrettable that his noble character is being eroded by the hardships of the world.

-기 그지없다 (limitless)

3

찰나의 순간조차 아까워하며 예술혼을 불태웠다.

He burned his artistic soul, treasuring even the briefest of moments.

High-level prose

4

아까운 줄 모르고 낭비하는 자에게 미래는 없다.

There is no future for those who waste without knowing the value of what they lose.

-ㄴ 줄 모르다 (not knowing that...)

5

역사의 뒤안길로 사라지기에는 너무나 아까운 유산이다.

It is a heritage far too precious to disappear into the shadows of history.

Cultural preservation context

6

그토록 아까워하던 명예를 한순간에 더럽혔다.

He tarnished the honor he had cherished so much in a single moment.

Relative clause with past habitual

7

인생의 황금기를 아깝게 허비하지 말라는 선현들의 가르침.

The teachings of sages not to waste the golden years of life.

Quotation/Proverbial

8

그의 침묵은 아까운 변명의 기회를 스스로 저버린 것이었다.

His silence was a self-abandonment of a precious opportunity for excuse.

Abstract metaphorical waste

Common Collocations

시간이 아깝다
돈이 아깝다
음식이 아깝다
목숨이 아깝다
재능이 아깝다
기회가 아깝다
버리기 아깝다
쓰기 아깝다
아까운 사람
아까운 시간

Common Phrases

아까워 죽겠어요

정말 아깝다!

아까운 줄 알아야지

하나도 안 아까워요

아까워서 어쩌나

시간 아깝게 왜 그래?

돈 아까운 줄 몰라요

아까운 내 돈

아까운 내 청춘

아까운 줄 모르다

Often Confused With

아깝다 vs 아쉽다

아깝다 vs 안타깝다

아깝다 vs 슬프다

Idioms & Expressions

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Easily Confused

아깝다 vs 아쉽다

Regret due to lack or missing something.

아깝다 vs 안타깝다

Heartbreaking or pitiful situation.

아깝다 vs 아끼다

The verb meaning 'to save' or 'to cherish'.

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

distinction

Focus on the 'value' of the object, not just the feeling of sadness.

interpersonal

Be careful when saying someone is '아깝다' for their partner, as it can be insulting to the partner.

Common Mistakes
  • Confusing with 아쉽다 (Asuipda).
  • Using it as a verb (it's an adjective).
  • Using it for 'sadness' in general.
  • Misspelling as 아갑다.
  • Using the wrong particle (use -이/가).

Tips

The 'Ah' Sound

Koreans often start the sentence with a long '아~' (Ah...) to show deep regret.

Noun Modifying

Use '아까운' before a noun, like '아까운 내 시간' (My precious/wasted time).

Complimenting

Tell a friend '너 그 회사에 있기 아까워' to tell them they are too talented for that company.

Verb Link

Remember the verb '아끼다' (to save) to help remember '아깝다'.

Stinginess

It can sometimes imply a bit of stinginess (구두쇠) if used too much about small amounts of money.

Dating

In dramas, look for the phrase '아까운 사람' when talking about a good person in a bad relationship.

TOPIK Tip

This word often appears in listening sections involving complaints or regrets.

Double K

Make sure to emphasize the double 'ㄲ' sound for clarity.

Food Waste

Use it when you see someone throwing away perfectly good leftovers.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'A-Cap'. If you lose a very expensive 'Cap', you would say 'Ah, my Cap! What a waste!' -> 아깝다 (A-kkap-da).

Word Origin

Native Korean word.

Cultural Context

Used to compliment others by saying their current situation is '아깝다' compared to their worth.

Reflects the value of '절약' (frugality).

Often used in dating contexts to judge the 'match' between couples.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"이 음식 버리기 너무 아깝지 않아요?"

"시간이 너무 아까운데 우리 뭐 할까요?"

"그 영화 돈 아까웠어요?"

"재능이 아까운 연예인이 누구라고 생각해요?"

"아까운 기회를 놓친 적이 있어요?"

Journal Prompts

최근에 돈이 아깝다고 느낀 적은 언제인가요?

버리기 아까워서 아직 가지고 있는 물건이 있나요?

시간을 아깝게 보내지 않기 위해 무엇을 하나요?

누군가의 재능이 아깝다고 느낀 적이 있나요?

아깝게 놓친 기회에 대해 써보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it implies the person was very talented or young, making their death a 'waste' of potential. It is a very high compliment to the deceased's value.

Usually yes, because it involves regret. However, it implicitly praises the value of the thing being wasted.

Simply say '정말 아깝다!' or '아까워요!'

Yes, '시간이 아깝다' is one of the most common uses.

'낭비' is the noun for 'waste' (the act), while '아깝다' is the feeling of that waste.

If you missed it by a second, you can say '아깝다!' meaning 'So close!'.

Yes, '아까워요' is standard polite Korean.

There isn't a direct one-word adjective opposite, but '당연하다' (to be natural/expected) or '시원하다' (to feel relieved) can be used depending on context.

Yes, '돈 아까워요' is perfect for that.

Not directly, but it implies the thing is precious enough that losing it hurts.

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