This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Korean
Vocabulary
매매하다

A2 verb #7,000 most common 9 min read

매매하다

maemaehada Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 매매하다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 매매하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn '사다' (to buy) and '팔다' (to sell) first. '매매하다' might be a bit difficult because it is a formal word. However, you might see it on signs in Korea. Think of it as a 'big word' for buying and selling. It is used when talking about important things like houses. You don't use it for snacks or toys. Just remember that it means 'to trade' or 'to buy and sell' in a serious way. For example, if you see a sign that says '매매' on a house, it means that house is for sale. You won't need to use this word much in basic greetings, but knowing it helps you understand the world around you in Korea. It's like the difference between saying 'I got this' and 'I acquired this' in English. One is simple, and the other is more official. Even at A1, knowing that '매' can mean both buy and sell is a great start to learning how Hanja works in Korean vocabulary.

At the A2 level, you are starting to handle more specific situations like visiting a bank or looking for a place to live. '매매하다' becomes more useful here. You should recognize it as a formal verb for transactions. It is commonly used with '주식' (stocks) or '부동산' (real estate). If you are practicing for the TOPIK I exam, this word might appear in reading passages about the economy or daily life in the city. You should be able to distinguish it from '사다' and '팔다'. While '사다' is just 'buy', '매매하다' implies the whole process of trading. You might use it in a sentence like '저는 주식을 매매해요' (I trade stocks). It shows that you have a slightly higher level of vocabulary. You should also start noticing how it's used in compound nouns like '매매 가격' (trading price). This level is about moving from basic survival Korean to understanding more formal, structured social interactions, and '매매하다' is a perfect example of that transition.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '매매하다' in formal writing and discussions about the economy or society. You will encounter this word frequently in news articles and professional settings. You need to understand that it represents a formal transaction, often involving a contract. For instance, in a discussion about the housing market, you would use '매매' to describe the buying and selling of apartments. You should also learn the related terms '매수' (buying) and '매도' (selling) to be more precise. At this level, you can explain the process: '매매 계약을 체결하다' (to sign a sales/purchase contract). You should also be aware of the register; using '사고팔다' in a business report would be too informal, so '매매하다' is the correct choice. Your ability to use this word correctly reflects your understanding of Korean social and economic structures. You might also see it in more abstract contexts, like '권리 매매' (trading of rights).

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances of '매매하다' in legal and technical contexts. You should be able to read and understand a '매매계약서' (Sales and Purchase Agreement) without much trouble. You will notice it in complex sentences involving conditions and regulations, such as '정부는 부동산 매매를 규제하고 있습니다' (The government is regulating real estate trading). You should also be able to use the word in the passive voice or within nominalized phrases effectively. At this level, you should be familiar with the economic implications of '매매 활성화' (invigoration of trading) or '매매 중단' (suspension of trading). You should also be able to compare it with similar words like '거래하다' or '양도하다' (to transfer/cede) and choose the most appropriate one based on the specific legal or commercial context. Your vocabulary should now include specialized terms like '인신매매' in social discussions, understanding its grave legal and ethical weight.

At the C1 level, your understanding of '매매하다' should be near-native. You should recognize its use in historical texts, legal precedents, and advanced economic theories. You can discuss the '매매의 원칙' (principles of trading) and understand how it relates to civil law (민법). You should be able to use the word to describe complex market behaviors, such as '차익 매매' (arbitrage trading) or '공매도' (short selling, which involves a specific type of 매매). At this level, you can appreciate the linguistic roots of the word and how the identical pronunciation of 'sell' (賣) and 'buy' (買) in Korean reflects a unified concept of exchange. You should be able to write sophisticated essays on economic policy using '매매' as a foundational term. You'll also encounter it in literature to describe the 'trading' of souls or values in a metaphorical sense, and you should be able to interpret these nuances accurately. Your command of the word allows you to navigate the most formal levels of Korean society with ease.

At the C2 level, '매매하다' is a word you manipulate with total precision and stylistic flair. You understand its deepest legal ramifications, including the '하자담보책임' (warranty liability) that arises from a '매매' contract. You can follow high-level academic debates on '매매' as a contract type in the Korean Civil Code versus other types of contracts. You are also aware of the word's place in the history of the Korean language and its Hanja evolution. In professional environments, you use this word to navigate complex negotiations, ensuring that every '매매' clause is perfectly articulated. You can also critique the use of the term in public policy or economic forecasts. Beyond the technical, you can use the concept of '매매' philosophically to discuss the commodification of modern life. Your mastery is such that you can switch between the highly formal '매매하다' and more colloquial equivalents seamlessly, always choosing the one that perfectly fits the rhetorical situation and the intended audience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

매매하다 in 30 Seconds

A formal verb meaning 'to buy and sell,' combining the Hanja for selling (賣) and buying (買).
Primarily used in high-value contexts like real estate, stock markets, and legal contracts.
Distinguished from casual verbs like '사다' and '팔다' by its professional and comprehensive tone.
Essential for understanding Korean news, financial documents, and property transactions.

The Korean verb 매매하다 (maemaehada) is a formal and comprehensive term that translates to 'to buy and sell' or 'to trade.' While everyday conversations might favor the simpler verbs 사다 (to buy) and 팔다 (to sell), 매매하다 combines these two actions into a single conceptual unit. This word is deeply rooted in Hanja (Chinese characters), where '매' (賣) signifies 'selling' and the other '매' (買) signifies 'buying.' Interestingly, although they sound identical in modern Korean, their historical tones and characters are distinct. This term is the backbone of commercial transactions, property deals, and financial markets in Korea.

Economic Context: In the world of finance and economics, this verb describes the exchange of commodities, securities, or currencies. When you hear a news report about the stock market, you will frequently hear about the volume of '매매' occurring on the floor.
Real Estate Usage: If you are looking for an apartment in Seoul, you will see signs for '매매,' '전세,' and '월세.' Here, '매매' refers specifically to the permanent transfer of ownership through a sale, as opposed to leasing or renting.
Legal and Formal Tone: Contracts and official documents almost exclusively use 매매하다 to define the responsibilities of the buyer and the seller. It carries a weight of legality and seriousness that 사고팔다 lacks.

부동산 중개인은 아파트 매매하다 과정을 꼼꼼히 설명해 주었습니다. (The real estate agent explained the process of buying and selling the apartment in detail.)

Beyond just physical goods, the term can also be applied to more abstract concepts in business, such as the trading of rights or carbon credits. It implies a professional or structured environment. You wouldn't typically use this word when buying an apple at a convenience store unless you were speaking in a highly technical economic sense. Instead, envision a boardroom, a lawyer's office, or a digital stock trading platform. The word suggests a balanced transaction where value is exchanged, often involving significant sums of money or formal agreements.

Historically, the concept of 매매 has been central to Korean society since the Joseon dynasty, where market systems were strictly regulated. Today, the word has evolved to fit the digital age, appearing on apps like 'Danggeun Market' (Karrot) in certain formal categories, though the app itself promotes a more friendly 'sharing' vibe. Understanding this word is essential for anyone looking to navigate the professional landscape of South Korea, as it appears in every contract from employment to purchasing a vehicle.

주식을 적절한 시기에 매매하다 것이 투자의 핵심입니다. (Buying and selling stocks at the right time is the key to investment.)

Using 매매하다 correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role and its preferred objects. As a '하다' verb, it is versatile, but it usually takes a direct object marked by the particle 을/를. The objects are typically high-value items like houses, land, stocks, or businesses. It is rarely used for small, everyday items like food or clothing unless you are discussing the macro-scale distribution of those goods.

Active Voice: When a person or entity performs the trade: '우리는 건물을 매매했습니다' (We traded/sold-and-bought the building).
Noun Form (매매): Often, the noun form is used with other verbs like '이루어지다' (to take place): '매매가 활발하게 이루어지고 있다' (Trading is taking place actively).

그들은 중고차를 매매하다 위해 시장에 모였다. (They gathered at the market to trade used cars.)

One unique aspect of 매매하다 is its ability to describe the profession of a trader. A '매매인' is someone who engages in this activity as a job. In technical writing, you might see it paired with '계약' (contract) to form '매매계약' (sales/purchase contract). This is the standard term used in legal disputes regarding the transfer of property. If a contract is breached, the legal discussion will center on the '매매' agreement.

When conjugating for politeness, '매매해요' (informal polite) or '매매합니다' (formal polite) are common. In business emails, '매매하고자 합니다' (I intend to trade/buy-sell) is a professional way to express interest in a transaction. In the passive sense, while '매매되다' is possible, it is more common to say '매매가 이루어지다' (a trade is made). This nuance is important for sounding natural in a professional Korean environment.

정부는 부동산을 불법으로 매매하다 행위를 단속하고 있다. (The government is cracking down on the act of trading real estate illegally.)

You are most likely to encounter 매매하다 in environments that deal with high-value assets or official business. It is a staple of the Korean evening news, particularly during the business segment. Anchors will discuss the '주식 매매' (stock trading) trends of the day, noting whether foreign investors were net buyers or sellers. If you are walking through a residential neighborhood in Korea, look at the windows of '부동산' (real estate) offices. You will see large signs with the word 매매 written in bold red or blue, indicating properties that are for sale rather than for rent.

The Stock Market: Mobile trading apps (MTS) used by millions of Koreans use '매매' as a primary menu tab. It’s where users execute their buy and sell orders for companies like Samsung or Hyundai.
Legal Documents: When signing a contract for a car or a house, the document title will likely be '매매계약서' (Sales and Purchase Agreement). Lawyers and notaries use this term to define the transfer of title.

오늘 코스피 시장에서 외국인들의 주식 매매하다 규모가 상당했습니다. (Today, the volume of stock trading by foreigners in the KOSPI market was significant.)

Another common place is in historical dramas (Sa-geuk). In historical contexts, '매매' might refer to the trading of goods at traditional markets or even, sadly, the historical '인신매매' (human trafficking), a term still used today in legal and news contexts to describe serious crimes. This shows the word's versatility in describing any form of transaction, regardless of the morality, as long as it involves an exchange.

In academic settings, economics students will learn about '매매 가격' (trading price) and how it differs from '원가' (cost price). The word is foundational for understanding how the Korean economy functions at a structural level. Even if you don't use it in daily conversation with friends, being able to recognize and understand it will make you much more literate in Korean society, allowing you to understand the news and manage your own significant life transactions in Korea.

이 땅은 매매하다 수 없는 보호 구역입니다. (This land is a protected area that cannot be traded.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 매매하다 in casual, low-stakes situations. For example, saying "친구와 사과를 매매했어요" (I traded an apple with my friend) sounds incredibly strange and overly formal, almost as if you had a legal contract for the apple. In such cases, 바꾸다 (to exchange) or simply 사다/팔다 is much more appropriate. Understanding the 'weight' of the word is key to sounding natural.

Confusing with 매수 and 매도: While 매매 covers both buying and selling, 매수 (maesu) specifically means buying, and 매도 (maedo) specifically means selling. Learners often mix these up in the stock market context. Remember: 매매 = 매수 + 매도.
Misspelling with 매매: Be careful not to confuse the sound with '매매' (punishment/spanking) used in very old-fashioned or child-directed contexts (though this is increasingly rare). The context usually makes it clear, but the Hanja helps distinguish them.

Incorrect: 편의점에서 우유를 매매하다.
Correct: 편의점에서 우유를 사다.

Another error is forgetting that 매매하다 is a transitive verb. It needs an object. You can't just say "매매해요" without any context of what is being traded. Also, avoid using it for 'trading' in the sense of 'trading places' or 'trading secrets.' For those, use 교환하다 (to exchange) or 공유하다 (to share). 매매하다 almost always involves a monetary or asset-based value exchange.

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the passive form. While you can say '건물이 매매되었다' (The building was traded), it's often more natural to use '매매가 완료되었다' (The trade was completed). Pay attention to how native speakers use the noun form '매매' in combination with other verbs to describe the status of a transaction.

주식 매매하다 때는 수수료가 발생합니다. (When trading stocks, a commission fee is incurred.)

To truly master 매매하다, you must see how it fits alongside its synonyms and related terms. Each has a specific 'flavor' and context. While 매매하다 is the formal umbrella term for buying and selling, other words focus on different aspects of the transaction.

거래하다 (Georaehada): This is the most common alternative. It means 'to deal' or 'to transact.' While 매매 is specifically about buying and selling, 거래 can include any business interaction, including services or long-term partnerships.
교환하다 (Gyohwanhada): Meaning 'to exchange' or 'to swap,' this is used when you give one thing to get another of similar type, often without money (bartering) or when returning a product for a different one.
유통하다 (Yutonghada): This means 'to distribute.' It refers to the flow of goods from a producer to a consumer through various channels.

두 회사는 오랫동안 신뢰를 바탕으로 거래하다 왔습니다. (The two companies have been dealing with each other based on trust for a long time.)

For a more informal or 'street' level of commerce, you might hear 장사하다 (to do business/run a shop). This is what a market vendor does. In contrast, 매매하다 sounds like something a corporate entity or a serious investor would do. If you are discussing the act of buying and selling for profit on a small scale, 사고팔다 is the most natural native Korean expression. It’s literal and easy to understand for all ages.

In specific industries, you'll find even more specialized terms. In the agricultural sector, 수매하다 is used when the government buys crops from farmers. In the world of mergers and acquisitions, 인수하다 (to acquire) and 매각하다 (to sell off/disinvest) are the preferred terms. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the right word for the right professional setting, making your Korean sound sophisticated and precise.

이 물건을 새것으로 교환하다 수 있을까요? (Can I exchange this item for a new one?)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient Chinese, the words for 'buy' and 'sell' had different tones, which is why they look so similar but have opposite meanings. In modern Korean, they are pronounced exactly the same, which can be confusing for learners until they see the Hanja!

Pronunciation Guide

UK mɛː.mɛ.ɦa.da

US mɛː.mɛ.ha.da

The primary stress is on the first syllable '매' (MAE), with a secondary stress on '하' (HA).

Rhymes With

재매하다 (jaemaehada) 방매하다 (bangmaehada) 경매하다 (gyeongmaehada) 공매하다 (gongmaehada) 전매하다 (jeonmaehada) 도매하다 (domaehada) 소매하다 (somaehada) 분매하다 (bunmaehada)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '매' as 'mi' or 'me'.
Confusing the two 'mae' sounds as having different vowels (they are identical in modern Korean).
Skipping the 'h' sound in 'hada'.
Making the 'ae' sound too much like 'ai' (eye).
Shortening the first syllable too much; it often has a slight long-vowel quality.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and signs, but requires Hanja knowledge for deep understanding.

Writing 4/5

Hard to use naturally without sounding overly formal.

Speaking 4/5

Rarely used in casual speech; '사다/팔다' is preferred.

Listening 3/5

Frequently heard in news and professional settings.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

사다 (to buy) 팔다 (to sell) 돈 (money) 물건 (goods) 시장 (market)

Learn Next

매수하다 (to buy - formal) 매도하다 (to sell - formal) 거래 (transaction) 부동산 (real estate) 주식 (stock)

Advanced

양도 (transfer) 취득 (acquisition) 담보 (collateral) 체결 (conclusion of contract)

Grammar to Know

Noun + 하다 (Verbalizing Nouns)

매매 (Noun) + 하다 = 매매하다 (Verb)

Passive Voice with -되다

매매되다 (To be traded)

Compound Noun Formation

부동산 + 매매 = 부동산 매매

Direct Object Particle 을/를

주식을 매매하다

Nominalization with -기

매매하기 (Trading/The act of trading)

Examples by Level

집을 매매해요.

I buy and sell houses.

'매매해요' is the present tense of '매매하다'.

주식을 매매합니까?

Do you trade stocks?

The question form ending in '-습니까/합니까' is formal.

그는 차를 매매했습니다.

He traded (bought/sold) a car.

'-었습니다' indicates the past tense.

매매가 재미있어요.

Trading is fun.

'매매' is used here as a noun.

여기서 매매하지 마세요.

Please do not trade here.

'-지 마세요' is the negative imperative (don't do...).

사과를 매매해요? (Incorrect context, but grammatically okay)

Do you trade apples?

Used here to show how it sounds too formal for fruit.

우리는 땅을 매매해요.

We trade land.

'땅' (land) is a common object for this verb.

매매는 중요해요.

Trading is important.

'-는' is the topic marker.

부동산에서 아파트를 매매했어요.

I bought/sold an apartment at the real estate office.

'부동산' can mean both 'real estate' and 'real estate office'.

중고 물건을 매매하는 사이트가 많아요.

There are many sites for trading used goods.

'-는' is the present attributive ending for verbs.

그들은 시장에서 물건을 매매합니다.

They trade goods in the market.

Formal style '-습니다/합니다'.

주식 매매는 위험할 수 있어요.

Stock trading can be dangerous.

'-ㄹ 수 있다' means 'can' or 'be possible'.

매매 계약서를 썼어요.

I wrote a sales and purchase contract.

'매매 계약서' is a compound noun.

어제 차를 매매하려고 했어요.

I intended to trade the car yesterday.

'-으려고 하다' expresses intention.

매매 가격이 너무 비싸요.

The trading price is too expensive.

'가격' means price.

외국인들이 주식을 많이 매매해요.

Foreigners trade stocks a lot.

'많이' is an adverb meaning 'a lot'.

이 아파트는 매매가 잘 안 돼요.

This apartment doesn't sell/trade well.

'안 돼요' indicates something is not working or not happening.

그 회사는 원자재를 매매하는 기업입니다.

That company is an enterprise that trades raw materials.

'원자재' means raw materials.

정부는 주택 매매를 장려하고 있습니다.

The government is encouraging housing trade.

'-고 있다' indicates a continuing action (progressive).

매매 수수료가 얼마인지 확인해 보세요.

Please check how much the trading commission is.

'-는지' is used for indirect questions.

비트코인 매매로 돈을 벌었어요.

I made money by trading Bitcoin.

'-로' indicates the means or method.

매매 시점을 잘 잡는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important to time the trade well.

'시점' means a point in time.

그들은 불법으로 무기를 매매했습니다.

They traded weapons illegally.

'불법으로' means illegally.

매매 계약이 취소되었습니다.

The sales contract has been canceled.

'-되었습니다' is the formal past passive.

부동산 매매 시 취득세를 내야 합니다.

When trading real estate, you must pay acquisition tax.

'-야 하다' means 'must' or 'have to'.

주식 매매가 일시적으로 중단되었습니다.

Stock trading has been temporarily suspended.

'일시적으로' means temporarily.

매매 당사자들 간의 합의가 필요합니다.

Agreement between the trading parties is necessary.

'당사자' refers to the parties involved.

이 지역은 토지 매매가 제한되어 있습니다.

Land trading is restricted in this area.

'-어 있다' indicates a state resulting from an action.

매매 차익에 대해 세금이 부과됩니다.

Taxes are levied on trading profits.

'차익' means profit from a margin.

온라인 매매 플랫폼이 급격히 성장했습니다.

Online trading platforms have grown rapidly.

'급격히' means rapidly or sharply.

그는 골동품을 매매하는 취미가 있습니다.

He has a hobby of trading antiques.

'-는 취미가 있다' means 'to have a hobby of...'.

매매 계약서의 조항을 꼼꼼히 읽어보세요.

Read the clauses of the sales contract carefully.

'조항' means clause or article.

매매 계약의 해제는 법적 절차를 따라야 합니다.

The rescission of a sales contract must follow legal procedures.

'해제' refers to rescission or cancellation.

허위 매매는 시장 질서를 어지럽히는 행위입니다.

False trading is an act that disturbs market order.

'어지럽히다' means to disturb or mess up.

탄소 배출권 매매 제도가 본격적으로 시행되었습니다.

The carbon credit trading system has been implemented in earnest.

'배출권' refers to emission rights.

매매 대금의 지급 방식에 대해 논의합시다.

Let's discuss the method of payment for the trade amount.

'대금' refers to price or payment amount.

해당 주식은 매매 거래 정지 처분을 받았습니다.

The stock in question received a trade suspension order.

'처분' means disposition or legal measure.

부동산 매매 시장의 과열을 막기 위한 대책입니다.

This is a measure to prevent overheating of the real estate trading market.

'과열' means overheating (metaphorical).

매매 목적물의 하자에 대한 책임 소재를 규명해야 합니다.

The locus of responsibility for defects in the traded object must be identified.

'규명하다' means to investigate and reveal.

선물 매매는 높은 리스크와 수익률을 동반합니다.

Futures trading is accompanied by high risk and returns.

'선물' here means 'futures' (financial), not 'gift'.

매매는 자본주의 경제 시스템의 근간을 이룹니다.

Trading forms the basis of the capitalist economic system.

'근간' means foundation or basis.

민법상 매매는 낙성, 불요식, 유상, 쌍무 계약에 해당합니다.

Under the Civil Code, a sale is a consensual, informal, onerous, and bilateral contract.

Highly technical legal terminology.

정보의 비대칭성은 공정한 매매를 저해하는 요소입니다.

Information asymmetry is a factor that hinders fair trading.

'비대칭성' means asymmetry.

글로벌 공급망의 변화가 국제 매매 관행에 영향을 미칩니다.

Changes in global supply chains affect international trading practices.

'관행' means practice or custom.

매매 계약의 성립 요건에 관한 학설은 다양합니다.

Theories regarding the requirements for the establishment of a sales contract are diverse.

'학설' means academic theory.

디지털 자산의 매매에 관한 법적 프레임워크가 필요합니다.

A legal framework for the trading of digital assets is necessary.

'프레임워크' is the loanword for framework.

인간의 존엄성은 매매의 대상이 될 수 없습니다.

Human dignity cannot be an object of trade.

Philosophical use of the term.

매매 계약 체결 시 신의성실의 원칙을 준수해야 합니다.

When entering into a sales contract, the principle of good faith and sincerity must be observed.

'신의성실' is a core legal principle.

Common Collocations

부동산 매매

주식 매매

매매 계약

매매 가격

매매 대금

매매 활성화

매매 중단

인신 매매

허위 매매

매매 차익

Common Phrases

매매가 완료되다

— The trade/sale has been completed.

아파트 매매가 드디어 완료되었습니다.

매매를 성사시키다

— To successfully close a deal or trade.

중개인이 힘든 매매를 성사시켰다.

매매에 나서다

— To enter the market to buy or sell.

기관 투자자들이 주식 매매에 나섰다.

매매가 뜸하다

— Trading is infrequent or slow.

요즘은 부동산 매매가 뜸한 편이다.

매매가 활발하다

— Trading is active or brisk.

신도시 지역은 매매가 활발하다.

매매를 금지하다

— To ban or prohibit trading.

정부는 그린벨트 내 토지 매매를 금지했다.

매매를 허용하다

— To allow or permit trading.

일부 품목에 대해 매매를 허용하기로 했다.

매매가 이루어지다

— A trade takes place.

합리적인 가격에 매매가 이루어졌다.

매매를 유도하다

— To induce or encourage trading.

광고를 통해 매매를 유도하고 있다.

매매를 체결하다

— To conclude or sign a trade agreement.

양측은 오늘 매매를 체결했습니다.

Often Confused With

매매하다 vs 매매 (Maemae - Spanking)

A childish word for punishment. Context makes it very clear which is which.

매매하다 vs 매매 (Maemae - Cicada)

The sound a cicada makes is 'maem-maem', sometimes confused by beginners.

매매하다 vs 매수 (Maesu)

Specifically means 'buying' only, whereas 매매 is both.

Idioms & Expressions

"매매 계약서는 피로 쓴다"

— A metaphor meaning contracts (trades) are very serious and can be painful if broken.

매매 계약서는 피로 쓴다는 말처럼 신중해야 해.

Literary/Metaphorical

"영혼을 매매하다"

— To sell one's soul (metaphorically for money or success).

그는 성공을 위해 영혼을 매매했다.

Literary

"매매가 성수기를 맞다"

— Trading has entered its peak season.

이사 철을 맞아 매매가 성수기를 맞았다.

Economic Journalism

"매매 절벽"

— A 'trading cliff' where transactions suddenly stop.

금리 인상으로 인해 매매 절벽 현상이 나타났다.

Journalism

"매매의 손길"

— The 'hand' or influence of trading/market forces.

이곳까지 매매의 손길이 닿았다.

Literary

"매매의 귀재"

— A genius or wizard at trading.

그는 주식 매매의 귀재로 불린다.

Colloquial/Formal

"매매가 꼬이다"

— A trade or deal becomes complicated or messed up.

서류 문제로 매매가 꼬여 버렸다.

Colloquial

"매매의 룰"

— The rules of the trade.

우리는 시장 매매의 룰을 지켜야 한다.

Neutral

"매매가 끊기다"

— Trading is cut off or stops entirely.

불황으로 인해 시장의 매매가 끊겼다.

Neutral

"매매를 트다"

— To start a trading relationship with someone.

우리는 그 집과 매매를 튼 지 오래됐다.

Colloquial

Easily Confused

매매하다 vs 매수 (Maesu)

Both start with 'mae'.

Maesu is only buying; Maemae is the whole trade (buy and sell).

주식을 매수했다 (I bought stocks).

매매하다 vs 매도 (Maedo)

Related to trading.

Maedo is only selling.

주식을 매도했다 (I sold stocks).

매매하다 vs 거래 (Georae)

Both mean transaction.

Georae is broader (can include services); Maemae is specifically for goods/assets.

은행 거래 (Bank transaction).

매매하다 vs 교환 (Gyohwan)

Both involve exchange.

Gyohwan is swapping items; Maemae is usually items for money.

선물 교환 (Gift exchange).

매매하다 vs 장사 (Jangsa)

Both mean business.

Jangsa is informal/small-scale; Maemae is formal/large-scale.

과일 장사 (Fruit selling).

Sentence Patterns

N을/를 매매하다

집을 매매하다.

N 매매가 활발하다/뜸하다

주식 매매가 활발하다.

N 매매 계약을 체결하다

토지 매매 계약을 체결하다.

N 매매를 금지/허가하다

개발 제한 구역 내 매매를 금지하다.

N 매매 수수료

비트코인 매매 수수료.

N 매매 가격

아파트 매매 가격.

매매에 관한 법률

매매에 관한 법률적 해석.

N 매매 차익을 남기다

주식 매매 차익을 남기다.

Word Family

Nouns

매매 (Sale/Trade)

매매가 (Trading Price)

매매인 (Trader)

매매업 (Trading Business)

매매계약 (Sales Contract)

Verbs

매매하다 (To trade/buy and sell)

매매되다 (To be traded/sold)

Adjectives

매매 가능한 (Tradeable)

매매 불가능한 (Non-tradeable)

매수 (Buying)

매도 (Selling)

거래 (Transaction)

유통 (Distribution)

시장 (Market)

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional/economic contexts; low in daily social contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 매매하다 for buying food. → 사다
매매하다 is too formal for small items.
Confusing 매매 with 매수. → 매수 (for buying only)
매매 is the whole process; 매수 is just the 'buy' part.
Saying '매매를 해요' for trading secrets. → 교환하다 / 공유하다
매매 is for commercial assets, not information or secrets.
Misspelling as '매매' with different vowels. → 매매 (both are 'ae')
Ensure both syllables use the 'ㅐ' vowel.
Using 매매 for 'trading places'. → 바꾸다
매매 is for transactions, not physical position swapping.

Tips

Use in Business

When writing business emails about purchasing equipment, use '매매' to sound professional.

News Reading

If you see '매매' in a headline, look for words like '상승' (rise) or '하락' (fall) to understand the market trend.

Hanja Power

Learning 賣 (sell) and 買 (buy) will help you understand dozens of other Korean words.

Real Estate

In Korea, seeing '매매' on a building usually means it's for sale to own, not to rent.

Verb vs Noun

Remember that '매매' (noun) is often used with '하다' (to do) or '되다' (to be done).

Register Check

Always check your audience. Friends = 사고팔다. Boss/Agent = 매매하다.

Contracts

A '매매계약서' is a binding document. Never sign one without understanding every '매매' condition.

Stock Apps

Change your stock app language to Korean to see '매매' in action every day.

Precision

Use '매매' when you want to emphasize the exchange of ownership.

Context Clues

If the topic is money and property, and you hear 'mae-mae,' it's 99% 'trading.'

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'MAE-MAE' as 'My Assets Exchanged.' You are exchanging assets (buying and selling).

Visual Association

Imagine a scale with 'Sell' on one side and 'Buy' on the other, perfectly balanced. That balance is '매매'.

Word Web

Real Estate Stocks Contract Money Transfer Ownership Market Law

Challenge

Try to find the word '매매' on a Korean news website (like Naver News) under the 'Economy' section. Note what objects are being traded.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Korean (Hanja). It consists of 賣 (팔 매 - to sell) and 買 (살 매 - to buy).

Original meaning: The act of giving goods and receiving money (selling) and giving money and receiving goods (buying).

Sino-Korean

Cultural Context

Avoid using '매매' when referring to people unless discussing the crime of trafficking (인신매매). Using it for people in any other way is highly offensive.

While English speakers use 'buy and sell' or 'trade,' '매매하다' is much more formal, similar to 'transact' or 'conduct a sale.'

The term '인신매매' (human trafficking) appears in many dark Korean thrillers like 'The Man from Nowhere'. Financial K-Dramas like 'Money Game' or 'Midas' use '매매' constantly. Real estate reality shows often feature families looking for '매매' properties.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Real Estate Office

매매 가격이 얼마예요?
매매 계약서를 보여주세요.
매매가 언제 가능해요?
이 집은 매매인가요, 전세인가요?

Stock Market

주식 매매 수수료가 비싸요.
매매 타이밍을 놓쳤어요.
자동 매매 프로그램을 사용해요.
매매 일지를 작성하세요.

Business Meeting

원자재 매매 계약을 논의합시다.
매매 대금은 달러로 지불합니다.
매매 조건이 마음에 듭니다.
매매 절차를 간소화합시다.

Legal Dispute

매매 계약 위반입니다.
매매 목적물에 하자가 있습니다.
매매를 취소하고 싶습니다.
매매 대금 반환 소송을 걸겠어요.

News Report

부동산 매매가 급감했습니다.
외국인 매매세가 강합니다.
매매 시장이 얼어붙었습니다.
새로운 매매 규제가 발표되었습니다.

Conversation Starters

"요즘 주식 매매 좀 하세요? (Do you do any stock trading lately?)"

"아파트 매매 가격이 너무 올라서 걱정이에요. (I'm worried because apartment trading prices have risen too much.)"

"중고차 매매할 때 조심해야 할 점이 있나요? (Is there anything to be careful about when trading used cars?)"

"매매 계약서를 작성해 본 적이 있으세요? (Have you ever written a sales/purchase contract?)"

"어떤 주식을 주로 매매하세요? (Which stocks do you mainly trade?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 내가 주식이나 물건을 매매했다면 그 이유와 결과를 적어보세요. (Write about why and how you traded stocks or goods today.)

내가 꿈꾸는 집을 매매한다면 어떤 조건이 중요할까요? (If you were to buy/trade your dream house, what conditions would be important?)

인터넷 매매의 장점과 단점에 대해 생각해보세요. (Think about the pros and cons of online trading.)

미래에는 어떤 것들이 매매의 대상이 될까요? (What things will be objects of trade in the future?)

매매 계약을 할 때 가장 중요하게 생각하는 원칙은 무엇인가요? (What is the most important principle you consider when making a trade agreement?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically yes, but it sounds very strange. It's like saying 'I am conducting a formal acquisition of this caffeinated beverage.' Use '사다' instead.

Almost always. In modern Korean, '매매' implies a commercial transaction where goods are exchanged for a currency. For bartering without money, '교환' (exchange) is better.

It means 'human trafficking.' '인신' means human body. It is a very serious legal and social term.

You can say '집을 매매했습니다.' This covers the transaction from your side as the seller.

No. '쇼핑' is a leisure activity of looking at and buying goods. '매매' is the technical act of the transaction itself.

Because the two Hanja characters are different: 賣 (sell) and 買 (buy). They just happen to sound the same in Korean.

A trader or a person who professionally buys and sells goods or assets.

Yes, like stocks, carbon credits, or intellectual property rights.

Yes, but since it's a capitalist term, its usage in official North Korean media might differ or be used to describe 'illegal' market activities (장마당).

'부동산 매매' (real estate trading) and '주식 매매' (stock trading) are by far the most common.