How to Say 'This One Is Cheaper, Bigger, or Fresher' in Korean
Learn to compare items by quality in Korean using 이게 더 싸요, 커요, and 신선해요. Build shopping phrases with the topic marker 이게, the comparative 더, and descriptive verbs.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you shop in Korean, you often need to point at one item and say how it differs from another: this one is cheaper, bigger, or fresher. Korean does not use a separate word like 'than' in the simplest pattern. Instead, you mark the item you are talking about with 이게 (this one, as the subject) and add 더 (more) before a descriptive verb. This lesson gives you five ready-to-use phrases and shows how to combine them naturally at a market or store.
By the end, you can…
- point at an item and say it is cheaper, bigger, or fresher in Korean.
- use 이게 with 더 and common descriptive verbs to compare two items.
- ask and answer simple shopping questions about price, size, and freshness.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
이게 더 싸요.
This one is cheaper.
i-ge deo ssa-yo
Use when pointing at one item among two or more. 이게 marks 'this one' as the subject; 더 means 'more'; 싸요 is the polite present form of 'cheap'.
이게 더 커요.
This one is bigger.
i-ge deo keo-yo
Use for size comparisons. 커요 is the polite form of 크다 (to be big). It can describe fruit, clothes, bags, or portions.
이게 더 신선해요.
This one is fresher.
i-ge deo sin-seon-hae-yo
Use for produce, fish, meat, or anything sold fresh. 신선해요 is the polite form of 신선하다 (to be fresh).
이게 더 싸고 신선해요.
This one is cheaper and fresher.
i-ge deo ssa-go sin-seon-hae-yo
Combine two qualities with -고, which links descriptive verbs like 'and'. The subject 이게 applies to both qualities.
이게 더 커요?
Is this one bigger?
i-ge deo keo-yo
A simple yes/no question made by raising your intonation. The word order stays the same as the statement.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is 이게 + 더 + descriptive verb + 요. 이게 means 'this one' as the subject. 더 means 'more' and comes right before the descriptive verb. The verb ends in -요 for polite speech. For example: 이게 더 싸요 (This one is cheaper), 이게 더 커요 (This one is bigger), 이게 더 신선해요 (This one is fresher). To link two qualities, replace the final -요 with -고: 이게 더 싸고 신선해요 (This one is cheaper and fresher). Korean does not need a word for 'than' in this basic pattern; the comparison is understood from context or from a previous sentence.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are choosing between two or more items and want to comment on a quality. Point at the item and say 이게 더 싸요. If the seller asks which one you want, you can answer with the same pattern. To ask a question, keep the same words and raise your intonation: 이게 더 커요? (Is this one bigger?). If you want to mention both items, you can say 이거보다 이게 더 싸요 (This one is cheaper than that one), but for beginner shopping, the simple 이게 더 pattern is enough.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
이게 더 싸요?
Is this one cheaper?i-ge deo ssa-yo네, 이게 더 싸요.
Yes, this one is cheaper.ne, i-ge deo ssa-yo그럼 이게 더 신선해요?
Then is this one fresher?geu-reom i-ge deo sin-seon-hae-yo네, 이게 더 신선하고 커요.
Yes, this one is fresher and bigger.ne, i-ge deo sin-seon-ha-go keo-yoA little context goes a long way
In Korean shops and markets, pointing with your finger at an item can feel direct. It is often more polite to gesture with an open hand or to say 이게 (this one) while looking at the item. The polite -요 ending is appropriate for most shopping situations. If you are speaking to a close friend, you can drop -요 and say 이게 더 싸. At a market, a friendly tone and a slight smile make the comparison sound natural rather than demanding.
One thing to watch for
Using 이거 (this thing) instead of 이게 when the item is the subject of the sentence, as in 이거 더 싸요.
Try this instead: When 'this one' is the subject performing the description, use 이게. The correct sentence is 이게 더 싸요 (This one is cheaper). 이거 is the plain topic or object form; for example, 이거 주세요 (Please give me this one).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'This one is bigger' in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
이게 더 커요.
이게 marks 'this one' as the subject, 더 means 'more', and 커요 is the polite form of 'to be big'. You could also say 이게 더 큽니다 in formal speech, but 이게 더 커요 is the standard polite everyday form.
2You want to say 'This one is cheaper and fresher.' What linking ending do you use?
Show a sample answer
이게 더 싸고 신선해요.
The ending -고 links two descriptive verbs, like 'and' in English. 싸고 comes from 싸다 (cheap) and 신선해요 from 신선하다 (fresh). You could also say 이게 더 싸요. 그리고 더 신선해요, but the -고 form is more natural.
3A seller asks you which apple you want. You point to one and say it is cheaper. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
이게 더 싸요.
This directly answers by pointing out the quality of the chosen item. If you want to be more specific, you can add the item name: 이 사과가 더 싸요 (This apple is cheaper). Both are correct; 이게 is simpler when you are pointing.
To compare items by quality in Korean, point and say 이게 더 + descriptive verb + 요. Use 싸요 for cheaper, 커요 for bigger, and 신선해요 for fresher. Link two qualities with -고, as in 이게 더 싸고 신선해요.
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