Nuance Dictionary / Regret & Lack
아깝다 a-kkap-da
Feeling that something valuable is being wasted or was narrowly missed
What does 아깝다 mean?
아깝다 (a-kkap-da) means: Feeling that something valuable is being wasted or was narrowly missed.
If you buy a $100 ticket and get sick so you can't go, the money is '아깝다'. If a genius pianist decides to work a boring desk job instead, their talent is '아깝다'. It's the pain of squandered potential or resources.
🎙️ 아깝다는 표기 그대로 읽지 않아요 — 실제로는 [아깝따]로 소리나요 (경음화). 발음 연습하기 →
How it's actually used
- 시간이 너무 아까워서 영화를 끝까지 봤어.
sigani neomu akkawoseo yeonghwareul kkeutkkaji bwasseo.
The time would have been such a waste, so I watched the movie until the end.
💡 Used when you feel time, money, or effort is wasted. - 아이고, 그거 조금만 더 맞혔으면 1등인데 진짜 아깝다.
aigo, geugeo jogumman deo machyeosseumyeon ildeunginde jinjja akkawoseo.
Oh man, if you had gotten just one more right you would've been first place, that's such a shame.
💡 Used when narrowly missing out on something. - 유통기한이 지나서 먹지도 못하고 버리는 음식을 보니 너무 아깝다.
yutong-gihani jinaseo meokjido motago beorineun eumsigeul boni neomu akkapsda.
It's such a waste to throw away food that we couldn't even eat because the expiration date passed.
💡 Used when feeling regret over wasted money, time, or resources.