Nuance Dictionary / Social Situations
가성비 ga-seong-bi
The ultimate yardstick for value, weaponized to justify the eternal hunt for maximum dopamine per won spent.
What does 가성비 mean?
가성비 (ga-seong-bi) means: The ultimate yardstick for value, weaponized to justify the eternal hunt for maximum dopamine per won spent. In Korea, this isn't just about being thrifty—it's a competitive sport and a lifestyle philosophy.
In Korea, this isn't just about being thrifty—it's a competitive sport and a lifestyle philosophy. Natives drop this term to validate micro-decisions, from bulk-buying convenience store iced coffee to scoring a legendary-tier lunch buffet. It signals a sharp, pragmatic urbanite who refuses to get ripped off, though learners often mistake it for a simple translation of 'cost-effective' when it's actually an emotional badge of honor for smart survival.
How it's actually used
- 이 가격에 이 퀄리티면 진짜 가성비 내려온다.
i gagye-e i kweoliti-myeon jinjja gaseong-bi naeryeo-onda.
At this price and quality, the value-for-money is seriously dropping down (insanely good).
💡 Slang verb '내려온다' turns the abstract noun into a dynamic, almost spiritual experience of peak bargain satisfaction. - 요즘 물가 너무 비싸서 가성비 좋은 구내식당만 찾게 돼.
yojeum mulga neomu bissaseo gaseong-bi joeun gunaesikdang-man chat-ge dwae.
Prices are so high these days that I end up only seeking out budget-friendly company cafeterias.
💡 Reveals how the term anchors everyday survival strategy amidst economic inflation.
Related words in Social Situations
개판 gae-pan갑분싸 gap-bun-ssa그럽시다 geu-reop-si-da환승 hwan-seung입찰 ip-chal