-어치
Worth of, Amount of
-어치 is a suffix that tells you the quantity or amount of something based on a certain value, like money or time. For example, '만 원어치' means '10,000 won worth of something'.
How It Works
-어치 is a useful suffix for expressing quantity in terms of value, most commonly money or time.
1. Usage with Money
This is the most common usage. You attach -어치 directly to a monetary amount to specify how much worth of a product you want to buy. This is especially common for items that are sold by weight or quantity, like fruits, vegetables, or snacks.
- 만 원 + -어치 → 만 원어치 (10,000 won worth)
- 오천 원 + -어치 → 오천 원어치 (5,000 won worth)
2. Usage with Time or Other Units
It can also be used with units of time to mean 'a quantity that lasts for a certain period'.
- 한 달 + -어치 → 한 달치 (a month's worth)
- 일 년 + -어치 → 일 년치 (a year's worth)
Note: With units of time, -어치 is often shortened to -치. For example, 한 달어치 becomes 한 달치 (a month's worth) and 일 년어치 becomes 일 년치 (a year's worth).
3. Distinguishing from -짜리
This is a very important distinction for learners.
- -어치: Refers to the total value of a quantity of items. It's about the amount you get for a certain price.
e.g., 만 원어치 사과 (10,000 won worth of apples - you get as many apples as 10,000 won can buy). - -짜리: Refers to the price of a single item.
e.g., 만 원짜리 책 (a book that costs 10,000 won).
You wouldn't say '만 원어치 책' unless you were buying multiple cheap books that added up to 10,000 won.
Examples (4)
- 시장에서 사과 만 원어치 샀어요.
I bought 10,000 won worth of apples at the market.
Word by Word: At the market apples 10,000 won worth bought.
- 이천 원어치만 주세요.
Please give me just 2,000 won worth.
Word by Word: 2,000 won worth only please give.
- 한 달치 월급을 벌써 다 썼어요.
I've already spent a whole month's worth of salary.
Word by Word: One month's worth of salary already all spent.
- 이 약은 3일치입니다.
This is three days' worth of medicine.
Word by Word: This medicine is 3 days' worth.
Common Mistakes
Confusing -어치 (total value) with -짜리 (price per item).
Not Quite만 원어치 티셔츠를 샀어요.Better만 원짜리 티셔츠를 샀어요.Use -짜리 to describe the price of a single item, like one t-shirt. '만 원짜리 티셔츠' means 'a t-shirt that costs 10,000 won'. '만 원어치 티셔츠' would imply you bought multiple t-shirts for a total of 10,000 won, which is less common.
Related Patterns
- -짜리Worth, Costing
Contrast: -어치 refers to the total value or quantity obtained for a price (e.g., 10,000 won worth of apples), while -짜리 refers to the price of a single item (e.g., a 10,000 won t-shirt).
- -만큼As Much as, To the Extent
Similarity: Both can express an amount. However, -어치 is specifically tied to a value (money, time), while -만큼 is more general, meaning 'as much as' or 'to the extent of' (e.g., 원하는 만큼 - as much as you want).
- -당Per, For Each
Related Concept: -당 means 'per' and is used for rates (e.g., 사과 한 개당 천 원 - 1,000 won per apple). It sets a price for one unit, whereas -어치 describes the total amount purchased for a set price.
- -만Only, But Only
Often used together: The particle -만 (only) is frequently used with -어치 to specify a limited amount, as in '오천 원어치만 주세요' (Please give me only 5,000 won worth).