아까워 (akkawo) is often translated as “What a waste.” Useful? Yes. Complete? Not quite.
Koreans say 아까워 when something has value and it hurts a little to see that value wasted—food, money, time, talent, or even a perfectly good person dating someone questionable.
When Food Is About to Be Wasted
Friend: 배불러. 이거 버릴까?
I’m full. Should we throw this away?
You: 아까워! 포장해 가자.
What a waste! Let’s take it home.
The food is still good, so throwing it away feels wrong. That small emotional pinch is 아까워.
When Money Is Not Worth Spending
Friend: 택시 타자.
Let’s take a taxi.
You: 여기서 가까운데 택시비 아까워.
It’s close. The taxi fare would be a waste.
This does not necessarily mean you have no money. It means the expense does not feel worth it.
When Someone Has Wasted Potential
Friend: 지수 노래 진짜 잘하지?
Jisu sings really well, right?
You: 응. 그만두기엔 재능이 아까워.
Yeah. She’s too talented to quit.
Here, “waste” sounds too negative. The feeling is closer to: That talent is too valuable to lose.
The Famous 아깝다 Near-Miss
Friend: 시험 합격했어?
Did you pass the exam?
You: 한 문제 차이로 떨어졌어.
I failed by one question.
In competitions or games, 아깝다! often means “So close!” The opportunity almost became real, which makes losing it sting more.
Useful Forms
- 아까워 — casual: What a waste / It’s too precious
- 아까워요 — polite everyday form
- 아깝다! — an immediate reaction: What a waste! / So close!
- 돈이 아까워 — The money feels wasted
- 시간이 아까워 — The time feels wasted
Jinjja Tip
When you hear 아까워, ask: What valuable thing might be lost here? That question usually reveals the real meaning.
아까워 is not just about waste. It is about value you do not want to lose.
Jinjja Korean 
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