사다 vs 구매하다
Korean word comparison
Listen to 사다
Listen to 구매하다
| 사다 | 구매하다 |
|---|---|
/SA-da/ verb | /gu-mae-ha-da/ verb |
| to buy; to purchase | to purchase; to buy (formal/commercial) |
How they differ
구매하다 is more formal and often used in written, commercial, or transactional contexts, while 사다 is the everyday, colloquial verb for buying. 구매하다 implies a deliberate, often documented purchase (e.g., contracts, online orders) rather than casual everyday shopping.
When to use each
When to use 사다: Prefer 사다 for casual, spoken situations and everyday purchases (e.g., buying groceries, clothes).
When to use 구매하다: Prefer 구매하다 in formal, written, or commercial contexts such as receipts, websites, contracts, or announcements.
Side-by-side examples
- 나는 어제 새 책을 샀다.
(I bought a new book yesterday.) - 나는 어제 새 책을 구매했다.
(I purchased a new book yesterday.)
Register & nuance: 구매하다 is more formal and neutral; commonly used in written texts, business contexts, and official communications.