Korea’s Petconomy: How Much for Your Furry Friend?

Hello! This is Maeil Hangul, here to upgrade your Korean skills! 🇰🇷

Ever find yourself scrolling through Instagram and seeing K-pop idols cuddling with their adorable puppies and kittens? You’re not alone! Thinking of getting a furry companion in Korea? That’s wonderful! But before you do, let’s talk about something very important: money (돈).

Lately in Korea, the “petconomy” (펫코노미) is booming! People treat their pets like true family members, spending on everything from organic food and fancy strollers to even pet kindergartens. It’s a huge part of modern Korean culture. So, how much does it really cost? Let’s dive in and learn some essential Korean expressions to talk about the costs of pet ownership!

Core Expressions You Need to Know

Here are three key phrases that will make you sound like a local when discussing pet expenses.

1. 비용이 얼마나 들어요? (Biyongi eolmana deureoyo?)

• English Meaning: How much does it cost?
• Detailed Explanation: This is the most standard and polite way to ask about the cost of something, whether it’s for a bag of dog food or a visit to the vet.
  • 비용 (biyong): means ‘cost’ or ‘expense’.
  • 이 (i): is a subject marker particle.
  • 얼마나 (eolmana): means ‘how much’.
  • 들어요 (deureoyo): comes from the verb 들다 (deulda), which means ‘to take’ or ‘to cost’.
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Notice how 비용이 is pronounced [biyongi], not “biyong-i”. In Korean, when a syllable ending in a consonant is followed by a syllable starting with ‘ㅇ’, the final consonant sound “links” or moves over to the next syllable. This is called 연음 (yeoneum), or “linking sound,” and it makes your pronunciation flow much more smoothly!

2. 만만치 않다 (Manmanchi anta)

• English Meaning: It’s not easy / It’s formidable / It’s quite a lot.
• Detailed Explanation: This is a fantastic expression to use when a cost is higher or more challenging than you expected. The word 만만하다 (manmanhada) means something is easy to handle or a pushover. By adding ~지 않다 (~ji anta), you negate it, creating the meaning that something is “not to be underestimated.” It perfectly describes those surprisingly high vet bills!
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  The pronunciation of 만만치 않다 is [manmanchi anta]. The ‘ㅎ’ (h) sound in 않다 (anta) is very weak or silent when followed by a ‘ㄷ’ (d) sound. So, instead of “an-h-ta,” it sounds more like a clean [anta]. This is a common rule for ‘ㅎ’ 받침 (final consonant).

3. 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다 (Baeboda baekkobi deo keuda)

• English Meaning: The belly button is bigger than the stomach. (The incidental costs outweigh the main cost.)
• Detailed Explanation: This is a classic Korean proverb, or 속담 (sokdam). You use it when the secondary costs end up being more expensive than the initial purchase. For example, you might adopt a cat for free, but then spend a fortune on its food, toys, and medical care. In that case, the cost of caring for the cat (the belly button) is bigger than the cost of getting the cat (the stomach).
• 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
  Let’s look at 배꼽이 [baekkobi]. The ‘ㄲ’ (kk) is a tensed consonant. To make this sound, you create tension in your throat and release the sound without a puff of air, like the “k” in the English word “sky.” Also, just like in our first example, the ‘ㅂ’ (b) sound links to the next syllable because of 연음 (yeoneum), making it sound like [baekkobi].

Example Dialogue 💬

Let’s see these expressions in a real conversation!

A: 요즘 아이돌들 강아지 키우는 거 보니까 저도 키우고 싶어요. 너무 귀여워요!
(Y즘 aidoldeul gangaji kiuneun geo bonikka jeodo kiugo sipeoyo. Neomu gwiyeowoyo.)
A: Seeing idols raise puppies these days makes me want one too. They’re so cute!

B: 정말요? 그런데 강아지 키우는 데 비용이 얼마나 들어요?
(Jeongmallyo? Geureonde gangaji kiuneun de biyongi eolmana deureoyo?)
B: Really? But do you know how much it costs to raise a puppy?

A: 음… 사료랑 장난감 값 정도 아닐까요?
(Eum… saryorang jangnangam gup jeongdo anilkkayo?)
A: Hmm… probably just the cost of food and toys?

B: 사료값은 기본이고, 병원비가 정말 만만치 않아요. 가끔은 배보다 배꼽이 더 큰 것 같아요.
(Saryogapseun gibonigo, byeongwonbiga jeongmal manmanchi anayo. Gakkeumeun baeboda baekkobi deo keun geot gatayo.)
B: Food is a given, but the vet bills are no joke. Sometimes it feels like the belly button is bigger than the stomach!

Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive 🐾

In Korea, the term 애완동물 (aewandongmul), which means “pet for amusement,” is being replaced by 반려동물 (ballyeodongmul), meaning “companion animal.” This language shift shows a deep cultural change where pets are seen as integral family members.

This “pet-as-family” trend, often highlighted by celebrities on shows like ‘I Live Alone’ (나 혼자 산다), has created a massive market for premium pet products and services. You can find everything from pet-friendly hotels and cafes to “dog kindergartens” (강아지 유치원), where pets can socialize while their owners are at work.

So, when you use a phrase like “비용이 만만치 않아요,” Koreans will understand that you’re not just talking about money—you’re acknowledging the serious responsibility and commitment that comes with having a 반려동물 in modern Korea.

Let’s Review and Practice!

Great job today! We learned three fantastic expressions to talk about the costs of having a pet in Korea:

• 비용이 얼마나 들어요? (How much does it cost?)
• 만만치 않다 (It’s quite a lot / It’s no joke.)
• 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다 (The secondary costs are greater than the main cost.)

Now, it’s your turn to practice!

1. Fill in the Blank:
Your friend tells you that their cat’s surgery cost ₩1,000,000. You are shocked and want to say, “Wow, the hospital fee is no joke.”

와, 병원비가 정말 _______

2. Your Turn!
Think about something that has surprisingly high costs (e.g., a hobby, a phone plan, studying). Create a short sentence using 배보다 배꼽이 더 크다.

Share your answers in the comments below! We’d love to see you use your new Korean skills. See you next time at Maeil Hangul