Usage of the suffix '-비'
The suffix '-비' is attached to nouns to indicate a type of cost or expense related to that noun. It is very common in everyday Korean to talk about various expenses such as transportation (교통비), food (식비), rent (월세비), and more.
Common Collocations
- 교통비: transportation cost
- 식비: food expenses
- 관리비: maintenance fee
- 교육비: education expenses
These collocations are frequently used in daily conversations, bills, and financial discussions.
Register and Politeness
'-비' is neutral and used in both formal and informal contexts. It is a noun-forming suffix, so it can be combined with particles and verbs naturally.
Learner Tips
A common mistake is confusing '-비' with '-비용', which also means 'cost' or 'expense'. '-비용' is more formal and often used in written or official contexts, while '-비' is more colloquial and common in speech. For example, '교통비' is more natural in conversation than '교통비용'.
Summary
Use '-비' to talk about various expenses related to daily life. It helps you specify what kind of cost you are referring to and is essential vocabulary for discussing money matters in Korean.