Expression dictionary — full article
Comparison & Degree · per, for each, a (in the sense of 'per')
The Korean particle N+당 is used to express a rate, amount, or proportion per unit. It attaches directly to a noun, which represents the unit of reference, to indicate how much of something corresponds to each individual instance of that unit.
N+당 functions to specify a quantity, price, or allocation for each individual unit of the preceding noun. It is commonly used in contexts involving:
N+당 is a particle and does not undergo conjugation based on the preceding noun's ending. It simply attaches directly to the noun without any changes.
While similar to ~마다 (every, each time), N+당 specifically emphasizes the rate or amount per unit, rather than just the repetition of an action or event for every instance. For example, "매일" (every day) uses ~마다's concept, but "하루당" (per day) focuses on the amount or rate within that single day. It is frequently encountered in official documents, pricing labels, statistical reports, and when discussing efficiency or capacity. It can be used with numbers and counter words (e.g., 한 명당 - per person, 킬로그램당 - per kilogram).