Korean Dictionary
How to say "Allowance" in Korean
“Allowance” in Korean is 용돈 (pronounced "Yongdon").
용돈
Yongdon
Usage & Context
Money given to children for personal use. Korean parents often give allowance to teach children about money management and responsibility.
Example Sentence
아이에게 매주 용돈을 줍니다.
I give my child allowance every week.
How to use 용돈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Allowance” is 용돈, romanized as Yongdon.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 용돈.
Pronunciation Guide
"용돈" (yongdon) sounds like "Yong-don" (rhymes with 'song-done'). The stress is on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
A child asking their mother for more money.
엄마, 용돈 좀 올려주세요!
Mom, please raise my allowance!
A parent setting a limit on their child's spending.
이번 달 용돈은 이걸로 끝이야.
This is all your allowance for this month.
A parent teaching their child about financial literacy and saving.
용돈을 받으면 저축하는 습관을 길러야 해.
When you get allowance, you should develop a habit of saving.
Cultural Context
Giving "용돈" is a common practice in Korea, often starting when children enter elementary school. It's seen as a way to teach financial responsibility and the value of money. While some parents give a fixed amount weekly or monthly, others tie it to chores or academic performance. It's also very common for children to receive "용돈" from relatives during holidays like Seollal (Lunar New Year) or Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving), often in cash inside a white envelope.
Editorial note
We review entries like 용돈 for pronunciation, example sentence fit, and learner mistakes so the page answers more than a direct dictionary lookup.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
용돈을 받다
To receive allowance
용돈을 주다
To give allowance
용돈이 떨어지다
To run out of allowance
Related Expressions
세뱃돈
sebaetdon
New Year's cash gift
축의금
chuguigeum
Congratulatory money (for weddings/birthdays)
생활비
saenghwalbi
Living expenses
저금
jeogeum
Savings
More Parenting & Family Life Words
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Allowance and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
