Korean Dictionary
How to say "Debt" in Korean
“Debt” in Korean is 빚 (pronounced "Bbit").
빚
Bbit
Usage & Context
Money owed to others. Managing debt is important for financial health.
Example Sentence
빚을 갚아야 해요.
I need to pay off my debt.
How to use 빚 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Debt” is 빚, romanized as Bbit.
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 빚.
Pronunciation Guide
The word '빚' is pronounced 'Bit'. It sounds very similar to the English word 'bit' in 'bitter'. The final 'ㅈ' (j) sound is very subtle, almost like a quick stop, making it sound more like 'bit' than 'bij'.
More Example Sentences
Sharing personal financial struggles with a friend.
학자금 빚 때문에 졸업 후 바로 취업해야 했어요.
Because of student loan debt, I had to get a job right after graduation.
Explaining a busy schedule due to financial reasons.
빚을 갚기 위해 투잡을 뛰고 있어요.
I'm working two jobs to pay off my debt.
Expressing overwhelming financial burden.
빚이 너무 많아서 감당하기 힘들어요.
I have too much debt, it's hard to manage.
Cultural Context
Debt (빚) is a common and often heavy burden for many Koreans, especially with high housing costs and increasing student loans. The concept of '갚다' (gapda - to repay) is very strong, and there's a cultural emphasis on fulfilling financial obligations. K-dramas often feature characters struggling with debt, highlighting its impact on daily life and relationships, and the pressure to repay what is owed.
Editorial note
We review entries like 빚 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
빚을 지다
To incur debt / To owe money
빚을 갚다
To pay off debt
빚더미에 앉다
To be buried in debt (literally 'to sit on a pile of debt')
Related Expressions
채무
chaemu
Debt, liability (more formal, legal term)
대출
daechul
Loan
융자
yungja
Loan (often for housing)
빚쟁이
bitjaengi
Debtor, person in debt (can be slightly derogatory)
More Finance & Banking Words
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