Korean Dictionary
How to say "Foreign Currency" in Korean
“Foreign Currency” in Korean is 외화 (pronounced "Oehwa").
외화
Oehwa
Usage & Context
Currency from other countries. Korean banks offer foreign currency exchange services.
Example Sentence
외화를 환전했어요.
I exchanged foreign currency.
How to use 외화 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Foreign Currency” is 외화, romanized as Oehwa.
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 외화.
Pronunciation Guide
외 (oe) sounds like 'weh' in 'weigh'. 화 (hwa) sounds like 'hwa' in 'flower' (without the 'fl'). The '외' sound is a diphthong, combining 'o' and 'e' quickly.
More Example Sentences
Travel preparation advice.
해외여행 가기 전에 외화를 미리 환전해 두는 게 좋아요.
It's good to exchange foreign currency in advance before traveling abroad.
Banking for international transactions.
은행에서 외화 예금 계좌를 개설했어요.
I opened a foreign currency deposit account at the bank.
Asking about customs rules for currency.
외화 반출입 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
What are the regulations for bringing foreign currency in and out of the country?
Cultural Context
외화 (oehwa) is a common term for anyone dealing with international transactions or travel. Korean banks offer various services related to foreign currency, including exchange (환전), foreign currency accounts (외화 통장), and even foreign currency savings products. It's common for people to check the exchange rate (환율) before converting their Korean won to 외화 or vice versa.
Editorial note
We review entries like 외화 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
외화 환전
Foreign currency exchange
외화를 인출하다
To withdraw foreign currency
외화를 보유하다
To hold foreign currency
Related Expressions
환전
hwanjeon
Currency exchange
외화 통장
oehwa tongjang
Foreign currency account
외화 예금
oehwa yegeum
Foreign currency deposit
원화
wonhwa
Korean won (local currency)
More Finance & Banking Words
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