Korean Dictionary

How to say "Foreign Currency" in Korean

Foreign Currency” in Korean is 외화 (pronounced "Oehwa").

외화

Oehwa

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IntermediateFinance & Banking

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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