Korean Dictionary
How to say "Mom's Money" in Korean
“Mom's Money” in Korean is 마통 (pronounced "matong").
마통
matong
Usage & Context
Slang for money given by parents, especially mothers. Used humorously to describe adults who still rely on parental financial support.
Example Sentence
그 사람 마통으로 살아.
That person lives on mom's money.
How to use 마통 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Mom's Money” is 마통, romanized as matong.
Usage tip
Use slang only with friends or people who already speak casually with you. It can sound rude in formal Korean.
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 마통.
Pronunciation Guide
'마통' is pronounced 'ma-tong'. 'Ma' sounds like 'mah' (as in mama). 'Tong' sounds like the English word 'tong' (as in tongs). The stress is fairly even on both syllables.
More Example Sentences
A young adult struggling with finances, relying on parental help.
이번 달도 마통으로 버텨야 할 것 같아.
Looks like I'll have to get by on mom's money this month too.
A friend teasing another about financial independence for a major life event.
결혼 자금 마통으로 해결하려는 건 아니지?
You're not trying to solve your wedding funds with mom's money, are you?
A parent expressing concern to their adult child about financial dependency.
언제까지 마통에 의지할 거야?
How long are you going to rely on mom's money?
Cultural Context
'마통' is a playful abbreviation of '엄마 통장' (eomma tongjang), meaning 'mom's bank account.' It's used humorously, and sometimes with a hint of self-deprecation or criticism, to refer to financial support received from one's parents, particularly the mother. While parental support is common in Korea, especially for major life events like marriage or buying a home, '마통' specifically highlights the continued reliance on parents for daily expenses or smaller financial needs by adult children. It often appears in conversations among young adults about financial independence.
Editorial note
We flag slang like 마통 for register and audience, since Korean slang can shift quickly and may sound rude outside close friendships.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
마통 좀 빌려줘.
Lend me some mom's money.
마통으로 생활해.
I live on mom's money.
마통 끊겼어.
Mom's money supply is cut off.
Related Expressions
엄카
eomka
mom's credit card (엄마 카드)
부모님 찬스
bumonim chanseu
parents' chance/opportunity (using parental help)
캥거루족
kaenggeorujok
kangaroo tribe (adults living with/dependent on parents)
용돈
yongtton
allowance, pocket money
More Slang Words
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