Korean Dictionary
How to say "Money" in Korean
“Money” in Korean is 돈 (pronounced "Don").
돈
Don
Usage & Context
Korean currency is the Won (원). Prices in Korea can seem high in numbers (a coffee might be 5,000 won) but are reasonable in value.
Example Sentence
이거 얼마예요? (돈이 부족해요.)
How much is this? (I don't have enough money.)
How to use 돈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Money” is 돈, romanized as Don.
Usage tip
Practice this word inside a full daily-life sentence, because particles and sentence endings make the Korean sound natural.
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 돈.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'don' — one syllable, like 'dohn' cut short. The final 'n' is soft, like the end of 'don' without a released 'n.'
More Example Sentences
at a store
돈이 좀 부족해요.
I'm a bit short on money.
talking about career goals
돈 많이 벌고 싶어요.
I want to earn a lot of money.
shopping
이거 얼마예요? 돈이 얼마나 필요해요?
How much is this? How much money do I need?
Cultural Context
돈 is the direct, casual word — formal contexts use 현금 (cash) or 금액 (amount). Korean society has strong opinions about money talk: openly discussing income is less taboo than in the West, but fixation on money (돈 밝히다) is looked down upon. 돈 없어 ('I have no money') is a common joking complaint among young Koreans.
Editorial note
We review entries like 돈 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
돈 있어요?
Do you have money?
돈 없어요.
I have no money.
돈을 아껴 써요.
Use money sparingly.
Related Expressions
현금
hyeongeum
cash
카드
kadeu
card
용돈
yongdon
pocket money / allowance
월급
wolgeup
monthly salary
Frequently asked questions
How do you correctly pronounce '돈' (money) in Korean for clear communication?+
The Korean word for money, '돈' (Don), is pronounced as "Don." The 'ㄷ' (d) is a soft 'd' sound, similar to the 'd' in "door." The 'ㅗ' (o) is like the 'o' in "go," and 'ㄴ' (n) is a standard 'n' sound. Practice saying "Don" with a clear, even tone to ensure correct pronunciation.
What are some common Korean phrases or expressions that use the word '돈'?+
'돈' is used in many daily phrases. For example, '돈 있어요?' (Don isseoyo?) means "Do you have money?" '돈을 내다' (doneul naeda) means "to pay money," and '돈을 벌다' (doneul beolda) means "to earn money." You might also hear '용돈' (yongdon) for "pocket money" in a family context.
Is the word '돈' considered formal or informal when talking about money in Korea?+
'돈' (Don) is a very neutral and standard term for "money" in Korean. It can be used in almost any context, whether formal or informal, without sounding out of place. There isn't a separate, more formal equivalent commonly used in daily conversation, making it versatile for all situations.
How does '돈' relate to '원' (Won), the official currency unit of Korea?+
'돈' is the general term for "money," while '원' (won) is the specific unit of Korean currency. Think of '돈' as "money" and '원' as "dollars" or "euros." You use '돈' when talking about money in general, but '원' when specifying amounts, like '오천 원' (o-cheon won) for "5,000 won" for a coffee.
What are common mistakes learners make when using '돈' in Korean sentences?+
A common mistake is using '돈' interchangeably with the act of paying for something. While '돈을 내다' (doneul naeda) means "to pay money," you'd typically use '값을 지불하다' (gapseul jibulhada) or '계산하다' (gyesanhada) when talking about paying for a product or service. Also, remember the context of large numbers in Won.
More Daily Life Words
Related Guides
How to Count in Korean
Korean has two number systems: native Korean numbers (하나, 둘, 셋 — hana, dul, set) used for counting objects and age, and Sino-Korean numbers (일, 이, 삼 — il, i, sam) used for dates, money, and phone numbers. You need both systems to speak Korean fluently.
How to Haggle in Korean
To haggle in Korean, say "깎아 주세요" (kkakka juseyo), meaning "Please give me a discount." You can also ask "좀 싸게 해주세요" (jom ssage haejuseyo — please make it cheaper) or directly suggest a price with "[amount]에 해주세요" ([amount]-e haejuseyo — please do it for [amount]).
Related Articles
Bank Statement in Korean: What 통장 Really Means
Korean banking comes with its own vocabulary, and 통장 is at the heart of it. Here's what you need to know about bank statements and financial terms in Korean.
Bus Stop in Korean: 버스 정류장 and Seoul's Buses Explained
버스 정류장 is the Korean word for bus stop, and it's your entry point into one of the world's most organized urban transit systems. Here's the vocabulary, the etiquette, and the card you need.
Master Korean with AI-Powered Learning
Practice Money and 10,000+ words with native pronunciation and AI conversation.
