Korean Dictionary
How to say "New Year Cash Gift" in Korean
“New Year Cash Gift” in Korean is 세뱃돈 (pronounced "sebaetdon").
세뱃돈
sebaetdon
Usage & Context
세뱃돈 is the money given by elders to younger family members after they perform the traditional New Year bow (세배) on 설날. The amount given varies based on the relationship and age of the recipient and can be a significant sum for children. Many Korean children eagerly anticipate 세뱃돈 and save it in their piggy banks or bank accounts.
Example Sentence
세배를 드리면 세뱃돈을 받아요.
If you perform the New Year bow you receive cash gifts.
How to use 세뱃돈 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “New Year Cash Gift” is 세뱃돈, romanized as sebaetdon.
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 세뱃돈.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'se-baet-don' — 'se' like 'seh', 'baet' rhymes with 'bet' (unreleased t), 'don' like 'done' short. The linking sound between 'baet' and 'don' tenses the 'd'.
More Example Sentences
child after Seollal
할머니께 세뱃돈을 받았어요.
I received New Year's cash from grandma.
cousins comparing after Seollal
올해 세뱃돈은 얼마 받았어?
How much New Year's cash did you get this year?
child's purchase
세뱃돈으로 게임기를 샀어요.
I bought a game console with my New Year's cash.
Cultural Context
세뱃돈 is given by elders to younger relatives after the '세배' (deep ritual bow) on 설날 (Lunar New Year). Amounts vary by age — typically 10,000-50,000 won for elementary kids, 50,000-100,000 for high schoolers, and even more for college students. Crisp new bills are preferred, and banks see lines ahead of 설날 as people prepare cash. Korean children famously save (or sometimes blow) their 세뱃돈 on wishlist items.
Editorial note
We review entries like 세뱃돈 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
세뱃돈 주세요.
Please give me New Year's money.
세뱃돈 받았어요.
I received New Year's money.
세뱃돈 얼마 받았어?
How much New Year's money did you get?
Related Expressions
세배
sebae
New Year deep bow
설날
seollal
Lunar New Year
한복
hanbok
traditional Korean attire
용돈
yongdon
allowance/pocket money
More Holidays & Festivals Words
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