Korean Dictionary
How to say "Won (Korean Currency)" in Korean
“Won (Korean Currency)” in Korean is 원 (pronounced "Won").
원
Won
Korean usage reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Last reviewed June 4, 2026.
This page checks meaning, pronunciation, politeness level, and common learner mistakes.
Usage & Context
The official currency of South Korea. The symbol is and the code is KRW. One dollar is approximately 1,200-1,300 won.
Example Sentence
이것은 10,000원이에요.
This costs 10,000 won.
How to use 원 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Won (Korean Currency)” is 원, romanized as Won.
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 원.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'won' — same as the English pronunciation, rhymes with 'gone'. The 'w' is soft and the vowel is a rounded 'o'. Write it as 원 in Korean.
More Example Sentences
Checking rates at a currency exchange booth
오늘 환율은 1달러에 1,350원이에요.
Today's exchange rate is 1,350 won per dollar.
A cashier asking for a smaller denomination
만 원짜리 있으세요?
Do you have a 10,000-won bill?
Reading a menu at a cafe
커피 한 잔에 오천 원이에요.
A cup of coffee is 5,000 won.
Cultural Context
The Korean won (₩) comes in 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 won bills, plus 10, 50, 100, and 500 won coins — though 10-won coins are barely used anymore. Koreans typically drop the '원' in casual speech when the amount is obvious, saying '오천' instead of '오천 원'. The 50,000-won note features Shin Saimdang, the only woman on Korean currency, and is the largest bill in circulation.
Editorial note
We review entries like 원 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. Last reviewed June 4, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
얼마예요?
How much is it?
만 원만 바꿔 주세요.
Please give me change for 10,000 won.
현금으로 낼게요.
I'll pay in cash.
Related Expressions
환율
hwannyul
exchange rate
지폐
jipye
paper bill / banknote
동전
dongjeon
coin
현금
hyeongeum
cash
More Finance & Banking Words
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