Learning how to say “cash” in Korean can be extremely useful when traveling to Korea or interacting with Korean speakers. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express this concept, providing you with tips, examples, and even regional variations if relevant. So whether you’re a beginner or already have some knowledge of the Korean language, let’s dive in and discover how to say “cash” in Korean!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Cash in Korean
1. 현금 (Hyeon-geum)
The most common and widely used term for “cash” in Korean is “현금” (Hyeon-geum). This term is appropriate in most formal situations, including business transactions, financial discussions, or official settings.
Example: 현금으로 결제하다. (Hyeon-geum-eu-gyeol-je-ha-da) – Pay in cash.
2. 현금화 (Hyeon-geum-hwa)
Another formal term you can use to refer to “cash” is “현금화” (Hyeon-geum-hwa). This term is often used when discussing the process of converting non-cash assets, such as gift cards or loyalty points, into cash.
Example: 상품권을 현금화하다. (Sang-pum-gwon-eul hyeon-geum-ha-da) – Convert a gift card into cash.
Informal Ways to Say Cash in Korean
1. 뜨액 (Dddeu-aek)
When it comes to informal conversations or casual interactions, you can use the term “뜨액” (Dddeu-aek) to refer to “cash.” This term is frequently used among friends, family members, or in everyday situations.
Example: 뜨액으로 지불하다. (Dddeu-aek-eu-ji-bul-ha-da) – Pay with cash.
2. 돈 (Don)
Another informal term you may encounter in various Korean contexts for “cash” is “돈” (Don). This is a versatile and widely understood word that can refer to “money” in general but is often used to specifically mean “cash.”
Example: 돈으로 결제하다. (Don-eu-gyeol-je-ha-da) – Pay in cash.
Regional Variations
While the terms discussed above are widely used throughout Korea, it’s worth noting that there may be some regional variations in vocabulary. Here are a couple of examples:
1. 러쉬 (Reo-shi)
In the Jeolla region of Korea, the term “러쉬” (Reo-shi) is commonly used instead of “현금” (Hyeon-geum).
Example: 러쉬로 지불하다. (Reo-shi-ro ji-bul-ha-da) – Pay with cash.
2. 돈까스 (Don-kkasu)
In the Gyeongsang region, the term “돈까스” (Don-kkasu) is occasionally used as a colloquial way to refer to “cash.” However, it’s important to note that this term is not formal and may not be widely understood outside of the region.
Example: 돈까스로 결제하다. (Don-kkasu-ro gyeol-je-ha-da) – Pay in cash.
Summary
In conclusion, there are various ways to say “cash” in Korean depending on the formality and context of the conversation. The formal terms include “현금” (Hyeon-geum) and “현금화” (Hyeon-geum-hwa),” while the informal ones are “뜨액” (Dddeu-aek) and “돈” (Don). Remember that regional variations such as “러쉬” (Reo-shi) and “돈까스” (Don-kkasu) exist, but their usage may be limited to specific areas.
Now armed with the knowledge of how to say “cash” in Korean, you can confidently handle financial situations and engage in conversations with Korean speakers. Practice using these terms, and soon you’ll be able to navigate the Korean language with ease!
