Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 현금 | hyeon'geum | [ˈçɘ(ː)nɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [çʌ̹nɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 현찰 | hyeonchal | [ˈçɘ(ː)ɲt͡ɕʰa̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 캐시 | kaesi | [kʰɛɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kʰe̞ɕʰi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to money in the form of notes/bills and coins. In business or retail settings, the standard way to refer to a 'cash payment' is 현금 결제. Additionally, the formal term 현금화 is used when discussing the process of converting non-cash assets into cash.
Which one should you use?
현금 is the standard term for cash. In contrast, 현찰 is often used to emphasize physical, tangible banknotes and coins, particularly in the context of large transactions or cash-only deals. Finally, 캐시 is a phonetic transliteration of the English word 'cash' and is primarily used in digital contexts, such as 'mobile cash' or 'game cash' (in-game currency).
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'in cash' or 'by cash' as a method of payment, you add the particle 으로 to 현금, forming 현금으로.
How do you pronounce it?
hyeon'geum
Did you know?
- The musical meaning of 현금 comes from the Chinese characters for 'black' and 'zither'.
Examples in context
- 우리는 현금만 가져갈 거야.We only take cash.This sentence is useful for stating that one only accepts 현금.Tatoeba #8363529 by Eunhee, translation #6532365 by CK
- 현금으로 낼게요.I'll pay in cash.This sentence is useful for expressing the intention to pay using 현금.Tatoeba #13183798 by atitarev, translation #13183799 by atitarev
- 현금으로 결제하다.Pay in cash.
- 상품권을 현금화하다.Convert a gift card into cash.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a small market, Seoyeon and Hyunwoo are preparing for a trip.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 현금 준비했어요?Hyunwoo ssi, hyeongeum junbihaesseoyo?Hyunwoo, did you prepare the cash?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 현금은 충분히 있어요.Ne, hyeongeumeun chungbunhi isseoyo.Yes, I have plenty of cash.
- 서연 Seo-yeon다행이네요. 여행 중에 많이 쓸 거예요.Dahaengineyo. yeohaeng jung-e mani sseul geoyeyo.That's a relief. We will use it a lot during the trip.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo걱정 마세요, 서연 씨.Geokjeong maseyo, Seoyeon ssi.Don't worry, Seoyeon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cash” translations and entries 현금, 현찰, 캐시, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 캐시, 현금, 현찰, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
