동전
dongjeon[to̞ŋd͡ʑʌ̹n]
In Korean, 'coin' can be translated as 동전 (dongjeon) or 코인.
Meaning: (currency) a piece of currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 동전 | dongjeon | [to̞ŋd͡ʑʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 코인 | koin | [kʰo̞in] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The word 동전 refers specifically to physical metal currency used in daily life. Use 동전 when talking about actual metal coins found in a pocket or a vending machine. The loanword 코인 is primarily used in modern contexts to refer to digital or cryptocurrency coins.
Which one should you use?
동전 is the standard term for a physical coin. In contrast, 코인 is a modern term used primarily for cryptocurrency.
How do you pronounce it?
dongjeon
Did you know?
- In old Korean literature and historical dramas, you might encounter the term 엽전, which specifically refers to the traditional bronze coins with a square hole in the middle. This is a much more specific historical term than the general 동전.
- The word 동전 contains a character for 'copper', which reflects the historical reality that most ancient coins were made of copper alloys. Even though modern coins are often diverse in material, the name remains rooted in this metal.
- The 10 won 동전 is so low in value that it is often ignored or left behind in stores, similar to how 'pennies' are treated in some English-speaking countries.
Examples in context
- 이것은 은으로 만든 동전이다.This is a silver coin.This sentence is useful for describing the material a 동전 is made of.Tatoeba #8382938 by baehyunsol, translation #2584315 by tanulni
- 그 동전 얼마냐?How much is that coin?
- 이 동전은 참 예쁘다.This coin is really pretty.
- 주머니에 동전이 몇 개 있어요.jumonye-e dongjeoni myeot gae isseoyo.There are a few coins in my pocket.
- 동전을 저금통에 넣었어요.dongjeoneul jeogeumtong-e neoeosseoyo.I put the coin in the piggy bank.
Example conversation
Subin and Hyunwoo are at a laundromat.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 혹시 동전 있어요?Hyunwoo ssi, hoksi dongjeon isseoyo?Hyunwoo, do you happen to have any coins?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니요, 저도 하나도 없어요.aniyo, jeodo hanado eopseoyo.No, I don't have any either.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 동전 교환기 어디에 있죠?geureom dongjeon gyohwangi eodie itjyo?Then where is the coin exchange machine?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저기 구석에 있는 것 같아요.jeogi guseoge inneun geot gatayo.I think it's over there in the corner.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “coin” translations and entries 동전, 코인, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동전, 코인, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
