동전
dongjeon[to̞ŋd͡ʑʌ̹n]
The English phrase "coins" is translated into Korean as 동전 (dongjeon).
동전 is the term used to refer to physical metal currency. When you want to talk about loose change or small denominations, the word 잔돈 is used instead.
Which one should you use?
While 동전 refers to coins, the term 지폐 is used specifically for paper currency or bills.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is [dongjeon].
Did you know?
- South Korea is one of the most cashless societies in the world, meaning you will encounter 동전 far less often than in most Western countries.
- The word 동전 is built from the Chinese characters for 'copper' and 'money', reflecting a history when most coins were made of copper alloys.
- In South Korea, 10 and 50 won 동전 are still in circulation but are rarely used in daily transactions because their value is so low.
Examples in context
- 내 취미는 오래된 동전을 수집하는 것이다.My hobby is collecting old coins.This sentence is useful for expressing a hobby involving the collection of old 동전.Tatoeba #11106742 by intertime, translation #321510 by CK
- 저 동전 다섯 개 주세요.Please give me five coins.
- 코인을 은행에 입금해 주세요.Please deposit the coins in the bank.
- 카페에서 잔돈을 받았어.I received some change at the cafe.
- 동전을 하나씩 모으고 있어요.dongjeoneul hanassik moeugo isseoyo.I am collecting coins one by one.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are at a vending machine.
- 민준 Min-jun자판기에 넣을 동전이 있어요?japangie neoeul dongjeoni isseoyo?Do you have any coins to put in the vending machine?
- 지은 Ji-eun아니요, 동전이 하나도 없어요.aniyo, dongjeoni hanado eopseoyo.No, I don't have any coins at all.
- 민준 Min-jun그럼 제 동전을 드릴게요.geureom je dongjeoneul deurilgeyo.Then I will give you my coins.
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 고마워요, 민준 씨.jeongmal gomawoyo, Minjun ssi.Thank you so much, Minjun.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 동전, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 동전, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
