돈이 없어요
don-i eopseoyo
The English phrase 'I have no money' is translated into Korean as 돈이 없어요 (don-i eopseoyo).
This phrase is used to state that you do not possess any money. It utilizes the word 돈, which means 'money'.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to 'money (subject) does not exist'. This is because Korean uses the verb 'to exist/not exist' (있다/없다) to express possession.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form 돈이 없어요 is in the polite informal style (해요체), which is suitable for most daily social situations. To say this to close friends or people younger than you, you drop the polite ending '요' to get 돈이 없어. In very formal settings, such as a business environment or a news report, you would use the form 돈이 없습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
don-i eopseoyo
Did you know?
- In Korea, saying 돈이 없어요 is often used as a socially acceptable way to decline an expensive invitation without sounding rude or overly blunt.
- While 돈이 없어요 is a literal statement, Koreans might use the slang term 거지 ('beggar') to jokingly describe themselves when they are broke.
- Korean has a specific word 용돈 for 'pocket money' or 'allowance', and saying 용돈이 없어요 implies you have no spending money even if you have savings.
Examples in context
- 돈이 없어요.I have no money.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 돈이 없어요.Tatoeba #13121244 by atitarev, translation #433613 by CK
- 죄송합니다, 돈이 없습니다.I'm sorry, I have no money.
- 괜찮아, 돈이 없어.It's okay, I have no money.
- 지금 돈이 없어요.jigeum doni eopseoyo.I have no money right now.
- 미안해요, 돈이 없어요.mianhaeyo, doni eopseoyo.I am sorry, I have no money.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing whether to go to a fancy restaurant.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 우리 맛있는 거 먹으러 갈까요?Subin ssi, uri masinneun geo meogeureo galkkayo?Subin, shall we go eat something delicious?
- 수빈 Su-bin도현 씨, 저는 지금 돈이 없어요.Dohyeon ssi, jeoneun jigeum doni eopseoyo.Dohyeon, I have no money right now.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그럼 편의점에 갈까요?Geureom pyeon-uijeome galkkayo?Then shall we go to a convenience store?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 좋아요.Ne, joayo.Yes, that sounds good.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
