인플레이션
inpeulleisyeon[inpʰɯɭɭe̞iɕʰʌ̹n]
The English word 'inflation' is translated into Korean as 인플레이션 (inpeulleisyeon). Wiktionary also lists 인플레 (inpeulle) and 통화 팽창 (tonghwa paengchang).
Meaning: increase in the quantity of money, leading to a devaluation of existing money and increase in the general nominal level of prices or in the cost of living (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 인플레이션 | inpeulleisyeon | [inpʰɯɭɭe̞iɕʰʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 인플레 | inpeulle | |
| 통화 팽창 | tonghwa paengchang |
The term refers to the economic phenomenon where the quantity of money increases, leading to a devaluation of currency and a rise in the general level of prices or the cost of living.
What does it mean word for word?
The technical term 통화 팽창 literally means 'monetary expansion'.
Which one should you use?
Additionally, 인플레 is a shortened version used for brevity.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
인플레이션 is the formal term for inflation. 인플레 is a colloquial abbreviation commonly used in daily conversation and in news headlines. 통화 팽창 is a more technical or descriptive way to refer to the concept.
How do you pronounce it?
inpeulleisyeon
Did you know?
- The word 통화 in the term 통화 팽창 uses the character for 'currency', but in other contexts, the exact same pronunciation can mean 'telephone conversation'.
- The term 통화 팽창 uses the word 팽창, which is the same word used in science to describe the physical expansion of the universe.
- While 인플레 is a shortening of the English word, it follows a common Korean linguistic pattern of truncating loanwords to four or fewer syllables.
Examples in context
- 인플레이션은 경제 현상 중 하나로, 물가가 상승하는 현상을 가리킵니다.Inflation is one of the economic phenomena that refers to a rise in prices.
- 최근에 물가 상승이 너무 심해졌어.Inflation has become too severe recently.
- 물가가 계속 오르고 있어.Prices are continuously rising.
- 인플레이션 때문에 물가가 너무 올랐어요.inpeulleisyeon ttaemune mulgaga neomu ollasseoyo.Prices have risen too much due to inflation.
- 요즘 인플레이션이 심각한 문제예요.yojeum inpeulleisyeoni simgakhan munje-yeyo.Inflation is a serious problem these days.
Example conversation
Ji-hoon and Min-ji are talking about the cost of groceries.
- 지훈 Ji-hun민지 씨, 요즘 식료품 가격이 정말 비싸졌어요.Minji ssi, yojeum singnyopum gagyeogi jeongmal bissajyeosseoyo.Min-ji, grocery prices have become really expensive lately.
- 민지 Min-ji맞아요. 인플레이션이 정말 심한 것 같아요.majayo. inpeulleisyeoni jeongmal simhan geot gatayo.You're right. I think inflation is really severe.
- 지훈 Ji-hun월급은 그대로인데 물가만 계속 오르네요.wolgeubeun geudaero-inde mulgaman gyesok oreuneyo.My salary stays the same, but prices keep rising.
- 민지 Min-ji저도 그렇게 느껴서 걱정이에요.jeodo geureoke neukkyeoseo geokjeong-ieyo.I feel the same way, so I'm worried.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “inflation” translations and entries 인플레이션, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
