돈
don[to̞(ː)n]
The English phrase money is translated into Korean as 돈 (don). Wiktionary also lists 화폐 (hwapye) and 금전 (geumjeon).
Meaning: currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 돈 | don | [to̞(ː)n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 화폐 | hwapye | [ˈɸwa̠(ː)pʰje̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈɸwa̠(ː)pʰe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 금전 | geumjeon | [kɯmd͡ʑʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 현금 | hyeon'geum | [ˈçɘ(ː)nɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [çʌ̹nɡɯm] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The primary way to refer to money is through the word 돈. Other terms exist depending on whether you are discussing technical currency, physical cash or legal funds.
Which one should you use?
While 돈 is the most common, everyday word for money used in conversation, other forms are more specific. 화폐 refers specifically to currency or legal tender in a technical or economic sense. 현금 is used specifically when referring to physical cash rather than digital or credit money. Finally, 금전 is a formal or literary term used in legal, financial or written contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
돈 is an uncountable noun in Korean and does not typically take a plural marker.
How do you pronounce it?
don
Did you know?
- In older academic theories, some suggest 돈 might actually originate from the Chinese word for 'knife' (刀), referring to the ancient 'knife money' used in East Asia.
- The term 현금 (cash) is composed of characters meaning 'present' and 'gold', literally translating to 'present gold'.
- The word 돈 is thought by some to be related to the verb '되다' (doeda), meaning 'to measure in containers', suggesting money was once conceptualized by the volume it filled.
Examples in context
- 이 돈 네 꺼야?Is this your money?This sentence shows how to ask if the money belongs to someone using 돈.Tatoeba #11106563 by intertime, translation #2898223 by CK
- 너에게 줄 돈이 있다.I have money for you.This sentence demonstrates expressing possession of money intended for someone using 돈.Tatoeba #6845331 by dalgarak, translation #2359963 by CK
- 우린 돈이 더 필요해.We needed more money.This sentence shows how to express a need for more money using 돈.Tatoeba #8533738 by Eunhee, translation #8511405 by CK
- 제가 돈을 빌려주고 싶습니다.I would like to lend you some money.
- 우리는 이 사업에 대한 자금을 모아야 합니다.We need to gather funds for this project.
- 이 일은 너무 많은 금전을 요구합니다.This job demands a lot of money.
- 71 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about shopping.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 돈이 얼마나 있어요?Seo-yeon ssi, don-i eol-ma-na iss-eo-yo?Seoyeon, how much money do you have?
- 서연 Seo-yeon조금밖에 없어요.jo-geum-ba-kke eops-eo-yo.I only have a little.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그럼 제 돈을 빌려줄까요?geu-reom je don-eul bil-ryeo-jul-kka-yo?Then, shall I lend you my money?
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 고마워요, 현우 씨.jeong-mal go-ma-wo-yo, Hyeon-u ssi.Thank you so much, Hyeonu.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries 돈, 화폐, 금전, 현금, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 금전, 돈, 현금, 화폐, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
