돈이 없다
don-i eopda
In Korean, "no money" is expressed as 돈이 없다 (don-i eopda).
This phrase is used to state that a person does not have any money. It is important to note that 돈이 없다 (to not have money) is distinct from 돈을 못 벌다, which describes the inability to earn money.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 돈 (money), the subject marker 이 and 없다 (to not exist or not have).
Which one should you use?
While 돈이 없다 means to not have money, you may also use 돈이 부족합니다 if you specifically mean that there is not enough money.
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite daily conversation, the dictionary form 돈이 없다 is typically conjugated to 돈이 없어요. When speaking to friends or people younger than you, the casual form 돈이 없어 is used. To express the past tense in a formal setting, use 돈이 없었습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
don-i eopda
Did you know?
- While 돈이 없다 means 'no money', Koreans often use the slang term 텅장 (tung-jang) to describe their bank account. This is a portmanteau of 텅 빈 meaning 'empty' and 통장 meaning 'bankbook'.
- The word 돈 (money) is believed by some historians to have originated from the ancient Korean unit of weight for silver. This implies that the word once referred to the physical weight of the metal rather than a currency value.
- In Korean, the verb 없다 (to not exist) is used where English uses 'to not have'. This reflects a worldview where money is seen as something that is simply not present in a location rather than something a person possesses.
Examples in context
- 문제는 제가 지금 돈이 없다는 것이거든요.The trouble is that I have no money on me now.This sentence is useful for explaining that the trouble is a lack of money on one's person right now using 돈이 없다.Tatoeba #12964994 by Uwe, translation #243450 by CK
- 톰은 돈이 없다.Tom had no money.This sentence is useful for stating that Tom had no money using 돈이 없다.Tatoeba #11105871 by intertime, translation #1025568 by CK
- 그건 돈이 약간 부족해요I am a bit short on money for that
- 지금은 돈이 조금 어려워서…Right now, money is a bit tight, so…
- 감사합니다. 돈은 없지만, 진심으로 감사드려요.Thank you. I don't have money, but I sincerely thank you.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding what to eat for dinner.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 씨, 우리 맛있는 거 먹으러 갈까요?Hyeonu ssi, uri masinneun geo meogeureo galkkayo?Hyeonu, shall we go eat something delicious?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo가고 싶지만 제가 지금 돈이 없다.gago sipjiman jega jigeum doni eopda.I want to, but I have no money right now.
- 수빈 Su-bin그럼 제가 살게요. 같이 가요.geureom jega salgeyo. gachi gayo.Then I'll buy. Let's go together.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말요? 감사합니다, 수빈 씨!jeongmalyo? gamsahamnida, Subin ssi!Really? Thank you, Subin!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
