Understanding how to identify and use Korean currency (Won – 원) is crucial when traveling or living in Korea. This guide covers the essential terms and phrases needed to distinguish between different bills and coins, ensuring smooth transactions during your stay. Learn to recognize denominations by color, size, and the figures depicted on them.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 한국 화폐 구분하기
Pronunciation: han-guk hwa-pye gu-bun-ha-gi
Meaning: Distinguishing Korean Currency
Identifying Korean Bills
Korean banknotes (지폐 – ji-pye) come in four denominations. They differ in size, color, and the historical figure featured.
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Expression: 천 원짜리 지폐
Pronunciation: cheon won-jja-ri ji-pye
Meaning: 1,000 Won Bill (Blue, features Yi Hwang) -
Expression: 오천 원짜리 지폐
Pronunciation: o-cheon won-jja-ri ji-pye
Meaning: 5,000 Won Bill (Orange/Yellow, features Yi I) -
Expression: 만 원짜리 지폐
Pronunciation: man won-jja-ri ji-pye
Meaning: 10,000 Won Bill (Green, features King Sejong the Great) -
Expression: 오만 원짜리 지폐
Pronunciation: o-man won-jja-ri ji-pye
Meaning: 50,000 Won Bill (Yellow/Gold, features Shin Saimdang) -
Expression: 이 지폐는 얼마짜리인가요?
Pronunciation: i ji-pye-neun eol-ma-jja-ri-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is this bill worth? -
Expression: 천 원짜리는 파란색이에요.
Pronunciation: cheon won-jja-ri-neun pa-ran-saek-i-e-yo.
Meaning: The 1,000 won bill is blue. -
Expression: 오천 원짜리에는 율곡 이이가 있어요.
Pronunciation: o-cheon won-jja-ri-e-neun yul-gok i-i-ga iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The 5,000 won bill features Yulgok Yi I. -
Expression: 만 원짜리는 초록색이고 세종대왕이 그려져 있어요.
Pronunciation: man won-jja-ri-neun cho-rok-saek-i-go se-jong-dae-wang-i geu-ryeo-jyeo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The 10,000 won bill is green and depicts King Sejong the Great. -
Expression: 오만 원짜리가 가장 큰 단위의 지폐예요.
Pronunciation: o-man won-jja-ri-ga ga-jang keun dan-wi-ui ji-pye-ye-yo.
Meaning: The 50,000 won bill is the largest denomination bill. -
Expression: 지폐의 크기가 다 달라요.
Pronunciation: ji-pye-ui keu-gi-ga da dal-la-yo.
Meaning: The sizes of the bills are all different. -
Expression: 신사임당은 오만 원짜리에 있어요.
Pronunciation: sin-sa-im-dang-eun o-man won-jja-ri-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Shin Saimdang is on the 50,000 won bill. -
Expression: 퇴계 이황은 천 원짜리에 있어요.
Pronunciation: toe-gye i-hwang-eun cheon won-jja-ri-e iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Toegye Yi Hwang is on the 1,000 won bill.
Identifying Korean Coins
Korean coins (동전 – dong-jeon) are commonly used for smaller amounts. They vary in size, color, and design elements.
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Expression: 십 원짜리 동전
Pronunciation: sip won-jja-ri dong-jeon
Meaning: 10 Won Coin (Copper-colored/Silver [new], features Dabotap Pagoda) -
Expression: 오십 원짜리 동전
Pronunciation: o-sip won-jja-ri dong-jeon
Meaning: 50 Won Coin (Silver-colored, features a stalk of rice) -
Expression: 백 원짜리 동전
Pronunciation: baek won-jja-ri dong-jeon
Meaning: 100 Won Coin (Silver-colored, features Admiral Yi Sun-sin) -
Expression: 오백 원짜리 동전
Pronunciation: o-baek won-jja-ri dong-jeon
Meaning: 500 Won Coin (Silver-colored, larger, features a crane) -
Expression: 이 동전은 얼마짜리예요?
Pronunciation: i dong-jeon-eun eol-ma-jja-ri-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this coin worth? -
Expression: 십 원짜리는 가장 작아요.
Pronunciation: sip won-jja-ri-neun ga-jang jak-a-yo.
Meaning: The 10 won coin is the smallest. (Referring to the newer version) -
Expression: 오십 원짜리는 은색이고 벼 이삭이 그려져 있어요.
Pronunciation: o-sip won-jja-ri-neun eun-saek-i-go byeo i-sak-i geu-ryeo-jyeo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The 50 won coin is silver-colored and depicts a rice stalk. -
Expression: 백 원짜리에는 이순신 장군이 있어요.
Pronunciation: baek won-jja-ri-e-neun i-sun-sin jang-gun-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The 100 won coin features Admiral Yi Sun-sin. -
Expression: 오백 원짜리 동전이 가장 커요.
Pronunciation: o-baek won-jja-ri dong-jeon-i ga-jang keo-yo.
Meaning: The 500 won coin is the largest. -
Expression: 오백 원짜리에는 학이 그려져 있어요.
Pronunciation: o-baek won-jja-ri-e-neun hak-i geu-ryeo-jyeo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: The 500 won coin depicts a crane. -
Expression: 동전 색깔로 구분할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: dong-jeon saek-kkal-lo gu-bun-hal su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: You can distinguish them by the coin’s color. -
Expression: 동전 크기로 구분할 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: dong-jeon keu-gi-ro gu-bun-hal su iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: You can distinguish them by the coin’s size.
Useful Phrases for Handling Money
Here are some practical phrases for everyday transactions involving cash.
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Expression: 이거 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this? -
Expression: 만 원짜리밖에 없어요.
Pronunciation: man won-jja-ri-bak-ke eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: I only have a 10,000 won bill. -
Expression: 잔돈 있으세요?
Pronunciation: jan-don iss-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have change? (Smaller bills/coins) -
Expression: 거스름돈 주세요.
Pronunciation: geo-seu-reum-don ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the change. -
Expression: 동전으로 바꿔 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: dong-jeon-eu-ro ba-kkwo ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you exchange this for coins? -
Expression: 지폐로 바꿔 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ji-pye-ro ba-kkwo ju-sil su iss-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you exchange this for bills? -
Expression: 이 돈이 맞는지 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i don-i maj-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if this amount of money is correct. -
Expression: 현금으로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro gye-san-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay with cash. -
Expression: 카드로 계산할게요.
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gye-san-hal-kke-yo.
Meaning: I’ll pay by card. -
Expression: 영수증 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me the receipt. -
Expression: 돈을 세어 보세요.
Pronunciation: don-eul se-eo bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please count the money. -
Expression: 이 돈은 사용할 수 없어요.
Pronunciation: i don-eun sa-yong-hal su eops-eo-yo.
Meaning: This money cannot be used (e.g., it’s damaged).
Korean Culture Notes
Cash vs. Card Usage: While South Korea is one of the most cashless societies globally, with credit/debit cards widely accepted almost everywhere, carrying some cash is still recommended. It’s useful for small purchases at traditional markets (시장 – si-jang), street food stalls, paying for transportation top-ups (like T-Money), or in case of rare card machine issues.
Tipping Culture: Tipping is not a standard practice in Korea. It’s generally not expected in restaurants, cafes, taxis, or hotels. Service charges are often included in the bill, especially at higher-end establishments. Attempting to tip might even cause confusion.
Handling Money Politely: While using one hand is common and acceptable in casual settings, using two hands (or supporting your right forearm with your left hand) when giving or receiving money, especially to elders or in formal situations, is considered more polite and respectful.
Currency Design Significance: The figures and symbols on Korean Won are carefully chosen historical figures (like King Sejong the Great, Yi Hwang, Yi I, Shin Saimdang, Admiral Yi Sun-sin) and national symbols (like pagodas, cranes). Recognizing them shows an appreciation for Korean history and culture.
Counting in ‘Man Won’: Prices, especially larger ones, are often discussed in units of 10,000 won (만 원 – man won). For instance, ₩45,000 might be stated as “사만 오천 원” (sa-man o-cheon won – four ten-thousands and five thousand won).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A tourist (A) is buying a souvenir at a shop and needs help identifying the correct bills to pay. The shopkeeper (B) assists.
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Expression: A: 이 기념품 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: i gi-nyeom-pum eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is this souvenir? -
Expression: B: 네, 만 오천 원입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, man o-cheon won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, it’s 15,000 won. -
Expression: A: 아, 네. 잠시만요… 이게 만 원짜리 맞죠? 초록색…
Pronunciation: a, ne. jam-si-man-yo… i-ge man won-jja-ri maj-jyo? cho-rok-saek…
Meaning: Ah, okay. Just a moment… This is the 10,000 won bill, right? The green one… -
Expression: B: 네, 맞아요. 세종대왕이 그려진 만 원짜리입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, maj-a-yo. se-jong-dae-wang-i geu-ryeo-jin man won-jja-ri-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s right. It’s the 10,000 won bill with King Sejong the Great. -
Expression: A: 그럼 오천 원짜리는 어떤 건가요? 아, 이거군요! 주황색!
Pronunciation: geu-reom o-cheon won-jja-ri-neun eo-tteon geon-ga-yo? a, i-geo-gun-yo! ju-hwang-saek!
Meaning: Then which one is the 5,000 won bill? Ah, this one! The orange-ish one! -
Expression: B: 맞습니다. 율곡 이이가 그려져 있어요.
Pronunciation: maj-seum-ni-da. yul-gok i-i-ga geu-ryeo-jyeo iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: Correct. It has Yulgok Yi I depicted on it. -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 만 오천 원이요. (만 원짜리 한 장과 오천 원짜리 한 장을 건넨다)
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi man o-cheon won-i-yo. (man won-jja-ri han jang-gwa o-cheon won-jja-ri han jang-eul geon-nen-da)
Meaning: Okay, here is 15,000 won. (Hands over one 10,000 won bill and one 5,000 won bill) -
Expression: B: 네, 감사합니다. 좋은 여행 되세요!
Pronunciation: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jo-eun yeo-haeng doe-se-yo!
Meaning: Yes, thank you. Have a nice trip!
Practice Tips
Getting familiar with Korean currency takes a little practice! Try to get hold of some actual Korean Won if you can – handling the bills and coins is the best way to learn their feel, size, and look~ Pay attention to the colors and the main figures on each denomination. Quiz yourself by looking at pictures online!
When you’re in Korea, try paying with cash for small items. Practice saying the amounts and identifying the change you receive. Don’t be afraid to take a moment to check your money – shopkeepers are usually very understanding! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
