How to Make an International Money Transfer in Korean
Sending money abroad from Korea involves specific procedures and vocabulary. This guide covers the essential Korean expressions you’ll need for making an international money transfer (해외 송금 – hae-oe song-geum), whether you’re doing it at a bank branch or online. Learn how to state your purpose, ask about fees and exchange rates, and provide the necessary information confidently.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
- 
Expression: 해외 송금 
Pronunciation: hae-oe song-geum
Meaning: International money transfer (noun) - 
Expression: 해외로 송금하다 
Pronunciation: hae-oe-ro song-geum-ha-da
Meaning: To send money internationally (verb) 
Basic Phrases for International Transfers
- 
Expression: 해외 송금하고 싶어요. 
Pronunciation: hae-oe song-geum-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to make an international money transfer. - 
Expression: 송금 수수료는 얼마예요? 
Pronunciation: song-geum su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the transfer fee? - 
Expression: 오늘 환율이 어떻게 되나요? 
Pronunciation: o-neul hwan-yul-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is today’s exchange rate? - 
Expression: 받는 사람 정보가 필요해요. 
Pronunciation: ban-neun sa-ram jeong-bo-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need the recipient’s information. - 
Expression: 어느 나라로 보내실 거예요? 
Pronunciation: eo-neu na-ra-ro bo-nae-sil geo-ye-yo?
Meaning: Which country are you sending it to? - 
Expression: 송금액은 얼마로 하시겠어요? 
Pronunciation: song-geum-aek-eun eol-ma-ro ha-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How much is the transfer amount? - 
Expression: 신분증 좀 보여주시겠어요? 
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jjeung jom bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please show me your ID card? - 
Expression: 송금 신청서를 작성해 주세요. 
Pronunciation: song-geum sin-cheong-seo-reul jak-seong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please fill out the transfer application form. - 
Expression: 계좌 번호를 알려주세요. 
Pronunciation: gye-jwa beon-ho-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the account number. - 
Expression: 은행 코드(SWIFT/BIC)가 필요합니다. 
Pronunciation: eun-haeng ko-deu (seu-wi-peu-teu/bi-ai-ssi)-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The bank code (SWIFT/BIC) is required. - 
Expression: 받는 사람의 영문 이름과 주소를 적어주세요. 
Pronunciation: ban-neun sa-ram-ui yeong-mun i-reum-gwa ju-so-reul jeo-geo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please write the recipient’s English name and address. - 
Expression: 송금 목적이 무엇인가요? 
Pronunciation: song-geum mok-jeok-i mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the purpose of the transfer? 
Phrases for Online/Mobile Banking Transfers
- 
Expression: 인터넷 뱅킹으로 해외 송금할 수 있나요? 
Pronunciation: in-teo-net baeng-king-eu-ro hae-oe song-geum-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I make an international transfer via internet banking? - 
Expression: 모바일 앱에서 해외 송금 메뉴를 찾고 있어요. 
Pronunciation: mo-ba-il aep-e-seo hae-oe song-geum me-nyu-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m looking for the international transfer menu in the mobile app. - 
Expression: 공인인증서가 필요합니다. 
Pronunciation: gong-in-in-jeung-seo-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A digital certificate (Gongininjeungseo) is required. (Note: This system is being phased out but may still be encountered). - 
Expression: OTP 번호를 입력해 주세요. 
Pronunciation: o-ti-pi beon-ho-reul im-nyeok-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please enter the OTP (One-Time Password) number. - 
Expression: 수취인 정보를 저장하시겠습니까? 
Pronunciation: su-chwi-in jeong-bo-reul jeo-jang-ha-si-ge-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Would you like to save the recipient’s information? - 
Expression: 송금 한도를 확인해 주세요. 
Pronunciation: song-geum han-do-reul hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the transfer limit. - 
Expression: 온라인 송금 수수료가 더 저렴해요. 
Pronunciation: on-la-in song-geum su-su-ryo-ga deo jeo-ryeom-hae-yo.
Meaning: The online transfer fee is cheaper. - 
Expression: 거래 내역을 확인하고 싶어요. 
Pronunciation: geo-rae nae-yeok-eul hwa-gin-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to check the transaction history. - 
Expression: 송금이 완료되었습니다. 
Pronunciation: song-geum-i wan-lyo-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The transfer is complete. - 
Expression: 예상 소요 시간은 얼마나 걸리나요? 
Pronunciation: ye-sang so-yo si-gan-eun eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the estimated processing time? - 
Expression: 보안카드 번호를 입력하세요. 
Pronunciation: bo-an-ka-deu beon-ho-reul im-nyeok-ha-se-yo.
Meaning: Please enter your security card number. - 
Expression: 이체 비밀번호를 눌러주세요. 
Pronunciation: i-che bi-mil-beon-ho-reul nul-leo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please enter your transfer password. 
Asking Questions and Troubleshooting
- 
Expression: 송금이 제대로 되었는지 확인해 주세요. 
Pronunciation: song-geum-i je-dae-ro doe-eon-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if the transfer went through correctly. - 
Expression: 돈이 아직 도착하지 않았어요. 
Pronunciation: don-i a-jik do-chak-ha-ji a-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The money hasn’t arrived yet. - 
Expression: 송금 추적이 가능한가요? 
Pronunciation: song-geum chu-jeok-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to track the transfer? - 
Expression: 수수료가 너무 비싼 것 같아요. 
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-ga neo-mu bi-ssan geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the fee is too expensive. - 
Expression: 정보를 잘못 입력한 것 같아요. 
Pronunciation: jeong-bo-reul jal-mot im-nyeok-han geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think I entered the information incorrectly. - 
Expression: 송금을 취소할 수 있나요? 
Pronunciation: song-geum-eul chwi-so-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I cancel the transfer? - 
Expression: 어떤 서류가 필요한가요? 
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are needed? - 
Expression: 외국인 등록증도 괜찮아요? 
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in deung-nok-jjeung-do gwaen-cha-na-yo?
Meaning: Is an Alien Registration Card (ARC) okay? - 
Expression: 이 은행 코드가 맞는지 확인해 주세요. 
Pronunciation: i eun-haeng ko-deu-ga man-neun-ji hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check if this bank code is correct. - 
Expression: 고객센터 전화번호가 어떻게 되나요? 
Pronunciation: go-gaek-sen-teo jeon-hwa-beon-ho-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the customer service phone number? - 
Expression: 영수증을 받을 수 있을까요? 
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung-eul ba-deul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a receipt? - 
Expression: 송금 확인증을 발급해 주세요. 
Pronunciation: song-geum hwa-gin-jeung-eul bal-geup-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please issue a transfer confirmation slip. 
Korean Culture Notes
Required Information: When sending money internationally from Korea, be prepared to provide detailed information about the recipient. This usually includes their full name (exactly as it appears on their bank account), bank name, account number, bank address, and the SWIFT/BIC code. For some countries, an IBAN might be required instead.
Identification: Foreign residents will typically need their Alien Registration Card (ARC) (외국인 등록증 – oe-guk-in deung-nok-jjeung) and possibly their passport when making transfers at a bank branch. Ensure your ID is valid and readily available.
Fees and Exchange Rates: Fees (수수료 – su-su-ryo) can vary significantly between banks and depending on whether you transfer online or in person. Online transfers often have lower fees. Exchange rates (환율 – hwan-yul) also fluctuate, so it’s wise to check the current rate before proceeding. Be aware that intermediary banks might also charge fees.
Transfer Limits and Purpose: There are often daily and annual limits on international transfers for foreign residents in Korea, regulated by foreign exchange laws. You will likely be asked the purpose of the transfer (송금 목적 – song-geum mok-jeok), such as supporting family, paying tuition, etc. Be prepared to state this clearly.
Online Banking Security: Korean online and mobile banking systems often involve multiple layers of security, which might include digital certificates (공인인증서 – gong-in-in-jeung-seo, though being replaced by simpler methods), security cards (보안카드 – bo-an-ka-deu), or OTP generators (OTP 생성기 – o-ti-pi saeng-seong-gi). Familiarize yourself with your bank’s specific security requirements.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A foreign resident (A) is at a Korean bank branch wanting to send money to their family abroad and speaks with a bank teller (B).
- 
Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 해외 송금 좀 하려고 하는데요. 
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, hae-oe song-geum jom ha-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I’d like to make an international money transfer. - 
Expression: B: 네, 어느 나라로 보내시나요? 신분증하고 통장 주시겠어요? 
Pronunciation: ne, eo-neu na-ra-ro bo-nae-si-na-yo? sin-bun-jjeung-ha-go tong-jang ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, which country are you sending to? Could I have your ID card and bankbook, please? - 
Expression: A: 미국으로 보낼 거예요. 여기 신분증하고 통장 있습니다. 
Pronunciation: mi-guk-eu-ro bo-nael geo-ye-yo. yeo-gi sin-bun-jjeung-ha-go tong-jang it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sending it to the USA. Here are my ID card and bankbook. - 
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 이 신청서에 받는 분 성함, 계좌번호, 은행 SWIFT 코드, 주소를 영문으로 작성해 주세요. 송금액도 적어주시고요. 
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. i sin-cheong-seo-e ban-neun bun seong-ham, gye-jwa-beon-ho, eun-haeng seu-wi-peu-teu ko-deu, ju-so-reul yeong-mun-eu-ro jak-seong-hae ju-se-yo. song-geum-aek-do jeo-geo-ju-si-go-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. Please fill out this application form with the recipient’s name, account number, bank SWIFT code, and address in English. Please also write the transfer amount. - 
Expression: A: 네, 알겠습니다. 송금 수수료는 얼마인가요? 그리고 오늘 환율은 어떻게 돼요? 
Pronunciation: ne, al-ge-sseum-ni-da. song-geum su-su-ryo-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo? geu-ri-go o-neul hwan-yul-eun eo-tteo-ke dwae-yo?
Meaning: Okay, I understand. How much is the transfer fee? And what is today’s exchange rate? - 
Expression: B: 수수료는 만 원이고요, 오늘 미국 달러 환율은 1달러에 1,350원입니다. 송금 목적은 어떻게 되시나요? 
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-neun man won-i-go-yo, o-neul mi-guk dal-leo hwan-yul-eun il-dal-leo-e cheon-sam-baek-o-sip-won-im-ni-da. song-geum mok-jeok-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-si-na-yo?
Meaning: The fee is 10,000 won, and today’s exchange rate for the US dollar is 1,350 won per dollar. What is the purpose of the transfer? - 
Expression: A: 가족 생활비 지원입니다. 
Pronunciation: ga-jok saeng-hwal-bi ji-won-im-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s for family living expenses support. - 
Expression: B: 네, 확인했습니다. 잠시만 기다려주세요. 
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Okay, confirmed. Please wait a moment. 
Practice Tips
Practicing these phrases will make your next international transfer much smoother! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ You can also practice filling out a sample transfer form (송금 신청서 – song-geum sin-cheong-seo) with imaginary details. Familiarize yourself with your bank’s online or mobile app interface for international transfers, looking for the Korean terms you’ve learned here. Don’t hesitate to ask bank staff for help using phrases like “도와주세요 (do-wa-ju-se-yo – Please help me)” or “다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요? (da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? – Could you explain that again?)” Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!) You can do it!
            
        



