Saying Money In Korean: A Simple Guide

Hey guys! Learning a new language can be super exciting, especially when you start figuring out how to handle everyday stuff like talking about money. If you're diving into Korean, knowing how to say amounts of money is essential. This guide will break it down for you in a way that's easy to understand and remember. Let's get started!

Understanding Korean Currency: Won (원)

First things first, let's talk about the basics. The currency in South Korea is called Won, written as 원 in Korean. It's kind of like saying "dollar" in the United States or "euro" in Europe. When you're talking about money, you'll always use the word 원 after the number. For example, if you want to say "1000 won," you'd say it like "1000원." Got it? Great!

The Two Number Systems: Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean

Now, here's where it gets a little tricky but don't worry, we'll get through it together! In Korean, there are two main number systems: the Sino-Korean system and the Native Korean system. For money, you'll primarily use the Sino-Korean system. This system is derived from Chinese, and it’s used for larger numbers, dates, phone numbers, and, you guessed it, money!

The Sino-Korean numbers you'll need to know are:

• 일 (il) - 1
• 이 (i) - 2
• 삼 (sam) - 3
• 사 (sa) - 4
• 오 (o) - 5
• 육 (yuk) - 6
• 칠 (chil) - 7
• 팔 (pal) - 8
• 구 (gu) - 9
• 십 (sip) - 10
• 백 (baek) - 100
• 천 (cheon) - 1,000
• 만 (man) - 10,000

Putting It All Together: Saying Different Amounts

Okay, now that we know the numbers, let's put them into practice. Here are some examples of how to say different amounts of money in Korean:

• 100원 (baek won): This one's easy – it's just "one hundred won."
• 1,000원 (cheon won): "One thousand won."
• 5,000원 (o-cheon won): "Five thousand won." Notice how we combine the number "five" (오) with "thousand" (천).
• 10,000원 (man won): "Ten thousand won." This is a big one because 만 (man) means 10,000. From here, things get interesting!
• 20,000원 (i-man won): "Twenty thousand won." So, "two ten-thousands won."
• 50,000원 (o-man won): "Fifty thousand won."
• 100,000원 (sip-man won): "One hundred thousand won" (ten ten-thousands won).
• 1,000,000원 (baek-man won): "One million won" (one hundred ten-thousands won).

Remember, the key is to break down the numbers into chunks of ten thousands (만). It might seem weird at first, but you'll get the hang of it with a little practice!

Common Phrases When Talking About Money

Knowing how to say amounts is great, but what about some common phrases you might use when talking about money? Here are a few useful ones:

• 얼마예요? (eolma-yeyo?): "How much is it?" This is super important when you're shopping!
• 너무 비싸요 (neomu bissayo): "It's too expensive." Perfect for bargaining at the market.
• 깎아 주세요 (kkakka juseyo): "Please give me a discount." Use this with a smile, and you might get lucky!
• 여기 있어요 (yeogi isseoyo): "Here it is." Use this when you're handing over the money.
• 거스름돈은 괜찮습니다 (geoseureumdoneun gwaenchanseumnida): "Keep the change." If you're feeling generous!

Tips for Mastering Money Talk

Okay, so you've got the basics down. Here are a few tips to help you really master talking about money in Korean:

1. Practice, practice, practice: The more you use these numbers and phrases, the more natural they'll become. Try practicing with a friend or language partner.
2. Listen to Korean speakers: Pay attention to how native Korean speakers talk about money. Watch Korean dramas, movies, or YouTube videos and listen for these phrases.
3. Use flashcards: Create flashcards with the Sino-Korean numbers and practice them regularly. This will help you memorize them more quickly.
4. Real-life situations: Try using Korean when you're shopping in a Korean grocery store or ordering food at a Korean restaurant. It might be a little intimidating at first, but it's a great way to practice.
5. Don't be afraid to make mistakes: Everyone makes mistakes when they're learning a new language. The important thing is to keep trying and learn from your errors.

Advanced Tips for Talking About Money

Ready to take your Korean money talk to the next level? Here are some more advanced tips and nuances to keep in mind:

1. Using Counters: In Korean, you often use counters to specify the quantity of something. For money, the counter is 원 (won) itself. However, when you're dealing with specific items, you'll use different counters depending on what you're buying. For example, if you're buying a book, you might say "책 한 권 (chaek han gwon)" which means "one book."
2. Large Sums of Money: When dealing with very large sums, Koreans often use the term 억 (eok), which means 100 million. So, if you want to say 1 billion won, you would say "십 억 원 (sip eok won)," which means "ten eok won."
3. Formal vs. Informal Speech: Korean has different levels of formality in speech. When talking to someone older than you or in a formal setting, you'll want to use more polite language. For example, instead of saying "얼마예요? (eolma-yeyo?)," you might say "얼마입니까? (eolmaimnikka?)." The latter is a more formal way of asking "How much is it?"
4. Currency Exchange: If you're talking about exchanging currency, you might hear the term 환율 (hwanyul), which means "exchange rate." For example, you could ask "환율이 어떻게 돼요? (hwanyuri eotteoke dwaeyo?)" which means "What is the exchange rate?"
5. Budgeting and Finance: If you're discussing budgeting or financial matters, there are a few other useful terms to know. For example, 예산 (yesan) means "budget," 저축 (jeochuk) means "savings," and 투자 (tuja) means "investment."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To help you on your journey, here are some common mistakes that learners often make when talking about money in Korean, and how to avoid them:

1. Mixing Up Number Systems: One of the biggest challenges is knowing when to use Sino-Korean vs. Native Korean numbers. Remember that for money, you almost always use Sino-Korean numbers. Avoid using Native Korean numbers when stating amounts.
2. Incorrect Pronunciation: Korean pronunciation can be tricky. Make sure you practice the correct pronunciation of the numbers and common phrases. There are plenty of online resources and language learning apps that can help you with this.
3. Forgetting Particles: In Korean, particles are important for indicating the grammatical function of words in a sentence. When talking about money, make sure you use the correct particles, such as 은/는 (eun/neun) or 이/가 (i/ga).
4. Ignoring Formality: As mentioned earlier, Korean has different levels of formality. Be mindful of who you're talking to and use the appropriate level of formality in your speech. Using informal language in a formal setting can be considered rude.
5. Literal Translations: Avoid translating phrases word-for-word from English to Korean. Korean grammar and sentence structure can be quite different, so a literal translation may not make sense or could sound awkward.

Practice Scenarios

To really nail down your skills, let's go through some practice scenarios where you can use the phrases and numbers you've learned:

1. At a Restaurant:
   • You: "이거 얼마예요? (igeo eolma-yeyo?)" - How much is this?
   • Waiter: "오천 원입니다 (o-cheon wonimnida)." - It is 5,000 won.
   • You: "여기 있어요 (yeogi isseoyo)." - Here it is.
2. At a Market:
   • You: "이 사과 얼마예요? (i sagwa eolma-yeyo?)" - How much are these apples?
   • Vendor: "개당 천 원입니다 (gaedang cheon wonimnida)." - It is 1,000 won per apple.
   • You: "너무 비싸요. 깎아 주세요 (neomu bissayo. kkakka juseyo)." - It’s too expensive. Please give me a discount.
3. Shopping for Clothes:
   • You: "이 티셔츠 얼마예요? (i t-syeocheu eolma-yeyo?)" - How much is this t-shirt?
   • Shopkeeper: "이만 원입니다 (i-man wonimnida)." - It is 20,000 won.
   • You: "카드로 계산해도 돼요? (kadeuro gyesanhaedo dwaeyo?)" - Can I pay with a card?

Conclusion

So there you have it! Talking about money in Korean might seem a bit daunting at first, but with a little practice and these helpful tips, you'll be able to handle transactions like a pro. Remember to focus on the Sino-Korean number system, practice common phrases, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be confidently discussing prices, bargaining for discounts, and managing your finances in Korean. Good luck, and happy learning!