Bank in Korean – Money and Finance Vocabulary

In this article,  we’ll show you how to say “bank” in Korean. It’s a simple word, and like many Korean words, you can learn it in no time.

On top of that, we’ll also teach you additional vocabulary and phrases to help you when you go to the bank. 

Here we go!

“Bank” in Korean

The Korean word for “bank” is 은행 (eunhaeng). 

Listen here: 은행 (eunhaeng)

Now the next time you need to find a place to stash your cash, you know what word to use!

Sample Sentences

Here are some sample sentences using the word “bank” in Korean. 

은행은 어디에 있습니까? (eunhaengeun eodie itseumnikka?)

Where is the bank?

 은행은 몇 시에 문을 닫나요? (eunhaengeun myeot sie muneul dannayo)

What time do banks close?  

은행까지 나를 따라와 (eunhaengkkaji nareul ttarawa)

Come with me to the bank.   

On a related note, the word for “piggy bank” is completely different, being 돼지 저금통 (dwaeji jeogeumtong). Literally, this means “pig moneybox.”

“Money” in Korean

The Korean word for “money” is 돈 (don).

Listen here: 돈 (don)

Here’s where you can also learn more about the currency used in Korea.

Essential Korean Bank Words & Phrases

If you’re living in Korea, then you may want to open a bank account. You’ll need to have the essential Korean words and phrases to help you get by.

So, before you try to chat up the tellers, you’ll want to study some Korean banking vocabulary. Below is a great list of Korean words and phrases to add to your flash cards.

Korean Bank Vocabulary

This list isn’t exhaustive of everything you’ll encounter, but it’s a good place to start. If you have specific words or phrases that you want to know how to say in Korean, you can always ask us in the comments below, and we’ll let you know as soon as we can.

English	Korean
Account	계좌 (gyejwa)
Alien Registration Card (ARC)	외국인등록증 (oegugindeungnokjeung)
ATM	현금인출기 (hyeongeuminchulgi)
Bank book	통장 (tongjang)
Bill	고지서 (gojiseo) / 청구서 (cheongguseo)
Certificate of Employment	재직증명서 (jaejikjeungmyeongseo)
Currency	통화(tonghwa)
Deposit	보증금 (bojeunggeum)
Digital certificate	공인인증서 (gongininjeungseo)
Fees	수수료 (susuryo)
Foreign Designated Bank	외국환 지정거래  (oegukwan jijeonggeorae)
Identification/ID	신분증 (sinbunjeung) / 아이디(aidi)
Internet Banking	예금통장 (yegeumtongjang)
Korean Phone Number	한국내 전화번호 (hangungnae jeonhwabeonho)
Loan	대출 (daechul)
Passport	여권 (yeogwon)
Password	비밀번호 (bimilbeonho)
Transfer	이체 (iche)
Visa	비자 (bija)
Withdrawal	인출 (inchul)

“Account” in Korean

“Account” in Korean is 계좌 (gyejwa). You can use this word to refer to your bank account.

“Alien Registration Card (ARC)” in Korean

외국인등록증 (oegugindeungnokjeung) or Alien Registration Card (ARC) is your national ID card. It is similar to a Social Security ID in the U.S.

“ATM” in Korean 

An “ATM” in Korea is called 현금인출기 (hyeongeuminchulgi). 

“Bank book” in Korean

A “bank book” in Korean is 통장 (tongjang). You get a paper passbook when you open your account, but most people these days just use internet banking in place of it.

“Bill” in Korean

A “Bill” in Korean is 고지서 (gojiseo) or 청구서 (cheongguseo).

“Certificate of Employment” in Korean

“Certificate of Employment” in Korean is 재직증명서 (jaejikjeungmyeongseo). This a proof of employment given by companies.

“Currency” in Korean

통화(tonghwa) is “currency” in Korean.

For example: 

일본 돈으로 지불해도 되나요? (ilbon doneuro jibulhaedo doenayo?)

Can I pay in Japanese currency? 

“Deposit” in Korean

보증금 (bojeunggeum) means “Deposit” in Korean. It’s the amount of money you’ll hold in your bank account.

For example:

보증금은 얼마예요? (bojeunggeumeun eolmayeyo?)

How much is the deposit?

“Digital certificate” in Korean

“Digital Certificate” is 공인인증서 (gongininjeungseo) in Korean. It’s a file that helps identify yourself. You can save it to your computer, USB, or smartphone.

“Fees” in Korean 

수수료 (susuryo) means “fees” in Korean. Watch out for these! These days, you have to pay 500 won if you withdraw from some ATMs outside banking hours.

For example:

출금 수수료는 얼마입니까? (chulgeum susuryoneun eolmaimnikka?)

How much is the withdrawal fee? 

“Foreign Designated Bank” in Korean

A Foreign Designated Bank is called 외국환 지정거래  (oegukwan jijeonggeorae) in Korean. You only get to choose one bank for this. It’s the bank where you can withdraw money internationally.

“Identification/ID” in Korean 

An identification document or “ID” in Korean is 신분증 (sinbunjeung) / 아이디(aidi). Usually, your passport or ARC.

“Internet Banking” in Korean

“Internet Banking” is 예금통장 (yegeumtongjang) in Korean. Make sure you sign up for this when getting an account, it’ll make life easier.

“Korean Phone Number” in Korean 

Your Korean phone number is called 한국내 전화번호 (hangungnae jeonhwabeonho). 

“Loan” in Korean

 “Loan” in Korean is 대출 (daechul).

For example:

대출 신청이 승인되었습니다. (daechul sincheongi seungindoeeotseumnida.)

Your loan was approved.

“Passport” in Korean

“Passport” in Korean is 여권 (yeogwon). Hang onto this! It makes traveling a lot easier. ㅋㅋ

For example:

여권을 잃어버린 것 같아요. (yeogwoneul ireobeorin geot gatayo.)

I think I lost my passport. 

“Password” in Korean

“Password” in Korean is 비밀번호 (bimilbeonho). Make sure you write this down somewhere or store it with your favorite Password Manager software.

For example:

비밀번호를 재설정하고 싶습니다. (bimil beonhoreul jaeseoljeonghago sipseumnida.)

I want to reset my password. 

“Transfer” in Korean

“Transfer” in Korean is 이체 (iche). These are really easy within Korea, especially if you have a digital certificate. 

For example: 

계좌 이체를 하고 싶습니다. (gyejwa ichereul hago sipseumnida.)

I’d like to make a transfer. 

“Visa” in Korean

A “Visa” is called 비자 (bija) in Korean. This requirement depends on your nationality. Some require a visa, some don’t.

“Withdrawal” in Korean

인출 (inchul) means “withdrawal” in Korean. 

For example: 

일단 인출을 중지할까요? (ildan inchureul jungjihalkkayo?)

Should we put a hold on withdrawals?

Korean Bank Phrases

Here are some useful Korean phrases related to banking. Try them out the next time you visit a Korean bank!

1. I would like to open a new bank account

통장을 만들고 싶어요 (tongjangeul mandeulgo sipeoyo)

Most banks will have a staff or security guard who will ask you what you’re there for. Use this phrase to open a new account, and they’ll give you the appropriate waiting number or direct you to the counter you need to open an account.

2. I’d like to open a savings account, please

저축예금계좌를 개설하고 싶습니다 (jeochungnyegeumgyejwareul gaeseolhago sipseumnida)

Use this phrase if you specifically want to open a savings account. Banks usually have a selection of options for interest rates. The longer that money stays in the account, the better the interest rate you can get.

3. I would like an ATM card

체크 카드를 만들고 싶어요 (chekeu kadeureul mandeulgo sipeoyo)

All banks offer ATM cards, but there may be a small fee to get it. The good news is that large bank branches can give it to you on the day of your visit. Note: If you don’t have all the necessary documents, like an ARC, you may not be able to get an ATM card on that visit. 

4. Do you need internet banking?

인터넷 뱅킹 필요해요? (inteonet baengking pillyohaeyo?)

You may hear the staff ask you this question. You may answer with the phrase below.

5. Can I apply for Internet Banking?

인터넷 뱅킹 신청할 수 있어요? (inteonet baengking sincheonghal su isseoyo?)

You can answer the staff this phrase if you want to apply for Internet banking or use it if the staff doesn’t bring up internet banking. They’ll help you get set up. You usually have to set it up in person the first time, but some banks allow you to apply online now.

6. I would like to apply for a digital certificate

공인인증서 발급하고 싶어요 (gongininjeungseo balgeupago sipeoyo)

You’ll need a digital certificate for online transfers, so be sure to apply for one if you’re doing online banking.

7. I need to reset my password

비밀번호를 재발급 하고 싶어요 (bimilbeonhoreul jaebalgeup hago sipeoyo)

If you’re not tech savvy enough to change your internet banking password on your own, or there aren’t English menus available, then the bank staff should be able to help you.

8. Are there monthly fees?

수수료 있어요? (susuryo isseoyo?)

Most banks don’t have monthly fees, although this can sometimes vary between branches. You should still find out about the fees you might incur using your card.

9. Do you have an ID card

신분증 있어요? (sinbunjeung isseoyo?)

10. Please give me your ID card

신분증 주세요 (sinbunjeung juseyo)

The bank staff may ask you this if you don’t have it with your documents.

11. How much is the wire transfer charge?

송금 수수료는 얼마예요? (songgeum susuryoneun eolmayeyo?)

12. I want to send money to _______. 

 _______ 에 돈 보내려고 왔어요 (_______e don bonaeryeogo wasseoyo)

Wire transfers to another bank can sometimes have a small fee, if you’re transferring money to a bank outside Korea then there will almost certainly be a fee. You can only transfer money to one foreign bank on your account, your Foreign Designated Bank.

13. I need to make a deposit

입금 해주세요 (ipgeum haejuseyo)

14. I need to make a withdrawal

출금 해주세요 (chulgeum haejuseyo)

If you don’t need or want to use an ATM card then you’ll need to handle deposits/withdrawals at the bank counter. It’s a very straightforward procedure, just be sure to bring your bank card or bank book and ID.

15. Can I apply for a credit card?

신용 카드 신청할 수 있어요? (sinyong kadeu sincheonghal su isseoyo?)

Some banks offer credit cards for foreigners now. You can ask at the bank if you can apply. You can also read our guide for applying for a credit card for more info.  

A word of caution about Romanization

While it is possible for you to study the words in this article simply by reading their romanized versions, it will come in handy for you to be able to read Hangeul if you ever wish to come to Korea.

Hangeul is the Korean alphabet, and not difficult to learn. In fact, you can learn it in just 90 minutes. After you’ve familiarized yourself with Hangeul, life in Korea will suddenly seem so much easier, and the country won’t appear so foreign to you.

So, if you’re serious about learning Korean, why not learn Hangeul today?

If you want to learn more about the Korean language, you can check out our structured course, called the Inner Circle course, which is part of the 90 Day Korean Membership program. Our course will help you learn Korean fast. You’ll be having 3-minute conversations in Korean in the first 90 days! 

Wrap Up

What Korean banking terms are you going to be using on your next trip to the bank? Let us know in the comments below.