Korean word

동전

Pronunciation

Romanizationtongjeon

Meaning

  • nouncoin

Example

버스에서 동전이 없어서 카드로 냈어요.peo seu e seo tong jeo ni eop sseo seo ka deu ro nae sseo yo

I didn't have any coins on the bus, so I paid by card.

Illustration for 동전 (coin)

More examples

계산할 때 잔돈으로 동전이 나왔다.kye san hal ttae chan do neu ro tong jeo ni na wat tta

When it was time to pay, I got coins as change.

Core concept

Metal money that fits easily in a pocket and is commonly used for small payments.

Common phrases

  • 동전으로 계산하다tong jeo neu ro kye san ha da

    pay in coins

  • 동전이 나왔다tong jeo ni na wat tta

    a coin came out

Similar words

잔돈chandon: A few coins or small amounts of money carried in a pocket or wallet.
거스름돈keoseureumdon: The amount returned after a payment is more than the price.
현금hyeongeum: Notes and coins ready to be used in a payment.

Definition in Korean

금속으로 만든 돈으로서 주로 소액 결제나 거스름돈으로 사용하는 화폐.keum so geu ro man deun to neu ro seo chu ro so aek kyeol je na keo seu reum do neu ro sa yong ha neun hwa pye

Word origin

The word is formed from Sino-Korean elements meaning copper and money, so its original image is money made of metal.

Usage tips

  • English speakers can remember that this word often appears when cash is counted, saved, or needed for a small purchase.

Opposites

Related words

  • 동전교환기tongjeongyohwangicoin exchange machinenoun

Word lists with this word