Money & Shopping: Prices and Calculations
Learn to read and use Korean won amounts, ask prices, give change, and handle money in everyday situations.
Korean won amounts are read in Sino-Korean using a grouping system based on 만 (10,000) rather than 1,000. This is the same as Japanese 万 and is one of the first concrete advantages Japanese speakers have when handling Korean money. 10,000 won is 만 원 (one 만), 100,000 won is 십만 원 (ten 만), 1,000,000 won is 백만 원 (hundred 만).
In 2026 most Korean payment is cashless, but knowing how to read amounts on receipts, ATMs, and price tags remains essential. Common phrases at the cash register: 얼마예요? (how much?), 카드 되나요? (can I pay by card?), 영수증 주세요 (receipt please), 봉투 필요해요 (I need a bag — note that bags often cost extra in Korea). Practice especially with prices in the 5,000–50,000 won range, which is where most everyday transactions sit.
Korean Number Units: 천, 만, 십만, 백만
Korean groups large numbers by 만(10,000), not 1,000. 천(1,000), 만(10,000), 십만(100,000), 백만(1,000,000), 천만(10,000,000), 억(100,000,000). Example: 35,000 = 삼만 오천 (3-만 5-천).
Asking Price & Negotiating
Key shopping expressions: 얼마예요?(How much?), 깎아 주세요(Please lower the price), 너무 비싸요(Too expensive), 조금 더 싸게 해 주세요(Please make it a bit cheaper), 합계가 얼마예요?(What is the total?).