Meaning
Asking if only cash payment is accepted.
Cultural Background
Traditional markets ({市場|시장}) are the most common places where you will hear this. Even though many vendors now have card readers, they prefer cash for small amounts (under 10,000 KRW). The 'Cash Discount' culture in underground malls. Vendors might offer a lower price if you pay in cash to avoid the 10% VAT or card fees. Modern 'Card-Only' Cafes. In trendy areas like Seongsu or Gangnam, some cafes are 'No Cash' zones. They will have signs saying '현금 없는 매장'. Bank Transfers ({計座移替|계좌이체}). If you don't have cash, almost every vendor will have their bank account number posted. You can transfer money instantly using a Korean banking app.
Carry 10,000 won bills
Always keep a few 1,000 and 10,000 won bills when visiting markets. It makes using this phrase much less stressful.
Spelling Alert
Never write '되요'. It's always '돼요' when ending a sentence.
Meaning
Asking if only cash payment is accepted.
Carry 10,000 won bills
Always keep a few 1,000 and 10,000 won bills when visiting markets. It makes using this phrase much less stressful.
Spelling Alert
Never write '되요'. It's always '돼요' when ending a sentence.
The ' 혹시' Magic
Adding '혹시' (hok-si) at the beginning makes you sound much more polite and natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form.
여기 현금___ ___?
'만' means 'only' and '돼요' is the correct spelling for the polite form of '되다'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask if a street vendor accepts cards?
Which one is correct?
'카드 돼요?' asks 'Does card work?'. '현금만 돼요?' asks if *only* cash works.
Complete the dialogue at a traditional market.
Vendor: 이 오이 삼천 원이에요. Learner: 아, 지갑에 현금이 없어요. 혹시 ________?
Since the learner has no cash, they should ask if cards are accepted.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are at a 'Card Only' kiosk.
At a card-only kiosk, you might ask for confirmation if you only have cash.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use '현금만 돼요?'
Markets
- • Traditional Market
- • Street Food
- • Flea Market
Services
- • Coin Laundry
- • Arcade
- • Parking Lot
Practice Bank
4 exercises여기 현금___ ___?
'만' means 'only' and '돼요' is the correct spelling for the polite form of '되다'.
Which one is correct?
'카드 돼요?' asks 'Does card work?'. '현금만 돼요?' asks if *only* cash works.
Vendor: 이 오이 삼천 원이에요. Learner: 아, 지갑에 현금이 없어요. 혹시 ________?
Since the learner has no cash, they should ask if cards are accepted.
You are at a 'Card Only' kiosk.
At a card-only kiosk, you might ask for confirmation if you only have cash.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's a very practical question. However, adding '혹시' (by any chance) makes it softer.
You can ask '근처에 ATM 있어요?' (Is there an ATM nearby?) or '계좌이체 돼요?' (Can I do a bank transfer?).
Usually to avoid card fees or because they are small, temporary street stalls without internet for card machines.
Yes! Just swap the word: '카드만 돼요?' (Is it only card?).
Related Phrases
카드 돼요?
contrastDoes card work?
계좌이체 돼요?
similarIs bank transfer possible?
현금 영수증 해주세요
builds onPlease give me a cash receipt.
잔돈 있어요?
similarDo you have change?
