Meaning
To gain money through work or effort.
Cultural Background
The phrase '부자 되세요' (Become rich) became a national greeting after a famous credit card commercial. It reflects the open desire for financial prosperity. Young Koreans use the term '갓생' (God-saeng) to describe a life of working hard and earning money diligently, often shared on social media. Earning money is often seen as a prerequisite for marriage. Men, in particular, feel strong pressure to '벌다' enough to provide a house. Giving 'pocket money' ({용돈|容錢}) to parents after earning one's first salary is a significant rite of passage.
The 'ㄹ' Drop
Always remember that '벌다' becomes '법니다' in formal situations. This is the most common test point for this verb.
Don't 'Make' Money
Never say '돈을 만들다' unless you are talking about printing money at a bank!
Meaning
To gain money through work or effort.
The 'ㄹ' Drop
Always remember that '벌다' becomes '법니다' in formal situations. This is the most common test point for this verb.
Don't 'Make' Money
Never say '돈을 만들다' unless you are talking about printing money at a bank!
Polite Inquiries
Asking 'How much do you earn?' (얼마 벌어요?) can be sensitive. Use it only with close friends.
Object Marker
In casual conversation, you can just say '돈 벌어' instead of '돈을 벌어'.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence using the correct form of 벌다.
저는 삼성에서 돈을 ______.
The present polite form of 벌다 is 벌어요.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the correct formal sentence.
In formal speech, the 'ㄹ' drops: 벌 + ㅂ니다 = 법니다.
Match the action to the correct verb.
Finding 10,000 won on the street.
Finding money is '줍다' (to pick up), not '벌다' (to earn).
Fill in the blank in the dialogue.
가: 왜 그렇게 열심히 일해요? 나: 돈을 ______ 새 차를 사고 싶어요.
'벌어서' (earn and then/so) shows the reason or sequence for buying the car.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises저는 삼성에서 돈을 ______.
The present polite form of 벌다 is 벌어요.
Choose the correct formal sentence.
In formal speech, the 'ㄹ' drops: 벌 + ㅂ니다 = 법니다.
Finding 10,000 won on the street.
Finding money is '줍다' (to pick up), not '벌다' (to earn).
가: 왜 그렇게 열심히 일해요? 나: 돈을 ______ 새 차를 사고 싶어요.
'벌어서' (earn and then/so) shows the reason or sequence for buying the car.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, use '복권에 당첨되다'. '벌다' is only for labor or business.
Yes, it is a neutral and polite phrase. However, asking others how much they earn can be rude.
'벌다' is general and used in daily life. '수익을 내다' is formal and used in business contexts.
You can say '생계를 유지하다' (formal) or simply '돈을 벌다' (common).
This is due to the 'ㄹ' irregular conjugation rule where 'ㄹ' drops before 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ'.
No, for respect use '존경을 받다' (receive respect). '벌다' is strictly for money or material gain.
Yes, '돈을 긁다' (to scrape money) implies making a lot of money easily or quickly.
Yes, you can say '그 회사는 돈을 많이 벌어요'.
'돈을 쓰다' (to spend) or '돈을 잃다' (to lose).
Usually, '점수를 얻다' or '따다' is used for points.
Related Phrases
돈을 쓰다
contrastTo spend money
돈을 모으다
builds onTo save/collect money
수입이 있다
similarTo have an income
한밑천 잡다
specialized formTo make a big score
돈을 날리다
contrastTo lose/waste money
