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A1 noun 9 min read

지폐

jipye
Examples 지폐 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 지폐 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know that '지폐' (jipye) means 'banknote' or 'paper money.' It is a basic noun. You use it when you are talking about physical money that isn't a coin. For example, if you are at a shop and you have a 1,000 won bill, that is a '지폐.' You can count it using '장' (jang). So, '지폐 한 장' is one bill. It is important to know this word because some machines in Korea only take '지폐.' When you see a sign that says '지폐,' look for a slot to put your paper money in. Don't worry about complex grammar; just remember that 지폐 = paper bill.
At the A2 level, you should be able to use '지폐' in simple sentences with particles. You might say '지폐를 바꿔 주세요' (Please change the banknote) if you need smaller bills. You will notice '지폐' in compound words like '지폐 교환기' (banknote exchange machine). You should also know the difference between '지폐' and '동전' (coin). At this level, you can describe the banknote's value, such as '만 원짜리 지폐' (a 10,000 won banknote). You might hear this word at the bank or when using a vending machine. It is a concrete noun, so it is easy to visualize and use in daily survival Korean.
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At the B1 level, you can use '지폐' in more descriptive contexts. You might talk about the condition of the money, using adjectives like '찢어진 지폐' (torn banknote) or '신권 지폐' (newly issued banknote). You will understand that '지폐' is more formal than '돈' and is used in official settings. For instance, if you lose money, you might tell a police officer, '지갑에 지폐가 여러 장 들어 있었어요' (There were several banknotes in the wallet). You are also becoming familiar with the Hanja roots: 紙 (paper) and 幣 (currency), which helps you recognize related words in the future. You can also handle situations where a machine 'swallows' your bill (지폐가 걸렸어요).
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At the B2 level, you can discuss '지폐' in the context of society and the economy. You might talk about the '위조 지폐' (counterfeit banknote) problem or the '지폐의 도안' (design of the banknote). You understand that '지폐' is the technical term used in news reports about inflation or the issuance of new currency by the Bank of Korea. You can use the word in passive constructions or more complex sentences, such as '지폐가 훼손되면 은행에서 교환할 수 있다' (If a banknote is damaged, it can be exchanged at a bank). You also understand cultural nuances, like why crisp banknotes are preferred for certain holidays.
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At the C1 level, your understanding of '지폐' includes technical, legal, and historical nuances. You can discuss the security features of Korean banknotes, such as '홀로그램' (holograms) and '숨은 그림' (watermarks), using '지폐' as the base noun. You might read articles about the '지폐 없는 사회' (cashless society) and the transition to digital currency. You can differentiate between '지폐' and '유가증권' (marketable securities) in a legal or financial context. Your vocabulary includes specialized terms like '권종' (denomination types) and '발행' (issuance). You can express complex opinions on whether the 50,000 won note has affected the economy.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of '지폐' and its place in the Korean linguistic landscape. You can understand literary references or historical discussions about the evolution of '지폐' from the Joseon dynasty to the present. You can engage in high-level debates about monetary policy, the physical durability of banknote materials (like polymer vs. paper), and the sociological impact of the figures depicted on the bills. You recognize '지폐' in idiomatic or metaphorical contexts, even if they are rare, and you can switch between formal technical terms and colloquialisms effortlessly. You are fully comfortable with the word in any academic, legal, or professional environment.
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Examples

지폐 in 30 Seconds

  • 지폐 means 'banknote' or 'paper money' in Korean.
  • It is a formal and specific term compared to the general '돈' (money).
  • Commonly used in banking, vending machines, and when counting physical bills.
  • Pairs with the counter '장' (jang) for thin, flat objects.

The Korean word 지폐 (jipye) specifically refers to paper money or banknotes. Derived from the Hanja characters 紙 (ji) meaning 'paper' and 幣 (pye) meaning 'currency' or 'gift,' it distinguishes physical paper currency from 동전 (dongjeon), which are coins. In modern South Korea, you will encounter 지폐 in denominations of 1,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 50,000 won. While the broader term 돈 (don) covers money in general and 현금 (hyeongeum) covers all forms of physical cash, 지폐 is the precise technical term used when discussing the physical bills themselves, their design, or their handling in machines like ATMs.

Physical Form
Refers exclusively to the rectangular paper or polymer bills used as a medium of exchange.
Technical Context
Used in banking, news reports about currency design, or when instructions specify inserting 'bills' into a machine.

지갑에 만 원짜리 지폐가 한 장 있어요. (There is one 10,000 won banknote in the wallet.)

Understanding the usage of 지폐 is essential for navigating financial transactions in Korea. While digital payments via KakaoPay or credit cards are ubiquitous, certain traditional markets, street food stalls, or automated kiosks still require the physical handling of 지폐. When you go to a bank to exchange foreign currency, the teller will often ask what denominations of 지폐 you prefer. The word carries a slightly more formal tone than the colloquial '돈,' making it the standard choice for signs, official documents, and news broadcasts. For instance, a vending machine might have a sticker saying '지폐 투입구' (Banknote entry slot).

이 기계는 지폐만 인식합니다. (This machine only recognizes banknotes.)

Denominations
In Korea, 지폐 comes in four types: 1,000 (blue), 5,000 (orange/red), 10,000 (green), and 50,000 (yellow/gold).

Historically, 지폐 has evolved significantly in Korea. The modern bills feature prominent historical figures like King Sejong the Great and Shin Saimdang. When discussing the physical properties of these bills—such as the watermark, the texture of the paper, or the holographic strips—the term 지폐 is the only appropriate word. If a bill is damaged, you would go to the bank to request a 지폐 교환 (banknote exchange).

신권 지폐로 바꿔 주세요. (Please exchange this for new banknotes.)

Using 지폐 correctly involves understanding its role as a concrete noun. It typically takes particles like -를/을 (object), -가/이 (subject), or -로 (instrument/direction). Because it refers to a countable physical object, it is often paired with the counter 장 (jang), which is used for thin, flat objects like paper. For example, '지폐 두 장' means 'two banknotes.' When you are at a checkout counter and the cashier asks for cash, you might pull out your wallet and look for specific 지폐.

ATM에서 지폐를 찾았습니다. (I withdrew banknotes from the ATM.)

In grammar, 지폐 often acts as the direct object for verbs of action. Common verbs include 세다 (to count), 내다 (to give/pay), 줍다 (to pick up), and 위조하다 (to forge). If you find a bill on the street, you would say '지폐를 주웠어요.' If you are counting your money before a purchase, you say '지폐를 세고 있어요.' The word is also used in compound nouns such as 지폐 인식기 (banknote recognizer/validator) and 지폐 교환기 (bill changer).

Counting
Always use the counter '장'. Example: 지폐 세 장 (Three banknotes).
Verb Pairing
지폐를 넣다 (To insert a bill), 지폐가 나오다 (A bill comes out).

When describing the state of the money, you can use adjectives. A 'new bill' is 새 지폐 or 신권 지폐. A 'torn bill' is 찢어진 지폐. A 'fake bill' is 위조 지폐. These descriptors help specify the condition or legitimacy of the currency. In formal writing, such as an economics report, you might see 지폐 used to discuss the circulation of currency: '지폐의 유통량이 줄어들고 있다' (The circulation volume of banknotes is decreasing).

주머니 속에 구겨진 지폐가 들어 있었다. (There was a crumpled banknote in the pocket.)

In a restaurant or shop, if you only have a large bill (like 50,000 won) for a small purchase, you might apologize by saying, '큰 지폐밖에 없어서 죄송합니다' (I'm sorry, I only have a large banknote). This usage shows how 지폐 functions to clarify the physical denomination being offered. Furthermore, in the context of technology, instructions for using parking meters or laundry machines frequently use the word 지폐 to guide the user on where to insert their money.

You will hear 지폐 in a variety of everyday and professional settings. One of the most common places is the bank. Tellers use this word constantly when processing deposits, withdrawals, or currency exchanges. For example, '어떤 지폐로 드릴까요?' (Which banknotes should I give you?) or '지폐를 세어 보시겠어요?' (Would you like to count the banknotes?). In these environments, precision is key, so the specific term 지폐 is preferred over the general '돈'.

손님, 지폐 권종별로 나누어 주세요. (Customer, please separate the banknotes by denomination.)

Another frequent location is near automated machinery. Vending machines, claw machines in arcades, and self-service kiosks at fast-food restaurants often have audio prompts or stickers. You might hear a recorded voice say, '지폐를 넣어 주세요' (Please insert the banknote). If the machine cannot read your bill because it is folded or dirty, it might display an error message like '지폐 인식 오류' (Banknote recognition error). Hearing this word in these contexts trains you to associate it with the physical act of inserting paper currency.

News & Media
News anchors use '지폐' when reporting on the economy, new currency designs, or crime involving counterfeit money.
Public Transportation
While most use cards, older buses or ticket machines for intercity travel still use terms related to '지폐'.

In educational settings or museums, especially the Bank of Korea Money Museum in Seoul, you will hear 지폐 used to explain history. Guides will talk about the '최초의 지폐' (the first banknote) or the materials used to make modern currency. Even in casual conversation among friends, if someone finds a bill on the ground, they might shout, '와, 여기 지폐 있다!' (Wow, there's a banknote here!). It adds a sense of specific discovery compared to just saying 'money.'

이 지폐는 너무 낡아서 기계가 안 받아요. (This banknote is too old, so the machine won't take it.)

Lastly, in crime dramas or mystery movies, you'll hear the term '위조 지폐' (counterfeit bills) as a plot point. Characters might inspect a bill under a light to see if it is a real 지폐. This reinforces the word's association with the physical, verifiable nature of paper money. Whether you are at a high-end department store or a humble street market, the word 지폐 remains the standard, clear way to refer to the paper wealth in your pocket.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers learning Korean is overusing the word 지폐 when 돈 (money) or 현금 (cash) would be more natural. While 지폐 is technically correct for paper money, saying '지폐를 좋아해요' (I like banknotes) sounds strange and overly specific, like you have a hobby of collecting paper bills. Instead, you should say '돈을 좋아해요' (I like money). Use 지폐 only when the physical form of the money matters.

Incorrect: 지폐가 없어서 카드로 낼게요. (Natural: 현금이 없어서 카드로 낼게요.)

Another mistake involves confusing 지폐 with 동전 (coin). Learners sometimes use 지폐 as a catch-all for 'physical money.' If you are at a laundromat that only takes coins, and you try to use paper bills, the owner might say, '지폐는 안 돼요. 동전만 돼요.' (Banknotes are not allowed. Only coins.) Mixing these up can lead to confusion in transactional settings. Remember: 지 (paper) means bills, 동 (copper/metal) means coins.

Counter Usage
Don't use '개' (general counter) for bills. Use '장'. '지폐 한 개' is wrong; '지폐 한 장' is right.
Spelling/Pronunciation
Confusing '지폐' (banknote) with '지표' (index/indicator). They sound similar but have vastly different meanings in economics.

A subtle mistake is using 지폐 when talking about checks. In Korea, 수표 (supyo) refers to cashier's checks (often 100,000 won or more). While they look like paper money, they are not 지폐. If you try to deposit a check into a machine that only accepts 지폐, it will fail. Understanding this distinction is vital for banking in Korea. Also, avoid using the word '지폐' in a plural sense like '지폐들' frequently; Korean usually relies on context or counters to indicate plurality.

지갑에 지폐가 가득해요. (My wallet is full of banknotes - This is correct and emphasizes the physical bills.)

Finally, don't confuse the pronunciation of '지' (ji) with '치' (chi). '치폐' is not a word. The 'j' sound should be clear and unaspirated. Similarly, ensure the 'pye' (폐) uses the 'p' sound, not 'b'. '지배' means 'domination' or 'rule,' which is a completely different word. Precise pronunciation ensures you are understood at the bank or the shop.

To truly master the vocabulary of Korean currency, you must understand how 지폐 relates to its synonyms and near-synonyms. While 지폐 is the specific term for paper money, other words cover broader or overlapping categories. Learning these helps you choose the right word for the right situation, whether you're at a formal bank or a casual street market.

돈 (Don)
The most general word for 'money'. It includes everything: cash, coins, digital balances, and wealth. Use this in 90% of daily conversations.
현금 (Hyeongeum)
Refers to 'cash'. This is used when choosing a payment method (Cash vs. Card). It encompasses both 지폐 (bills) and 동전 (coins).
화폐 (Hwapye)
A formal/academic term for 'currency'. You see this in economics textbooks or museum displays (e.g., 'Korean currency history').

이 나라는 새로운 화폐를 발행했다. (This country issued a new currency.)

There are also terms for specific types of paper documents that act like money. 수표 (Supyo) means 'check'. In Korea, 100,000 won checks are very common and often treated like large banknotes, but they are technically different. 상품권 (Sangpumgwon) means 'gift certificate' or 'voucher'. These are paper-based but limited to specific stores. If you have a 'Happy Money' voucher, it's a 상품권, not a 지폐.

When discussing denominations, the word 권종 (Gwonjong) is used. This is a technical term for 'type of note' or 'denomination'. A bank teller might ask, '어떤 권종으로 드릴까요?' to ask if you want 10,000s or 50,000s. In slang or very casual settings, people might just refer to the color or the person on the bill, like '세종대왕' (King Sejong) for the 10,000 won bill or '신사임당' (Shin Saimdang) for the 50,000 won bill, though this is more for emphasis or humor.

지갑에 현금은 있지만 지폐는 만 원짜리 한 장뿐이에요. (I have cash in my wallet, but only one 10,000 won banknote.)

Finally, the word 잔돈 (Jandon) means 'change' (small money left over). While 잔돈 can be 지폐 (like 1,000 won bills), it is usually associated with 동전 (coins). Understanding these nuances ensures that you don't just know the word 지폐, but you know exactly where it fits in the ecosystem of Korean financial terms.

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Examples by Level

1

지갑에 지폐가 있어요.

There is a banknote in the wallet.

지폐 (banknote) + 가 (subject particle) + 있어요 (exists/there is).

2

지폐 한 장 주세요.

Please give me one banknote.

지폐 + 한 (one) + 장 (counter for paper) + 주세요 (please give).

3

이것은 지폐입니다.

This is a banknote.

이것 (this) + 은 (topic particle) + 지폐 + 입니다 (is - formal).

4

지폐를 넣으세요.

Please insert the banknote.

지폐 + 를 (object particle) + 넣으세요 (please insert).

5

지폐가 예뻐요.

The banknote is pretty.

지폐 + 가 (subject particle) + 예뻐요 (is pretty).

6

동전 말고 지폐 있어요?

Do you have banknotes instead of coins?

동전 (coin) + 말고 (not / instead of) + 지폐 + 있어요? (do you have?)

7

지폐를 세요.

Count the banknotes.

지폐 + 를 (object particle) + 세요 (count - imperative/polite).

8

지폐가 많아요.

There are many banknotes.

지폐 + 가 (subject particle) + 많아요 (are many).

1

만 원짜리 지폐로 바꿔 주세요.

Please change this into 10,000 won banknotes.

-짜리 (worth/value) + 지폐 + 로 (into/by means of).

2

지폐 교환기는 어디에 있어요?

Where is the banknote exchange machine?

지폐 + 교환기 (exchange machine) + 는 (topic) + 어디 (where).

3

지폐가 찢어졌어요.

The banknote is torn.

지폐 + 가 (subject) + 찢어졌어요 (became torn - past tense).

4

새 지폐를 지갑에 넣었어요.

I put the new banknote in my wallet.

새 (new) + 지폐 + 를 (object) + 넣었어요 (put in).

5

지폐를 찾으러 은행에 가요.

I am going to the bank to get banknotes.

찾으러 (in order to find/withdraw) + 가요 (go).

6

이 기계는 지폐만 받아요.

This machine only takes banknotes.

지폐 + 만 (only) + 받아요 (receives/takes).

7

지폐를 주머니에 넣지 마세요.

Don't put banknotes in your pocket.

주머니 (pocket) + 에 (in) + 넣지 마세요 (don't put).

8

지폐가 몇 장 있어요?

How many banknotes do you have?

몇 (how many) + 장 (counter for bills).

1

지폐의 앞면에는 왕의 얼굴이 있어요.

There is a king's face on the front of the banknote.

지폐 + 의 (possessive) + 앞면 (front side).

2

세탁기에 지폐를 넣고 돌렸어요.

I put a banknote in the washing machine and ran it.

넣고 (put and) + 돌렸어요 (turned/ran).

3

은행에서 낡은 지폐를 새것으로 바꿨어요.

I exchanged old banknotes for new ones at the bank.

낡은 (old/worn) + 지폐 + 를 + 새것 (new thing) + 으로 (for/into).

4

지폐를 바닥에서 주웠는데 주인 이 없어요.

I picked up a banknote from the floor, but there is no owner.

주웠는데 (picked up but) + 주인 (owner).

5

지폐 인식기가 고장 나서 돈이 안 나와요.

The banknote recognizer is broken, so the money isn't coming out.

인식기 (recognizer) + 가 + 고장 나서 (broken so).

6

부모님께 드릴 지폐를 봉투에 담았어요.

I put the banknotes to give to my parents in an envelope.

드릴 (to give - honorific) + 담았어요 (contained/put in).

7

이 지폐는 가짜인 것 같아요.

I think this banknote is a fake.

가짜 (fake) + 인 것 같아요 (seems to be).

8

지폐를 셀 때는 조심해야 해요.

You have to be careful when counting banknotes.

셀 때 (when counting) + 조심해야 해요 (must be careful).

1

지폐의 위조를 방지하기 위해 여러 기술이 사용됩니다.

Various technologies are used to prevent the counterfeiting of banknotes.

위조 (counterfeiting) + 를 + 방지하기 위해 (in order to prevent).

2

신권 지폐가 발행되자 사람들이 은행 앞에 줄을 섰어요.

As soon as the new banknotes were issued, people lined up in front of the bank.

발행되자 (as soon as it was issued) + 줄을 섰어요 (lined up).

3

지폐의 도안이 바뀌면서 역사적 인물에 대한 관심이 높아졌어요.

As the design of the banknotes changed, interest in historical figures increased.

도안 (design) + 이 + 바뀌면서 (while changing).

4

요즘은 지폐보다 카드를 더 많이 사용하는 추세예요.

These days, there is a trend of using cards more than banknotes.

보다 (than) + 사용하는 (using) + 추세 (trend).

5

지폐가 너무 많이 발행되면 물가가 오를 수 있습니다.

If too many banknotes are issued, prices may rise.

발행되면 (if issued) + 물가 (prices) + 오를 수 있습니다 (can rise).

6

그는 지폐 한 뭉치를 가방에 넣고 서둘러 떠났다.

He put a bundle of banknotes in his bag and left in a hurry.

한 뭉치 (one bundle/stack) + 서둘러 (hurriedly).

7

지폐의 재질이 종이에서 폴리머로 바뀌는 국가들이 많아요.

There are many countries where the material of banknotes is changing from paper to polymer.

재질 (material) + 이 + 종이에서 (from paper) + 폴리머로 (to polymer).

8

지폐에 묻은 세균이 건강에 해로울 수 있다는 연구가 있다.

There is research that bacteria on banknotes can be harmful to health.

묻은 (smeared/attached) + 세균 (bacteria) + 해로울 수 있다 (can be harmful).

1

중앙은행은 통화량을 조절하기 위해 지폐의 발행 규모를 결정한다.

The central bank determines the scale of banknote issuance to control the money supply.

통화량 (money supply) + 조절하기 위해 (to control).

2

고액권 지폐의 도입은 거래의 편의성을 높였지만 뇌물 수단으로 악용되기도 한다.

The introduction of high-denomination banknotes increased the convenience of transactions but is also abused as a means of bribery.

도입 (introduction) + 편의성 (convenience) + 악용되기도 한다 (is also abused).

3

지폐의 일련번호를 통해 유통 경로를 추적하는 수사가 진행 중이다.

An investigation to track the circulation path through the serial numbers of the banknotes is underway.

일련번호 (serial number) + 유통 경로 (circulation path) + 추적하는 (tracking).

4

훼손된 지폐의 면적이 4분의 3 이상이면 전액 교환이 가능하다.

If the area of the damaged banknote is more than three-quarters, a full exchange is possible.

면적 (area) + 4분의 3 (three quarters) + 전액 (full amount).

5

지폐 속의 숨은 그림은 빛에 비추어 보아야만 확인할 수 있는 보안 요소이다.

The watermark in a banknote is a security element that can only be verified by holding it up to the light.

비추어 보아야만 (must shine through to...) + 보안 요소 (security element).

6

디지털 화폐의 부상은 물리적인 지폐의 종말을 예고하고 있다.

The rise of digital currency is heralding the end of physical banknotes.

부상 (rise/emergence) + 종말 (end) + 예고하고 있다 (is foretelling).

7

지폐의 도안은 그 나라의 문화적 정체성과 가치관을 반영한다.

The design of banknotes reflects the cultural identity and values of that country.

정체성 (identity) + 가치관 (values) + 반영한다 (reflects).

8

위조 지폐 감별기는 미세한 인쇄 차이를 잡아낼 정도로 정밀하다.

The counterfeit banknote detector is precise enough to catch minute printing differences.

감별기 (detector/discriminator) + 미세한 (minute) + 정밀하다 (is precise).

1

지폐의 남발로 인한 하이퍼인플레이션은 국가 경제를 파탄에 이르게 했다.

Hyperinflation caused by the excessive issuance of banknotes led the national economy to ruin.

남발 (excessive issuance) + 파탄 (rupture/ruin) + 이르게 했다 (made it reach).

2

권종별 지폐의 유통 수명은 사용 빈도와 재질의 내구성에 따라 상이하다.

The circulation life of banknotes by denomination varies depending on the frequency of use and the durability of the material.

유통 수명 (circulation lifespan) + 내구성 (durability) + 상이하다 (is different).

3

지폐 수집가들은 인쇄 오류가 있는 희귀 지폐를 찾기 위해 거액을 지불한다.

Banknote collectors pay huge sums to find rare banknotes with printing errors.

수집가 (collector) + 희귀 (rare) + 거액 (huge sum).

4

법정 통화로서의 지폐는 국가의 신용을 담보로 하는 종이 조각에 불과할 수도 있다.

Banknotes as legal tender may be nothing more than pieces of paper backed by the state's credit.

법정 통화 (legal tender) + 담보로 하는 (guaranteeing/backing) + 불과하다 (nothing more than).

5

지폐의 미세 문자는 육안으로는 식별이 불가능할 정도로 정교하게 인쇄되어 있다.

The micro-printing on banknotes is printed so elaborately that it is impossible to identify with the naked eye.

미세 문자 (micro-text) + 육안 (naked eye) + 식별 (identification).

6

경제 위기 상황에서 사람들은 실물 자산보다 지폐의 확보에 열을 올리기도 한다.

In times of economic crisis, people sometimes strive to secure banknotes rather than physical assets.

실물 자산 (physical assets) + 확보 (securing) + 열을 올리다 (to be eager/strive).

7

지폐의 폐기 과정은 보안 유지를 위해 엄격한 통제 하에 이루어진다.

The disposal process of banknotes is carried out under strict control to maintain security.

폐기 (disposal) + 엄격한 통제 (strict control) + 하에 (under).

8

지폐의 도안 변경은 국민적 합의와 역사적 고증을 거쳐 신중하게 결정된다.

Changes to the design of banknotes are carefully decided through national consensus and historical research.

국민적 합의 (national consensus) + 고증 (historical research/authentication).

Common Collocations

지폐를 세다
지폐를 넣다
지폐를 바꾸다
위조 지폐
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This Word in Other Languages

banknote English
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