계약금
A down payment is the first part of money you pay when buying something expensive.
Explanation at your level:
A down payment is money you pay first. You pay a little bit now and the rest later. It helps you buy big things like a house or a car. It shows you want to buy it.
When you buy something expensive, you often pay a down payment. This is the first part of the total price. It is like a promise to pay the rest of the money soon. You usually pay it to the seller when you sign the contract.
A down payment is an initial amount of money paid to secure a purchase. It is a common practice in real estate and vehicle sales. By paying this, you ensure the seller will not sell the item to anyone else while you arrange the rest of the payment.
In financial and legal contexts, a down payment serves as a deposit that demonstrates a buyer's intention to complete a transaction. It is often a percentage of the total purchase price. If a buyer defaults, they might lose this initial payment, which serves as a form of protection for the seller.
The term down payment refers to a partial payment made at the inception of a contractual agreement. It acts as a performance bond of sorts, signaling the buyer's solvency and commitment. In real estate, the size of the down payment can significantly impact the interest rates of a mortgage, making it a critical strategic decision for the buyer.
Etymologically and functionally, the down payment represents the intersection of trust and commerce. It is a mechanism to mitigate counterparty risk. In high-stakes negotiations, the structure of the down payment—its timing, amount, and conditions for forfeiture—is often the most contentious point of the contract. It transforms a verbal intent into a legally binding financial obligation.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A down payment is an initial partial payment.
- It is common for expensive purchases like houses.
- It shows commitment to a contract.
- It is usually followed by future payments.
When you hear the word 계약금, think of it as a 'promise payment.' It is the money you hand over to officially start a deal.
Imagine you want to buy a car. You can't just say 'I'll take it' and walk away; you need to prove you are serious. By paying a down payment, you are telling the seller that you are committed to the purchase.
This money acts as a security deposit. It protects the seller in case you change your mind, and it protects you by ensuring the item is reserved for you. It is a fundamental part of large transactions like buying a house or a new vehicle.
The Korean term 계약금 is a compound word. It comes from 계약 (contract) and 금 (money/gold).
Historically, in ancient trade, people often exchanged goods or tokens to signify a binding agreement. As economies became more complex, these tokens evolved into cash payments. The practice of giving 'earnest money' dates back centuries to ensure that traders did not back out of agreements in busy marketplaces.
In many cultures, this was originally called 'earnest money,' which comes from an old word meaning 'to pledge.' It reflects the human need for trust in financial exchanges.
You will mostly hear 계약금 in business, real estate, and high-value retail settings. It is a very formal and professional term.
Common collocations include 'paying the down payment' or 'losing the down payment.' You might also hear it in the context of 'negotiating the down payment.' It is used when you are talking about the initial steps of a contract.
In casual conversation, people might just say 'the deposit' or 'the upfront money,' but in legal documents, 계약금 is the standard term used to avoid any confusion.
While there aren't many 'idioms' for this specific word, there are phrases used to describe the action. 1. Put money down: To pay the initial amount. 2. Seal the deal: Using the payment to finalize the agreement. 3. Skin in the game: Having a financial stake in an outcome. 4. Earnest money: A formal term for a deposit. 5. Upfront cost: The initial expense required.
In English, we refer to this as a 'down payment.' It is a countable noun, so you can have 'one down payment' or 'several down payments.'
The pronunciation in English is /daʊn ˈpeɪmənt/. The stress is on the first word 'down.' It rhymes with 'town payment' or 'frown payment.' Always remember to use the article 'a' or 'the' before it, such as 'I made a down payment.'
Fun Fact
The word 'down' here implies 'laying money down' on the table.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ow' sound in down, followed by 'pay-ment'.
Similar to UK, slightly more emphasis on the 'a' in payment.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing 'down' as 'don'.
- Dropping the 't' in payment.
- Misplacing the stress on the second word.
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Countable vs Uncountable
A down payment (countable)
Articles
The down payment
Prepositions
Payment on a car
Examples by Level
I paid a down payment.
I paid (a) down payment.
Use 'a' with singular nouns.
The down payment is small.
The down payment is small.
Subject-verb agreement.
We need a down payment.
We need (a) down payment.
Need + noun.
Is the down payment ready?
Is the down payment ready?
Question structure.
He gave the down payment.
He gave (the) down payment.
Past tense verb.
I saved for the down payment.
I saved for (the) down payment.
Preposition 'for'.
The down payment is cash.
The down payment is cash.
Noun as predicate.
Pay the down payment now.
Pay the down payment now.
Imperative sentence.
I made a down payment on my new car.
The down payment was ten percent.
We saved money for the house down payment.
Can I pay the down payment tomorrow?
The down payment is required today.
He lost his down payment because he changed his mind.
Is the down payment refundable?
They requested a large down payment.
The bank requires a 20% down payment for the loan.
We had to scrape together a down payment for our first apartment.
Paying a larger down payment reduces your monthly mortgage.
The contract states the down payment is non-refundable.
She put a down payment on a new laptop.
They are struggling to afford the down payment.
The down payment serves as a security deposit.
Make sure to get a receipt for your down payment.
A significant down payment can help you secure better financing terms.
The seller insisted on a substantial down payment to take the property off the market.
If you default on the contract, you forfeit your down payment.
The down payment is essentially a sign of good faith.
They negotiated a lower down payment with the dealer.
He used his savings to provide a down payment on the office space.
The down payment is a crucial element of the purchase agreement.
Without a down payment, the bank won't approve the loan.
The size of the down payment is often a reflection of the buyer's financial liquidity.
By providing a hefty down payment, they successfully mitigated the lender's risk.
The forfeiture of the down payment was the primary point of contention in the legal dispute.
He viewed the down payment as an investment in his future property.
The contract stipulated that the down payment must be transferred via wire.
A down payment is a standard mechanism to ensure the buyer's commitment.
They were unable to proceed because they couldn't meet the down payment requirements.
The down payment functions as a hedge against potential buyer withdrawal.
The down payment acts as a contractual anchor, binding the parties to the terms of the sale.
Negotiating the down payment requires a delicate balance of leverage and trust.
The forfeiture clause regarding the down payment was drafted with extreme precision.
His inability to provide the down payment signaled a lack of financial preparedness.
The down payment is the initial manifestation of the buyer's intent.
The practice of requiring a down payment is deeply rooted in the history of mercantile law.
A substantial down payment can be a powerful negotiating tool in a seller's market.
The down payment is not merely a fee; it is a fundamental component of the transaction's architecture.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"put money down"
To pay an initial amount.
I put some money down on the house.
casual"seal the deal"
To finalize an agreement.
The payment helped seal the deal.
neutral"skin in the game"
Having a personal stake.
The down payment gives the buyer skin in the game.
idiomatic"pay upfront"
To pay before receiving goods.
You have to pay upfront for the service.
neutral"earnest money"
A deposit to show intent.
We provided earnest money to hold the property.
formal"out-of-pocket"
Paying with your own money.
The down payment was an out-of-pocket expense.
neutralEasily Confused
Both are upfront money.
Down payment is for the total price.
I paid a deposit for the hotel room.
Both are payments.
Installment is a repeating payment.
The monthly installment is due.
Both are money paid.
A fee is a service charge.
The entry fee is five dollars.
Both are paid early.
Advance is general, down payment is for a contract.
I paid in advance.
Sentence Patterns
I made a down payment on [noun].
I made a down payment on my car.
The down payment is [amount].
The down payment is five thousand dollars.
We are saving for a down payment.
We are saving for a down payment.
He lost his down payment.
He lost his down payment due to the cancellation.
A down payment is required.
A down payment is required for this purchase.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
It is traditionally written as two words.
You must include the word 'payment'.
Down payment is specifically for purchase contracts.
Down payment is only for the initial amount.
It is a countable noun.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize your dream house and a pile of money at the front door.
Real Situations
Use it when talking about buying a car or house.
Cultural Insight
In the US, 20% is a common goal for a house down payment.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Say It Right
Emphasize 'down'.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't write it as one word.
Did You Know?
It's also called 'earnest money'.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about your own goals.
Writing Tip
Keep it formal in emails.
Listening Tip
Listen for it in real estate news.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Down Payment = Put money DOWN on the table to start.
Visual Association
Imagine a pile of money on a table, and you are pushing it toward the seller.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to explain to a friend why you need to save for a down payment.
Word Origin
English
Original meaning: A payment made 'down' (immediately) as part of a transaction.
Cultural Context
None, it is a standard financial term.
Commonly used in real estate and car buying. Often a source of stress for first-time buyers.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Buying a house
- Saving for a down payment
- Mortgage down payment
- 20% down payment
Buying a car
- Car down payment
- Negotiating the down payment
- Pay the down payment
Business contracts
- Initial down payment
- Down payment terms
- Forfeiting the down payment
Banking
- Down payment requirements
- Loan with down payment
- Down payment assistance
Conversation Starters
"How much should a down payment be for a house?"
"Have you ever had to pay a down payment for something?"
"What is the hardest part about saving for a down payment?"
"Do you think down payments are fair?"
"What happens if you can't afford a down payment?"
Journal Prompts
Write about your dream car and how you would pay for it.
Explain the importance of saving money for a down payment.
Describe a time you had to sign a contract.
Why do sellers ask for a down payment?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is two words.
It depends on the contract.
You might not be able to buy the item.
Often yes, but down payment is more specific to purchase.
No, only for expensive items.
The money you pay upfront for a house.
Yes, it lowers the amount you borrow.
Usually no, sellers prefer bank transfers.
Test Yourself
I need to pay a ___ payment for the car.
It is a down payment.
What is a down payment?
It is the initial payment.
A down payment is usually the full price.
It is only a portion.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms to meanings.
I made the down payment.
Score: /5
Summary
A down payment is the first step in proving you are serious about a big purchase.
- A down payment is an initial partial payment.
- It is common for expensive purchases like houses.
- It shows commitment to a contract.
- It is usually followed by future payments.
Memory Palace
Visualize your dream house and a pile of money at the front door.
Real Situations
Use it when talking about buying a car or house.
Cultural Insight
In the US, 20% is a common goal for a house down payment.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'a' or 'the' before it.
Example
아파트 계약금을 지불했습니다.
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