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Vocabulary
돈을 벌다

A2 verb 8 min read

돈을 벌다

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 돈을 벌다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 돈을 벌다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn '돈을 벌다' as a basic phrase for survival. You use it to tell people why you work or why you are busy. It is usually taught alongside words for family and jobs. At this stage, you don't need to worry too much about complex grammar, but you should know that '돈' is money and '벌다' is to earn. You might use it in simple sentences like '저는 돈을 벌어요' (I earn money). It helps you explain your daily life and basic motivations. You will likely see it in textbooks when learning about occupations (직업). Focus on the 'ㄹ' irregular rule early so you don't form bad habits. Even at A1, knowing that '벌다' becomes '법니다' will make you sound much more advanced than other beginners. You can also pair it with '많이' (a lot) to say '돈을 많이 벌고 싶어요' (I want to earn a lot of money), a sentiment everyone understands!

At the A2 level, you can start using '돈을 벌다' in more complex sentences using connectors like '-고' (and), '-지만' (but), and '-아서/어서' (because). You can explain the reasons *why* you earn money, such as '가족을 위해 돈을 벌어요' (I earn money for my family). You should also be able to use the past tense ('돈을 벌었어요') and future tense ('돈을 벌 거예요'). This level focuses on describing your past experiences with part-time jobs (알바) or your future career goals. You might also start using basic adverbs like '열심히' (hard) or '힘들게' (with difficulty) to describe the process of earning. Understanding the difference between '돈을 벌다' and '돈을 쓰다' (to spend money) is crucial for basic financial conversations. You should also be comfortable using the honorific form '버시다' when talking about your parents' or teachers' work.

At the B1 level, you should be able to discuss the concept of earning money in a more abstract or social sense. You can use '돈을 벌다' to talk about the economy, the difficulty of finding a job, or the balance between earning and happiness. You will start using more advanced grammar patterns like '-기 위해' (in order to) or '-ㄹ 때' (when). For example: '돈을 벌 때 가장 보람을 느껴요' (I feel most rewarded when I earn money). You should also be familiar with the noun form '돈 벌기' (earning money) and use it as a subject: '돈 벌기는 쉽지 않아요' (Earning money is not easy). At this stage, you should also begin to recognize formal synonyms like '수입' (income) and '소득' (earnings) in reading passages, even if you still primarily use '돈을 벌다' in speech. You can discuss your 'side hustles' or specific ways you earn money beyond just a standard job.

At the B2 level, you use '돈을 벌다' fluently in debates and professional discussions. You can compare different methods of earning, such as passive income through investments versus active income through labor. You should be able to use the phrase in conditional and hypothetical sentences: '만약 내가 돈을 많이 번다면, 세계 여행을 갈 거야' (If I were to earn a lot of money, I would go on a world trip). You will also handle the 'ㄹ' irregular conjugation perfectly in all forms, including the noun-modifying form '버는' and the formal '법니다'. You can talk about economic trends, such as '요즘은 집에서 돈을 버는 사람들이 늘고 있다' (These days, people earning money from home are increasing). You should also understand the nuance of using '벌다' for business profits and when it's better to use more professional terms like '수익을 창출하다'. Your vocabulary should now include related idioms like '뼈 빠지게 벌다' (to work oneself to the bone).

At the C1 level, you understand the deep social and psychological implications of '돈을 벌다' in Korean culture. You can discuss the 'Hell Joseon' phenomenon or the 'N-po generation' (generations giving up on marriage/kids because earning enough is too hard). You can use the phrase in complex rhetorical structures and academic writing. You understand the historical context of how the desire to 'earn money' fueled Korea's rapid growth but also created a high-stress society. You are capable of using the phrase in literary contexts or high-level business negotiations. You can distinguish between '정당하게 돈을 벌다' (to earn money fairly/legally) and '부정한 방법으로 벌다' (to earn through corrupt means). Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, and you can use the word '벌다' metaphorically in rare contexts, though it remains primarily financial. You can also use the passive form '돈이 벌리다' to describe a business that is effortlessly profitable.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of '돈을 벌다' and all its linguistic relatives. You can analyze the etymology of the verb '벌다' and its relationship to other 'ㄹ' irregulars. You can write philosophical essays on the ethics of earning money in a late-capitalist society using this phrase. You can switch between '돈을 벌다' and its most formal counterparts ('경제적 부를 축적하다' - to accumulate economic wealth) seamlessly depending on the audience. You are sensitive to the micro-nuances of how the phrase is used in different dialects or historical periods of Korean literature. You can use the word in sophisticated puns or wordplay. You understand the systemic economic structures that dictate who can 'earn money' and can discuss these topics in a professional, academic, or political forum. Your command of the 'ㄹ' irregular is instinctive, and you never falter even in the most complex grammatical constructions.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

돈을 벌다 in 30 Seconds

돈을 벌다 means to earn money through work or effort.
It is a very common, neutral phrase used in daily life.
The verb 벌다 is an 'ㄹ' irregular verb (e.g., 법니다).
It differs from 'winning' money (따다) or 'saving' it (모으다).

The Korean expression 돈을 벌다 is a fundamental verb phrase that translates directly to 'to earn money' or 'to make money' in English. It is composed of two parts: 돈 (don), meaning 'money', and the verb 벌다 (beolda), which means 'to earn', 'to gain', or 'to acquire through labor'. This phrase is the primary way to describe the act of receiving compensation for work, whether it is a salary from a full-time corporate job, wages from a part-time gig, or profits from a business venture. Unlike some languages that might use different words for 'earning' versus 'making' (which can sometimes imply creating or printing), Korean uses 벌다 specifically to denote the acquisition of wealth through effort or investment.

Economic Context: In South Korean society, which has seen rapid economic development known as the 'Miracle on the Han River', the concept of 돈을 벌다 carries significant weight. It is often associated with providing for one's family and achieving social mobility. When people discuss their careers, the focus is frequently on how much they can 벌다 in a particular field.
Labor and Effort: The verb 벌다 implies an active process. You don't just 'get' money; you 'earn' it. This distinguishes it from receiving a gift or finding money on the street. It suggests a transaction of time, skill, or capital for a financial return.
Social Usage: You will hear this phrase in almost every aspect of life: from parents telling children why they must go to work, to friends discussing their 'Alba' (part-time jobs), to news reports about the national economy. It is a neutral term that can be used in both formal and informal settings.

열심히 일해서 돈을 벌고 싶어요.
— Translation: I want to work hard and earn money.

그는 주식으로 큰 돈을 벌었습니다.
— Translation: He earned a lot of money through stocks.

Furthermore, the word 벌다 is an 'ㄹ' irregular verb. This means that when it meets certain endings (like -ㄴ, -ㅂ, -ㅅ), the 'ㄹ' at the bottom of the stem disappears. For example, when you use the formal polite ending -(스)ㅂ니다, the word becomes 법니다 (beop-ni-da), not 벌습니다. Understanding this grammatical quirk is essential for using the phrase correctly in professional environments. The versatility of 돈을 벌다 allows it to be used for small amounts (pocket money) as well as massive corporate revenues.

Using 돈을 벌다 correctly involves understanding basic Korean sentence structure (Subject-Object-Verb) and the specific conjugation rules for the verb 벌다. Because it is an action verb, it almost always takes the object particle -을 after 돈 (money). In casual conversation, the particle -을 is often dropped, resulting in 돈 벌다, but in written or formal Korean, it should be included for clarity and correctness.

The 'ㄹ' Irregular Rule: As mentioned, 벌다 is an irregular verb. When the stem 벌- is followed by an ending starting with 'ㄴ', 'ㅂ', or 'ㅅ', the final 'ㄹ' is dropped.
• 벌다 + -(으)면 (if) = 벌면 (If I earn...)
• 벌다 + -는 (noun modifying form) = 버는 (earning...)
• 벌다 + -(스)ㅂ니다 (formal) = 법니다 (I earn.)
Expressing Purpose: To say 'to earn money in order to [do something]', you use the pattern [Verb]려고 돈을 벌다. For example, '유학 가려고 돈을 벌어요' (I am earning money to go study abroad).

부모님을 도와드리려고 돈을 법니다.
— Translation: I earn money to help my parents.

학생일 때 돈을 벌어 본 적이 있어요?
— Translation: Have you ever tried earning money when you were a student?

The phrase can be modified with adverbs to change the nuance. 많이 벌다 means to earn a lot, while 조금 벌다 means to earn a little. If you want to say you earn money 'hard' or 'with difficulty', you use 힘들게 벌다 or 어렵게 벌다. Conversely, 쉽게 벌다 means to earn money easily. These modifiers are crucial for expressing the reality of one's economic situation. In business contexts, you might see 수익을 벌다 (to earn a profit), though 수익을 내다 is more common in formal reports. Always remember that the focus of 벌다 is the income generation process.

In South Korea, discussions about 돈을 벌다 are ubiquitous due to the competitive nature of the job market and the high cost of living in cities like Seoul. You will hear this phrase in several distinct environments, each with its own context. One of the most common places is within the family. Parents often talk to their children about the importance of studying hard so they can 돈을 잘 벌다 (earn money well/successfully) in the future. This isn't just about greed; it's about stability and social standing.

In the Workplace: Colleagues might complain over drinks (Hoesik) about how hard it is to 돈을 벌다 compared to the rising price of real estate. They might say, '돈 벌기 정말 힘들다' (It's really hard to earn money).
In Media and Entertainment: K-Dramas frequently feature characters from different socio-economic backgrounds. A 'Candy' type character (hardworking and poor) will often be shown working multiple jobs to 돈을 벌다 to pay off a family debt. Variety shows like 'I Live Alone' often show celebrities discussing their early days when they couldn't 벌다 much money.

요즘은 유튜브로 돈을 버는 사람들이 많아요.
— Translation: These days, there are many people who earn money through YouTube.

그는 젊었을 때 중동에서 돈을 벌어 왔습니다.
— Translation: He came back after earning money in the Middle East when he was young.

News headlines also use this phrase frequently, though sometimes they opt for more formal synonyms like 수익을 창출하다 (to create profit) or 소득을 올리다 (to raise income). However, when interviewing a common citizen about the economy, the reporter will almost always use 돈을 벌다. In university settings, students discuss part-time jobs (Alba) using this phrase. It is the 'bread and butter' expression for any discussion regarding personal or household finance. If you are watching a reality show about entrepreneurs, you will constantly hear them strategizing on how to 돈을 더 벌 수 있을지 (how they can earn more money).

While 돈을 벌다 seems straightforward, English speakers often make several common errors when translating directly from their native language or when navigating Korean's unique grammar rules. The most frequent mistake is related to the 'ㄹ' irregular conjugation, but there are also semantic nuances that can lead to confusion.

Mistake 1: Incorrect Conjugation: Many learners say 벌습니다 (beol-seum-ni-da) instead of the correct 법니다 (beop-ni-da). Remember the rule: if the stem ends in 'ㄹ' and is followed by 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ', the 'ㄹ' must go away. Another example is 벌는 것 (the act of earning), which must be 버는 것.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Earn' with 'Win': In English, we sometimes say 'I made money at the casino'. In Korean, you cannot use 벌다 for gambling or luck-based gains. You should use 돈을 따다 (to win money). Using 벌다 implies legitimate work or investment effort.
Mistake 3: Confusing 'Earn' with 'Save': Sometimes learners use 벌다 when they mean 모으다 (to collect/save) or 저축하다 (to save in a bank). Earning (벌다) is the inflow; saving (모으다) is the accumulation.

Incorrect: 로또에서 ~~돈을 벌었어요~~.
Correct: 로또에서 돈을 땄어요.
— Note: Use '따다' for winning lotteries or games.

Another subtle mistake is using 돈을 만들다. While 'make money' is common in English, 돈을 만들다 in Korean literally means to manufacture physical currency (like counterfeiting or minting). Unless you are the central bank, you should use 돈을 벌다. Additionally, pay attention to the particles. While 돈이 벌리다 exists (meaning 'money is being earned' or 'money is coming in easily'), it is a passive construction and much less common than the active 돈을 벌다. Stick to the active form for 95% of situations to sound more natural.

While 돈을 벌다 is the most versatile and common way to say 'earn money', Korean has several other expressions that might be more appropriate depending on the level of formality, the source of the money, or the specific business context. Understanding these alternatives will help you reach a more advanced (B1/B2) level of Korean fluency.

수입을 얻다 (To obtain income): This is a more formal and academic version. You might see this in a government report or a serious news article. 수입 means 'income' and 얻다 means 'to get/obtain'.
수익을 내다 (To produce profit): This is used specifically in business contexts. If a company is successful, they 수익을 내다. It focuses on the result of a business operation rather than just the act of working.
돈을 따다 (To win money): As mentioned in common mistakes, this is for gambling, games, or the lottery. It implies luck or competition rather than labor.
생계를 꾸리다 (To make a living): This phrase is more idiomatic and focuses on the survival aspect. It means to manage one's livelihood. It's more emotional and descriptive of the struggle to survive.

그 회사는 작년에 큰 수익을 냈습니다.
— Translation: That company produced a large profit last year.

For even more specific contexts, you might use 일당을 받다 (to receive a daily wage) or 월급을 받다 (to receive a monthly salary). These focus on the *receiving* of the money rather than the *earning* of it. If you want to describe someone who earns money very easily, you might hear the slang 꿀을 빨다 (literally 'to suck honey'), though this is very informal and can be derogatory. On the other hand, 뼈 빠지게 일하다 (to work so hard your bones fall out) is often used in conjunction with 돈을 벌다 to emphasize the extreme effort involved in earning money in a tough economy.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word '벌다' is also used for 'earning' time. '시간을 벌다' means to 'buy time' or save time for a later purpose.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tōn-eul pʌl.da/

US [don-ɯl bʌl.da]

In Korean, stress is generally even, but a slight emphasis is often placed on the first syllable 'don' to highlight the object.

Rhymes With

털다 (teolda - to dust/shake off) 멀다 (meolda - to be far) 걸다 (geolda - to hang/call) 덜다 (deolda - to lessen) 절다 (jeolda - to be pickled) 설다 (seolda - to be unfamiliar) 널다 (neolda - to hang laundry) 헐다 (heolda - to tear down)

Common Errors

Pronouncing '벌' (beol) as '볼' (bol) - sounds like 'see'.
Not dropping the 'ㄹ' when conjugating to 법니다.
Pronouncing '돈을' as '도늘' (do-neul) is correct due to liaison, but some learners keep the 'n' and 'eu' separate.
Confusing the vowel 'eo' (ㅓ) with 'o' (ㅗ).
Pronouncing '벌다' as '빌다' (to pray).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The words are basic, but the 'ㄹ' irregular conjugation can be tricky to recognize in text.

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the 'ㄹ' drop rule when adding endings like -ㅂ니다 or -는.

Speaking 2/5

Commonly used, but learners must practice the pronunciation of 'beol-da' vs 'bil-da'.

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear in context, but can be confused with other 'ㄹ' verbs.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

돈 (money) 일 (work) 회사 (company) 사다 (to buy) 있다 (to have/exist)

Learn Next

저축하다 (to save money) 투자하다 (to invest) 소비하다 (to consume/spend) 경제 (economy) 세금 (tax)

Advanced

자산 (assets) 부채 (debt) 인플레이션 (inflation) 금융 (finance) 재테크 (investment techniques)

Grammar to Know

'ㄹ' Irregular Verbs

벌다 + -(스)ㅂ니다 -> 법니다

Object Particle -을/를

돈을 벌다 (Don-eul beolda)

Purpose Connector -(으)려고

돈을 벌려고 일해요. (I work to earn money.)

Noun Modifying Form -는

돈을 버는 사람 (A person who earns money)

Reason Connector -아서/어서

돈을 벌어서 집을 샀어요. (I earned money and bought a house.)

Examples by Level

저는 돈을 벌어요.

I earn money.

Present tense of 벌다.

돈을 많이 벌고 싶어요.

I want to earn a lot of money.

Using -고 싶다 (want to).

우리 아빠는 돈을 법니다.

My dad earns money.

Formal polite form 법니다 (ㄹ drops).

엄마는 어디에서 돈을 벌어요?

Where does mom earn money?

Question form with '어디' (where).

내 친구는 돈을 안 벌어요.

My friend doesn't earn money.

Negative form using '안'.

커피를 사려고 돈을 벌어요.

I earn money to buy coffee.

Using -(으)려고 to show purpose.

돈을 벌면 기분이 좋아요.

When I earn money, I feel good.

Using -(으)면 (if/when).

열심히 돈을 버세요!

Please earn money hard! (Work hard!)

Imperative honorific form 버세요.

작년에 돈을 많이 벌었어요.

I earned a lot of money last year.

Past tense 벌었어요.

돈을 벌어서 노트북을 샀어요.

I earned money and (then) bought a laptop.

Sequential connector -아서.

돈을 벌기가 너무 힘들어요.

Earning money is too difficult.

Noun form -기 with subject particle -가.

아르바이트로 돈을 벌고 있어요.

I am earning money through a part-time job.

Progressive form -고 있다.

돈을 벌 수 있는 방법이 뭐예요?

What is the way to be able to earn money?

Potential form -(으)ㄹ 수 있다.

돈을 벌면 부모님께 선물을 드릴 거예요.

If I earn money, I will give a gift to my parents.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

그는 돈을 벌기 시작했어요.

He started to earn money.

-기 시작하다 (start to).

돈을 벌어야 집을 살 수 있어요.

I have to earn money to be able to buy a house.

Obligation form -아야/어야.

돈을 버는 것보다 쓰는 것이 더 쉬워요.

Spending money is easier than earning it.

Comparison -보다 with noun form -는 것.

돈을 벌기 위해 매일 야근을 해요.

I work overtime every day to earn money.

-기 위해 (in order to).

돈을 많이 버는 사람은 세금을 많이 내야 해요.

People who earn a lot of money must pay a lot of taxes.

Noun modifying form 버는.

어떻게 하면 돈을 빨리 벌 수 있을까요?

How can I earn money quickly?

Interrogative potential form -(으)ㄹ 수 있을까요.

돈을 벌려고 건강을 해치면 안 돼요.

You shouldn't ruin your health to earn money.

Prohibition form -(으)면 안 되다.

그는 돈을 벌자마자 여행을 떠났어요.

As soon as he earned money, he went on a trip.

-자마자 (as soon as).

돈을 벌기 전에는 부모님께 용돈을 받았어요.

Before I earned money, I received pocket money from my parents.

-기 전에 (before doing).

돈을 벌기가 생각보다 어렵네요.

Earning money is harder than I thought.

Exclamatory ending -네요.

주식으로 돈을 버는 것은 위험할 수 있습니다.

Earning money through stocks can be dangerous.

Formal potential form -ㄹ 수 있습니다.

그는 돈을 벌기 위해서라면 무슨 일이든 할 거예요.

If it's for earning money, he will do anything.

-기 위해서라면 (if it's for the purpose of).

돈을 많이 번다고 해서 항상 행복한 것은 아니에요.

Just because you earn a lot of money doesn't mean you're always happy.

-는다고 해서 (just because... doesn't mean...).

외국에서 돈을 벌어 오는 것이 꿈이에요.

It is my dream to come back after earning money abroad.

Compound verb 벌어 오다.

돈을 벌 수록 더 많이 쓰고 싶어져요.

The more I earn money, the more I want to spend.

-(으)ㄹ 수록 (the more... the more...).

그는 돈을 벌려고 밤낮으로 일했습니다.

He worked day and night to earn money.

Adverbial phrase 밤낮으로 (day and night).

돈을 벌지 못하면 생활하기가 힘들어요.

If you can't earn money, it's hard to live.

Negative potential -지 못하다.

사람들은 정당한 방법으로 돈을 벌어야 합니다.

People must earn money through fair methods.

Formal obligation -아야/어야 합니다.

자본주의 사회에서 돈을 버는 능력은 생존과 직결됩니다.

In a capitalist society, the ability to earn money is directly linked to survival.

Directly linked 직결되다.

그는 부정한 수단으로 돈을 벌었다는 의혹을 받고 있습니다.

He is under suspicion of having earned money through illegal means.

Indirect quote -는다는 의혹을 받다.

돈을 벌기만 하고 쓰지 않는 것은 어리석은 일입니다.

Only earning money and not spending it is a foolish thing.

-기만 하다 (only doing...).

기술의 발달로 돈을 버는 방식이 근본적으로 변하고 있습니다.

With the development of technology, the way of earning money is fundamentally changing.

Fundamentally 근본적으로.

많은 청년들이 돈을 벌기 위해 고군분투하고 있습니다.

Many young people are struggling/fighting a lonely battle to earn money.

Idiomatic expression 고군분투하다.

돈을 버는 과정에서 윤리적인 태도를 잃지 않는 것이 중요합니다.

It is important not to lose an ethical attitude in the process of earning money.

In the process of -는 과정에서.

그는 자수성가하여 막대한 돈을 벌었습니다.

He earned a vast amount of money by being self-made.

Self-made 자수성가하다.

경제 위기 속에서 돈을 벌기란 여간 어려운 일이 아닙니다.

Earning money in an economic crisis is no easy task.

Double negative '여간 ... -이 아니다' (meaning very...).

돈을 벌고자 하는 욕망은 인간의 본성 중 하나인가?

Is the desire to earn money one of the human natures?

Literary connector -고자 하다.

플랫폼 노동자들은 정당하게 돈을 벌 권리를 주장하고 있습니다.

Platform workers are asserting their right to earn money fairly.

Assert a right 권리를 주장하다.

돈을 버는 행위 자체가 자아실현의 수단이 될 수 있습니다.

The act of earning money itself can be a means of self-actualization.

Self-actualization 자아실현.

그는 돈을 버는 데에 혈안이 되어 주변을 돌보지 않았습니다.

He was so hell-bent on earning money that he didn't look after those around him.

Idiom 혈안이 되다 (to be obsessed/bloodshot eyes).

불로소득으로 돈을 버는 것에 대한 사회적 비판이 거셉니다.

Social criticism regarding earning money through unearned income is fierce.

Unearned income 불로소득.

돈을 버는 것과 가치 있는 삶을 사는 것 사이의 괴리를 좁혀야 합니다.

We must narrow the gap between earning money and living a meaningful life.

Narrow a gap 괴리를 좁히다.

그는 남들이 꺼리는 험한 일을 하며 돈을 벌어 왔습니다.

He has been earning money by doing rough work that others avoid.

Avoid/reluctant to do 꺼리다.

돈을 벌기 위해 수단과 방법을 가리지 않는 태도는 지양해야 합니다.

We should avoid the attitude of not caring about the means and methods just to earn money.

Avoid/refrain from 지양하다.

Common Collocations

돈을 많이 벌다

돈을 힘들게 벌다

돈을 쉽게 벌다

돈을 정당하게 벌다

돈을 벌 수단

돈을 벌 나이

돈을 벌 기회

돈을 벌 자격

돈을 벌 목적으로

돈을 벌 능력이 있다

Common Phrases

돈 벌기 힘들다

— It is hard to earn money. A common complaint about the economy.

요즘 물가가 올라서 돈 벌기 참 힘드네요.

돈 벌러 가다

— To go to work (literally: to go to earn money).

저는 이제 돈 벌러 갑니다. 내일 봐요!

돈 버는 기계

— A money-making machine. Often used to describe someone who only works.

저는 그냥 돈 버는 기계가 된 것 같아요.

돈을 벌어 오다

— To bring home the bacon; to earn money and bring it back.

남편이 밖에서 열심히 돈을 벌어 와요.

큰 돈을 벌다

— To make a fortune; to earn a large sum of money.

그 사업가는 비트코인으로 큰 돈을 벌었어요.

용돈을 벌다

— To earn pocket money or extra cash.

주말에 배달 알바를 해서 용돈을 벌어요.

돈을 벌 줄 알다

— To know how to make money; to be business-savvy.

그 친구는 참 돈을 벌 줄 아는 녀석이야.

돈을 벌 만큼 벌다

— To have earned enough money; to be wealthy enough.

그는 이제 돈을 벌 만큼 벌어서 은퇴했어요.

돈을 벌려고 애쓰다

— To struggle or strive to earn money.

가족을 부양하기 위해 돈을 벌려고 애썼어요.

돈 벌 궁리를 하다

— To scheme or think of ways to make money.

그는 매일 새로운 돈 벌 궁리만 해요.

Often Confused With

돈을 벌다 vs 돈을 따다

Used for winning money in games or gambling. '벌다' is for work.

돈을 벌다 vs 돈을 빌리다

Means to borrow money. Sounds similar to '벌다' to beginners.

돈을 벌다 vs 돈을 모으다

Means to save or collect money. '벌다' is the initial earning.

Idioms & Expressions

"뼈 빠지게 돈을 벌다"

— To work oneself to the bone to earn money.

부모님은 우리를 위해 뼈 빠지게 돈을 버셨다.

Informal/Emotional

"피땀 흘려 돈을 벌다"

— To earn money through blood, sweat, and tears.

이건 내가 피땀 흘려 번 돈이야.

Emphatic

"앉아서 돈을 벌다"

— To earn money easily or without physical effort (often through investments).

그는 건물주라 앉아서 돈을 벌어요.

Neutral/Slightly Envious

"눈먼 돈을 벌다"

— To earn money that was 'blind' (easy money, often through luck or loopholes).

우연한 기회에 눈먼 돈을 좀 벌었지.

Informal

"떼돈을 벌다"

— To make a killing; to earn a massive amount of money at once.

그 영화가 대박이 나서 제작사가 떼돈을 벌었대요.

Colloquial

"푼돈을 벌다"

— To earn a pittance; to make very small amounts of money.

하루 종일 일해봐야 푼돈 벌기 바빠요.

Neutral

"남의 주머니에서 돈을 벌다"

— To earn money from others (often implies sales or business).

남의 주머니에서 돈 벌기가 어디 쉽나?

Informal

"돈을 긁어 모으다"

— To rake in money (implies earning very quickly and greedily).

그 가게는 요즘 돈을 긁어 모으고 있어요.

Colloquial

"땅 짚고 헤엄치며 돈 벌다"

— To earn money as easily as swimming while touching the ground.

독점 사업이라 땅 짚고 헤엄치며 돈 벌고 있죠.

Informal

"정승처럼 벌어서 개처럼 쓰다"

— To earn money like a nobleman and spend it like a dog (to earn with dignity and spend freely).

그는 정승처럼 벌어서 개처럼 쓰는 스타일이에요.

Proverbial

Easily Confused

돈을 벌다 vs 빌다

Sounds similar to 벌다.

빌다 means to pray or beg. 벌다 means to earn.

신에게 빌다 (Pray to God) vs 돈을 벌다 (Earn money).

돈을 벌다 vs 불다

Vowel difference (u vs eo).

불다 means to blow (wind).

바람이 불다 (Wind blows).

돈을 벌다 vs 벌이다

Shares the same root '벌'.

벌이다 means to start a business or set things out.

사업을 벌이다 (Start a business).

돈을 벌다 vs 버리다

Vowel difference (eo vs eo, but different verb).

버리다 means to throw away.

쓰레기를 버리다 (Throw away trash).

돈을 벌다 vs 빌리다

Similar initial sound.

빌리다 means to borrow.

책을 빌리다 (Borrow a book).

Sentence Patterns

저는 [Place]에서 돈을 벌어요.

저는 카페에서 돈을 벌어요.

[Object]을/를 사려고 돈을 벌어요.

차를 사려고 돈을 벌어요.

돈을 벌기가 [Adjective]네요.

돈을 벌기가 쉽지 않네요.

돈을 벌 수록 [Result].

돈을 벌 수록 세금을 더 많이 내요.

돈을 버는 과정에서 [Noun]이/가 중요합니다.

돈을 버는 과정에서 정직함이 중요합니다.

돈을 벌고자 하는 욕구는 [Noun]에 기인합니다.

돈을 벌고자 하는 욕구는 생존 본능에 기인합니다.

[Method]로 돈을 벌고 있습니다.

유튜브로 돈을 벌고 있습니다.

돈을 벌면 [Plan].

돈을 벌면 여행을 갈 거예요.

Word Family

Nouns

벌이 (earnings/livelihood)

돈벌이 (money-making/business)

수입 (income)

소득 (earnings)

Verbs

돈벌이하다 (to make a living/do business)

벌어들이다 (to earn/bring in income)

월급 (monthly salary)

연봉 (annual salary)

아르바이트 (part-time job)

부자 (rich person)

가난 (poverty)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely frequent in daily conversation and media.

Common Mistakes

로또에서 돈을 벌었어요. → 로또에서 돈을 땄어요.
You 'win' (따다) the lottery, you don't 'earn' (벌다) it through labor.
저는 돈을 벌습니다. → 저는 돈을 법니다.
The 'ㄹ' must drop before 'ㅂ' in the formal ending.
돈을 벌는 것이 힘들어요. → 돈을 버는 것이 힘들어요.
The 'ㄹ' drops before 'ㄴ' in the noun-modifying form.
돈을 만들고 싶어요. → 돈을 벌고 싶어요.
'만들다' means to physically manufacture. '벌다' is to earn.
은행에서 돈을 벌었어요. (meaning borrowed) → 은행에서 돈을 빌렸어요.
Confusing '벌다' (earn) with '빌리다' (borrow).

Tips

Master the ㄹ-drop

Always remember that '벌다' becomes '버는' (modifying a noun) and '법니다' (formal). This rule applies to all verbs ending in 'ㄹ'.

Casual vs Formal

Use '돈을 벌다' with friends, but consider '수익을 창출하다' for business meetings to sound more professional.

The 'Alba' Culture

In Korea, students often '돈을 벌다' through 'Alba' (part-time jobs). Mentioning your Alba experience is a great conversation starter.

Pair with Adverbs

Use adverbs like '열심히' (hard), '정당하게' (fairly), or '쉽게' (easily) to add detail to your sentences.

Beol = Bee

Remember 'Beol' (벌) sounds like 'Bee'. Bees work hard to earn honey. You work hard to earn money!

Use Noun Forms

Using '돈 벌기' as a subject (e.g., '돈 벌기는 어려워요') makes your Korean sound more natural and sophisticated.

Listen for the 'ㄹ' in compounds

In words like '돈벌이', the 'ㄹ' stays. Listen for the difference between the verb and the noun.

Pronounce the 'eo'

Ensure the 'eo' (ㅓ) in 'beol-da' is open and distinct from 'o' (ㅗ). If it sounds like 'bol-da', people might be confused.

Workplace Phrases

Learn '돈 벌러 가요' as a standard way to say you're heading to work in a slightly playful or humble way.

Practice Tenses

Regularly practice '벌었어요', '벌어요', and '벌 거예요' to become comfortable with the verb's flow.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a honey 'BEE' (sounds like 'beol' in Korean) working hard in a field to bring back honey (money). Bees earn their keep!

Visual Association

Picture a person with a shovel (effort) digging into a pile of coins (money).

Word Web

돈 (Money) 벌다 (Earn) 일 (Work) 회사 (Company) 월급 (Salary) 부자 (Rich) 가난 (Poor) 소비 (Spending)

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about what you would do if you earned 1 billion won using the phrase '돈을 많이 벌면'.

Word Origin

Native Korean word. The root '벌-' has historically meant to gain, acquire, or produce through effort.

Original meaning: To gain or acquire through labor.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking people exactly how much they earn (얼마 벌어요?), as it can be seen as intrusive depending on the relationship.

In English, we say 'make money' more often than 'earn money' in casual speech. In Korean, '벌다' covers both.

The movie 'Ode to My Father' (국제시장) depicts the struggle to earn money abroad. Many K-pop songs (like those by BTS or Epik High) discuss the struggle and success of earning money. The drama 'Squid Game' is the ultimate (and dark) exploration of the lengths people go to earn money.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Interview

이 회사에서 돈을 벌면서 배우고 싶습니다.
정당하게 돈을 벌 준비가 되었습니다.
성과를 내어 회사에 돈을 벌어다 주겠습니다.
경험을 통해 돈을 버는 법을 배웠습니다.

Family Discussion

아빠, 돈 많이 벌어 오세요!
우리 가족이 먹고 살려면 돈을 벌어야 해.
너도 이제 스스로 돈을 벌 나이야.
돈 벌기가 얼마나 힘든 줄 아니?

Shopping

이거 사려면 돈을 더 벌어야겠어요.
돈 벌어서 뭐 할 거예요?
열심히 벌어서 명품 가방 하나 사고 싶다.
돈 버는 것보다 쓰는 게 더 빠르네.

Investment

주식으로 돈을 벌 수 있을까요?
부동산으로 돈을 번 사람들이 많아요.
돈이 돈을 버는 구조를 만들어야 해요.
코인으로 돈 벌었다는 소식 들었어?

Complaint/Stress

돈 벌기 진짜 지친다.
이렇게까지 해서 돈을 벌어야 하나?
남의 돈 벌기가 쉬운 게 아니야.
돈 벌려고 내 청춘을 다 바쳤어.

Conversation Starters

"나중에 돈을 많이 벌면 가장 먼저 무엇을 하고 싶어요?"

"한국에서 외국인이 돈을 벌기가 쉬울까요, 어려울까요?"

"돈을 벌기 위해 가장 중요한 능력은 무엇이라고 생각하세요?"

"처음으로 돈을 벌었을 때의 기분을 기억하시나요?"

"요즘 유행하는 'N잡'으로 돈을 버는 것에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

Journal Prompts

내가 돈을 버는 가장 큰 이유는 무엇인가요? 돈에 대한 나의 가치관을 써 보세요.

지금까지 해본 일 중에서 가장 힘들게 돈을 벌었던 경험에 대해 적어 보세요.

만약 내가 일하지 않고도 돈을 벌 수 있다면, 나의 일상은 어떻게 변할까요?

돈을 많이 버는 것과 내가 좋아하는 일을 하는 것 중 무엇이 더 중요한가요?

앞으로 10년 뒤에 나는 어떻게 돈을 벌고 있을까요? 미래의 나의 모습을 상상해 보세요.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '돈을 만들다' literally means to manufacture money (like a mint). Use '돈을 벌다' for making/earning money through work.

Because '벌다' is an 'ㄹ' irregular verb. The 'ㄹ' drops when it meets 'ㄴ, ㅂ, ㅅ'. This is a standard rule in Korean grammar.

Yes, in casual conversation, '돈 벌다' is very common and sounds natural. In formal writing, keep the particle.

Yes, '벌다' is used for investments like stocks and real estate because they require capital and strategy.

'벌다' is specifically for earning through effort/labor. '얻다' is more general (to get/obtain) and can include information or help.

You say '돈을 많이 벌어요'. '많이' is the adverb used to modify the amount earned.

Yes! '시간을 벌다' means to 'buy time' or save time for a particular purpose.

It is a neutral phrase. To make it polite, you conjugate it to '벌어요' or use the honorific '버시다' for others.

It comes from '벌이' (earning). It means a couple where both partners work to earn money.

Use the progressive form: '돈을 벌고 있어요'.