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돈을 받다

A2 verb 8 min read

돈을 받다

doneul batda

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 돈을 받다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 돈을 받다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners focus on the most basic use of '돈을 받다'. This typically involves simple transactions like receiving change at a store or getting a small amount of pocket money. The focus is on the present tense '받아요' and the past tense '받았어요'. Learners should understand that '돈' is the thing being received and '받다' is the action. They learn to identify the person giving the money using basic particles like '한테'. The context is usually limited to personal, immediate needs. Exercises at this level involve matching pictures of transactions to the phrase and simple sentence completion.

At the A2 level, the learner's understanding expands to include more varied contexts such as receiving a salary (월급), a birthday gift of money, or a refund (환불). They begin to use the phrase with more complex grammar, such as '받고 싶다' (want to receive) or '받을 수 있다' (can receive). They also start to distinguish between '받다' and '벌다' (earn). Cultural contexts like 'Sebaetdon' (New Year's money) are introduced. The learner can describe a sequence of events, such as going to the bank to receive money and then going shopping. They also become familiar with the polite imperative '받으세요' (please receive/take it).

At the B1 level, learners use '돈을 받다' in more abstract or professional scenarios. They can discuss receiving loans (대출), interest (이자), or insurance payouts (보험금). They begin to use the phrase in subordinate clauses, such as '돈을 받으면...' (If/when I receive money...). They also start to recognize more formal synonyms like '수령하다' in written contexts. The learner can handle more complex social situations, such as declining money politely or asking for a receipt. They understand the nuance of receiving money as a representative of a group. Their ability to use the phrase in various tenses and moods (conditional, causative) increases significantly.

At the B2 level, the learner is comfortable using '돈을 받다' in discussions about economics, social issues, and complex legal matters. They can talk about receiving government subsidies, the ethics of receiving certain types of funding, and the implications of receiving money in political contexts. They understand idiomatic uses and can distinguish between '받다', '타다', and '얻다' with high accuracy. They can also use the phrase in the passive-inflected forms or within complex noun phrases. Their vocabulary includes many collocations related to 'receiving money' in specialized fields like finance or law. They can express subtle nuances of intent or obligation related to the act of receiving.

At the C1 level, the learner has a near-native grasp of the phrase and its many variations. They can use '돈을 받다' in academic writing or professional presentations to describe capital inflows, revenue streams, or fiscal transfers. They understand the historical and etymological roots of the word '받다' and how it relates to other concepts of acceptance and receipt. They can navigate highly formal or archaic language where '받다' might be replaced by very specific Hanja-based terms. They are sensitive to the socio-linguistic implications of using different levels of formality when discussing money and can use the phrase to convey irony, sarcasm, or deep respect.

At the C2 level, the learner's mastery is indistinguishable from a highly educated native speaker. They can interpret and use '돈을 받다' in literature, legal statutes, and complex philosophical discourses. They understand the finest distinctions between similar terms and can explain them to others. They can use the phrase in wordplay, puns, and complex metaphors. Their understanding of the cultural weight of 'receiving money' in Korean society—including the intricate rules of 'Gyeongjosa' (family events)—is complete. They can effortlessly switch between registers, from the most casual street slang to the most elevated formal language, while maintaining perfect grammatical and cultural accuracy.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

돈을 받다 in 30 Seconds

A basic phrase meaning 'to receive money' from any source.
Essential for daily transactions, work, and social gift-giving contexts.
Used with the verb '받다' (to receive) and noun '돈' (money).
Distinguished from '벌다' (to earn) by focusing on receipt, not labor.

The Korean phrase 돈을 받다 is a fundamental expression that translates directly to 'to receive money' or 'to be given money.' It is composed of the noun 돈 (money), the object marker 을, and the verb 받다 (to receive, to accept, or to get). In the context of daily life, this phrase covers a vast spectrum of financial interactions, ranging from the simple act of receiving change at a convenience store to the more formal process of receiving a monthly salary or a large inheritance. Understanding this phrase is crucial because it describes the passive side of a transaction where resources are moving toward you. Unlike 'to earn' (벌다), which implies effort and labor, 돈을 받다 simply describes the physical or digital receipt of currency. It is used in both formal and informal settings, making it an essential part of an A2 learner's repertoire.

Daily Transactions: When you buy something and receive change, or when a friend pays you back for lunch, this is the most common usage.
Professional Context: Used when discussing receiving a paycheck (월급을 받다) or a bonus (보너스를 받다) from an employer.
Social Gifts: In Korea, giving money for birthdays, weddings, or holidays like Seollal is common. This phrase describes receiving that gift.

부모님께 용돈을 받다. (To receive pocket money from parents.)

Furthermore, the phrase can take on more nuanced meanings depending on the particle used. For instance, when you receive money *for* a specific purpose, you might use '값으로 돈을 받다' (to receive money as payment for...). In business, it can refer to the collection of accounts receivable. It is a neutral term, but its tone can be shifted by the honorifics applied to the verb 받다. While 받다 is generally neutral, if you are receiving money from a very high-ranking person in a formal ceremony, you might hear more complex structures, though 받다 remains the standard. It is also used in negative contexts, such as '돈을 못 받다' (to not be able to receive money/not get paid), which is a common complaint in labor disputes or among freelancers. This phrase is the cornerstone of discussing income, gifts, and financial settlements in Korean society.

Using 돈을 받다 correctly requires an understanding of Korean verb conjugation and the use of particles. The verb 받다 follows the regular conjugation rules for stems ending in a consonant. In the polite present tense, it becomes 받아요. In the past tense, it becomes 받았어요. When speaking about future intentions or certainties, it becomes 받을 거예요. The object marker 을 is often dropped in casual speech, resulting in 돈 받다, but for learners, keeping the marker is recommended for clarity and grammatical accuracy. The most important thing to remember is the direction of the action; the subject is always the recipient.

Present Tense: 저는 매달 월급을 받아요. (I receive a salary every month.)
Past Tense: 어제 친구한테 돈을 받았어요. (I received money from my friend yesterday.)
Honorific Use: 할아버지께서 세뱃돈을 받으셨어요. (Grandfather received New Year's money.) *Note: Use '받으시다' when the subject is an elder.

은행에서 돈을 받고 바로 나갔어요. (I received the money at the bank and left immediately.)

In more complex sentence structures, 돈을 받다 can be combined with auxiliary verbs. For example, '돈을 받고 싶다' expresses the desire to receive money. '돈을 받아야 한다' expresses the necessity or obligation to receive money (perhaps money that is owed). In business emails, you might see the noun form '수령' (receipt) used, but in spoken conversation, '받다' is the universal choice. It is also important to note the difference between '돈을 받다' and '돈을 타다'. While both mean to receive money, '타다' is specifically used for receiving money as a prize, a winning, or a regular allowance/pension that feels like a 'grant'. For general transactions, '받다' is always safe. Mastery of this phrase involves knowing when to use it over its more specific synonyms.

You will encounter the phrase 돈을 받다 in almost every corner of Korean life. In a commercial setting, such as a restaurant or a shop, you might hear the cashier say, '돈 받았습니다' (I have received the money) after you pay. This is a polite way of acknowledging the transaction. In a corporate environment, colleagues might discuss when they will receive their bonuses or if they have received reimbursement for travel expenses. On Korean television dramas (K-Dramas), this phrase often appears in tense scenes involving debts, where a character might shout, '제 돈을 언제 받을 수 있어요?' (When can I get my money?), or in heartwarming family scenes where children receive 'Sebaetdon' (New Year's money) from their elders.

At the Market: '잔돈 받으세요' (Please receive your change). Here, '받다' is used as an imperative for the customer.
In the Office: '아직 정산금을 못 받았어요' (I haven't received the settlement money yet).
Among Friends: '빌려준 돈 받았어?' (Did you get the money you lent back?).

축의금을 받는 사람이 누구예요? (Who is the person receiving the wedding congratulatory money?)

News reports frequently use this phrase when discussing government subsidies or economic relief packages. For example, '재난지원금을 받는 절차' (The procedure for receiving disaster relief funds). It is also a key phrase in banking apps, where notifications might pop up saying '입금이 확인되어 돈을 받았습니다' (Deposit confirmed, money received). Even in digital spaces, like YouTube or AfreecaTV, creators talk about '후원금을 받다' (receiving donations/sponsorships). The ubiquity of the phrase stems from its simplicity and directness. It avoids the fluff of formal financial jargon while being perfectly acceptable in polite society. Whether you are dealing with physical cash or digital transfers, 받다 is the action word that signifies the completion of the money's journey to you.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make with 돈을 받다 is confusing it with 'to earn money' (돈을 벌다). While 'receiving money' can include earnings, 벌다 specifically implies the effort of working for it. If you say 'I received a lot of money this month' using 받다, it could mean a gift or a loan, whereas 벌다 clearly indicates profit from labor. Another common error is the misuse of particles. Learners often use the subject marker '이/가' on '돈' when they mean they received it, which changes the meaning to 'the money receives...' which is nonsensical. Always ensure '돈' is the object (을/를).

Confusing with '주다' (Give): Beginning learners sometimes mix up 'give' and 'receive'. Remember: 주다 is out, 받다 is in.
Incorrect Honorifics: Using '받으셨어요' for yourself is a major social gaffe. You should only use honorifics for others.
Missing Object Marker: While '돈 받다' is okay casually, in writing, '돈을 받다' is necessary.

Mistake: 제가 돈을 ~~받으셨어요~~. -> Correct: 제가 돈을 받았어요.

Additionally, learners often struggle with the distinction between 받다 and 얻다. While 얻다 also means 'to get' or 'to obtain,' it is usually used for non-physical things like information, permission, or a reputation, or for getting something through luck or specific effort. For physical money, 받다 is the standard. Another nuance is the use of '받다' in passive-like constructions. In English, we say 'I got paid,' which sounds passive. In Korean, you use the active 'I received money' (돈을 받았다). Trying to translate 'got paid' literally into a passive Korean verb often leads to unnatural phrasing. Stick to the active 돈을 받다 and you will sound much more like a native speaker.

While 돈을 받다 is the most versatile phrase, Korean has several synonyms that are used in more specific contexts. Understanding these will help you move from A2 to B1 and beyond. For example, 수령하다 is a formal version of 'to receive' often used in official documents, banking, or when receiving a package or a large sum of money. 취득하다 means 'to acquire,' often used for assets or licenses. When talking about earning money through work, 벌다 is the correct choice. If you are receiving money as a prize or a regular grant, 타다 is frequently used.

돈을 벌다 vs. 받다: 벌다 = To earn (active labor); 받다 = To receive (general receipt).
돈을 타다: Used for: Winning the lottery (복권에 당첨되어 돈을 타다), receiving a scholarship, or getting a monthly allowance.
수금하다: Specifically 'to collect money' that is owed, often used in business contexts.

장학금을 타다 (To receive/get a scholarship) vs. 월급을 받다 (To receive a salary).

In casual slang, you might hear 삥 뜯다, which refers to extorting money (bullying), though this is obviously a very different context. On the more positive side, 돈을 챙기다 can mean 'to pocket money' or 'to make sure one gets their share,' sometimes with a slightly selfish or shrewd connotation. In finance, you might hear 회수하다 (to withdraw/collect/recoup). For a learner, the key is to first master 돈을 받다 and then slowly layer in these alternatives as your vocabulary grows. Always pay attention to the *source* of the money and the *formality* of the situation to choose the best alternative.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

Some etymologists believe '돈' (don) comes from '돌고 돈다' (circulating), meaning money is something that keeps moving from person to person.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ton-ɯl pat.t͈a/

US /doʊn-əl bɑːt-dɑː/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'Don'.

Rhymes With

손을 잡다 (son-eul jap-da) 문을 닫다 (mun-eul dat-da) 밥을 먹다 (bap-eul meok-da) 길을 걷다 (gil-eul geot-da) 짐을 맡다 (jim-eul mat-da) 말을 듣다 (mal-eul deut-da) 꽃을 심다 (kkot-eul sim-da) 빛을 받다 (bit-eul bat-da)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eul' like 'ool'.
Not tensing the 'd' in 'bat-da' after the 't' batchim.
Making the 'd' in 'don' too breathy like a 't'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Very simple to read as it uses basic characters and a common verb.

Writing 2/5

Requires knowledge of the object marker '을'.

Speaking 2/5

Common in daily life, easy to conjugate.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sounds make it easy to recognize in conversation.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

돈 을/를 받다 주다 사람

Learn Next

돈을 벌다 돈을 내다 결제하다 송금하다 환전하다

Advanced

수령하다 취득하다 배당금 수수료 위자료

Grammar to Know

Object Marker 을/를

돈을 (Object) 받다 (Verb).

Recipient Particles 에게/한테/께

친구한테 (From friend) 돈을 받다.

Connective -고

돈을 받고 (Receive and) 시장에 갔어요.

Condition -으면

돈을 받으면 (If I receive) 살게요.

Ability -을 수 있다

돈을 받을 수 있어요 (Can receive).

Examples by Level

엄마한테 돈을 받아요.

I receive money from my mom.

Present tense '받아요'.

친구한테 돈을 받았어요.

I received money from a friend.

Past tense '받았어요'.

돈을 받으세요.

Please receive the money (Take the money).

Polite imperative '받으세요'.

저는 돈을 받고 싶어요.

I want to receive money.

'-고 싶다' expresses desire.

누가 돈을 받아요?

Who receives the money?

Interrogative '누가'.

여기서 돈을 받으세요.

Receive the money here.

Location particle '여기서'.

돈을 안 받았어요.

I didn't receive the money.

Negative '안'.

동생이 돈을 받아요.

My younger sibling receives money.

Subject '동생이'.

생일에 용돈을 많이 받았어요.

I received a lot of pocket money on my birthday.

Time particle '생일에'.

은행에서 돈을 받을 수 있어요?

Can I receive money at the bank?

'-을 수 있다' expresses possibility.

월급을 받으면 가방을 살 거예요.

When I receive my salary, I will buy a bag.

'-으면' expresses condition.

거스름돈을 받는 것을 잊지 마세요.

Don't forget to receive your change.

'-는 것' nominalizes the phrase.

어제 빌려준 돈을 받았어요.

I received the money I lent yesterday.

Modifier '빌려준' (that I lent).

세뱃돈을 받으러 할머니 댁에 가요.

I'm going to my grandmother's house to receive New Year's money.

'-으러 가다' expresses purpose.

돈을 받고 영수증을 줬어요.

I received the money and gave a receipt.

Connective '-고'.

아르바이트비를 아직 못 받았어요.

I haven't been able to receive my part-time job pay yet.

Adverb '못' (cannot).

보험금을 받으려면 서류가 필요해요.

To receive insurance money, you need documents.

'-으려면' (in order to).

그는 퇴직금을 받고 회사를 그만뒀어요.

He received his severance pay and quit the company.

Compound sentence with '-고'.

정부에서 지원금을 받는 가구가 늘고 있어요.

The number of households receiving government subsidies is increasing.

Relative clause '받는 가구'.

이자 돈을 받는 재미가 쏠쏠해요.

Receiving interest money is quite enjoyable.

Noun phrase '받는 재미'.

돈을 받는 대로 바로 연락해 주세요.

Please contact me as soon as you receive the money.

'-는 대로' (as soon as).

그는 뇌물을 받은 혐의로 조사받고 있어요.

He is under investigation on charges of receiving bribes.

Noun phrase '뇌물을 받은 혐의'.

기부금을 받는 단체가 어디예요?

Which organization receives the donations?

Relative clause modifying '단체'.

환전한 돈을 받을 때 환율을 확인하세요.

Check the exchange rate when you receive the exchanged money.

'-을 때' (when).

배당금을 받는 주주들의 권리입니다.

It is the right of shareholders to receive dividends.

Subjective noun phrase.

그는 정당한 대가를 받고 일을 했어요.

He did the work and received a fair price/compensation.

Idiomatic '대가를 받다'.

돈을 받는 방식이 매우 복잡해졌어요.

The method of receiving money has become very complicated.

Complex subject '돈을 받는 방식'.

수수료를 받는 것이 당연하다고 생각해요.

I think it's natural to receive a commission/fee.

Gerund '받는 것'.

그는 거액의 유산을 받고 부자가 되었어요.

He received a large inheritance and became rich.

Noun phrase '거액의 유산'.

돈을 받는 것보다 주는 것이 더 행복해요.

Giving is happier than receiving money.

Comparison 'A보다 B'.

미납된 돈을 받기 위해 소송을 걸었어요.

I filed a lawsuit to receive the unpaid money.

'-기 위해' (for the purpose of).

그는 돈을 받는 즉시 빚을 갚았어요.

He paid off his debt as soon as he received the money.

'-는 즉시' (immediately upon).

불로소득을 받는 것에 대한 사회적 논란이 있어요.

There is social controversy about receiving unearned income.

Abstract noun '불로소득'.

그는 원고료를 받는 대신 책을 기부했어요.

Instead of receiving a manuscript fee, he donated the books.

'-는 대신' (instead of).

보조금을 받는 조건이 매우 까다롭습니다.

The conditions for receiving the subsidy are very strict.

Adjective '까다롭다'.

돈을 받는 행위 자체가 범죄가 될 수 있어요.

The act of receiving money itself can be a crime.

Emphasis particle '자체'.

출연료를 받는 과정에서 갈등이 생겼어요.

Conflicts arose in the process of receiving appearance fees.

Noun '과정' (process).

그는 익명으로 돈을 받는 것을 선호합니다.

He prefers receiving money anonymously.

Adverb '익명으로'.

돈을 받는 입장에서 거절하기가 어렵네요.

From the position of receiving money, it's hard to refuse.

Noun '입장' (position/perspective).

연금을 받는 시기가 늦춰질 전망입니다.

The time for receiving pensions is expected to be delayed.

Passive-like '늦춰질 전망'.

정치 자금을 받는 행위는 투명해야 합니다.

The act of receiving political funds must be transparent.

Formal register.

그는 일체의 돈을 받는 것을 거부하며 청렴을 지켰다.

He maintained his integrity by refusing to receive any money at all.

Literary style.

위자료를 받는 절차가 법적으로 명시되어 있다.

The procedure for receiving alimony/compensation is legally specified.

Legal terminology.

그는 부당하게 돈을 받은 사실을 은폐하려 했다.

He tried to conceal the fact that he had received money unjustly.

Verb '은폐하다' (conceal).

돈을 받는 것에 급급해 대의를 그르쳐서는 안 된다.

One should not ruin a great cause by being preoccupied with receiving money.

Proverbial tone.

로열티를 받는 구조를 다각화할 필요가 있다.

There is a need to diversify the structure of receiving royalties.

Business terminology.

그는 명예로운 상금과 함께 돈을 받았다.

He received the money along with an honorable prize.

Adjective '명예로운'.

돈을 받는 주체가 불분명하여 수사가 난항을 겪고 있다.

The investigation is facing difficulties because the entity receiving the money is unclear.

Formal noun '주체' (subject/entity).

Common Collocations

월급을 받다

용돈을 받다

거스름돈을 받다

세뱃돈을 받다

대출을 받다

상금을 받다

뇌물을 받다

기부금을 받다

위자료를 받다

환불을 받다

Common Phrases

돈을 언제 받아요?

— Asking about the timing of payment.

제 알바비는 언제 받아요?

돈을 못 받았어요.

— Expressing that money hasn't been received.

빌려준 돈을 아직 못 받았어요.

돈을 받고 싶어요.

— Expressing a desire for money.

빨리 보너스를 받고 싶어요.

돈을 받을 수 있어요?

— Asking about the possibility of receiving money.

여기서 현금을 받을 수 있어요?

돈을 받아 가세요.

— Telling someone to take their money.

여기 거스름돈 받아 가세요.

돈을 받는 사람

— The recipient of the money.

돈을 받는 사람이 누구인지 확인하세요.

돈을 받으러 가다

— Going somewhere for the purpose of getting money.

은행에 돈을 받으러 가요.

돈을 받은 것 같아요.

— Thinking that money has been received.

입금이 된 걸 보니 돈을 받은 것 같아요.

돈을 꼭 받아야 해요.

— Stating the necessity of receiving money.

오늘까지는 돈을 꼭 받아야 해요.

돈을 받기만 하다

— Only receiving money without giving back.

친구는 돈을 받기만 하고 절대 안 사요.

Often Confused With

돈을 받다 vs 돈을 벌다

Means 'to earn money' through work, while '받다' is just the act of receiving.

돈을 받다 vs 돈을 따다

Specifically means 'to win money' in gambling or a game of chance.

돈을 받다 vs 돈을 찾다

Means 'to withdraw money' from a bank or ATM.

Idioms & Expressions

"공돈을 받다"

— To receive unexpected money or 'free' money.

길에서 만 원을 주워서 공돈을 받은 기분이에요.

Informal

"피 같은 돈을 받다"

— To receive money that was earned with extreme difficulty or sacrifice.

부모님의 피 같은 돈을 받아서 공부하고 있어요.

Emotional

"뒷돈을 받다"

— To receive a bribe or 'under-the-table' money.

그 공무원은 뒷돈을 받다가 걸렸어요.

Negative

"떼인 돈을 받다"

— To get back money that someone refused to pay or ran away with.

드디어 떼인 돈을 다 받았어요.

Informal

"떡값을 받다"

— Literally 'rice cake money,' but often refers to a small bonus or a bribe disguised as a gift.

명절이라고 회사에서 떡값을 받았어요.

Cultural

"푼돈을 받다"

— To receive a very small, insignificant amount of money.

하루 종일 일하고 푼돈을 받았어요.

Informal

"목돈을 받다"

— To receive a large sum of money all at once.

적금이 만기되어 목돈을 받았어요.

Neutral

"눈먼 돈을 받다"

— To receive money that has no clear owner or was obtained through a loophole.

그건 눈먼 돈을 받은 거나 다름없어.

Informal

"거저 받다"

— To receive something (money) for free without any effort.

이 돈은 그냥 거저 받는 거예요.

Informal

"손을 벌려 돈을 받다"

— To ask for and receive money (often implying dependency).

나이가 들어서도 부모님께 손을 벌려 돈을 받아요.

Metaphorical

Easily Confused

돈을 받다 vs 받다

General verb for 'receive'.

Can be used for anything (gifts, calls, stress), not just money.

전화를 받다 (Receive a call).

돈을 받다 vs 타다

Also used for receiving money.

Used for prizes, scholarships, or regular allowances that feel like a 'grant'.

상금을 타다 (Receive prize money).

돈을 받다 vs 얻다

Means 'to get'.

Usually for non-physical things like information or through luck/effort.

기회를 얻다 (Get an opportunity).

돈을 받다 vs 수수하다

Sounds similar in some conjugations.

Means 'to be simple/plain'.

옷이 수수해요.

돈을 받다 vs 바꾸다

Used in money exchange.

Means 'to change' one currency for another.

달러를 원화로 바꾸다.

Sentence Patterns

[Person]한테 돈을 받아요.

아빠한테 돈을 받아요.

돈을 받으세요.

여기 돈 받으세요.

[Event]에 돈을 받았어요.

생일에 돈을 받았어요.

돈을 받고 싶어요.

빨리 돈을 받고 싶어요.

돈을 받으면 [Action].

돈을 받으면 밥을 살게요.

돈을 받을 수 있어요?

지금 돈을 받을 수 있어요?

돈을 받는 대신에 [Action].

돈을 받는 대신에 선물을 받았어요.

돈을 받는 과정에서 [Noun].

돈을 받는 과정에서 문제가 생겼어요.

Word Family

Nouns

수취인 (Recipient)

수령 (Receipt)

입금 (Deposit)

지불 (Payment)

Verbs

받아들이다 (To accept/take in)

받아내다 (To manage to get/extract)

되받다 (To receive back)

Adjectives

받을만한 (Deserving to receive)

주다 (Give)

벌다 (Earn)

쓰다 (Spend)

바꾸다 (Change)

빌리다 (Borrow)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation and financial transactions.

Common Mistakes

돈이 받았어요. → 돈을 받았어요.
You are the subject receiving the money, so 'money' must be the object (을).
제가 돈을 받으셨어요. → 제가 돈을 받았어요.
Never use the honorific suffix '-으시-' for your own actions.
돈을 벌았어요. → 돈을 벌었어요.
Confusing 'earn' (벌다) and 'receive' (받다) or misconjugating '벌다'.
친구에게서 돈을 주었어요. → 친구에게서 돈을 받았어요.
Confusing 'give' and 'receive'. 'From' (에게서) must be followed by 'receive' (받다).
돈을 수수했어요. → 돈을 받았어요.
'수수하다' means plain/simple, not receive money. Use '받다'.

Tips

Particle Choice

Use '한테' for people you are close to and '에게' for more formal writing when indicating the source of the money.

Two Hands

When receiving money from someone older than you, always use both hands to accept it.

Earn vs Receive

Don't say '돈을 받았어요' when you want to emphasize how hard you worked for it; use '돈을 벌었어요' instead.

dropping the marker

In fast, casual speech, '을' is almost always dropped. Practice saying '돈 받았어?' naturally.

Acknowledging Receipt

When you receive a bank transfer, it's polite to send a quick message saying '돈 잘 받았습니다' (I received the money well).

Batchim Sound

Notice how '받다' sounds like 'bat-da' with a sharp stop at the 't'. This helps distinguish it from similar sounding words.

Spacing

Ensure there is a space between '돈을' and '받다'. In Korean, nouns and verbs are typically separated.

Invoices

In a business context, if you are asking for payment, you might say '입금 부탁드립니다' (Please deposit) rather than '돈 주세요'.

Universal Use

Since '받다' is a very general verb, you can use it for almost any situation involving an inflow of cash.

Pocket Money

Learn '용돈' (allowance) as it is the most common noun paired with '받다' in family contexts.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Don' as a person named Don who is always 'Batting' (받다) away the bills he 'receives'.

Visual Association

Imagine a pair of open hands waiting for golden coins (돈) to fall into them (받다).

Word Web

Income Salary Gift Change Bank Wallet ATM Pocket

Challenge

Try to use '돈을 받다' in three different tenses today when talking about your finances.

Word Origin

The phrase consists of '돈' (money) and '받다' (to receive). '돈' is a native Korean word of uncertain origin, though some link it to '돌다' (to rotate/circulate). '받다' is a native Korean verb meaning to receive or accept.

Original meaning: To take something that is given or offered.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when discussing 'receiving money' in a way that might imply bribery or greed in professional settings.

In English, 'getting paid' is the most common equivalent, but 'receiving money' is used for gifts.

Sebaetdon (Lunar New Year money tradition) K-Drama tropes of 'white envelopes' of money Squid Game (receiving prize money)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Restaurant

거스름돈 받으세요.
돈 여기 있어요.
카드 말고 현금으로 받을 수 있나요?
돈 받았나요?

At Work

월급 언제 받아요?
보너스 받았어요?
출장비 받아야 해요.
아직 돈을 못 받았어요.

Family Gathering

세뱃돈 받았어?
용돈 좀 주세요.
엄마한테 돈 받았어요.
할아버지께 돈을 받았어요.

At the Bank

돈을 받고 싶어요.
현금으로 받을게요.
이 돈을 어떻게 받아요?
입금된 돈을 확인했어요.

Online Shopping

환불 받았어요?
포인트를 돈으로 받을 수 있나요?
결제 대금을 받았어요.
돈을 아직 못 받았어요.

Conversation Starters

"이번 달에 월급 받았어요? (Did you receive your salary this month?)"

"생일에 용돈 많이 받았어요? (Did you receive a lot of pocket money for your birthday?)"

"어제 빌려준 돈 받았어요? (Did you get back the money you lent yesterday?)"

"세뱃돈으로 뭐 할 거예요? (What are you going to do with the New Year's money you received?)"

"상금 받으면 어디에 쓸 거예요? (If you receive the prize money, where will you spend it?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 돈을 받은 일이 있었나요? 누구에게 얼마를 받았나요? (Did you receive any money today? From whom and how much?)

처음으로 월급을 받았을 때의 기분을 써 보세요. (Write about how you felt when you received your first salary.)

돈을 받는 것과 주는 것 중 무엇이 더 좋은가요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요? (Which is better, receiving or giving money? Why?)

만약 큰 상금을 받는다면 가장 먼저 무엇을 하고 싶나요? (If you were to receive a large prize money, what would you want to do first?)

어릴 때 세뱃돈을 받았던 기억에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about your memories of receiving New Year's money when you were young.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, '월급을 받다' is the standard way to say you received your monthly salary. It is used by millions of workers every day.

It is always '돈을 받다'. '돈' is the object being received. '돈이 받다' would mean the money itself is receiving something, which is incorrect.

In formal or official contexts, you can use '돈을 수령하다' or '대금을 결제받다' depending on the specific situation.

You usually say '월급을 받았어요' (I received my salary) or '돈을 받았어요' (I received the money).

While '받다' is understood, '타다' or '당첨되다' (to be selected/win) is more common for lottery winnings: '복권에 당첨되어 돈을 탔어요'.

Yes, cashiers often say '잔돈 받으세요' (Please take/receive your change).

You say '친구한테(서) 돈을 받다'.

It means you were supposed to receive money but didn't, often used when an employer doesn't pay or a debt isn't returned.

Yes, even if you don't physically touch the cash, '돈을 받다' is used for receiving money into your bank account.

Yes, it is very common for children to talk about receiving pocket money: '용돈 받았어요!'.

Test Yourself 200 questions

writing

Translate to Korean: 'I received pocket money from my father.'

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Use '께' for father and '받았어요' for past tense.