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B1 noun #1,700 most common 9 min read

수입

suip Top 1,700

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 수입 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 수입 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '수입' (su-ip) is a word related to money. Think of it as 'money coming in.' You might hear it when people talk about their jobs or how much money they have. It's the opposite of spending money. You don't need to worry about the 'import' meaning yet. Just remember: 수입 = money coming into your pocket. For example, '수입이 있어요' means 'I have money coming in' or 'I have an income.' It's a basic building block for talking about work and life. You might also see it on simple signs in shops that sell things from other countries, but for now, focus on the 'income' part. It's a noun, so you use it like 'money.'

At the A2 level, you should start to recognize both meanings of '수입'. First, in daily life, it's 'income.' You can say '수입이 많아요' (I have a lot of income) or '수입이 적어요' (I have little income). Second, you will see it in supermarkets. '수입 과일' means 'imported fruit.' You should know that '수입' means things coming from another country. You can also learn the verb '수입하다' which means 'to import.' For example, '한국은 바나나를 수입해요' (Korea imports bananas). This level is about distinguishing between money in your wallet and goods coming into the country. It's also good to know the opposite of income is '지출' (spending).

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '수입' in various contexts. You can discuss your '월 수입' (monthly income) or '연 수입' (annual income) during conversations about careers. You should also understand news headlines about '수입' (imports). You will learn collocations like '수입을 올리다' (to increase income) and '수입에 의존하다' (to depend on imports). You can now distinguish '수입' from '수출' (export) clearly. At this level, you might also encounter '수입품' (imported goods) and understand that these are often more expensive or different from '국산' (domestic) goods. You are beginning to use the word in more complex sentences with grammar like '-기 때문에' or '-(으)면'.

At the B2 level, you use '수입' to discuss economic trends. You can talk about '수입 규제' (import regulations) or '수입 자유화' (import liberalization). In terms of personal finance, you might use '부수입' (side income) to talk about side hustles. You understand the difference between '수입' (revenue/income) and '수익' (profit). You can read articles about how '수입 물가' (import prices) affect the local economy. Your vocabulary includes related terms like '수입원' (source of income). You can express opinions on whether a country should increase or decrease certain imports. You are also aware of the formal nuances where '소득' might be used instead of '수입' in official reports.

At the C1 level, you have a deep understanding of '수입' in technical and academic contexts. You can analyze the '수입 대체 산업' (import substitution industries) or the impact of '수입 할당제' (import quotas) on international relations. You use '수입' fluently when discussing fiscal policy, such as '세입' (tax revenue). You understand the historical context of how '수입품' influenced Korean consumer culture. You can use the word in sophisticated debates about trade balances and '경상 수지' (current account balance). Your grasp of the word includes its Hanja roots, allowing you to easily understand related words like '수입업자' (importer) or '수입 인지' (revenue stamp) without looking them up.

At the C2 level, '수입' is a tool for nuanced economic and philosophical discourse. You can discuss the '수입' of foreign ideas and cultures (cultural import) and how they integrate into Korean society. You can critically analyze the '수입 구조' (income structure) of various social classes and its implications for wealth inequality. You are capable of reading complex legal documents regarding '수입 통관 절차' (import customs clearance procedures) or high-level economic papers on '수입 유발 계수' (import induction coefficient). The word is no longer just a vocabulary item but a concept you can manipulate to describe the flow of capital, goods, and ideas across borders and between individuals at a professional or academic level.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

수입 in 30 Seconds

수입 means 'income' (money earned) in personal contexts.
수입 means 'import' (bringing goods in) in trade contexts.
It is a noun; the verb form for trade is 수입하다.
Commonly contrasted with 지출 (spending) and 수출 (export).

The Korean word 수입 (su-ip) is a fascinating homonym that serves two primary functions in the Korean language, both revolving around the concept of 'bringing something in.' Depending on the context, it refers to either economic income (money earned) or international imports (goods brought into a country). Understanding this word requires a grasp of its Hanja roots, which clarify these two distinct paths of meaning.

Economic Context (Income): In daily life, '수입' most frequently refers to the money an individual, household, or business receives. This includes salaries, profits, and interest. It is the 'input' of wealth. For example, when discussing a monthly budget, one might say '수입이 적다' (income is low).

이번 달은 수입보다 지출이 많아서 걱정이에요. (I'm worried because spending is higher than income this month.)

Trade Context (Import): In a commercial or national sense, '수입' refers to the act of bringing goods, services, or technology from a foreign country into the domestic market. This is the opposite of '수출' (export). It is a vital term in news reports regarding the trade balance and global economy.

한국은 석유를 전량 수입에 의존하고 있습니다. (Korea relies entirely on imports for its oil.)

When you encounter '수입' in a sentence, look for neighboring words. If you see '월급' (salary) or '지출' (spending), it means income. If you see '관세' (tariff), '외국' (foreign country), or '통관' (customs), it means import. This duality makes it a high-frequency word in both personal finance and global politics. In a broader sense, '수입' represents the flow of resources—whether financial or material—into a specific entity or territory. For a B1 learner, mastering both nuances is essential for navigating news articles and personal conversations about work and lifestyle.

그 회사는 수입 자동차를 판매합니다. (That company sells imported cars.)

Societal Nuance: In Korea, the term '수입품' (imported goods) often carried a connotation of luxury or high quality in the past, though this has shifted as global trade became commonplace. Regarding personal '수입', it is a sensitive topic often linked to social status, though directly asking about someone's income is generally considered impolite unless in specific professional contexts.

부수적인 수입을 얻기 위해 아르바이트를 해요. (I do a part-time job to get extra income.)

Using 수입 correctly depends on which of the two meanings you intend to convey. The grammatical structures surrounding the word change based on whether you are talking about trade or money. Let's break down the usage patterns for both 'Income' and 'Import' to ensure you sound natural in Korean.

Usage 1: Personal or Business Income: When referring to income, '수입' is a noun that often acts as the subject or object of a sentence. Common verbs paired with it include '늘다' (to increase), '줄다' (to decrease), '생기다' (to be earned), and '얻다' (to gain). It is frequently contrasted with '지출' (spending/expenditure).

고정적인 수입이 있으면 마음이 편해요. (Having a steady income makes me feel at ease.)

Usage 2: Importing Goods: When referring to trade, '수입' can be used as a noun or turned into a verb by adding '-하다'. As a noun, it often appears in compounds like '수입품' (imported item), '수입국' (importing country), or '수입업' (import business). The verb '수입하다' takes an object (the goods being imported).

우리나라는 많은 원자재를 해외에서 수입합니다. (Our country imports many raw materials from abroad.)

In professional settings, you might encounter '수입' in the context of '수입 증지' (revenue stamp) or '수입 인지' (fiscal stamp), which are used for government fees. In a B1 level conversation, you are most likely to use it when talking about your job or shopping. For instance, if you prefer foreign brands, you might say '저는 수입 브랜드를 좋아해요' (I like imported brands). If you are discussing your financial goals, you might say '수입을 늘리고 싶어요' (I want to increase my income).

이 과일은 수입된 것이라 비싸요. (This fruit is expensive because it was imported.)

Common Collocations: 1. 수입을 창출하다 (to create income) 2. 수입에 의존하다 (to depend on imports) 3. 수입 규제 (import regulations) 4. 연수입 (annual income).

정부는 농산물 수입을 제한하기로 했습니다. (The government decided to restrict agricultural imports.)

The word 수입 is ubiquitous in South Korean society, appearing in news broadcasts, office meetings, and casual coffee shop chats. Because Korea is a trade-dependent nation and a highly competitive economy, both meanings of the word are constantly in the air.

1. The Evening News (Trade): You will hear '수입' daily on the news when reporters discuss the '무역 수지' (trade balance). They might talk about '수입액' (import amount) or '수입 단가' (import unit price). This is especially common when global oil prices rise or when there are trade disputes with other nations.

지난달 수입이 수출보다 크게 늘어났습니다. (Last month, imports increased significantly more than exports.)

2. At the Workplace (Income/Revenue): In a business setting, '수입' refers to the company's revenue or an individual's earnings. During performance reviews or financial planning meetings, phrases like '수입 구조 개선' (improving the income structure) are common. Employees might also discuss their '실수령 수입' (actual take-home pay).

회사의 수입이 줄어들어 보너스가 취소되었습니다. (The company's income decreased, so the bonus was canceled.)

In the supermarket, you'll see labels like '수입산' (imported origin) on beef, grapes, or cheese. This is a crucial distinction for shoppers, as '국산' (domestic) products are often priced differently. In the world of social media and 'side hustles' (N-잡러), you'll hear people talking about '부수입' (extra/side income). This has become a trendy topic among younger generations looking to diversify their financial streams.

유튜브를 통해 짭짤한 부수입을 올리고 있어요. (I'm making a decent side income through YouTube.)

3. Government and Policy: When the government announces new taxes or trade deals (like an FTA), '수입' is the keyword. You'll hear about '수입 관세' (import tariffs) or '세수 수입' (tax revenue). Understanding this word allows you to follow the economic health of the nation.

정부는 수입 소고기에 대한 검역을 강화했습니다. (The government strengthened the quarantine for imported beef.)

Because 수입 has two meanings and several similar-sounding relatives, learners often trip up. Avoiding these common pitfalls will make your Korean much more precise and professional.

1. Confusing '수입' (Import) with '수출' (Export): This is the most common mistake. Remember the Hanja: '입' (入) means 'enter/in', and '출' (出) means 'exit/out'. If goods are coming into Korea, it is '수입'. If they are going out to the USA, it is '수출'.

❌ 한국은 자동차를 미국으로 수입해요. (Incorrect if you mean Korea sells cars to the US.)
✅ 한국은 자동차를 미국으로 수출해요. (Correct: Korea exports cars to the US.)

2. Confusing '수입' (Income) with '수익' (Profit): '수입' is the total money coming in (Revenue/Income). '수익' is the profit left over after expenses. If you earn $100 but spend $80, your '수입' is $100, but your '수익' is only $20. Using '수입' when you mean 'profit' can lead to financial misunderstandings.

이번 사업은 수입은 많지만 수익은 적어요. (This business has high income but low profit.)

Another mistake is using the wrong verb with '수입' (income). Learners often try to say '수입을 해요' to mean 'I earn money.' However, '수입하다' only means 'to import goods.' To say you earn money, use '돈을 벌다' or '수입이 생기다'. Additionally, don't confuse '수입' with '수집' (collection). While they sound similar, '수집' is for collecting stamps or data, not for money or trade.

❌ 저는 매달 300만 원을 수입해요. (Incorrect: Sounds like you import 3 million won.)
✅ 제 월 수입은 300만 원이에요. (Correct: My monthly income is 3 million won.)

3. Spelling Errors: Be careful not to write '수입' as '수입'. Wait, that's the same! Some learners confuse it with '수업' (class). '수업' has '어' (eo), while '수입' has '이' (i). 'Going to class' (수업에 가다) vs 'Income' (수입) are very different!

오늘 수업이 많아요. (I have many classes today.) vs 오늘 수입이 많아요. (I have a lot of income today.)

Korean has several words related to money and trade. Distinguishing between them will help you reach a C1/C2 level of fluency. Here is a comparison of 수입 with its closest synonyms and related terms.

수입 (Su-ip) vs 소득 (So-deuk): Both mean 'income'. However, '수입' is more general and used in daily life. '소득' is a more formal, economic term used in taxes (소득세) and national statistics (국민 소득). If you are talking to a friend, use '수입'. If you are filling out a government form, you will see '소득'.

그는 고소득자입니다. (He is a high-income earner - Formal.)

수입 (Su-ip) vs 수익 (Su-ik): As mentioned before, '수입' is revenue (total money in), while '수익' is profit (money in minus money out). A company can have a huge '수입' but a negative '수익' if their costs are too high.

주식 투자로 수익을 냈어요. (I made a profit through stock investment.)

수입 (Su-ip) vs 반입 (Ban-ip): '수입' is specifically for international trade. '반입' means 'bringing something in' to a specific place, like a building or a restricted area. You '수입' coffee from Brazil, but you '반입' food into a library (often prohibited).

도서관 내 음식물 반입 금지. (Bringing food into the library is prohibited.)

Lastly, consider '수입품' (imported goods) vs '외제' (foreign-made). '수입품' is the neutral, technical term. '외제' (especially '외제차' for foreign cars) is more colloquial and often carries a nuance of prestige or being 'fancy'. If you want to sound objective, use '수입'. If you want to emphasize that something is a foreign brand, '외제' is common in speech.

이것은 비싼 수입 가구입니다. (This is expensive imported furniture.)

Quick Reference Table: - 수입: Income / Import
- 수출: Export
- 지출: Spending
- 소득: Formal Income
- 수익: Profit

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

-기 때문에 (Because of...)

-(으)면 (If...)

보다 (Comparison)

-아/어지다 (To become...)

Examples by Level

저는 수입이 있어요.

I have an income.

수입 (noun) + 이 (subject particle) + 있어요 (exists/have).

수입이 적어요.

The income is small.

적다 is an adjective meaning 'few' or 'little'.

엄마는 수입이 많아요.

Mom has a lot of income.

많다 is the opposite of 적다.

이것은 수입 과일이에요.

This is imported fruit.

수입 here acts as a modifier for 'fruit'.

수입이 언제 들어와요?

When does the income come in?

들어오다 means 'to come in'.

제 수입은 비밀이에요.

My income is a secret.

비밀 means secret.

수입보다 지출이 커요.

Spending is bigger than income.

보다 is used for comparison (than).

수입이 생겼어요!

I got some income!

생기다 means 'to arise' or 'to be gained'.

한국은 고기를 많이 수입해요.

Korea imports a lot of meat.

수입하다 is the verb form 'to import'.

이 가방은 수입품이에요.

This bag is an imported product.

수입품 = 수입 (import) + 품 (product/item).

수입이 늘어서 기뻐요.

I'm happy because my income increased.

-어서 indicates a reason (because).

수입 자동차는 비싸요.

Imported cars are expensive.

비싸다 means expensive.

어디에서 수입한 옷이에요?

Where is this clothing imported from?

수입한 is the past participle modifier.

매달 수입을 확인해요.

I check my income every month.

확인하다 means to check/confirm.

수입이 줄어들고 있어요.

Income is decreasing.

-고 있다 indicates a continuous action.

수입 소고기를 샀어요.

I bought imported beef.

수입 as a noun modifier.

안정적인 수입을 원해요.

I want a stable income.

안정적이다 means to be stable.

수입이 지출을 초과했습니다.

Income exceeded spending.

초과하다 means to exceed.

외국에서 화장품을 수입해요.

We import cosmetics from abroad.

외국 means foreign country.

수입이 없어서 힘들어요.

It's hard because I have no income.

-어서 (reason) + 힘들다 (to be difficult).

그 나라는 석유 수입국이에요.

That country is an oil importer.

수입국 = 수입 (import) + 국 (country).

부수입을 위해 블로그를 해요.

I blog for side income.

부수입 = 부 (secondary) + 수입 (income).

수입 과일의 가격이 올랐어요.

The price of imported fruit has risen.

가격 means price; 오르다 means to rise.

정기적인 수입이 중요합니다.

Regular income is important.

정기적이다 means to be regular/periodic.

수입 물가가 상승하고 있습니다.

Import prices are rising.

물가 means the cost of living/prices.

정부는 수입 규제를 완화했어요.

The government eased import regulations.

완화하다 means to ease or relax.

그의 연수입은 1억 원이 넘어요.

His annual income exceeds 100 million won.

연수입 = 연 (year) + 수입 (income).

수입 의존도가 너무 높습니다.

The dependence on imports is too high.

의존도 means degree of dependence.

수입과 지출의 균형을 맞춰야 해요.

We must balance income and spending.

균형을 맞추다 means to balance.

이 제품은 수입 금지 품목입니다.

This product is a prohibited import item.

금지 means prohibition.

수입이 불규칙해서 저축이 어려워요.

Saving is hard because income is irregular.

불규칙하다 means to be irregular.

수입 자유화가 경제에 미치는 영향.

The impact of import liberalization on the economy.

영향을 미치다 means to influence/impact.

수입 대체 전략을 수립해야 합니다.

We must establish an import substitution strategy.

수립하다 means to establish (a plan/policy).

가계 수입의 양극화가 심화되고 있다.

Polarization of household income is deepening.

양극화 means polarization; 심화되다 means to deepen.

수입 관세 인상은 물가 상승을 초래한다.

Raising import tariffs leads to inflation.

초래하다 means to bring about/cause (negative).

그 회사는 수입 다변화를 꾀하고 있다.

The company is seeking to diversify its imports.

다변화 means diversification.

수입 인지를 붙여서 제출하세요.

Please attach a revenue stamp and submit it.

수입 인지 is a specific fiscal stamp.

수입 유발 효과가 큰 산업입니다.

It is an industry with a large import induction effect.

유발 means induction/triggering.

실질 수입이 감소하여 소비가 위축되었다.

Real income decreased, leading to shrinking consumption.

위축되다 means to shrink or wither.

수입 할당제는 국내 산업을 보호한다.

Import quotas protect domestic industries.

할당제 means quota system.

수입과 수출의 불균형이 구조적 문제다.

The imbalance between imports and exports is a structural problem.

구조적 means structural.

문화적 수입이 정체성 변화에 기여한다.

Cultural imports contribute to changes in identity.

기여하다 means to contribute.

수입 소득의 재분배 정책이 시급하다.

Policies for redistributing earned income are urgent.

재분배 means redistribution.

병행 수입 활성화로 가격 경쟁을 유도한다.

Encouraging parallel imports induces price competition.

병행 수입 means parallel import.

수입 원자재 가격 변동에 취약한 구조다.

The structure is vulnerable to fluctuations in raw material import prices.

취약하다 means to be vulnerable.

지식 수입을 통해 기술 격차를 줄였다.

The technology gap was narrowed through the import of knowledge.

격차 means a gap or disparity.

수입 선적 서류를 면밀히 검토하십시오.

Please examine the import shipping documents closely.

면밀히 means closely/minutely.

비관세 수입 장벽이 무역을 저해한다.

Non-tariff import barriers hinder trade.

저해하다 means to hinder or impede.

Synonyms

반입 소득 벌이

Antonyms

수출 지출

Common Collocations

수입을 올리다 (To earn income)

수입이 생기다 (To get income)

수입을 수입하다 (To import goods - verb form)

수입 관세 (Import tariff)

수입 의존 (Import dependence)

수입 규제 (Import regulation)

월 수입 (Monthly income)

연 수입 (Annual income)

수입 금지 (Import ban)

수입 절차 (Import procedure)

Common Phrases

수입이 짭짤하다 (Income is decent/good)

수입이 끊기다 (Income is cut off)

수입이 고정적이다 (Income is steady)

수입을 창출하다 (To create income)

수입을 제한하다 (To limit imports)

수입을 허가하다 (To permit imports)

수입이 줄다 (Income decreases)

수입이 늘다 (Income increases)

수입을 신고하다 (To report income/imports)

수입에 의존하다 (To rely on imports)

Often Confused With

수입 vs 수출 (Export)

수입 vs 수익 (Profit)

수입 vs 수업 (Class)

Idioms & Expressions

"수입이 쏠쏠하다 (Making a nice little profit/income)"

"밑 빠진 독에 물 붓기 (Spending more than income - like pouring water into a bottomless pot)"

"배보다 배꼽이 더 크다 (When import costs/fees are more than the item itself)"

"손안의 떡 (Income that is promised but not yet received)"

"땅 짚고 헤엄치기 (Making easy income)"

"하늘의 별 따기 (Having a high income - very difficult)"

"개미처럼 벌어서 정승처럼 쓴다 (Earn income like an ant, spend like a minister)"

"티끌 모아 태산 (Small income adds up to a mountain)"

"황금알을 낳는 거위 (A source of great income)"

"입에 풀칠하다 (To barely have enough income to eat)"

Easily Confused

수입 vs 수출

수입 vs 수익

수입 vs 수집

수입 vs 수정

수입 vs 수업

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

수입하다 (to import)

수입품 (imported goods)

수입업 (import business)

수입원 (source of income)

수입국 (importing country)

수입액 (import amount)

How to Use It

verb usage

You can't say '나는 돈을 수입한다' to mean 'I earn money'.

income vs profit

Do not use 수입 for net profit; use 수익.

Common Mistakes

Using '수입하다' to mean 'to earn money'.
Confusing '수입' (import) with '수출' (export).
Using '수입' when you specifically mean 'net profit' (수익).
Misspelling '수입' as '수업' (class).
Assuming all '수입품' are luxury items.

Tips

Income vs. Profit

Always remember that 수입 is your total paycheck, while 수익 is what's left after you pay your bills.

Verb Check

Only use 수입하다 when you are talking about moving goods across borders. For money, use '벌다' or '생기다'.

Shopping

When shopping in Korea, look for '수입산' vs '국산' (domestic) to understand price differences.

Hanja Help

The '입' (入) in 수입 always means 'Enter'. If something enters your pocket or your country, it's 수입.

Side Hustles

Use the word '부수입' when talking about your hobbies that make money. It sounds very natural.

Formal Reports

In business writing, use '수입액' to refer to the total value of imports.

News Keywords

When you hear '무역' (trade), the next word is almost always '수입' or '수출'.

Final Consonant

The 'ㅂ' (p) in 수입 is very short. Don't pronounce it like 'su-ee-puh'.

Taxes

If you see '수입 인지' on a government form, it's a fee you have to pay, not money you receive!

Context is King

Always look at the surrounding words. '자동차' + '수입' = Import. '월급' + '수입' = Income.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

SU-IP: 'SU'per 'I'n 'P'ocket (Income) or 'SU'per 'I'n 'P'ort (Import).

Word Origin

Sino-Korean. 收 (Receive) + 入 (Enter) vs 輸 (Transport) + 入 (Enter).

Cultural Context

Imported cars (외제차) are still seen as a major status symbol in Seoul.

Never ask an elder or a superior about their '수입' directly.

Imported fruits like mangoes or cherries are popular high-end gifts during holidays.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"요즘 부수입을 얻는 방법이 뭐가 있을까요? (What are some ways to get side income these days?)"

"수입 과일 중에 어떤 걸 제일 좋아하세요? (Which imported fruit do you like the most?)"

"수입 자동차를 사고 싶은데 추천해 주시겠어요? (I want to buy an imported car, can you recommend one?)"

"수입보다 지출이 많을 때는 어떻게 하세요? (What do you do when spending is higher than income?)"

"한국은 어떤 물건을 가장 많이 수입하나요? (What items does Korea import the most?)"

Journal Prompts

나의 미래 수입 목표에 대해 써보세요. (Write about your future income goals.)

내가 자주 사는 수입품은 무엇인가요? (What imported goods do I often buy?)

수입을 늘리기 위해 내가 할 수 있는 노력들. (Efforts I can make to increase my income.)

우리나라의 수입 의존도에 대한 나의 생각. (My thoughts on my country's import dependence.)

고정 수입의 중요성에 대해 생각해보세요. (Think about the importance of a fixed income.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it can also mean 'importing goods' from another country. You must check the context. If it's about trade, it's import. If it's about a job, it's income.

You should say '수입이 생기다' (income occurs) or '수입을 올리다' (to raise/earn income). You cannot say '수입하다' for earning money.

수입 is more common in daily life. 소득 is a formal term used in economics and for taxes. They both mean income.

Not necessarily, but in Korea, the term often implies a higher price due to shipping and brand prestige, though many daily items are now imported and cheap.

It means 'side income' or 'extra income' earned outside of your main job.

Yes, you can use it metaphorically for importing foreign culture, technology, or ideas (문화 수입, 기술 수입).

It is an 'importing country'—a country that buys goods from other nations.

It is a noun. To make it a verb meaning 'to import', you add '하다' (수입하다). There is no verb form for the 'income' meaning.

For income, it is 지출 (spending). For import, it is 수출 (export).

It means 'imported origin' or 'made abroad', often seen on food labels.