At the A1 level, you only need to know that '월급날' means 'payday.' It is a combination of '월급' (monthly salary) and '날' (day). You can use it in very simple sentences like '오늘은 월급날이에요' (Today is payday) or '월급날이 좋아요' (I like payday). It is an important word because it helps you talk about your schedule and your feelings. At this stage, don't worry about the complex grammar; just focus on recognizing the word when you hear it in a conversation about work or money. You might hear it when friends are planning to meet for dinner. It is a happy word for most people! You can also remember that '날' is used in many other words like '생일' (birthday) or '쉬는 날' (day off). Learning '월급날' will help you understand the basic rhythm of life in Korea, where most things happen on a monthly basis. Try to practice saying '월급날' slowly: wol-geup-nal. Remember, '월' is month, like in '일월' (January) or '이월' (February).
At the A2 level, you should be able to use '월급날' with basic particles and time expressions. You can say '월급날에 쇼핑을 해요' (I go shopping on payday) or '월급날이 언제예요?' (When is payday?). This word is essential for discussing your daily life and routine as a worker. You should also understand that '월급' refers specifically to a monthly salary, which is the most common way people get paid in Korea. You can start using it with verbs like '기다리다' (to wait) or '오다' (to come). For example, '월급날을 기다려요' (I am waiting for payday). At this level, you might also encounter related words like '회사' (company) and '돈' (money). Understanding '월급날' allows you to participate in basic social planning, such as deciding when to have a meal with colleagues. It's a great word to use when you want to explain why you are happy or why you are planning to buy something new. Keep in mind that '날' is a native Korean word, while '월급' comes from Chinese characters (Hanja), making this a common type of compound word in Korean.
As a B1 learner, you can use '월급날' in more complex sentence structures, including those that express reasons, plans, or conditions. For instance, '월급날이라서 부모님 선물을 샀어요' (Because it was payday, I bought a gift for my parents) or '월급날이 되면 친구들에게 한턱 낼게요' (When payday comes, I will treat my friends). You should also be aware of the cultural significance of payday in Korea, such as the common practice of '회식' (company dinners) occurring on or around this day. You can discuss financial habits, like '월급날마다 적금을 들어요' (I put money into a savings account every payday). At this level, you should also distinguish between '월급날' and the more formal '급여일' used in professional documents. You might also start using idiomatic expressions related to money and paydays. Understanding the nuances of how '월급날' affects social dynamics—like who pays for a meal—is part of developing your cultural fluency. You can also describe the feeling of the month's end using this word, such as '월급날 전이라서 지갑이 텅 비었어요' (My wallet is empty because it's before payday).
At the B2 level, '월급날' becomes a tool for discussing broader social and economic themes. You can use it to talk about the 'salaryman' culture in Korea (월급쟁이 생활) and the economic pressures of urban life. You should be comfortable using the word in various registers, from casual jokes with friends to formal discussions about labor rights or company benefits. For example, you might discuss how '월급날의 소비 패턴' (spending patterns on payday) affects the local economy. You can also use more advanced grammar like '-자마자' (as soon as) to say '월급이 들어오자마자 다 나갔어요' (As soon as the salary came in, it all went out). You should understand the historical context of paydays in Korea, such as why the 25th is a standard date. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like '최저임금' (minimum wage), '성과급' (performance bonus), and '명세서' (pay stub). Using '월급날' in debates about work-life balance or the 'hell-Joseon' discourse (social frustration among youth) shows a deeper grasp of contemporary Korean society. You can also explore the metaphorical use of the word in literature or media to represent the cyclical nature of modern existence.
For C1 learners, '월급날' is a concept that can be analyzed through sociological and psychological lenses. You can engage in deep conversations about how the monthly pay cycle shapes the Korean psyche and social hierarchy. You might discuss the 'disappearing salary' phenomenon (통장을 스쳐가는 월급) as a critique of the high cost of living and household debt in Korea. At this level, you should be able to use '월급날' in academic or professional presentations, perhaps discussing '급여일 조정이 가계 소비에 미치는 영향' (The impact of adjusting paydays on household consumption). You should have a mastery of all related Hanja, such as 月 (month), 給 (pay), and understand how these roots appear in other words like '공급' (supply) or '급식' (school meals). You can appreciate and use sophisticated wordplay or satire involving '월급날' in news editorials or literary works. Your ability to switch between '월급날', '급여일', and '봉급날' depending on the exact nuance of the situation should be seamless. You can also reflect on how the concept of a 'payday' is evolving with the rise of the gig economy and irregular work patterns in the 21st century.
At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for the word '월급날' and its myriad associations. You can use it to navigate the most delicate social situations, such as negotiating salary terms or discussing corporate finance at a high level. You understand the deep-seated cultural archetypes associated with the 'monthly paycheck,' such as the image of the father bringing home a 'yellow paper bag of chicken' (노란 봉투 통닭) on payday in the 1970s and 80s, and how that has transformed into digital notifications today. You can write essays or deliver speeches that use '월급날' as a metaphor for the human condition, the passage of time, or the structures of capitalism. Your command of the language allows you to use the word in poetry or high-level journalism with perfect tone and register. You can also analyze the linguistic evolution of the term and its variants across different dialects or historical periods. Whether discussing the micro-economics of a single household or the macro-economics of national consumption, '월급날' serves as a precise and evocative term in your extensive vocabulary. You can even critique the linguistic structure of the word itself within the broader context of Korean morphology and the influence of Sino-Korean vocabulary.

월급날 em 30 segundos

  • 월급날 means 'payday' in Korean, specifically referring to the monthly salary day common in Korean companies.
  • It is a compound noun: '월' (month) + '급' (pay) + '날' (day).
  • Socially, it's a day for celebration, treating friends, or paying off monthly bills.
  • Common dates are the 25th or 10th of the month in South Korea.
The Korean word 월급날 (wol-geup-nal) is a compound noun that represents one of the most significant days in the monthly cycle of a Korean worker. Etymologically, it is formed by combining '월' (wol, month), '급' (geup, pay/supply), and the native Korean word '날' (nal, day). In a society that largely operates on a monthly pay cycle, rather than the bi-weekly or weekly systems common in some Western countries, the arrival of the salary is a major event. It is not merely a financial transaction; it is a cultural milestone that dictates social behavior, consumer spending, and psychological well-being.
Literal Meaning
The day when the monthly salary is deposited into an employee's bank account.
Social Context
Often associated with '회식' (company dinners) or treating friends and family to a nice meal.
People use this word most frequently in professional environments and personal conversations about finances. For many, the 25th of the month is the traditional '월급날' for large corporations, while the 10th is common for smaller businesses.

드디어 내일이 월급날이에요! (Finally, tomorrow is payday!)

The word carries a sense of relief and anticipation. In modern slang, people often joke about how the salary 'passes through the bank account' (통장을 스쳐 지나가다) due to automatic transfers for rent and credit cards, but the '날' itself remains a symbol of reward for a month's hard work. Culturally, it marks the transition from 'spending restraint' to 'temporary abundance.' You will hear it in office hallways, see it in banking apps, and find it as a central theme in many K-Dramas that depict the lives of ordinary '직장인' (office workers). It is a word that resonates with anyone who trades their time for a paycheck.

이번 월급날에는 부모님께 선물을 사드리고 싶어요. (I want to buy a gift for my parents this payday.)

Grammar Note
It is a noun and can be followed by particles like -이/가 (subject), -은/는 (topic), or -에 (time).

우리 회사는 월급날이 매달 25일입니다. (Our company's payday is the 25th of every month.)

월급날만 기다리며 한 달을 버텼어요. (I endured the month just waiting for payday.)

오늘이 월급날이라서 기분이 정말 좋아요. (Since today is payday, I feel really good.)

Common Verbs
기다리다 (to wait), 다가오다 (to approach), 지나다 (to pass).
Using 월급날 effectively requires understanding its role as a temporal noun. It functions similarly to other 'day' words like 생일 (birthday) or 휴일 (holiday). When you want to say something happens 'on' payday, you use the particle '-에'. For example, '월급날에 외식해요' (We eat out on payday). If you are describing payday as the subject of a sentence, use '-이' or '-가', as in '월급날이 드디어 왔어요' (Payday has finally come).
Sentence Structure
[Time/Subject] + 월급날 + [Particle] + [Verb/Adjective].
In professional settings, it is often paired with formal verbs. For instance, '월급날을 변경하다' (to change the payday). In casual settings, it is the center of social planning.

이번 월급날에 같이 삼겹살 먹으러 갈까요? (Shall we go eat samgyeopsal together this payday?)

You can also use it to describe a state of being, such as being 'short on cash' before payday. A common expression is '월급날 전이라 돈이 없어요' (I have no money because it's before payday).

월급날이 되면 통장 잔고가 늘어나서 안심이 돼요. (When payday comes, my bank balance increases, so I feel relieved.)

Common Combinations
월급날 아침 (payday morning), 월급날 저녁 (payday evening), 다음 월급날 (next payday).
It's also important to note that '월급날' can be used metaphorically to represent any day of significant reward. However, its primary use remains strictly financial.

사장님, 이번 달 월급날은 언제인가요? (Boss, when is this month's payday?)

월급날마다 적금을 넣고 있어요. (I put money into savings every payday.)

어제가 월급날이었는데 벌써 돈이 다 나갔어요. (Yesterday was payday, but the money is already all gone.)

Phrasal Usage
월급날이 며칠 안 남았다 (Payday is only a few days away).
You will hear 월급날 in almost every corner of Korean adult life. In the office, it's the topic of hushed excitement or complaints about taxes. At home, it's a key part of family budgeting discussions. On television, particularly in 'slice of life' dramas, the '월급날' scene is a trope where the protagonist buys a whole chicken (통닭) for their family to celebrate.
In the Office
'오늘 월급날인데 다 같이 회식할까요?' (Today is payday, shall we all have a company dinner?)
In Commercials
Banks often run promotions targeting people on their '월급날' to set up automatic savings plans.
Social media is another place where this word thrives. Hashtags like #월급날 often accompany photos of expensive meals, new clothes, or screenshots of bank notifications.

친구야, 오늘 월급날이지? 한턱 쏴! (Hey friend, today is payday, right? Treat me!)

In songs, particularly in the hip-hop or indie genres, '월급날' is used to talk about the grind of daily life and the bittersweet feeling of working for a paycheck.

월급날이 오기만을 손꼽아 기다리고 있어요. (I am waiting eagerly for payday to come.)

In the Bank
You might hear tellers or see apps using the term to discuss '월급날 자동이체' (automatic transfer on payday).
Even in literature, it symbolizes the rhythmic nature of urban life. It is a word that bridges the gap between the individual and the economic system.

이번 달은 월급날이 주말이라 금요일에 월급이 들어왔어요. (This month, payday was on the weekend, so the salary came in on Friday.)

월급날 풍경은 예나 지금이나 비슷하네요. (The payday scene is similar now to how it was in the past.)

힘든 회사 생활도 월급날 덕분에 견딜 수 있어요. (I can endure hard company life thanks to payday.)

In News
Economic reports might mention how consumer spending spikes around common paydays.
One of the most common mistakes for learners is confusing 월급날 with other terms for payment. In Korea, the distinction between daily, weekly, and monthly pay is very clear in the vocabulary.
Confusing with '일당'
'일당' (il-dang) is daily pay. You wouldn't say '일당날' because daily pay is usually given immediately.
Confusing with '주급'
'주급' (ju-geup) is weekly pay. While '주급날' is theoretically possible, it is rarely used because monthly pay is the standard.
Another mistake is using the wrong particle when expressing 'waiting for payday.' Many students use '월급날에 기다려요' (I wait on payday), which means you are waiting for something else on that day. To say you are waiting *for* payday, you must use '월급날을 기다려요'.

❌ 월급날에 기다려요. (Incorrect for 'I wait for payday')
월급날을 기다려요. (Correct)

Learners also sometimes confuse '월급날' with '급여'. '급여' (geup-yeo) is a more formal and comprehensive term for compensation, while '월급' specifically refers to the monthly salary. Using '급여날' is correct and formal, but '월급날' is far more natural in conversation.

❌ 이번 달 월급날이 언제예요?
✅ 이번 달 월급날은 며칠이에요? (More natural when asking for the specific date.)

Spelling Note
Ensure you don't write it as '월금날'. The second syllable is '급' (Geup), not '금' (Geum).

❌ 월급날에 돈을 받았어요.
월급날이라서 돈이 들어왔어요. (Using '-이라서' to explain the reason is often more common.)

❌ 월급날을 축하해요.
월급날 기념으로 맛있는 거 먹어요. (We don't usually 'congratulate' a payday like a birthday; we 'celebrate' it by doing something.)

Frequency
Used monthly by almost all workers.
While 월급날 is the standard term, there are several related words that you should know to sound more like a native speaker.
급여일 (Geup-yeo-il)
This is the formal/administrative version of payday. You will see this on your employment contract or in official HR emails. Example: '급여일은 매달 말일입니다' (Payday is the last day of every month).
봉급날 (Bong-geup-nal)
A slightly older, more formal term for payday. It is still used, especially by older generations or in government contexts, but '월급날' has largely replaced it in daily speech.
Other related concepts include '수당' (su-dang, allowance/extra pay) and '보너스' (bonus). You might hear '보너스 받는 날' (the day I get a bonus).

오늘은 월급날이기도 하고 보너스도 받는 날이에요! (Today is payday and also the day I get a bonus!)

If you want to talk about the frequency, you can use '주급날' (weekly payday) or '연봉' (annual salary), though '연봉날' is not a word because annual salaries are still paid out monthly.

월급날 대신 '급여일'이라는 표현을 회사 공문에서 자주 봐요. (I often see the expression '급여일' instead of '월급날' in official company documents.)

Comparison Table
월급날: Casual, most common. | 급여일: Formal, professional. | 봉급날: Traditional, formal.
Understanding these nuances helps you navigate different social and professional hierarchies in Korea.

저는 월급날보다 휴일이 더 좋아요. (I like holidays better than payday.)

그 회사는 월급날을 한 번도 어긴 적이 없어요. (That company has never missed a payday.)

월급날이 다가오면 지갑이 가벼워져요. (As payday approaches, my wallet gets lighter.)

Synonym Summary
급여일, 봉급날, 월급 받는 날.

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

In the past, salaries were often paid in cash inside a yellow envelope. Even though it's all digital now, the image of the 'yellow envelope' remains a powerful symbol of payday in older literature and film.

Guia de pronúncia

UK /wʌl.ɡɯp.nɑːl/
US /wʌl.ɡʌp.nɑl/
Stress is relatively even across syllables, as is typical in Korean, but a slight emphasis may be placed on 'Wol'.
Rima com
칼 (kal - knife) 말 (mal - horse/speech) 발 (bal - foot) 딸 (ttal - daughter) 날 (nal - day) 살 (sal - flesh/years) 잘 (jal - well) 달 (dal - moon/month)
Erros comuns
  • Pronouncing 'Geup' as 'Geum' (confusing pay with gold).
  • Over-emphasizing the 'p' at the end of 'Geup'. It should be a 'stop' sound.
  • Making the 'l' in 'Wol' too heavy like an English 'dark l'.
  • Adding an extra vowel sound between 'Geup' and 'Nal'.
  • Pronouncing 'Nal' like 'Neil'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 2/5

The word is simple to read if you know basic Hanja-derived nouns.

Escrita 2/5

Easy to write, but don't confuse '급' with '금'.

Expressão oral 3/5

Pronouncing the 'p' and 'n' transition smoothly takes a little practice.

Audição 2/5

Very distinct sound, easy to pick out in office conversations.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

월 (month) 돈 (money) 날 (day) 회사 (company) 일 (work)

Aprenda a seguir

세금 (tax) 보너스 (bonus) 저축 (savings) 명세서 (statement) 소비 (consumption)

Avançado

연말정산 (year-end tax settlement) 퇴직금 (severance pay) 근로기준법 (Labor Standards Act) 최저임금제 (minimum wage system) 가처분소득 (disposable income)

Gramática essencial

Noun + -마다 (Every)

월급날마다 (Every payday)

Noun + -(이)라서 (Because it is...)

월급날이라서 (Because it's payday)

Noun + -을/를 기다리다 (Wait for...)

월급날을 기다리다 (To wait for payday)

Noun + -에 (Time particle)

월급날에 (On payday)

Noun + -이/가 되다 (To become/come to be)

월급날이 되다 (To become payday)

Exemplos por nível

1

오늘은 월급날이에요.

Today is payday.

Uses the polite ending -이에요.

2

월급날이 좋아요.

I like payday.

월급날 is the subject with particle -이.

3

내일은 월급날입니다.

Tomorrow is payday.

Uses formal polite ending -입니다.

4

월급날에 뭐 해요?

What do you do on payday?

Particle -에 indicates the time something happens.

5

월급날은 행복해요.

Payday is happy.

Topic particle -은 is used here.

6

우리 월급날에 만나요.

Let's meet on payday.

Uses the suggestion form -아요.

7

월급날이 언제예요?

When is payday?

Asking for information using 언제 (when).

8

어제가 월급날이었어요.

Yesterday was payday.

Past tense -이었어요.

1

월급날에 맛있는 음식을 먹어요.

I eat delicious food on payday.

맛있는 (delicious) modifies 음식 (food).

2

월급날을 정말 기다렸어요.

I really waited for payday.

Object particle -을 is used with the verb 기다리다.

3

이번 월급날에 옷을 살 거예요.

I will buy clothes this payday.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.

4

월급날이 되면 기분이 좋아져요.

When payday comes, I feel better.

-(으)면 means 'if' or 'when'.

5

친구 월급날에 피자를 먹었어요.

We ate pizza on my friend's payday.

Possessive relationship (friend's payday).

6

월급날 전에는 돈을 아껴요.

I save money before payday.

전 (before) indicates the time period.

7

부모님께 월급날에 선물을 드려요.

I give my parents a gift on payday.

Honorific particle -께 and verb 드리다.

8

월급날이 주말이면 월요일에 돈이 들어와요.

If payday is on the weekend, the money comes in on Monday.

Conditional -이면.

1

월급날이라서 친구들에게 한턱 냈어요.

Because it was payday, I treated my friends.

-(이)라서 indicates a reason.

2

월급날마다 은행에 가서 저축을 해요.

Every payday, I go to the bank and save money.

-마다 means 'every'.

3

월급날이 오기만을 손꼽아 기다리고 있어요.

I am waiting eagerly for payday to come.

손꼽아 기다리다 is an idiom for eager waiting.

4

이번 달 월급날은 평소보다 늦게 올 것 같아요.

It seems like this month's payday will come later than usual.

-(으)ㄹ 것 같다 expresses a supposition.

5

월급날이 되자마자 방세를 내야 해요.

As soon as it's payday, I have to pay the rent.

-자마자 means 'as soon as'.

6

월급날인데도 통장 잔고가 별로 없어요.

Even though it's payday, there isn't much in my bank balance.

-인데도 means 'even though'.

7

사장님께서 월급날을 다음 주로 미루셨어요.

The boss postponed payday to next week.

Honorific -께서 and -시-.

8

월급날에 맞춰서 사고 싶은 물건을 골라 뒀어요.

I've picked out things I want to buy in time for payday.

-에 맞춰서 means 'in accordance with' or 'to match'.

1

월급날의 기쁨도 잠시, 공과금이 다 빠져나갔어요.

The joy of payday was brief; all the utility bills were deducted.

Noun + 의 + Noun structure.

2

한국의 많은 직장인들은 25일을 월급날로 정하고 있습니다.

Many Korean workers have the 25th set as their payday.

-로 정하다 means 'to set/decide as'.

3

월급날이 다가올수록 사람들의 표정이 밝아집니다.

The closer payday gets, the brighter people's expressions become.

-(으)ㄹ수록 means 'the more... the more...'.

4

그는 월급날마다 고생하시는 부모님께 용돈을 보내드린다.

Every payday, he sends pocket money to his hardworking parents.

Plain style -ㄴ다 used in writing.

5

월급날이 되면 백화점은 쇼핑객들로 인산인해를 이룹니다.

When payday comes, department stores are crowded with shoppers.

인산인해를 이루다 is an idiom for being very crowded.

6

경기가 안 좋아서 월급날이 되어도 기쁘지가 않아요.

Because the economy is bad, I'm not happy even when it's payday.

-지 않다 for negation.

7

월급날을 기념하여 오랜만에 가족들과 외식을 했습니다.

To celebrate payday, I had a meal out with my family after a long time.

-을 기념하여 means 'in celebration of'.

8

회사 사정으로 인해 월급날이 이틀 정도 앞당겨졌어요.

Due to company circumstances, payday was moved up by about two days.

-으로 인해 means 'due to'.

1

월급날은 현대인들에게 노동의 가치를 확인받는 날이기도 합니다.

Payday is also a day when modern people have the value of their labor confirmed.

-기도 하다 means 'it is also...'.

2

월급날만 되면 통장을 스쳐 지나가는 월급을 보며 허탈함을 느낍니다.

Whenever it's payday, I feel empty watching my salary just pass through my account.

스쳐 지나가다 is a common metaphorical expression.

3

과거에는 월급날이면 아버지가 노란 봉투에 통닭을 사 오시곤 했습니다.

In the past, on paydays, fathers used to bring home whole chicken in a yellow paper bag.

-곤 했다 describes a past habit.

4

월급날의 소비 행태를 분석하면 그 시대의 경제 상황을 알 수 있습니다.

By analyzing spending patterns on payday, one can understand the economic situation of that era.

분석하면 (if analyzed) + 알 수 있다 (can know).

5

그는 월급날이 되어서야 비로소 한 달간의 긴장이 풀리는 듯했다.

Only when it became payday did he finally seem to relax from the month's tension.

-어서야 비로소 means 'only after... finally'.

6

월급날을 대하는 자세에서 그 사람의 경제 관념을 엿볼 수 있다.

One can catch a glimpse of a person's economic values from their attitude toward payday.

엿볼 수 있다 means 'can get a glimpse of'.

7

급변하는 고용 환경 속에서 '월급날'의 의미도 점차 변하고 있습니다.

In the rapidly changing employment environment, the meaning of 'payday' is also gradually shifting.

급변하는 is a present participle modifying 고용 환경.

8

월급날이 주는 심리적 안정감은 단순한 액수 그 이상의 가치를 지닌다.

The psychological stability provided by payday holds a value beyond the simple amount of money.

지닌다 is a formal way to say 'to possess/hold'.

1

월급날이라는 제도적 장치는 자본주의 사회의 노동 순환을 지탱하는 핵심 축입니다.

The institutional mechanism of 'payday' is a core axis that sustains the labor cycle in capitalist society.

Complex noun phrases and formal terminology.

2

디지털 뱅킹의 시대에 월급날은 더 이상 물리적 실체가 아닌 데이터의 이동으로 존재한다.

In the era of digital banking, payday exists as a movement of data rather than a physical reality.

A is not B but C structure (더 이상 A가 아닌 B로).

3

월급날을 향한 직장인들의 애환은 수많은 문학 작품의 단골 소재가 되어 왔다.

The joys and sorrows of office workers regarding payday have been a regular subject in numerous literary works.

-어 왔다 indicates a state or action that has continued until now.

4

사회학적으로 볼 때 월급날은 개인의 시간적 질서를 규정하는 강력한 기제로 작용한다.

From a sociological perspective, payday acts as a powerful mechanism that defines an individual's temporal order.

Formal adverbial phrase '사회학적으로 볼 때'.

5

월급날의 도래는 단순한 부의 축적이 아니라, 생존을 위한 투쟁의 일시적 휴전을 의미한다.

The arrival of payday signifies not just the accumulation of wealth, but a temporary truce in the struggle for survival.

Metaphorical and philosophical language.

6

기그 경제의 확산은 매달 정해진 월급날이라는 전통적 관념을 해체하고 있다.

The spread of the gig economy is dismantling the traditional notion of a fixed monthly payday.

-고 있다 expresses a continuous action/process.

7

월급날마다 반복되는 소비와 저축의 딜레마는 인간의 본능적 욕망과 이성적 통제 사이의 갈등을 보여준다.

The recurring dilemma between spending and saving every payday illustrates the conflict between human instinctive desire and rational control.

Sophisticated use of abstract nouns.

8

우리는 월급날이라는 환상에 기대어 고단한 일상을 견뎌내고 있는지도 모른다.

We might be enduring our weary daily lives by leaning on the illusion of payday.

-(으)ㄴ지도 모른다 expresses a possibility or reflection.

Colocações comuns

월급날이 다가오다
월급날을 기다리다
월급날에 외식하다
월급날이 겹치다
월급날을 앞당기다
월급날 풍경
월급날 기념
월급날 저녁
월급날 알람
월급날 턱

Frases Comuns

월급날이 멀었다

— Payday is still far away. Used to express frustration when running low on money.

아직 보름이나 남았는데 월급날이 멀었네요.

월급날만 기다린다

— To wait only for payday. Implies that payday is the only motivation for working.

저는 요즘 월급날만 기다리며 살아요.

월급날 한턱 쏘다

— To treat someone to a meal/drink on payday.

오늘 월급날이니까 내가 한턱 쏠게!

월급날이 오긴 오나

— Is payday even coming? A rhetorical question used when one is desperate for money.

돈이 다 떨어졌는데 월급날이 오긴 오나요?

월급날의 기적

— The miracle of payday. Refers to the sudden, temporary increase in one's bank balance.

월급날의 기적은 하루 만에 끝났어요.

월급날 루틴

— Payday routine. Specific things one always does on payday (e.g., banking, eating).

제 월급날 루틴은 저축부터 하는 거예요.

월급날 지름신

— The 'shopping god' that descends on payday. Refers to the urge to splurge.

월급날이라 지름신이 강림했어요.

월급날 통장

— Payday bank account. Often used to describe the account where the salary is deposited.

월급날 통장을 보니 마음이 든든해요.

월급날 약속

— An appointment or plan made specifically for payday.

월급날 약속이 있어서 일찍 퇴근해야 해요.

월급날 기분

— The specific happy mood one feels on payday.

오늘 완전 월급날 기분인데?

Frequentemente confundido com

월급날 vs 월급

월급 is the salary itself; 월급날 is the day you receive it.

월급날 vs 급여

급여 is a more formal term for salary/compensation.

월급날 vs 일급

일급 is daily pay, not monthly.

Expressões idiomáticas

"월급이 통장을 스쳐 지나가다"

— The salary just passes through the bank account. Used when one's entire pay is immediately spent on bills.

월급날인데 월급이 통장을 스쳐 지나갔어요.

Casual/Humorous
"월급날만 손꼽아 기다리다"

— To count the days until payday. To wait very eagerly.

아이처럼 월급날만 손꼽아 기다려요.

Neutral
"월급날이 제삿날이다"

— Payday is like a memorial day (meaning a day of great spending or sacrifice). Rarely used, but implies a day of heavy obligation.

나한테는 월급날이 제삿날이야, 돈 나갈 데가 너무 많아.

Slang/Metaphorical
"월급날에 춤추다"

— To be extremely happy on payday. (Not a fixed idiom, but a common descriptive phrase).

월급날이라 어깨가 들썩이며 춤추고 싶어요.

Informal
"월급날에 쥐구멍에도 볕 든다"

— Even a mouse hole gets sunlight on payday. Meaning even the poorest person feels rich for a moment.

월급날 덕분에 내 쥐구멍 같은 방에도 볕이 드네.

Literary/Metaphorical
"로그인 하자마자 로그아웃"

— Logging out as soon as you log in. Modern slang for money entering and leaving an account instantly.

내 월급은 로그인 하자마자 로그아웃이야.

Internet Slang
"퍼가요~"

— I'm taking this! (Used ironically for banks taking your salary for loans/bills).

카드사가 내 월급을 '퍼가요~' 했어.

Internet Slang
"월급날 고기 파티"

— A meat party on payday. A standard way to celebrate.

오늘 월급날인데 고기 파티 할까?

Casual
"월급날의 노예"

— Slave to payday. Someone who only works for the paycheck.

우리는 모두 월급날의 노예인가 봐요.

Cynical/Humorous
"월급날만 되면 작아지는 나"

— Me, becoming small whenever it's payday. Refers to the realization of how little one's salary is compared to bills.

월급날만 되면 작아지는 내 모습이 슬퍼요.

Poetic/Humorous

Fácil de confundir

월급날 vs 월세

Both start with '월' (month).

월세 is monthly rent (money going out), whereas 월급 is monthly pay (money coming in).

월급날에 월세를 내요.

월급날 vs 연봉

Both relate to salary.

연봉 is the annual total salary, while 월급 is the monthly portion.

제 연봉은 높지만 월급날은 항상 기다려져요.

월급날 vs 수당

Both are forms of payment.

수당 refers to extra pay (overtime, etc.), while 월급 is the base salary.

이번 달은 수당 덕분에 월급날이 더 즐거워요.

월급날 vs 용돈

Both are money received.

용돈 is pocket money (usually given to kids or by spouses), while 월급 is earned through labor.

월급날에 아내에게 용돈을 줬어요.

월급날 vs 보너스

Both are extra money days.

보너스 is an irregular extra payment, while 월급날 is the regular scheduled day.

월급날에 보너스까지 받으면 금상첨화죠.

Padrões de frases

A1

오늘은 [Noun]이에요.

오늘은 월급날이에요.

A2

[Noun]에 [Verb]아요/어요.

월급날에 쇼핑해요.

B1

[Noun]이라서 [Reason].

월급날이라서 행복해요.

B1

[Noun]이/가 되면 [Plan].

월급날이 되면 저축할 거예요.

B2

[Noun]을/를 손꼽아 기다리다.

월급날을 손꼽아 기다려요.

B2

[Noun]임에도 불구하고 [Contrast].

월급날임에도 불구하고 돈이 없어요.

C1

[Noun]을/를 기점으로 [Change].

월급날을 기점으로 소비가 늘어납니다.

C2

[Noun]이라는 명목 하에 [Action].

월급날이라는 명목 하에 과소비를 했다.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

월급 (monthly salary)
월급쟁이 (salary worker)
급여 (pay/salary - formal)
봉급 (salary - traditional)
일급 (daily wage)
주급 (weekly wage)

Verbos

월급을 주다 (to give salary)
월급을 받다 (to receive salary)
월급이 오르다 (salary rises)
월급을 깎다 (to cut salary)

Adjetivos

월급이 많다 (salary is high)
월급이 적다 (salary is low)
월급이 넉넉하다 (salary is sufficient)

Relacionado

상여금 (bonus)
연봉 (annual salary)
세후 (after tax)
세전 (before tax)
실수령액 (actual take-home pay)

Como usar

frequency

Extremely common in daily adult life.

Erros comuns
  • Using '월금날' instead of '월급날'. 월급날

    Learners often hear the 'p' (ㅂ) as an 'm' (ㅁ) because of the following 'n' (ㄴ) sound. This is a common phonetic assimilation mistake.

  • Saying '월급날에 기다려요' for 'I wait for payday'. 월급날을 기다려요

    The particle '에' means 'at' or 'on'. If you wait FOR something, you must use the object particle '을/를'.

  • Using '월급날' to refer to a weekly paycheck. 주급날

    '월' specifically means 'month'. Using it for weekly pay is factually incorrect in Korean.

  • Adding a space: '월급 날'. 월급날

    While technically two words, it is treated as a single lexical unit and should be written without a space.

  • Confusing '월급날' with '월급'. 월급 (salary) / 월급날 (payday)

    Learners sometimes say '오늘은 월급이에요' (Today is salary), which is incorrect. You must say '오늘은 월급날이에요' (Today is payday).

Dicas

Particle Usage

Always use '에' when you want to say something happens ON payday. '월급날에 쇼핑해요' is the correct way to express an action on that day.

The 'Treat' Culture

If you are the one who just had a payday and your friends haven't, it's a nice gesture to buy the first round of drinks or coffee.

Learn the Roots

Remember '월' (month) and '날' (day). These appear in hundreds of other words, so mastering '월급날' helps you decode other Korean terms.

Natural Speed

Native speakers often elide the 'p' sound slightly, making it sound almost like 'wol-geum-nal' but not quite. Don't over-enunciate the 'p'.

Savings Tip

In Korea, it's common to set up '자동이체' (automatic transfer) for the same day as '월급날' to ensure you save before you spend.

Office Talk

Bringing up the upcoming payday is a safe and universal 'small talk' topic in Korean offices to build rapport with colleagues.

K-Drama Watching

Look for scenes where characters look at their bank balance on their phones; they will almost always say '월급날' during these moments.

Compound Nouns

Don't put a space between '월급' and '날'. In Korean, compound nouns that are frequently used are usually written as one word.

Listening Practice

Listen to the song '월급날' by the band 'Daybreak' to hear the word used in a catchy, rhythmic context.

First Salary

The first payday ('첫 월급날') is a huge milestone in Korea. Traditionally, children buy their parents 'red long johns' (빨간 내복) with their first pay, though today it's usually a nice dinner or cash.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Think of 'Wol' (Wall) + 'Geup' (Gulp) + 'Nal' (Null). You hit a 'Wall' of work, take a 'Gulp' of relief when you get paid, and then your balance becomes 'Null' after paying bills!

Associação visual

Imagine a calendar where the 25th is made of gold and people are dancing around it.

Word Web

Money Work Calendar Bank Shopping Dinner Relief Bills

Desafio

Try to use '월급날' in a sentence three times today when talking to your Korean friends or writing in your journal.

Origem da palavra

The word is a combination of the Sino-Korean term '월급' (月給) and the native Korean word '날'.

Significado original: Monthly (月) Supply/Pay (給) + Day (날).

Sino-Korean and Native Korean hybrid.

Contexto cultural

Avoid asking people exactly how much they get paid on their 월급날; it is considered very rude.

In many English-speaking countries, bi-weekly pay is common. Explaining that Korea is almost exclusively monthly is important for context.

The song '월급날' by various Korean indie artists. K-Drama 'Misaeng' which realistically depicts office life and the weight of a salary. The webtoon 'Gauss Electronics' which satirizes payday culture.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

At a restaurant with friends

  • 오늘 내가 월급날이라서 낼게.
  • 우리 월급날에 여기서 다시 만나자.
  • 월급날인데 뭐 맛있는 거 먹을까?
  • 친구 월급날이라서 얻어먹었어요.

At the office with colleagues

  • 이번 달 월급날이 언제죠?
  • 월급날이 주말이라 금요일에 나온대요.
  • 월급날만 기다리고 있어요.
  • 드디어 월급날이네요, 다들 수고하셨습니다.

Talking to family about money

  • 월급날에 생활비 보낼게요.
  • 이번 월급날에는 쇼핑 좀 해야겠어요.
  • 월급날이 아직 멀어서 돈을 아껴야 해요.
  • 우리 월급날에 외식할까?

Checking bank status

  • 월급날인데 왜 아직 입금이 안 됐지?
  • 월급날 알림이 왔어요.
  • 월급날이라 통장을 확인해 봤어요.
  • 월급날 자동이체가 너무 많아요.

Complaining about finances

  • 월급날인데 벌써 돈이 없네.
  • 월급날만 지나면 거지가 돼요.
  • 월급날이 빨리 왔으면 좋겠어요.
  • 월급날인데 기쁘지가 않아요.

Iniciadores de conversa

"이번 달 월급날에 특별한 계획 있으세요? (Do you have any special plans for this month's payday?)"

"보통 월급날에 가장 먼저 하는 일이 뭐예요? (What is the first thing you usually do on payday?)"

"회사가 월급날을 잘 지키는 편인가요? (Does your company usually keep the payday on time?)"

"월급날에 부모님께 선물을 드린 적이 있나요? (Have you ever given a gift to your parents on payday?)"

"월급날이 되면 가장 먹고 싶은 음식이 뭐예요? (What food do you want to eat most when it's payday?)"

Temas para diário

오늘이 월급날이라면 무엇을 가장 먼저 사고 싶은지 써 보세요. (Write about what you would want to buy first if today were payday.)

첫 월급날의 기억에 대해 설명해 보세요. (Explain your memory of your very first payday.)

월급날이 나에게 주는 의미는 무엇인가요? (What does payday mean to you?)

월급날을 더 행복하게 보내는 방법 3가지를 적어 보세요. (Write down three ways to spend payday more happily.)

월급날과 관련된 재미있는 에피소드가 있다면 공유해 주세요. (If you have a fun episode related to payday, please share it.)

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

The most common payday for large companies is the 25th of the month. Smaller businesses often use the 10th. This is because companies usually settle their previous month's accounts by the 10th or wait until the 25th to align with general consumer cycles.

No, '월급날' specifically means 'monthly pay day'. For weekly pay, you would use '주급날' (ju-geup-nal). However, weekly pay is very rare in South Korea except for some part-time jobs.

It's not rude to mention that it's payday or that you are happy about it. However, asking someone specifically how much they received on their payday is considered a breach of privacy and is generally avoided.

This is a popular internet slang expression. Because most Koreans have their utility bills, insurance, and credit card payments automated to leave their account on or right after payday, the money disappears almost as soon as it enters.

'월급날' is the common, everyday word used by everyone. '급여일' is the formal term you will find in your contract or see on an official company announcement. Use '월급날' with friends and '급여일' in a business report.

Most companies will pay you on the Friday before the weekend. Some might pay on the following Monday, but the Friday-before rule is much more common and appreciated by workers.

In the past, yes. Today, almost everyone receives an 'e-mail 명세서' (electronic pay stub) or checks it through a company portal. The physical 'yellow envelope' is now a thing of the past.

Fried chicken (통닭) is the most traditional 'payday food' due to nostalgia. However, today, Samgyeopsal (pork belly) and Hanu (Korean beef) are the most popular choices for payday celebrations.

You say '월급날을 기다리고 있어요' (wol-geup-nal-eul gi-da-ri-go is-seo-yo). Adding '손꼽아' (son-kkop-a) before '기다리고' makes it sound like you are counting down the days.

Yes, if they are paid monthly. If they are paid based on hours/days, they might just say '돈 받는 날' (the day I get money), but '월급날' is still understood.

Teste-se 190 perguntas

writing

Write a sentence using '월급날' and '행복하다'.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence using '월급날' and '쇼핑'.

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

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence about waiting for payday.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Ask someone when their payday is.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Explain why you have no money using '월급날'.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Describe what you eat on payday.

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writing

Write a formal sentence about payday.

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writing

Write about treating a friend on payday.

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writing

Write about your first payday.

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writing

Write about savings on payday.

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writing

Write about utility bills on payday.

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writing

Express excitement for tomorrow's payday.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence using '월급날' as the subject.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write a sentence using '월급날' and '가족'.

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writing

Write about the feeling after payday is over.

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writing

Write a sentence using '월급날' and '회사'.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
writing

Write about a delayed payday.

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writing

Write about the 'disappearing salary' idiom.

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writing

Write about checking a bank app on payday.

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writing

Write a sentence with '월급날' and '선물'.

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Today is payday' in Korean.

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Ask 'When is your payday?'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I wait for payday every month.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Let's eat meat on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I am happy because it's payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I will treat you on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Payday is still far away.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I save money on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'The money is gone on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Tomorrow is my first payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I want to buy a gift for my mom on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Restaurants are full on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Payday is the 25th.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I feel like a rich person on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I checked my bank account on payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I wait for payday with excitement.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'Is today payday?'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'My payday was yesterday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I will go shopping this payday.'

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Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
speaking

Say 'I like payday the most.'

Read this aloud:

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Listen and identify the word: '월급날'.

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What day is the speaker talking about? '내일이 월급날이에요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Is the speaker happy or sad? '야호, 오늘 월급날이다!'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What will the speaker do? '월급날에 친구를 만날 거예요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

When is payday? '월급날은 매달 25일입니다.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What happened to the money? '월급날인데 돈이 벌써 다 나갔어.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Who is the speaker treating? '월급날이라서 동생한테 피자 사줬어.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What is the speaker waiting for? '월급날만 손꼽아 기다려요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Why is the speaker at the bank? '월급날이라서 저축하러 왔어요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What did the speaker buy? '첫 월급날에 빨간 내복을 샀어요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

Is payday on the weekend? '월급날이 토요일이라서 금요일에 받았어.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

How does the speaker feel? '월급날 전이라서 지갑이 가벼워요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What is the formal term mentioned? '급여일이 변경되었습니다.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What is the frequency? '월급날마다 외식을 해요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
listening

What time of day is it? '월급날 아침에 입금 확인을 했어요.'

Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:
Correto! Quase. Resposta certa:

/ 190 correct

Perfect score!

Conteúdo relacionado

Esta palavra em outros idiomas

Mais palavras de work

주 5일제

A2

O "ju o-il je" é o sistema de trabalho padrão na Coreia, onde as pessoas trabalham cinco dias por semana, tipicamente de segunda a sexta-feira, e têm sábado e domingo como dias de folga.

결근

A2

Ausência do trabalho; não estar presente no trabalho. A palavra '결근' significa ausência do trabalho. É usada quando um funcionário não comparece ao seu posto de trabalho.

결근하다

A2

Faltar ao trabalho. Por exemplo: 'Ele faltou ao trabalho hoje porque estava doente.'

추상적이다

A2

Ser abstrato. Refere-se a ideias ou conceitos que não possuem existência física.

출입증

A2

Cartão de identificação, cartão de acesso. Um cartão de identificação ou cartão de acesso que permite a entrada em um local específico. É um cartão especial, como um cartão de identificação, que você precisa mostrar para entrar ou sair de um edifício ou área.

회계

B1

A contabilidade é o registro sistemático e o relato das transações financeiras.

경리

A2

Gerenciamento e registro das informações financeiras de uma empresa, como receitas e despesas. O termo refere-se à contabilidade ou escrituração.

업적

B1

Uma conquista ou feito notável, geralmente usado para contribuições significativas na história, ciência ou carreira. Refere-se a algo que deixa um legado.

적극적이다

A2

Ser ativo ou proativo. Significa tomar a iniciativa e participar com entusiasmo.

적극적으로

B1

De uma maneira ativa, proativa ou entusiasta. Por exemplo: 'Ela participa ativamente das aulas.'

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