How to Ask Where a Bank Is in Korean: 은행 and ATMs
Learn to ask 'Is there a bank near here?' in Korean, say 은행 and 현금인출기, and understand how to ask about ATM locations politely.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
When you need cash or a bank in Korea, the most useful question is 'Is there a bank near here?' In Korean, that is '이 근처에 은행이 있어요?' This lesson teaches you the key words 은행 (bank) and 현금인출기 (ATM), the polite pattern '이 근처에 ...이/가 있어요?' meaning 'Is there ... near here?', and how to ask where an ATM is. You will also learn the difference between 있어요 (there is/are) and 없어요 (there is not), and how to use the location word 근처에. The phrases are polite and work in most everyday situations with strangers, clerks, or passersby.
By the end, you can…
- ask 'Is there a bank near here?' in polite Korean.
- name a bank and an ATM in Korean and ask where an ATM is.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
이 근처에 은행이 있어요?
Is there a bank near here?
i geuncheo-e eunhaeng-i isseoyo?
The most direct and useful question. Use it with a stranger, a hotel clerk, or a shop worker.
은행
bank
eunhaeng
The general word for a bank. It does not mean a riverbank in this context.
현금인출기
ATM, cash machine
hyeongeum inchulgi
The standard, somewhat formal word for an ATM. Often shortened in signs to ATM.
가까운 은행이 어디예요?
Where is a nearby bank?
gakkaun eunhaeng-i eodiyeyo?
Use this when you assume a bank exists nearby and want its location.
현금인출기는 어디에 있어요?
Where is the ATM?
hyeongeum inchulgi-neun eodie isseoyo?
Use this inside a bank, station, or convenience store to find the machine.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The core pattern is '이 근처에 + noun + 이/가 있어요?' It means 'Is there + noun + near here?' 이 근처에 means 'near here'. The particle 이 or 가 marks the thing you are looking for. Use 이 after a consonant and 가 after a vowel. 은행 ends in a consonant (ㅇ), so say 은행이 있어요. 현금인출기 ends in a vowel (기), so say 현금인출기가 있어요. The polite ending -어요 makes the question suitable for strangers. To answer 'yes', say 네, 있어요. To answer 'no', say 아니요, 없어요.
When to use it
Use '이 근처에 은행이 있어요?' when you are standing somewhere and want to know if a bank is close by. Use '가까운 은행이 어디예요?' when you expect a bank nearby and want directions. Use '현금인출기는 어디에 있어요?' inside a building or store. If you need a specific service, add it before the question, for example '환전할 수 있는 곳이 있어요?' meaning 'Is there a place where I can exchange money?' Keep your voice rising at the end to make it clearly a question.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
저기요, 이 근처에 은행이 있어요?
Excuse me, is there a bank near here?jeogiyo, i geuncheo-e eunhaeng-i isseoyo?네, 은행이 있어요. 저쪽에 있어요.
Yes, there is a bank. It is over there.ne, eunhaeng-i isseoyo. jeojjok-e isseoyo.아, 감사합니다. 현금인출기도 있어요?
Ah, thank you. Is there an ATM too?a, gamsahamnida. hyeongeum inchulgi-do isseoyo?네, 은행 안에 현금인출기가 있어요.
Yes, there is an ATM inside the bank.ne, eunhaeng an-e hyeongeum inchulgi-ga isseoyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, 은행 usually means a bank branch, while 현금인출기 or ATM refers to the machine. Many ATMs are inside convenience stores, subway stations, and bank lobbies, and some close late at night. Using the polite -요 style with 저기요 (excuse me) is appropriate with strangers. If you are unsure, asking a staff member at a convenience store is often easier than asking on the street.
One thing to watch for
Saying '이 근처에 은행은 어디예요?' when you only want to know if a bank exists.
Try this instead: Use '이 근처에 은행이 있어요?' for 'Is there a bank near here?' Use '은행이 어디예요?' only when you already know a bank exists and want its location. The particle 은/는 can make the question sound like 'What about the bank?' rather than 'Is there a bank?'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Is there a bank near here?' in polite Korean?
Show a sample answer
이 근처에 은행이 있어요?
This uses 이 근처에 (near here), 은행 (bank), the subject particle 이, and the polite question ending -어요. You could also say 이 근처에 은행 있어요? in casual speech, but the version with 이 is clearer for learners.
2Which word means 'ATM' in Korean, and how do you ask where it is?
Show a sample answer
현금인출기; 현금인출기는 어디에 있어요?
현금인출기 is the standard word for an ATM. The question uses 어디에 (where) and 있어요. Many Koreans also say ATM in English, so 'ATM은 어디에 있어요?' is also understood.
3What is the difference between 있어요 and 없어요?
Show a sample answer
있어요 means 'there is/are' or 'I have'; 없어요 means 'there is not' or 'I do not have'.
In this lesson, 있어요 asks about existence, as in 은행이 있어요? (Is there a bank?). 없어요 is the negative answer, as in 아니요, 없어요 (No, there isn't). Both are polite.
Ask '이 근처에 은행이 있어요?' to find a bank, and '현금인출기는 어디에 있어요?' to find an ATM. Use the polite -요 ending and remember 은행이 있어요 versus 현금인출기가 있어요.
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