How to Exchange Money at a Korean Bank or Exchange Office
Learn to say you want to exchange dollars for euros in Korean, ask about the exchange rate, and handle the transaction at a bank counter, distinct from using an ATM.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
This lesson teaches you how to exchange currency in person at a Korean bank (은행, eunhaeng) or a currency exchange office (환전소, hwanjeonso). You will learn to say which currency you have and which you want, ask about the exchange rate (환율, hwanyul), and understand fees. This is different from using an ATM (현금 자동 입출금기, hyeongeum jadong ipchulgeumgi), where you withdraw local currency with a card and rarely speak to anyone. At a counter you talk with a staff member, so polite request patterns matter.
By the end, you can…
- say I would like to exchange US dollars for euros at a bank counter.
- ask what today's exchange rate is and whether there is a fee.
- understand and respond to a teller's basic questions during an exchange.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶어요.
I'd like to exchange dollars for euros.
dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkugo sipeoyo
The core pattern: [currency A]를 [currency B]로 바꾸고 싶어요. Use 를 for the currency you give and 로 for the currency you receive. Polite and standard at any counter.
오늘 환율이 어떻게 돼요?
What is today's exchange rate?
oneul hwanyuri eotteoke dwaeyo?
Ask this before agreeing to exchange. 어떻게 돼요? is a natural, polite way to ask how something is set or what it comes to.
수수료가 있어요?
Is there a fee?
susuryo-ga isseoyo?
수수료 means commission or service fee. Banks and exchange offices may charge differently, so ask before the transaction.
여권을 보여 드려야 해요?
Do I need to show my passport?
yeogwoneul boyeo deuryeoya haeyo?
Banks often require ID for currency exchange. 여권 is passport; 보여 드리다 is the humble form of 'to show' to a staff member.
백 달러를 유로로 바꿔 주세요.
Please exchange one hundred dollars into euros.
baek dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkwo juseyo
Use this when you already know the amount. 바꿔 주세요 is a direct but polite request form ending in 주세요.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is [currency A]를 [currency B]로 바꾸고 싶어요, meaning 'I want to exchange A for B.' For example, 달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶어요 (dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkugo sipeoyo) means 'I'd like to exchange dollars for euros.' If you want to state an amount, put it before the first currency: 백 달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶어요 (baek dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkugo sipeoyo). To make a direct request instead of stating a wish, change the ending to 바꿔 주세요 (bakkwo juseyo).
When to use it
Use these phrases at a staffed counter, not at an ATM. At a bank, greet the teller, state your request, then ask 오늘 환율이 어떻게 돼요? (oneul hwanyuri eotteoke dwaeyo?) before confirming. If the rate is acceptable, say 네, 바꿔 주세요 (ne, bakkwo juseyo), meaning 'Yes, please exchange it.' At a 환전소 (hwanjeonso, exchange office), the same phrases work, but rates and fees may differ, so always ask 수수료가 있어요? (susuryo-ga isseoyo?).
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요. 달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶어요.
Hello. I'd like to exchange dollars for euros.annyeonghaseyo. dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkugo sipeoyo.네. 오늘 환율은 1달러에 0.92유로예요. 수수료는 5천 원이에요.
Sure. Today's rate is 0.92 euros per dollar. The fee is 5,000 won.ne. oneul hwanyureun il dalleo-e 0.92 yuroyeyo. susuryoneun ocheon wonieyo.알겠어요. 백 달러를 유로로 바꿔 주세요. 여권을 보여 드려야 해요?
I see. Please exchange one hundred dollars into euros. Do I need to show my passport?algesseoyo. baek dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkwo juseyo. yeogwoneul boyeo deuryeoya haeyo?네, 여권을 보여 주세요. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Yes, please show me your passport. Please wait a moment.ne, yeogwoneul boyeo juseyo. jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo.A little context goes a long way
In Korea, exchanging money at a bank counter usually requires your passport, and staff may ask several routine questions. Politeness is shown through verb endings such as -요 and 주세요 rather than through pronouns. Exchange offices in tourist areas may offer different rates and hours than banks, so compare before choosing.
One thing to watch for
Saying 달러를 유로를 바꾸고 싶어요, using 를 for both currencies.
Try this instead: Use 를 for the currency you give and 로 for the currency you receive: 달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶어요 (dalleo-reul yuro-ro bakkugo sipeoyo). The particle 로 marks the result or direction of the exchange.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'd like to exchange dollars for euros' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶어요.
This uses the pattern [currency A]를 [currency B]로 바꾸고 싶어요. You could also say 달러를 유로로 바꾸고 싶습니다 for a more formal register.
2What phrase asks 'Is there a fee?'
Show a sample answer
수수료가 있어요?
수수료 means fee or commission, and 있어요? asks whether it exists. At a bank you might also hear 수수료가 붙어요, which means a fee is added.
3How would you ask the teller to exchange one hundred dollars into euros?
Show a sample answer
백 달러를 유로로 바꿔 주세요.
This changes the wish form 싶어요 to the request form 주세요. Adding 여권을 보여 드려야 해요? checks whether ID is needed.
Use [currency A]를 [currency B]로 바꾸고 싶어요 to state your exchange wish, ask 오늘 환율이 어떻게 돼요? for the rate, and remember your passport at a bank counter.
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