In this Korean Conversation lesson, follow newcomers to Korea as they open a bank account, receive money from abroad, send money home, and set up everyday banking essentials.
은행 업무는 한국에서 생활하는 데 꼭 필요하지만, 처음엔 낯선 용어 때문에 막막하게 느껴질 수 있어.
Banking is essential for life in Korea, but unfamiliar terms can make it feel overwhelming at first.
계좌 개설부터 해외송금, 자동이체까지, 실제 은행 창구에서 겪을 수 있는 네 가지 상황을 통해 필요한 표현을 배워보자.
From opening an account to sending money abroad and setting up automatic payments, let’s learn the expressions you’ll need through four real bank counter situations.
Dialogue: Opening a Bank Account
고객: “계좌를 개설하고 싶은데요. 외국인도 가능한가요?”
Customer: “I’d like to open an account. Is it possible for foreigners too?”
은행 직원: “네, 가능합니다. 외국인등록증이랑 여권 가지고 계신가요?”
Bank staff: “Yes, it’s possible. Do you have your alien registration card and passport with you?”
고객: “네, 여기 있습니다.”
Customer: “Yes, here they are.”
은행 직원: “감사합니다. 계좌 개설하시면서 체크카드도 같이 신청하시겠어요?”
Bank staff: “Thank you. Would you like to apply for a check card along with the account?”
고객: “네, 체크카드는 어떻게 쓰는 거예요? 신용카드랑 다른가요?”
Customer: “Yes. How do I use a check card? Is it different from a credit card?”
은행 직원: “체크카드는 계좌에 있는 돈만큼만 쓸 수 있어요. 신용카드처럼 나중에 갚는 게 아니라, 바로 계좌에서 빠져나가요.”
Bank staff: “A check card can only be used up to the amount in your account. Unlike a credit card, the money is deducted directly from your account right away, instead of being paid back later.”
고객: “아, 그럼 현금은 어떻게 인출해요?”
Customer: “Ah, then how do I withdraw cash?”
은행 직원: “이 체크카드로 ATM에서 바로 인출하실 수 있어요. 저기 있는 ATM 써보실래요? 제가 알려드릴게요.”
Bank staff: “You can withdraw cash directly from an ATM with this check card. Would you like to try the ATM over there? I’ll show you.”
은행 직원: “화면 왼쪽 위에 언어 선택 버튼 있어요. 영어나 다른 언어로 바꾸실 수 있어요.”
Bank staff: “There’s a language selection button at the top left of the screen. You can switch it to English or another language.”
고객: “오, 다행이다. 한국어로만 되어 있으면 어려울 뻔했어요.”
Customer: “Oh, what a relief. It would’ve been hard if it was only in Korean.”
은행 직원: “그리고 이 카드로 교통카드 충전도 되니까 편리하실 거예요.”
Bank staff: “Also, you can top up your transportation card with this card too, so it’ll be convenient.”
고객: “정말요? 버스나 지하철 탈 때 쓰는 그 카드요?”
Customer: “Really? The card I use for the bus or subway?”
은행 직원: “네, 맞아요. 편의점에서도 충전할 수 있지만, 이 체크카드가 있으면 ATM에서도 바로 충전하실 수 있어요.”
Bank staff: “Yes, that’s right. You can top it up at convenience stores too, but with this check card, you can also top it up directly at an ATM.”
고객: “진짜 편하네요. 감사합니다!”
Customer: “That’s really convenient. Thank you!”
Dialogue 2: Receiving Money from Abroad
유학생: “저 부모님이 외국에서 돈을 보내주셨다고 하셨는데, 어떻게 받아요?”
Exchange student: “My parents said they sent me money from abroad — how do I receive it?”
은행 직원: “여권이랑 외국인등록증 가지고 오셨죠? 송금 받으신 계좌로 바로 입금될 거예요.”
Bank staff: “You brought your passport and alien registration card, right? It’ll be deposited directly into the account it was sent to.”
유학생: “근데 이거 외화로 온 거잖아요. 자동으로 원화로 바뀌는 거예요?”
Exchange student: “But this came in foreign currency, right? Does it automatically convert to won?”
은행 직원: “네, 저희 은행 환율로 자동 환전돼서 원화로 입금돼요. 원하시면 환전 안 하고 외화 그대로 보관하는 것도 가능해요.”
Bank staff: “Yes, it’s automatically converted to won using our bank’s exchange rate. If you’d prefer, you can also keep it in foreign currency without converting.”
유학생: “오, 그런 것도 되는구나. 근데 환율은 매일 바뀌는 거죠?”
Exchange student: “Oh, I didn’t know that was possible. But the exchange rate changes every day, right?”
은행 직원: “맞아요. 오늘 환율은 여기 화면에서 확인하실 수 있어요.”
Bank staff: “That’s right. You can check today’s rate right here on the screen.”
유학생: “확인했어요. 그럼 그냥 원화로 바꿔서 받을게요.”
Exchange student: “Okay, I checked. Then I’ll just have it converted to won.”
은행 직원: “네, 처리해 드릴게요. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.”
Bank staff: “Okay, I’ll process that for you. Please wait a moment.”
Dialogue 3: Sending Money Home
이주노동자: “고향에 있는 가족한테 돈을 좀 보내고 싶은데요.”
Migrant worker: “I’d like to send some money to my family back home.”
은행 직원: “네, 해외송금 신청하시면 돼요. 어느 나라로 보내실 거예요?”
Bank staff: “Sure, you can apply for an international wire transfer. Which country are you sending it to?”
이주노동자: “베트남이요. 근데 수수료나 환율이 좀 걱정돼요.”
Migrant worker: “Vietnam. But I’m a bit worried about the fees and exchange rate.”
은행 직원: “저희 은행 외국인 고객님들은 환율 우대를 받으실 수 있어요. 오늘 환율에서 좀 더 유리하게 적용해 드릴게요.”
Bank staff: “Our foreign customers can get a preferential exchange rate. I’ll apply a more favorable rate than today’s standard rate for you.”
이주노동자: “정말요? 그럼 수수료는 얼마나 나와요?”
Migrant worker: “Really? Then how much will the fee be?”
은행 직원: “송금 금액이랑 방식에 따라 달라지는데, 제가 지금 계산해서 정확히 알려드릴게요.”
Bank staff: “It depends on the amount and method, so let me calculate it now and give you the exact figure.”
이주노동자: “감사합니다. 매달 보내는 거라 조금이라도 아끼면 도움이 많이 돼요.”
Migrant worker: “Thank you. Since I send this every month, even a little savings really helps.”
은행 직원: “그러시면 정기송금으로 등록해 드릴게요. 그럼 매번 오실 필요 없이 자동으로 처리돼요.”
Bank staff: “In that case, I’ll register it as a recurring transfer for you. That way, it’ll be processed automatically without you needing to come in every time.”
이주노동자: “우와, 그것도 되는구나. 진짜 편하겠네요.”
Migrant worker: “Wow, I didn’t know that was possible either. That’ll be really convenient.”
Dialogue 4: Setting Up Automatic Bill Payments (and More)
이주민: “공과금 자동이체 신청하러 왔어요. 전기세랑 수도세요.”
Resident: “I came to set up automatic bill payments — for electricity and water.”
은행 직원: “네, 계좌번호랑 고지서만 있으면 바로 등록해 드릴 수 있어요. 가지고 오셨어요?”
Bank staff: “Sure, I can register it right away if you have your account number and the bill. Did you bring them?”
이주민: “네, 여기 있어요.”
Resident: “Yes, here they are.”
은행 직원: “감사합니다. 등록해 드릴게요. 그런데 혹시 적금이나 예금 상품에 관심 있으세요?”
Bank staff: “Thank you, I’ll register this. By the way, are you interested in savings or deposit products?”
이주민: “적금이요? 그게 뭐가 다른 거예요?”
Resident: “Installment savings? How’s that different?”
은행 직원: “적금은 매달 일정 금액을 넣는 거고, 예금은 목돈을 한 번에 넣어서 이자를 받는 거예요. 매달 조금씩 모으고 싶으시면 적금이 좋아요.”
Bank staff: “With installment savings, you put in a set amount every month. With a deposit, you put in a lump sum at once and earn interest. If you want to save a little each month, installment savings would be good.”
이주민: “오, 그럼 적금 하나 알아볼게요. 근데 혹시 대출도 가능해요? 나중에 필요할 것 같아서요.”
Resident: “Oh, I’ll look into installment savings then. But is a loan possible too? I think I might need one later.”
은행 직원: “외국인분들도 조건에 따라 대출 상담 받으실 수 있어요. 재직 기간이나 소득 증빙 같은 서류가 필요해요.”
Bank staff: “Foreign customers can also get loan consultations depending on their conditions. You’ll need documents like proof of employment period or income.”
이주민: “그렇구나. 오늘은 일단 자동이체랑 적금만 하고, 대출은 나중에 다시 올게요.”
Resident: “I see. For today, I’ll just do the automatic payment and installment savings, and come back later for the loan.”
은행 직원: “네, 좋아요. 필요하실 때 언제든 다시 방문해 주세요.”
Bank staff: “Sure, that sounds good. Please feel free to come back anytime you need it.”
Key Korean Expressions from the Dialogue
| 한국어 | 영어 뜻 |
|---|---|
| 계좌를 개설하다 | To open a bank account |
| 체크카드 | Check card / debit card |
| ATM에서 인출하다 | To withdraw cash from an ATM |
| 환전되다 | To be exchanged (currency) |
| 해외송금 | International wire transfer |
| 환율 우대 | Preferential exchange rate |
| 수수료 | Fee |
| 정기송금 | Recurring / scheduled transfer |
| 공과금 자동이체 | Automatic utility bill payment |
| 적금 | Installment savings account |
| 대출 상담 | Loan consultation |
| 소득 증빙 | Proof of income |
Detailed Breakdown: 적금 vs. 예금 vs. 대출
적금 (매달 조금씩 모으는 저축): / 정해진 금액을 매달 넣어서 목표한 돈을 만드는 상품이야. / 조금씩 꾸준히 모으고 싶은 사람에게 잘 맞아.
적금 (installment savings): This is a product where you deposit a set amount every month to build up toward a savings goal. / It suits people who want to save small amounts steadily over time.
예문: “매달 20만 원씩 적금을 넣고 있어요.”
Example: “I’ve been putting 200,000 won into installment savings every month.”
예금 (목돈을 한 번에 넣는 저축): / 이미 모은 돈을 한꺼번에 넣어서 이자를 받는 상품이야. / 여윳돈이 있을 때 활용하기 좋아.
예금 (deposit): This is a product where you put in a lump sum you’ve already saved and earn interest on it. / It’s useful when you already have extra money on hand.
예문: “보너스 받은 돈을 예금에 넣었어요.”
Example: “I put my bonus money into a deposit account.”
대출 (돈을 빌리는 것): / 은행에서 돈을 빌리고, 나중에 이자와 함께 갚는 거야. / 서류와 조건이 필요해서 미리 상담받는 게 중요해.
대출 (loan): This means borrowing money from the bank and repaying it later along with interest. / Since documents and conditions are required, it’s important to get a consultation beforehand.
예문: “집을 구하려고 대출 상담을 받았어요.”
Example: “I got a loan consultation because I’m looking for a place to live.”
학습자를 위한 팁: 은행 직원과 상담할 때 이 세 단어를 헷갈리면 완전히 다른 상품을 안내받을 수 있어. 매달 모으고 싶으면 ‘적금’, 목돈을 넣고 싶으면 ‘예금’, 돈이 필요하면 ‘대출’이라고 정확히 말해봐.
Tip for Learners: If you mix up these three words when speaking with bank staff, you might end up being guided toward a completely different product. Say “적금” if you want to save monthly, “예금” if you have a lump sum to deposit, and “대출” if you need to borrow money.
FAQ: Common Questions About Banking in Korea
Q: 외국인도 적금이나 예금에 가입할 수 있나요?
Q: Can foreigners open installment savings or deposit accounts too?
A: 네, 외국인등록증이 있으면 대부분 가능해요. 계좌 개설할 때 은행 직원한테 같이 물어보면 바로 안내받을 수 있어.
A: Yes, most foreign residents with an alien registration card can open these accounts. You can ask the bank staff about it right when you open your account.
Q: 외국인이 대출받으려면 어떤 조건이 필요해요?
Q: What conditions do foreigners need to meet to get a loan?
A: 은행마다 다르지만, 보통 일정 기간 이상 한국에 거주했는지, 소득 증빙이 가능한지를 확인해. 정확한 조건은 은행 직원한테 직접 상담받는 게 제일 정확해.
A: It varies by bank, but generally they check whether you’ve lived in Korea for a certain period and whether you can provide proof of income. It’s best to get the exact conditions directly from a bank staff consultation.
Q: 환율 우대는 누구나 받을 수 있나요?
Q: Can anyone get a preferential exchange rate?
A: 은행이나 상품에 따라 다른데, 외국인 고객 대상 우대 혜택을 운영하는 곳들이 있어. 창구에서 직접 물어보면 적용 가능한지 바로 알려줘.
A: It depends on the bank and product, but some banks offer preferential rates specifically for foreign customers. Just ask at the counter and they’ll tell you right away if it applies.
📞 Banks with Multilingual Support
| Bank | Languages Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KB국민은행 | English, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and more | Dedicated foreign customer support center |
| 신한은행 | English, Chinese, and more | Global banking service |
| 우리은행 | English, Chinese | Multilingual app support |
| 하나은행 | English, Chinese, and more | Hana Global service, remittance-focused |
Language support can vary by branch and changes over time — it’s a good idea to call ahead or check the bank’s app before visiting.
Related Lessons
👉 Korean Conversation: An Exchange Student’s Life in Korea
👉 Korean Conversation: When the Boss Isn’t Fair
👉 More Conversation Lessons
Review Quiz: Banking in Korea
(Answers are at the bottom.)
Part 1: Vocabulary Matching
Match each Korean word to its meaning.
- 체크카드
- 해외송금
- 환율 우대
- 정기송금
- 적금
- 대출
- 소득 증빙
- 공과금 자동이체
A. Loan B. Recurring/scheduled transfer C. Check card / debit card D. Installment savings account E. International wire transfer F. Preferential exchange rate G. Proof of income H. Automatic utility bill payment
Part 2: Fill in the Blank
Choose the correct word from the box.
Word box: 개설하고 / 환전돼서 / 우대 / 증빙
- 계좌를 ( ) 싶은데요. (to open)
- 외화가 자동으로 원화로 ( ) 입금돼요. (gets exchanged)
- 외국인 고객님은 환율 ( )를 받으실 수 있어요. (preferential treatment)
- 대출을 받으려면 소득 ( )가 필요해요. (proof)
Part 3: Comprehension Questions
Based on the dialogues, answer the following in English.
- In Dialogue 1, what’s the difference between a check card and a credit card, according to the bank staff?
- In Dialogue 2, what two options does the exchange student have for the money sent from abroad?
- In Dialogue 3, what does the bank staff suggest to save the migrant worker time and money on recurring transfers?
- In Dialogue 4, what does the resident decide to do today, and what do they postpone for later?
Answer Key
Part 1
1-C, 2-E, 3-F, 4-B, 5-D, 6-A, 7-G, 8-H
Part 2
9. 개설하고
10. 환전돼서
11. 우대
12. 증빙
Part 3
13. A check card can only be used up to the amount already in the account, with money deducted immediately, while a credit card lets you pay later.
14. They can either have it automatically converted to won, or keep it in foreign currency without converting.
15. The staff suggests registering it as a recurring transfer, so it processes automatically without the worker needing to visit every time.
16. They decide to set up the automatic bill payment and open an installment savings account today, and postpone the loan consultation for a later visit.