How To Say Don't Have Money In Korean

Hey guys! So, you're in Korea, or maybe you're just practicing your Korean, and you find yourself in a situation where you need to express that you're short on cash. It happens to the best of us, right? Whether you're trying to politely decline an offer, explain why you can't buy something, or just generally communicate your financial status, knowing how to say "I don't have money" in Korean is super useful. It's not just about knowing the words; it's about understanding the nuances and politeness levels, too. Let's dive into the different ways you can say this, from casual to more formal, so you can navigate any situation like a pro. We'll break down the phrases, give you some context, and make sure you feel confident using them. Learning these little but important phrases can really make a difference when you're interacting with native speakers.

Basic Phrases for "No Money"

Alright, let's start with the most straightforward ways to say you don't have money in Korean. The core concept revolves around the word for money, which is 돈 (don). When you want to say you don't have something, you often use the verb 없다 (eopda), which means "to not exist" or "to not have." So, putting these together gives us our foundational phrase. The most common and versatile way to say "I don't have money" is 돈이 없어요 (doni eopseoyo). The '이 (i)' is a subject particle that attaches to '돈 (don)' to indicate it's the subject of the sentence (or what is lacking). The '없어요 (eopseoyo)' is the polite, informal present tense of '없다 (eopda)'. This is your go-to phrase in most everyday situations. You can use it with friends, shopkeepers, or anyone you'd address with standard politeness. It's clear, concise, and gets the point across effectively. For example, if someone offers to buy you something and you want to decline, you could say, "아니요, 괜찮아요. 돈이 없어요" (Aniyo, gwaenchanayo. Doni eopseoyo), meaning "No, it's okay. I don't have money." It's important to remember the context. While '돈이 없어요' is generally safe, sometimes adding a bit more to soften the statement can be helpful depending on the situation. But as a starting point, 돈이 없어요 (doni eopseoyo) is your best friend when you're trying to say you're broke.

Now, if you're talking with close friends or people younger than you, you can drop the '요 (yo)' ending for a more casual feel. The phrase becomes 돈 없어 (don eopseo). This is very informal and should only be used in situations where you're comfortable being very casual. For instance, if your friend asks if you can lend them some money, and you can't, you might reply, "미안, 나 돈 없어" (Mian, na don eopseo), meaning "Sorry, I don't have money." Using this with someone you don't know well could sound a bit blunt or even rude, so always gauge your audience! It's like the difference between saying "I don't have money" and "Got no cash, man" in English – context is everything. So, remember 돈이 없어요 (doni eopseoyo) for general use and 돈 없어 (don eopseo) for your inner circle.

Explaining Your Lack of Funds

Sometimes, just saying "I don't have money" might feel a bit abrupt, and you might want to add a little more explanation or soften the blow. Korean culture often values politeness and indirectness, especially when discussing sensitive topics like finances. So, let's look at some ways to elaborate slightly or phrase your lack of funds in a more nuanced way. One common way to express that you're currently lacking funds is to say you don't have the means or don't have funds readily available. This is often expressed using the phrase 자금이 부족해요 (jageumi bujokhaeyo). Here, '자금 (jageum)' means 'funds' or 'capital', and '부족하다 (bujokada)' means 'to be insufficient' or 'to be lacking'. So, 자금이 부족해요 (jageumi bujokhaeyo) translates to "Funds are insufficient" or "I'm short on funds." This sounds a bit more formal and business-like, so it might be used in slightly more serious contexts, perhaps when discussing a group expense or a business-related matter, though it can also be used in polite everyday conversation to sound a bit more refined than simply stating "no money." It implies a temporary situation rather than a complete absence of funds. It’s a good phrase to have in your back pocket when you want to sound a little more sophisticated.

Another useful phrase, especially if you mean you're financially strained at the moment, is 돈이 넉넉지 않아요 (doni neokneokji anayo). This literally translates to "Money is not abundant" or "I don't have plenty of money." The word '넉넉하다 (neokneokada)' means 'to be abundant', 'to be ample', or 'to be plentiful'. By negating it ('-지 않아요'), you're saying you don't have a lot. This is a very polite and indirect way to express that you're not flush with cash. It's softer than saying you have no money and implies that you might have some, but not enough for a particular situation. It's perfect for situations where you want to politely decline an invitation to an expensive outing or explain why you can't contribute as much as others. For example, if your friends are planning a trip and discussing costs, you could say, "이번 여행은 좀 힘들 것 같아요. 돈이 넉넉지 않아서요." (Ibeon yeohaeng-eun jom himdeul geot gatayo. Doni neokneokji anaseoyo.) which means "This trip seems like it will be a bit difficult for me. Because I don't have abundant money." It’s a very common and natural-sounding phrase.

For a more casual, yet still understandable way to say you're broke, you might hear or use 텅장이야 (teongjang-iya). This is slang! '텅 (teong)' means 'empty' or 'hollow', and '통장 (tongjang)' means 'bank account'. So, 텅장 (teongjang) literally means "empty bank account." When you say 텅장이야 (teongjang-iya), you're basically saying "My bank account is empty!" It's very informal and typically used among friends or on social media. It's a fun way to express that you've spent all your money or are completely out of funds. If a friend asks you to go out for dinner and drinks, you could respond with a sigh and say, "아이고, 텅장이야..." (Aigo, teongjang-iya...), which conveys "Oh dear, my bank account is empty..." Just like '돈 없어', use this one carefully with people you know well.

More Formal and Polite Expressions

When you find yourself in more formal settings, like a business meeting, or speaking with someone significantly older or of higher status, you'll want to use more elevated language. Directness about lacking money can sometimes be perceived as impolite or even unprofessional. Therefore, using more nuanced and formal expressions is key. One such phrase is 재정적인 여유가 없습니다 (jaejeongjeogin yeoyuga eopseumnida). Let's break this down: '재정적인 (jaejeongjeogin)' means 'financial', '여유 (yeoyu)' means 'leeway', 'margin', or 'discretionary funds', and '없습니다 (eopseumnida)' is the formal polite form of 'to not have'. So, this literally means "I do not have financial leeway" or "I don't have financial flexibility." This is a very polite and professional way to state that you are unable to afford something or participate in a financial commitment. It sounds much softer and more diplomatic than simply saying "no money." For example, if you're asked to contribute to a corporate event or a large purchase, you could respond with, "죄송하지만, 현재 재정적인 여유가 없습니다." (Joesonghajiman, hyeonjae jaejeongjeogin yeoyuga eopseumnida.) – "I'm sorry, but I currently do not have the financial flexibility." This phrase is excellent for business contexts or when you need to maintain a high level of respect.

Another highly polite and somewhat indirect way to express a lack of funds is to say you don't have the budget or it's not within the budget. This is particularly relevant in professional or organizational settings. The phrase is 예산이 부족합니다 (yesani bujokhamnida). Here, '예산 (yesan)' means 'budget', and '부족합니다 (bujokhamnida)' is the formal polite form of 'to be insufficient' or 'to be lacking'. So, 예산이 부족합니다 (yesani bujokhamnida) means "The budget is insufficient" or "We are lacking budget." This is a very common expression in business, project management, or when discussing organizational finances. It shifts the focus from personal lack of money to a more objective assessment of financial constraints. If a team member suggests an expensive option for a project, a manager might say, "그 아이디어는 좋지만, 예산이 부족합니다." (Geu aidieoneun jojiman, yesani bujokhamnida.) – "That idea is good, but the budget is insufficient." It's a professional and universally understood way to communicate financial limitations without sounding personally lacking.

Finally, for situations requiring extreme politeness, perhaps when declining a very generous offer or explaining a significant financial constraint to someone you deeply respect, you might use phrasing that emphasizes your current inability. A phrase like 경제적으로 어렵습니다 (gyeongjejeogeuro eoryeopseumnida) can be used. '경제적으로 (gyeongjejeogeuro)' means 'economically' or 'financially', and '어렵습니다 (eoryeopseumnida)' means 'it is difficult'. So, this phrase translates to "It is economically difficult" or "I am in financial difficulty." It's a serious statement that acknowledges a challenging financial situation. It is more formal and carries a tone of gravity. Use this when you need to convey that your financial situation is genuinely tough, and you need others to understand the seriousness of it. For instance, if you are asked to make a significant donation or investment, you might explain, "정말 돕고 싶지만, 경제적으로 어렵습니다." (Jeongmal dopgo sipjiman, gyeongjejeogeuro eoryeopseumnida.) – "I really want to help, but I am in financial difficulty." It’s a way to express hardship respectfully.

Useful Related Vocabulary

Beyond just saying you don't have money, knowing a few related words and phrases can really round out your understanding and communication skills. It's always good to have more tools in your linguistic toolbox, right? Let's look at some terms that often come up when discussing finances or lack thereof. First, we have the word 돈 (don) itself, which we've used extensively. It's the most common word for money. Then there's 현금 (hyeongeum), which means 'cash'. So, if you specifically don't have cash on hand, you could say 현금이 없어요 (hyeongeumi eopseoyo). This is different from not having money in your bank account. It's useful if you're at a place that only accepts cash, and you've only got cards.

Another important term is 지갑 (jigap), meaning 'wallet'. If your wallet is empty or you don't have it with you, that could be a reason for not having money. You might say, "지갑을 안 가져왔어요" (jigabeul an gajyeowasseoyo), meaning "I didn't bring my wallet." This is a common excuse or reason, sometimes genuine! Also related is 카드 (kadeu), which means 'card' (like a credit card or debit card). If you're trying to pay and your card is declined, or you don't have one, you might need to explain. Saying 카드가 안 돼요 (kadeuga an dwaeyo) means "Cards don't work (here)" or "I can't use a card." Or, if you simply don't have a card, you might say 카드가 없어요 (kadeuga eopseoyo).

To express the state of being broke or poor, you can use the adjective 가난하다 (gananhada), which means 'to be poor'. A more colloquial and slightly slang term, as we saw with '텅장', is 거지 (geoji), meaning 'beggar'. You might jokingly say to a friend, "나 완전 거지야" (na wanjeon geojiya), meaning "I'm a total beggar!" This is highly informal, of course. For a slightly more formal term for poverty or financial hardship, you could use 빈곤 (bingon).

Understanding these related terms allows you to be more specific. Instead of just saying you have no money, you can clarify why or how you don't have money – maybe you lost your wallet, your card isn't working, or you're simply out of cash. This vocabulary adds depth and realism to your conversations and helps you express yourself more accurately in various scenarios. Being able to differentiate between not having cash, not having your wallet, or having an empty bank account makes your Korean communication much richer.

Putting It All Together: Practice Scenarios

Now that we've covered the different phrases and vocabulary, let's put them into practice with some real-life scenarios. This is where the learning really sticks, guys! Imagine yourself in these situations and try to respond using the Korean phrases we've discussed.

Scenario 1: Declining an invitation to an expensive restaurant. Your friend asks, "이번 주말에 새로 생긴 비싼 이탈리안 레스토랑 갈래?" (Ibeon jumal-e saero saenggin bissan I-talian reseutorang gallae?) - "Do you want to go to that new expensive Italian restaurant this weekend?"

A polite and common response would be: "와, 좋아 보이는데, 돈이 넉넉지 않아서 이번에는 좀 힘들 것 같아. 미안!" (Wa, joa boineunde, doni neokneokji anaseo ibeoneneun jom himdeul geot gata. Mian!) - "Wow, it sounds good, but I don't have abundant money, so it seems a bit difficult this time. Sorry!"

Alternatively, if you want to be more direct but still polite: "미안, 나 돈이 없어서 이번엔 좀 어려울 것 같아. 다음에 가자!" (Mian, na doni eopseoseo ibeonen jom eoryeoul geot gata. Daeume gaja!) - "Sorry, I don't have money, so it seems a bit difficult this time. Let's go next time!"

Scenario 2: Asked to lend money by a friend. Your friend says, "나 지금 돈이 좀 부족한데, 10,000원만 빌려줄 수 있어?" (Na jigeum doni jom bujokhande, man wonman billyeojul su isseo?) - "I'm a bit short on money right now, can you lend me 10,000 won?"

If you genuinely don't have money to lend: "어떡하지? 나도 지금 돈이 없어. 미안해!" (Eotteokhaji? Nado jigeum doni eopseo. Mianhae!) - "What should I do? I don't have money right now either. Sorry!" (Using the casual '돈 없어' because it's a friend).

Or if you have some but not enough to spare: "아, 나도 지금 돈이 넉넉하지 않아. 다음에 꼭 빌려줄게." (A, nado jigeum doni neokneokaji ana. Daeume kkok billyeojulge.) - "Ah, I don't have abundant money right now either. I'll definitely lend it to you next time."

Scenario 3: In a business context, explaining you can't afford a proposal. Your colleague presents a plan: "이 프로젝트를 성공시키려면 추가 예산이 5천만원 필요합니다." (I peurojekteureul seonggongsikilyeomyeon chuga yesani ocheon manwon piryohamnida.) - "To make this project successful, an additional budget of 50 million won is required."

Your response, being formal: "제안 감사합니다. 하지만 현재 재정적인 여유가 없습니다. 다른 방법을 찾아봐야 할 것 같습니다." (Je-an gamsahamnida. Hajiman hyeonjae jaejeongjeogin yeoyuga eopseumnida. Dareun bangbeobeul chajabwaya hal geot gatseumnida.) - "Thank you for the proposal. However, currently, I do not have financial leeway. We will need to look for other methods."

Or perhaps more focused on the budget itself: "아이디어가 좋지만, 예산이 부족합니다. 이 범위 안에서 가능한지 검토해 봅시다." (Aidieoga jojiman, yesani bujokhamnida. I beomwi aneseo ganeunghanji geomtohae bopsida.) - "The idea is good, but the budget is insufficient. Let's review if it's possible within this scope."

These scenarios show how the choice of phrase depends heavily on who you're talking to and the context of the situation. Practicing these out loud can really boost your confidence. Try to think of other situations where you might need to say you don't have money and formulate your responses!

Conclusion

So there you have it, guys! Learning how to say "I don't have money" in Korean isn't just about a single phrase; it's about understanding the different levels of formality and politeness, and choosing the right words for the right situation. We covered the basic 돈이 없어요 (doni eopseoyo), the casual 돈 없어 (don eopseo), and the slangy 텅장이야 (teongjang-iya). We also looked at more nuanced phrases like 돈이 넉넉지 않아요 (doni neokneokji anayo) for when you don't have much, and formal expressions like 재정적인 여유가 없습니다 (jaejeongjeogin yeoyuga eopseumnida) and 예산이 부족합니다 (yesani bujokhamnida) for professional settings. Remember, context is king! Using the wrong phrase can lead to misunderstandings or awkwardness. Keep practicing these phrases, try them out in different scenarios, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. The more you use them, the more natural they'll become. Mastering these expressions will definitely make your interactions in Korean smoother and more effective. Happy learning!