Paying directly with physical paper money and coins
When to use
market purchase, small store payment, giving tips
The nuance
Used mainly for immediate payment in face-to-face transactions.
현금 (hyeon-geum, hyeongeum) · 카드 (ka-deu, kadeu) · 계좌이체 (gye-jwa-i-che, gyejwaiche)
Cash, card, and bank transfer are all payment methods, but they differ clearly in usage contexts and processes.

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Paying directly with physical paper money and coins
When to use
market purchase, small store payment, giving tips
The nuance
Used mainly for immediate payment in face-to-face transactions.
Electronic payment using credit or debit cards
When to use
big supermarket payment, online shopping, restaurant bill
The nuance
Used for fast and convenient payments at most stores.
Transferring money directly between bank accounts
When to use
rent payment, business transactions, utility bill payment
The nuance
Used mainly for non-face-to-face transactions or large transfers.
온라인 쇼핑할 때 현금으로 결제해요.
on-ra-in syo-ping-hal ttae hyeon-geum-eu-ro gyeol-je-hae-yo., on ra in syo ping hal ttae hyeon geum eu ro gyeol je hae yo.
Online shopping requires electronic payments like card or bank transfer.
식당에서는 카드로 계산하는 게 편해요.
sik-dang-e-seo-neun ka-deu-ro gye-san-ha-neun ge pyeon-hae-yo., sik dang e seo neun ka deu ro gye san ha neun ge pyeon hae yo.
Card payment is a convenient common method at restaurants.
월세는 보통 카드로 냅니다.
wol-se-neun bo-tong ka-deu-ro naep-ni-da., wol se neun bo tong ka deu ro naep ni da.
Rent is usually paid via bank transfer; card payment is uncommon.
사업자 간 거래는 계좌이체가 안전해요.
sa-eop-ja gan geo-rae-neun gye-jwa-i-che-ga an-jeon-hae-yo., sa eop ja gan geo rae neun gye jwa i che ga an jeon hae yo.
Bank transfer is mainly used for safely sending large amounts.
팁은 계좌이체로 줍니다.
tip-eun gye-jwa-i-che-ro jup-ni-da., tip eun gye jwa i che ro jup ni da.
Tips are mostly given in cash; bank transfer is inappropriate.
대형 마트에서 현금과 카드 모두 사용할 수 있어요.
dae-hyeong ma-teu-e-seo hyeon-geum-gwa ka-deu mo-du sa-yong-hal su iss-eo-yo., dae hyeong ma teu e seo hyeon geum gwa ka deu mo du sa yong hal su iss eo yo.
Big supermarkets accept both cash and card payments.
공과금은 현금으로 직접 납부해야 해요.
gong-gwa-geum-eun hyeon-geum-eu-ro jik-jeop nap-bu-hae-ya hae-yo., gong gwa geum eun hyeon geum eu ro jik jeop nap bu hae ya hae yo.
Utility bills are usually paid via bank or card auto-transfer.
Best payment method for online shopping?
Best payment method for rent?
Fast and convenient payment at a restaurant?
Common payment at markets?
What does it mean?