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What does 은행 mean?

은행 (eun-haeng, eunhaeng)

은행 (eunhaeng) has two main meanings in Korean: a financial institution and a type of tree.

Korean word 은행 with bank and ginkgo tree icons

Definition & nuance

Core meaning and shades learners miss.

은행(eun-haeng, eunhaeng)

1. A financial institution where you deposit and withdraw money. 2. The name of a tree called ginkgo.

Nuances

  • As a financial institution, 은행 handles money management, loans, and transfers.
  • The ginkgo tree is famous for its yellow leaves in autumn.
  • 은행 (bank) is mainly used in formal and business contexts.
  • 은행 (tree) appears often in nature and seasonal conversations.

When to use

Finance, Nature, Everyday conversation, Business

In context

은행 is a noun that refers to either a financial institution or a tree, depending on context. It is used in both casual and formal settings.

Real-world examples

  • 저는 매일 오전에 은행에 가서 돈을 입금해요.

    jeo-neun mae-il o-jeon-e eun-haeng-e ga-seo don-eul ip-geum-hae-yo., jeo neun mae il o jeon e eun haeng e ga seo don eul ip geum hae yo.

    은행 is naturally used as a financial institution here.

  • 가을에는 은행나무 잎이 노랗게 변해요.

    ga-eul-e-neun eun-haeng-na-mu ip-i no-rah-ge byeon-hae-yo., ga eul e neun eun haeng na mu ip i no rah ge byeon hae yo.

    은행 is correctly used as the name of a tree.

  • 은행에서 책을 빌렸어요.

    eun-haeng-e-seo chaek-eul bil-ryeoss-eo-yo., eun haeng e seo chaek eul bil ryeoss eo yo.

    은행 means bank, not library, so this sentence is incorrect.

  • 은행 계좌를 개설하려면 신분증이 필요해요.

    eun-haeng gye-jwa-reul gae-seol-ha-ryeo-myeon sin-bun-jeung-i pil-yo-hae-yo., eun haeng gye jwa reul gae seol ha ryeo myeon sin bun jeung i pil yo hae yo.

    은행 is correctly used as a financial institution.

  • 은행나무 아래에서 쉬었어요.

    eun-haeng-na-mu a-rae-e-seo swi-eoss-eo-yo., eun haeng na mu a rae e seo swi eoss eo yo.

    은행 is naturally used as a tree here.

  • 은행에서 돈을 빌려 책을 샀어요.

    eun-haeng-e-seo don-eul bil-ryeo chaek-eul sass-eo-yo., eun haeng e seo don eul bil ryeo chaek eul sass eo yo.

    은행 is correctly used as a financial institution.

Quick quiz

  1. Which is NOT a meaning of 은행?

    은행의 뜻이 아닌 것은?(eun-haeng-uitteus-ia-ningeos-eun?, eunhaenguitteusianingeoseun?)

  2. Which sentence uses 은행 as a financial institution correctly?

    다음 중 은행(금융 기관)을 올바르게 사용한 문장은?(da-eumjungeun-haeng(geum-yunggi-gwan)eulol-ba-reu-gesa-yong-hanmun-jang-eun?, daeumjungeunhaeng(geumyunggigwan)eulolbareugesayonghanmunjangeun?)

  3. Which sentence is NOT related to the ginkgo tree?

    은행나무와 관련 없는 문장은?(eun-haeng-na-mu-wagwan-ryeoneop-neunmun-jang-eun?, eunhaengnamuwagwanryeoneopneunmunjangeun?)

More meaning guides

View all meaning guides →