Help! The ATM Won’t Let Me Send Money! 😱 A Guide to Korean Banking Limits

Phase 1: Introduction

“Wait, I can only send 300,000 won?”

Hello! This is your Senior Editor from Daily Hangul. 👋

Imagine this: You finally found your dream studio apartment in Seoul. You need to send the deposit (보증금) to the landlord right now to secure it. You walk confidently to the ATM, insert your card, press the buttons, and then… beep-beep-beep.

ERROR: 한도 초과 (Limit Exceeded)

Panic sets in. You have the money in your account, so why won’t it move?

This is a classic “welcome to Korea” moment. To prevent voice phishing, Korean banks often assign very strict transfer limits (이체 한도) to new accounts or foreigners—sometimes as low as 300,000 KRW (approx. $230) per day.

Today, we are going to fix this. I will teach you the exact words to say to the bank teller to unlock your money. This isn’t just a language lesson; it’s a survival skill for living in Korea.

(Note: This guide is based on real struggles reported by our B1 level students who tried to pay their tuition but got blocked by banking apps!)

Phase 2: Deep Dive (Key Expressions)

Here are the three heavy-hitters you need to know before you grab a waiting number ticket.

1. 한도 (Hando)

• Pronunciation: Han-do [Think of Han Solo doing a martial art ‘Do’]
• Meaning: Limit / Cap
• Editor’s Insight: You will see this everywhere. 이체 한도 (Transfer limit) and 출금 한도 (Withdrawal limit). If you hear “Hando,” think “Stop line.”
• Situation Check: Formal & Casual. It’s a technical term.

2. 상향하다 (Sang-hyang-ha-da)

• Pronunciation: Sang-hyang-ha-da [Sounds slightly like ‘Sang’ a song + ‘hyang’ (direction)]
• Meaning: To raise / To adjust upward (Formal)
• Editor’s Insight: While you can say 올리다 (to lift/raise), using the word 상향 makes you sound much more professional and educated. It tells the teller, “I know banking terminology.”
• Situation Check: Mostly Formal (Bank, Business).

3. 증빙 서류 (Jeung-bing seo-ryu)

• Pronunciation: Jeung-bing suh-ryu
• Meaning: Proof documents / Supporting documents
• Editor’s Insight: Korea loves paperwork. You can’t just ask to raise limits; you need to prove why. This word refers to your employment contract, utility bill, or lease agreement.
• Situation Check: Formal.

Phase 3: Textbook vs. Real Life

Don’t sound like a robot. Here is how to sound like a local who has lived here for years.

Editor’s Note: Notice the use of “-려고 왔는데요” (I came to…). This is the magic grammar pattern for explaining your purpose softly. It opens the conversation without demanding immediately.

Phase 4: Cultural Context

🕵️ Why are they so suspicious?

If the bank teller asks many questions like “Why do you need to send this money?” or “What is your job?”, do not be offended.

Korea has a massive issue with Voice Phishing (보이스피싱). Banks are legally required to protect customers by restricting “suspicious” (i.e., new or foreign) accounts. They aren’t suspecting you of a crime; they are trying to protect you from being scammed.

💡 Nunchi (Quick Tip):
When handing over your Alien Registration Card (ARC) or passport, use two hands. It shows respect and signals that you understand Korean etiquette, which often makes the teller more willing to help with the complex paperwork.

Phase 5: Roleplay Scenario

Setting: A busy branch of Shinhan Bank. You (Sarah) are talking to a Teller.

Sarah: (Approaching the counter)
안녕하세요. 저, 이체 한도 좀 상향하려고 왔는데요.
(An-nyeong-ha-se-yo. Jeo, i-che han-do jom sang-hyang-ha-ryeo-go wat-neun-de-yo.)
Hello. I came because I’d like to raise my transfer limit.

Teller:
아, 네. 혹시 목적이 어떻게 되세요? 월급 통장이신가요?
(Ah, ne. Hok-shi mok-jeok-i eo-tteo-ke dwe-se-yo? Wol-geup tong-jang-i-shin-ga-yo?)
Ah, I see. May I ask the purpose? Is this a salary account?

Sarah:
아니요, 이번에 집 보증금을 내야 해서요.
(A-ni-yo, i-beon-e jip bo-jeung-geum-eul nae-ya hae-seo-yo.)
No, it’s because I have to pay the house deposit this time.

Teller:
그럼 부동산 계약서가 있으셔야 해요.
(Geu-reom bu-dong-san gye-yak-seo-ga i-sseu-shyeo-ya hae-yo.)
Then you must have the real estate contract.

Sarah: (Handing over papers with two hands)
네, 여기 가져왔어요.
(Ne, yeo-gi ga-jyeo-wa-sseo-yo.)
Yes, I brought it here.

Phase 6: 10-Second Shadowing

Let’s practice the most important sentence. Read this aloud three times. Focus on the pause marked by /.

“하루 이체 한도를 / 천만 원까지 / 늘릴 수 있을까요?”

• Romanization: Haru i-che han-do-reul / cheon-man won-kka-ji / neul-lil su i-sseul-kka-yo?
• Translation: Can I increase the daily transfer limit to 10 million won?
• Tip: Raise your intonation slightly at the end to sound polite and inquiring, not demanding.

Phase 7: FAQ & Troubleshooting

Q: Can I just do this on the banking app?
A: Usually, No for foreigners. While Koreans can verify their identity via mobile, foreign residents often get an error message telling them to visit a branch (영업점 방문) to increase limits significantly.

Q: Is “상향” (Sang-hyang) too difficult? Can I just use easy words?
A: Yes! You can simply say “한도 올리고 싶어요” (I want to raise the limit). It is perfectly understood. But knowing “상향” helps you understand what the teller or the ATM screen is saying to you.

Phase 8: Wrap-up

📝 One-Liner Summary:
When your money is stuck, go to the bank and say: “이체 한도 상향하러 왔습니다” (I came to raise my transfer limit).

🚀 Your Mission:
Open your Korean banking app right now. Look for the menu item “이체 관리” (Transfer Management) or “한도 조회” (Check Limit). Find out what your daily limit is. If it’s 300,000 KRW, plan a visit to the bank!

Phase 9: Quiz

1. Which word means “Transfer Limit”?
A) 출금 한도
B) 이체 한도
C) 신용 카드

2. Which phrase is the most natural way to explain why you visited the bank?
A) 이체 한도 상향합니다.
B) 이체 한도 상향해라.
C) 이체 한도 상향하려고 왔는데요.

3. True or False:
You usually need proof documents (like a contract or utility bill) to raise your banking limits in Korea.

(Scroll down for answers)

Answers: 1. (B), 2. (C), 3. True