Won

Won can refer to several distinct topics. In finance, the won is the currency of South Korea and the name of the currency of North Korea. The South Korean won (KRW) and the North Korean won (KPW) are separate currencies issued by their respective authorities and are not interchangeable. The symbol ₩ is used in price displays for both. Each currency is subdivided into 100 jeon, though jeon are rarely used in modern transactions; most commerce is conducted with banknotes and coins of higher denominations.

In English, won is the past participle of the verb win. It is used in perfect tenses and in constructions such as “She has won the championship” or “We have won twice this season.” The word functions primarily as part of the verb phrase, though it can appear in adjectival or nominal contexts in some constructions.

In Korean naming, Won is a common romanization of the syllable 원. It can appear as a surname and as part of a given name. As a surname, Won (원) is borne by various individuals in Korea and among the Korean diaspora. As a given-name element, Won appears in many two-syllable names (for example, Gi-won, Min-won, or Sun-won), where it often conveys desirable traits or auspicious meanings chosen by the name’s creators.