Difference between revisions of "English-Korean loanwords"

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|-   
 
|-   
 
| 다이어트  || diet || (1) eating habits, (2) weight loss program || go on a diet, to diet  
 
| 다이어트  || diet || (1) eating habits, (2) weight loss program || go on a diet, to diet  
 +
|-
 +
| 대시 || dash || asking someone out, approaching, taking the initiative (in dating)
 +
|-
 +
| 리포트 || report || term paper
 +
|-
 +
| 린스 || rinse || air conditioner
 
|-   
 
|-   
 
| 매니큐어  || manicure || nail care  || nail polish  
 
| 매니큐어  || manicure || nail care  || nail polish  
 
|-   
 
|-   
 
| 미팅 || meeting || group assembled for some purpose || group blind date, blind / group dating  
 
| 미팅 || meeting || group assembled for some purpose || group blind date, blind / group dating  
 +
|-
 +
| 본드 || bond || glue, adhesive bond
 +
|-
 +
| 바바리 (코트) || Burberry coat || trench coat
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 비닐 || vinyl || a particular type of plastic (chemical name) || plastic wrap / wrapping  
 
| 비닐 || vinyl || a particular type of plastic (chemical name) || plastic wrap / wrapping  
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|-
 
|-
 
| 샤프 || sharp || a company name (Sharp, maker of pencils and other products) || mechanical pencil  
 
| 샤프 || sharp || a company name (Sharp, maker of pencils and other products) || mechanical pencil  
 +
|-
 +
| 서클 || circle || student club (e.g., university club)
 +
|-
 +
| 센스 || sense || tact, wit, common sense, practical sense
 +
|-
 +
| 탠드 || stand ||desk lamp
 +
|-
 +
| 캐리 || carry || to single-handedly carry a project (e.g., a failing project) to success
 +
|-
 +
| 캐리어 || carrier || suitcase
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 커닝 || cunning || sly, sneaky; clever, but in an evil way (e.g., a cunning fox) || cheating  
 
| 커닝 || cunning || sly, sneaky; clever, but in an evil way (e.g., a cunning fox) || cheating  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| 토스트 || toast || toasted bread || a toasted or grilled breakfast sandwich  
 
| 토스트 || toast || toasted bread || a toasted or grilled breakfast sandwich  
 +
|-
 +
| 패딩 || padding || padded down jacket or coat
 +
|- 
 +
| 팬시 || fancy || nice-looking, elaborate || stationery, esp. nicer or fancy-looking stationery
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 팬티 || pantie || women's underwear || underwear (men's or women's), cf. boxers, briefs  
 
| 팬티 || pantie || women's underwear || underwear (men's or women's), cf. boxers, briefs  
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|-  
 
|-  
 
| 호치키스 || Hotchkiss || a company (now defunct) that made staplers in the early 20th century* || stapler  
 
| 호치키스 || Hotchkiss || a company (now defunct) that made staplers in the early 20th century* || stapler  
 +
|-
 +
| 화이트 || white || correction fluid, correction tape
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 화이팅 || fighting || a physical or verbal conflict || Go, team! (sports games); Cheer up! Be strong! Good luck! (personal encouragement)   
 
| 화이팅 || fighting || a physical or verbal conflict || Go, team! (sports games); Cheer up! Be strong! Good luck! (personal encouragement)   
−
|- 
+
 
−
| 팬시 || fancy || nice-looking, elaborate || stationery, esp. nicer or fancy-looking stationery
 
 
|-
 
|-
  
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{|  class="wikitable sortable"
 
{|  class="wikitable sortable"
−
! Korean term !! Original English word !!  English equivalent of Konglish term  
+
! Korean term !! English word or base !!  English equivalent of Konglish term  
 +
|-
 +
| 니트 || knit || nitted sweater
 +
|-
 +
| 모닝콜 || morning + call || wake-up call
 +
|-
 +
| 미싱 || machine || sewing machine
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 밴드 || band || bandage, band-aid  
 
| 밴드 || band || bandage, band-aid  
 +
|-
 +
| 볼펜 || ball pen || ball-point pen
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 리모컨 || remote control || remote, remote control  
 
| 리모컨 || remote control || remote, remote control  
 +
|-
 +
| 셀프 || self || self-service (e.g., at restaurants)
 +
|-
 +
| 슈퍼 || super || general store, small traditional (mom & pop) store
 +
|-
 +
| 아파트 || apartment || apartment complex, apartment block, high-rise apartment
 +
|-
 +
| 에로 || erotic || lewd or erotic materials
 +
|-
 +
| 어그로 || aggravation|| trolling, provoking attack, large-scale trolling
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 에어컨 || air conditioner || AC, air conditioning / conditioner  
 
| 에어컨 || air conditioner || AC, air conditioning / conditioner  
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 콘센트 || concentric (circles sharing the same center) || electrical plug / plug-in, outlet, wall socket   
 
| 콘센트 || concentric (circles sharing the same center) || electrical plug / plug-in, outlet, wall socket   
 +
|-
 +
| 헬스, 헬스 클럽, 헬스 클럽 장 || healtch (club, etc.) || gym, fitness center
 
|-  
 
|-  
−
|| FM|| “[army] field manual” protocol || Ø (FM refers to FM radio); In Korean, this refers to doing things by following strict rules (e.g., at a company), maybe "strictly by the book"*  
+
| FM || “[army] field manual”  || Ø (FM refers to FM radio in English); In Korean: Following official protocol; in Korean, this refers to doing things by following strict rules (e.g., at a company), maybe "strictly by the book"*  
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| MT || membership training || Ø (no exact equivalent; maybe company/class retreat or outing)   
 
| MT || membership training || Ø (no exact equivalent; maybe company/class retreat or outing)   
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|}
 
|}
  
−
* In some Korean colleges and companies (maybe more so in Seoul), FM has another meaning. At an MT or company meal, people around the table take turns to introduce themselves and to give loud, enthusiastic cheer for the company or school. No equivalent cultural practice or word exists in English for Korean “FM” introductions  
+
<nowiki>*</nowiki> In some Korean colleges and companies (maybe more so in Seoul), FM has another meaning. At an MT or company meal, people around the table take turns to introduce themselves and to give loud, enthusiastic cheer for the company or school. No equivalent cultural practice or word exists in English for Korean “FM” introductions  
  
  
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{|  class="wikitable sortable"
 
{|  class="wikitable sortable"
 
! Korean term !! Original English elements !! English equivalent of Konglish term  
 
! Korean term !! Original English elements !! English equivalent of Konglish term  
 +
|-
 +
| 개그맨 || gag + man || comedian
 +
|-
 +
| 개그우먼 || gag + woman || comedienne
 +
|-
 +
| 뉴트로 || new + retro || new reinterpretation of retro trends
 
|-  
 
|-  
−
| 더치 페이 || Dutch pay || go Dutch, split the bill  
+
| 더치 페이 || Dutch pay || go Dutch, split the bill
 +
|-
 +
| 디카 || digital + camera || digital camera
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 매스컴 || mass + communication || mass media, mass communication (especially as an area of study)  
 
| 매스컴 || mass + communication || mass media, mass communication (especially as an area of study)  
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|-
 
|-
 
| 사인펜 || sign + pen || marker, felt marker  
 
| 사인펜 || sign + pen || marker, felt marker  
 +
|-
 +
| 셀카 || self + camera || selfie
 +
|-
 +
| 소울 푸드 || soul + food || comfort food
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 선팅 || sun + tint (?) || car window tint or tinting, tinted windows   
 
| 선팅 || sun + tint (?) || car window tint or tinting, tinted windows   
 +
|-
 +
| 스킨스쿠버 || skin + scuba || skin diving and scuba diving
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 스킨십  || skin + ship  || Ø (No English equivalent exists in everyday English; maybe ''affection touch / touching, physical intimacy, friendly touching'', or more technically, ''haptic communication''.)
 
| 스킨십  || skin + ship  || Ø (No English equivalent exists in everyday English; maybe ''affection touch / touching, physical intimacy, friendly touching'', or more technically, ''haptic communication''.)
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| 아이쇼핑 || eye + shopping || window shopping
 
| 아이쇼핑 || eye + shopping || window shopping
 
|-
 
|-
−
| 오바이트 || over + bite || overeat, puke, barf   
+
| 애드벌룬 || ad + balloon || aerial advertising balloon
 +
|-
 +
| 오므라이스 || omelet + rice || Ø (no equivalent, since this is a purely Korean food item)
 +
|-
 +
| 오버 || over + do || overdo, exaggerate, be overdramatic
 +
|-
 +
| 오바이트 || over + bite || overeat, vomit due to overeating, barf   
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 오토바이 || auto + bike || motorcycle  
 
| 오토바이 || auto + bike || motorcycle  
 +
|-
 +
| 오픈카 || open + car || convertible car
 +
|-
 +
| 오피스텔  || office + hotel || officetel, a very small (one-person) apartment, in an office building (or a very small apartment that can also double as a personal office)
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 와이셔츠  || Y-shirt  || dress shirt, collared / button-up shirt  
 
| 와이셔츠  || Y-shirt  || dress shirt, collared / button-up shirt  
 +
|-
 +
| 웹툰 || web + cartoon || webtoon, Internet cartoon
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 원피스 || one-piece || dress (In English, ‘one-piece’ can be any kind of garment, e.g., a swimsuit, or a type of baby clothing)
 
| 원피스 || one-piece || dress (In English, ‘one-piece’ can be any kind of garment, e.g., a swimsuit, or a type of baby clothing)
−
|-
 
−
| 오므라이스 || omelet + rice || Ø (no equivalent, since this is a purely Korean food item)
 
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 원룸 || one room || efficiency apartment (for an older, smaller, or cheaper apartment),  studio apartment (for a nicer, larger, or more expensive apartment)  
 
| 원룸 || one room || efficiency apartment (for an older, smaller, or cheaper apartment),  studio apartment (for a nicer, larger, or more expensive apartment)  
 
|-  
 
|-  
 
| 원샷 || one shot || Bottoms up!  
 
| 원샷 || one shot || Bottoms up!  
 +
|-
 +
| 원 플러스 원 (1+1) || one plus one || buy one, get one free (similarly, 2+1, 3+1)
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 카라티 || collar + t-shirt || polo shirt
 
| 카라티 || collar + t-shirt || polo shirt
 +
|-
 +
| 커리어 우먼 || career + woman || working woman
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 크레파스 || crayon + pastel (oil)? || crayon*  
 
| 크레파스 || crayon + pastel (oil)? || crayon*  
 +
|-
 +
| 키 홀더 || key + holder || keychain
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 킥보드 || kick + board || scooter  
 
| 킥보드 || kick + board || scooter  
 +
|-
 +
| 테이프 클리너 || tape + cleaner || lint remover (usually on a roller, made of sticky tape)
 +
|-
 +
| 투피스 || two + piece || skirt or pants and a top
 +
|-
 +
| 트럼프 카드 || trump + card || playing cards
 +
|-
 +
| 팬티 스타킹 || panty stalking || pantyhose
 +
|-
 +
| 포켓볼 || pocket + ball || pool, pocket billiards
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 포클레인 || forklift + crane || digger, excavator, backhoe, hydraulic shovel
 
| 포클레인 || forklift + crane || digger, excavator, backhoe, hydraulic shovel
−
|-
 
−
| 셀카 || self + camera || selfie
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| 하이틴 || high + teen || late teens  
 
| 하이틴 || high + teen || late teens  
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| 하우스코어, 카포어 || house poor, car poor || Being "poor" after spending too much money on a nice house or car  
 
| 하우스코어, 카포어 || house poor, car poor || Being "poor" after spending too much money on a nice house or car  
 
|}
 
|}
−
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The term 크레파스 may have been coined in Japanese and then introduced to Korea.
+
<nowiki>*</nowiki> The term 크레파스 was coined in Japanese and then introduced to Korea.
  
  
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=== Korean words from non-English sources  ===
 
=== Korean words from non-English sources  ===
 +
These are not from English, but might be mistaken for English-derived words.
  
 
{|  class="wikitable sortable"
 
{|  class="wikitable sortable"

Latest revision as of 14:02, 29 March 2025

Korean has borrowed a number of words and word elements from English, sometimes giving them different meanings. This includes direct loanwords, and macaronic or hybrid English-Korean words. These words or word blends (portmanteaus) have entered Korean, often with different meanings than the original English. However, Koreans learners may often be unaware of the fact that the Konglish words have different meanings or usages than the original English words, or that the Konglish word is a purely Korean invention and does not exist in English. A famous example is the Korean word 화아팅 'hwaiting', from the English word fighting; in Korean, it is used as a cheer, like "go team" or "be strong" or "good luck" - which are rather different from the original English meaning. An example of a pure lexical invention is the Korean 스킨십 'skinship,' which does not exist in English; this is a word blend of English elements, and refers to affectionate touching (between friends or romantic partners) or what a few psychology and health researchers in the 1970s called "skin hunger" - the need or desire to receive or give friendly physical contact, such as between friends, as well as between romantic partners. However, there is no good, common English term that can serve as a good translation of 스킨십.

On the Internet, these are often referred to as Konglish words or vocabulary, which is not a very suitable term. The term Konglish is a pejorative term that refers to Korean-accented English or English marked by lexical, collocational, and grammatical L2 errors by Korean learners of English, which is not the focus of this article. Thus, the sometimes negative term Konglish for such Korean words is inappropriate; these borrowings show linguistic creativity and innovation, and follow similar patterns as in other languages, e.g., when English borrows words from other languages with altered meanings. For example, the German word Gesundheit for 'health' is used by English speakers, when we say "bless you" or "gesundheit" after someone sneezes.

However, if Koreans speaking English attempt to use these words with their Korean meanings, English speakers will have difficulty if they do not know Korean, leading to misunderstandings or failed communication. Thus, for Koreans learning English, knowing the differences between the original English and Korean meanings is necessary. Below is a list of the more common examples that could be problematic for learners.


1 English words with altered meanings

Korean term Original English word Original English meaning Korean meaning
글래머 glamour an exciting, romanticized, or idealistic attractiveness (e.g., in entertainment) an attractive, full-figured woman; a voluptuous woman
다이어트 diet (1) eating habits, (2) weight loss program go on a diet, to diet
대시 dash asking someone out, approaching, taking the initiative (in dating)
리포트 report term paper
린스 rinse air conditioner
매니큐어 manicure nail care nail polish
미팅 meeting group assembled for some purpose group blind date, blind / group dating
본드 bond glue, adhesive bond
바바리 (코트) Burberry coat trench coat
비닐 vinyl a particular type of plastic (chemical name) plastic wrap / wrapping
사이다 cider lemon-lime or clear soda hot, spiced apple drink
사인 sign (1) to sign or put one's signature on a document, (2) a written notice a signature, to sign
샤프 sharp a company name (Sharp, maker of pencils and other products) mechanical pencil
서클 circle student club (e.g., university club)
센스 sense tact, wit, common sense, practical sense
탠드 stand desk lamp
캐리 carry to single-handedly carry a project (e.g., a failing project) to success
캐리어 carrier suitcase
커닝 cunning sly, sneaky; clever, but in an evil way (e.g., a cunning fox) cheating
코팅 coating covering (in general) lamination
타임 time time wait a moment/second, wait, stop, hold on (colloquial)
토스트 toast toasted bread a toasted or grilled breakfast sandwich
패딩 padding padded down jacket or coat
팬시 fancy nice-looking, elaborate stationery, esp. nicer or fancy-looking stationery
팬티 pantie women's underwear underwear (men's or women's), cf. boxers, briefs
핫도그 hot dog hot dog wiener (sausage) on white bread bun with mustard & ketchup corndog
핸들 handle graspable part, e.g., door handle, bag handle steering wheel
헌팅 hunting hunting animals (with a weapon) trying to pick up guys / women (e.g., at a bar / club)
호치키스 Hotchkiss a company (now defunct) that made staplers in the early 20th century* stapler
화이트 white correction fluid, correction tape
화이팅 fighting a physical or verbal conflict Go, team! (sports games); Cheer up! Be strong! Good luck! (personal encouragement)

*The term 'Hotchkiss' for 'stapler' originated in Japan and then came into Korean.


2 Korean words shorted from English words

Korean term English word or base English equivalent of Konglish term
니트 knit nitted sweater
모닝콜 morning + call wake-up call
미싱 machine sewing machine
밴드 band bandage, band-aid
볼펜 ball pen ball-point pen
리모컨 remote control remote, remote control
셀프 self self-service (e.g., at restaurants)
슈퍼 super general store, small traditional (mom & pop) store
아파트 apartment apartment complex, apartment block, high-rise apartment
에로 erotic lewd or erotic materials
어그로 aggravation trolling, provoking attack, large-scale trolling
에어컨 air conditioner AC, air conditioning / conditioner
콘센트 concentric (circles sharing the same center) electrical plug / plug-in, outlet, wall socket
헬스, 헬스 클럽, 헬스 클럽 장 healtch (club, etc.) gym, fitness center
FM “[army] field manual” Ø (FM refers to FM radio in English); In Korean: Following official protocol; in Korean, this refers to doing things by following strict rules (e.g., at a company), maybe "strictly by the book"*
MT membership training Ø (no exact equivalent; maybe company/class retreat or outing)
AS, 에프터 서비스 after service Ø (closest term is customer service, which works differently than AS)

* In some Korean colleges and companies (maybe more so in Seoul), FM has another meaning. At an MT or company meal, people around the table take turns to introduce themselves and to give loud, enthusiastic cheer for the company or school. No equivalent cultural practice or word exists in English for Korean “FM” introductions


3 Korean word blends from English elements

Korean term Original English elements English equivalent of Konglish term
개그맨 gag + man comedian
개그우먼 gag + woman comedienne
뉴트로 new + retro new reinterpretation of retro trends
더치 페이 Dutch pay go Dutch, split the bill
디카 digital + camera digital camera
매스컴 mass + communication mass media, mass communication (especially as an area of study)
멀티탭 multi + tab power strip
백미러 back + mirror (car) rearview mirror
비닐하우스 vinyl + house vinyl greenhouse (greenhouse made of thick vinyl for agriculture)
러닝머신 running + machine treadmill
레포츠 leisure + sports leisure sports
사인펜 sign + pen marker, felt marker
셀카 self + camera selfie
소울 푸드 soul + food comfort food
선팅 sun + tint (?) car window tint or tinting, tinted windows
스킨스쿠버 skin + scuba skin diving and scuba diving
스킨십 skin + ship Ø (No English equivalent exists in everyday English; maybe affection touch / touching, physical intimacy, friendly touching, or more technically, haptic communication.)
리조텔 resort + hotel resort & hotel facility
아이쇼핑 eye + shopping window shopping
애드벌룬 ad + balloon aerial advertising balloon
오므라이스 omelet + rice Ø (no equivalent, since this is a purely Korean food item)
오버 over + do overdo, exaggerate, be overdramatic
오바이트 over + bite overeat, vomit due to overeating, barf
오토바이 auto + bike motorcycle
오픈카 open + car convertible car
오피스텔 office + hotel officetel, a very small (one-person) apartment, in an office building (or a very small apartment that can also double as a personal office)
와이셔츠 Y-shirt dress shirt, collared / button-up shirt
웹툰 web + cartoon webtoon, Internet cartoon
원피스 one-piece dress (In English, ‘one-piece’ can be any kind of garment, e.g., a swimsuit, or a type of baby clothing)
원룸 one room efficiency apartment (for an older, smaller, or cheaper apartment), studio apartment (for a nicer, larger, or more expensive apartment)
원샷 one shot Bottoms up!
원 플러스 원 (1+1) one plus one buy one, get one free (similarly, 2+1, 3+1)
카라티 collar + t-shirt polo shirt
커리어 우먼 career + woman working woman
크레파스 crayon + pastel (oil)? crayon*
키 홀더 key + holder keychain
킥보드 kick + board scooter
테이프 클리너 tape + cleaner lint remover (usually on a roller, made of sticky tape)
투피스 two + piece skirt or pants and a top
트럼프 카드 trump + card playing cards
팬티 스타킹 panty stalking pantyhose
포켓볼 pocket + ball pool, pocket billiards
포클레인 forklift + crane digger, excavator, backhoe, hydraulic shovel
하이틴 high + teen late teens
핸드 폰 hand + phone cell phone (US), mobile phone (UK); smart phone (universal)
휘퍼 whip + -er whisk
하우스코어, 카포어 house poor, car poor Being "poor" after spending too much money on a nice house or car

* The term 크레파스 was coined in Japanese and then introduced to Korea.


4 Blends of Korean and English elements

Korean term Origin English equivalent
몰카 몰래 'hidden' + 카 'camera' hidden camera
커터칼 'cutter' + 칼 'knife' box cutter


5 Korean words from non-English sources

These are not from English, but might be mistaken for English-derived words.

Korean term Origin English equivalent
아르바이트, 알바 German Arbeit, arbeiten part-time work, temporary work
호프 German Hof pub, bar (an older or more formal word; less common now)


Note: The Korean term 아르바이트 'arubait' is from the German Arbeit (a noun meaning 'work') or arbeiten (a verb meaning 'to work'), not from English. This is the normal German word for work (as in full-time or permanent work), but in Korean it refers to temporary or part-time work. In modern colloquial German, part-time or temporary work is called ein Job (noun) or jobben (verb) -- an example of where German has borrowed English words with altered meanings.

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