Konglish: 40+ Common Korean Loanwords from English

Key takeaways:

• Konglish refers to Korean words borrowed from English but adapted to fit Korean culture and pronunciation.
• They may sound like English, but their meanings and pronunciation are uniquely Korean.
• Learning Konglish words and phrases helps you sound more natural and understand casual, everyday Korean. 

What is Konglish

If you’re learning Korean, or just hooked on K-dramas, then you’ve probably come across Konglish, even if you didn’t realise it. But what exactly is Konglish?

The word Konglish (콩글리쉬) is a combination of Korean and English. It refers to the many Korean words that originated in English but have adapted and evolved to fit Korean culture and linguistic patterns. Over time, many of these words have taken on new meanings, spellings, and pronunciation. Some Konglish terms didn’t come directly from English either. Some passed through other languages, like Japanese, before being adopted into Korean.

After the Second World War, Konglish developed in part due to American military presence in the country and Korea’s rapid modernization and global influence. As English became associated with pop culture, technology, and education, new English-inspired words naturally blended into everyday Korean speech. Over time, these words took on their own identities, and Konglish has become a fascinating and creative linguistic crossover.

Konglish vs. Korean loanwords

The terms “Konglish” and “Korean loanwords” are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. There are some important differences between the two that you need to understand before you can use Konglish naturally in Korean conversation.

Korean loanwords are foreign words adopted into Korean, and while their pronunciation is adapted to Korean speech, their meanings remain close to their original English meanings. Here are some examples of Korean loanwords:

컴퓨터 (keompyuteo) — computer

커피 (keopi) — coffee

These are standard Korean words that anyone who speaks English can recognize. Their pronunciation has been adapted to fit Korean phonics. 

For instance, since Korean doesn’t have an “f” sound, the “f” in coffee becomes a “p”, resulting in keopi.

Konglish words take things a step further. While also taken from English words, they have been creatively adapted. These words and phrases have been repurposed, shortened, or combined with Korean elements to create entirely new meanings. Konglish is not easily understood by non-Korean speakers, even if it sounds like English. Here are some examples:

• 핸드폰 (haendeupon) means cell phone, but it comes from “hand phone,” a phrase that doesn’t exist in native English.
• 미팅 (miting) means a group blind date, not a business meeting.
• 오피스텔 (opiseutel) describes a small studio apartment with office features. It’s a mix of the words “office” and “hotel.”

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Top 40+ Konglish words to know to speak Korean fluently

Learning Konglish is a great way to kick-start your Korean language journey. These words pop up constantly, in cafes, at work, and even in K-dramas. Below is a list of the 40+ commonly used Konglish words and phrases, so you can start learning Konglish today.

Konglish examples in sentences: Correct vs. incorrect usage

One of the trickiest things about Konglish is that while the words come from English, their usage in Korean often differs from what native English speakers expect. Here are some common Konglish words that English speakers get wrong. 

• 서비스 (seobiseu)

While it sounds like the English word service, it actually means getting something for free.

How to use it: Use it when you get a complimentary drink or meal, not to describe your customer service experience.

Example: 식당에서 서비스로 음료를 받았어요. (I got a free drink at the restaurant.)

• 미팅 (miting)

A common, and sometimes embarrassing, mistake is using this word in the office. While it might sound like the English word meeting, it actually means a group blind date.

How to use: Use it in social situations when you’re going on a blind date in a group or with a friend of a friend. Not when you have a business meeting.

Example: 오늘 미팅이 있어요. (We have a group blind date today.)

• 스킨십 (seukinsip)

To native English speakers, this word sounds like skin ship, which leaves many English speakers confused. There is no direct English equivalent, but it’s used to describe physical affection between people.

How to use: Use when describing physical closeness or affection between people.

Example: 부모와 아이 사이에 스킨십이 필요해요. (Physical affection is important between parent and child.)

When and how to use Konglish (false friends & formal situations)

Using Konglish in sentences can feel a bit intimidating at first. The key is to generally keep Konglish for fun and casual use. Here are some tips to help you use Konglish correctly: 

1. Watch out for false friends

In linguistics, false friends are words or phrases that look or sound similar to a word in your language but in fact have a completely different meaning. To native English speakers who are learning Korean, Konglish is full of false friends.

• 헌팅 (heonting) → hunting. Means searching for a date.
• 패딩 (paeding) → padding. Means a down jacket or coat.
• 핸들 (haendeul) → handle. Means a steering wheel.

2. Be careful in formal situations

Konglish is usually used in casual settings. Using it in formal or professional settings can seem too informal or even incorrect.

3. Use Korean pronunciation

When using a Konglish word, it’s important not to pronounce it like you would in English. Instead, follow Korean phonetic rules like changing “f” sounds into "p.” For example:

• For pop song, say papsong (팝송)
• For window shopping, say aishyoping (아이쇼핑)

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Final thoughts

Konglish is a fascinating part of the Korean language. A creative blend of English and Korean that reflects how global culture shapes everyday speech. While much of Konglish might sound English, they're in fact uniquely Korean words.

Understanding Konglish can help you to sound more natural and pick up the rhythm of real-world Korean conversations. Learning these words isn’t just about vocabulary; it’s about understanding how language evolves. So the next time you’re at a party and you hear won-syat (원샷), you’ll know what to do!