Welcome to our series on Konglish examples! ‘Konglish’ refers to the fascinating linguistic phenomenon where Korean and English come together to create unique expressions. These terms are seamlessly woven into the daily lives of Koreans and are often used without a second thought.
Even in my Korean language classes, Konglish frequently makes an appearance. Since these words are derived from English, I initially thought students would easily understand them, but surprisingly, they found it more challenging than expected.
This might be because the pronunciation has been adapted to Korean, and the combinations are quite unique. I plan to introduce some common Konglish words over a series of posts. It’ll not only help with learning Korean but will also be a lot of fun! So, let’s dive in!
What is Konglish? (And How is it Different from “Broken English”?)
Before we get to the list, let’s answer the most important question: What is Konglish?
Many learners mistake Konglish for “Broken English,” but they are completely different.
- Broken English is a personal mistake. It’s when someone tries to make a correct English sentence but makes a grammar or vocabulary error (e.g., “I go school yesterday”). This is not widely understood and is clearly an error.
- Konglish is a standardized hybrid word. It is not a mistake. It is a new word, often combining English words or shortening them, that is understood by 100% of Koreans to mean a specific, consistent thing.
The Konglish vs Broken English debate is simple: Broken English is an error, while Konglish is an invented word that has become part of the Korean language. These Konglish examples are not “bad English”; they are “Korean words” that are built from English. Learning them is essential to sounding like a native speaker.
5 Common Konglish Examples You Need to Know
Here are five of the most common Konglish words you will hear every single day in Korea.
1. 핸드폰 (Hand Phone)
In Korea, ‘핸드폰’ (hand phone) is the everyday term for a ‘cell phone’ or ‘mobile phone.’ It’s a literal Konglish word that combines ‘hand’ and ‘phone.’
Another common word for it is ‘휴대폰’ (hyudae-pon), which uses the Sino-Korean word ‘휴대’ (hyudae), meaning “portable.” Of course, you can also just say ‘스마트폰’ (smartphone). All three terms are used frequently, but Hand phone (Konglish) is arguably the most common and casual.
[Image: A person holding a smartphone, which is called a ‘hand phone’ (핸드폰) in Korean, one of the most common Konglish examples.]
2. 러닝머신 (Running Machine)
This is the one that my students found the most interesting. Even though it’s a new word combination, it’s intuitive and easy to understand, making it a great example of well-crafted Konglish.
Have you guessed what it means? That’s right—‘러닝머신’ (running machine) refers to a ‘treadmill,’ the exercise equipment commonly found at gyms. In Korea, the word ‘treadmill’ is rarely used; instead, everyone says ‘러닝머신.’ Be sure to remember that one!
3. 더치페이 (Dutch Pay)
After a meal with friends or colleagues, you’ll often hear “더치페이 하자.” (Dutch pay haja), which means “Let’s split the bill.”
This phrase originates from the English term ‘Dutch treat.’ However, native English speakers tend to say “split the bill” or “go Dutch” instead. Curious about the origin of this phrase, I found out it stems from an old rivalry between England and the Netherlands. It’s still unclear how “Dutch treat” became “Dutch pay” in Korea, but it’s used universally!
The National Institute of Korean Language recommends using ‘각자내기’ (gakja-naegi), which means “each person pays for themselves,” but ‘Dutch pay’ remains far more common.
4. 스펙 (Spec)
Among job seekers, the term ‘스펙’ (spec) is frequently used. It’s short for ‘specification’ in English, where it usually refers to technical details of products.
However, in Korea, it has been adapted to refer to a person’s qualifications for a job. This includes everything: academic background (university name), GPA, certifications, language scores (like TOEIC), internship experience, and even awards.
The phrase ‘스펙을 쌓다’ (spec-eul ssat-da), meaning “to build up one’s spec,” is especially popular among younger people, reflecting the competitive job market in Korea.
5. 체크카드 (Check Card)
In Korea, a ‘체크카드’ (check card) refers to what English speakers know as a ‘debit card.’
And how about ‘credit card’? In Korean, it’s called ‘신용카드’ (sin-yong-kadeu), where ‘신용’ (sinyong) is the Korean word for ‘trust’ or ‘credit.’ It’s another fun mix of Korean and English! While “debit card” (데빗 카드) is understood, “check card” is the standard term used by all banks and customers.
Conclusion: Why Konglish Matters
These Konglish examples are more than just a mix of Korean and English—they are a linguistic phenomenon shaped by Korea’s social and cultural context. These expressions, though based on English, have evolved to fit Korean life, providing a unique charm to the language.
While some of these terms might be puzzling for foreigners, Konglish plays an important role in everyday Korean communication. As globalization continues, new common Konglish words are constantly emerging. Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll introduce even more interesting Konglish examples. You won’t want to miss it! 🙂
