Konglish Dictionary
Korean words that look English but aren't — and what to say instead.
Konglish words come from English (or via Japanese, or even German) but changed meaning on the way. Native English speakers often won't understand them. Each page shows what the word means in Korea, what to say in English, and why they drifted apart.
All Konglish words
- 핸드폰→ cell phone / mobile phone
- 아파트→ apartment / condo (in a complex)
- 서비스→ on the house / a freebie
- 아이쇼핑→ window shopping
- 원룸→ studio (apartment)
- 오피스텔→ studio in a mixed-use building
- 셀카→ selfie
- 화이팅→ You've got this! / Go for it!
- 노트북→ laptop
- 에어컨→ air conditioner / AC
- 리모컨→ remote (control)
- 스킨십→ physical affection / PDA
- 미팅→ group blind date
- 개그맨→ comedian
- 사인→ signature / autograph
- 아르바이트→ part-time job
- 커닝→ cheating
- 백미러→ rear-view mirror
- 핸들→ steering wheel
- 오토바이→ motorcycle / motorbike
- 샤프→ mechanical pencil
- 원샷→ bottoms up / chug it
- 비닐→ plastic bag / plastic wrap
- 매직→ permanent marker / Sharpie
- 콘센트→ outlet / socket
- 와이셔츠→ dress shirt / button-down
- 모닝콜→ wake-up call
- 스탠드→ desk lamp
- 헬스→ working out / the gym
- 썬팅→ window tint
Learn Korean, a little at a time
- Learn Hangul
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- What Do I Call Them?
- Korean Slang
- Korean Four-Character Idioms
- Hanja in Korean Names
- Korean Travel Phrases
- Korean Surnames
- Korean Etiquette
- Korean Numbers
- Korean Holidays Explained
- The 24 Solar Terms
- Korean Drinks
- Living in Korea: Key Terms
- Korean Seasons & Weather
- Types of Korean Restaurants