‘Konglish’ refers to the fascinating blend of Korean and English used daily in Korea. These expressions often sound familiar but have unique meanings that surprise even language learners. In my Korean classes, Konglish appears often, and although these words are based on English, many students find them unexpectedly tricky due to Koreanized pronunciation and unique combinations.
In this post, I'll introduce five common Konglish expressions. Learning them will not only improve your Korean but also make your studies much more fun!
핸드폰 (Hand Phone)
In Korea, 핸드폰 means 'cell phone.' It combines 'hand' and 'phone,' although in English we simply say 'phone' or 'mobile phone.' Another common term is 휴대폰, meaning 'portable phone.' Today, many people also just say 스마트폰 (smartphone).
러닝머신 (Running Machine)
러닝머신 refers to a 'treadmill.' Instead of the English word, Koreans commonly use this Konglish term at gyms and fitness centers. Students often find it amusing how literal and intuitive this combination sounds once you know it!
더치페이 (Dutch Pay)
After eating with friends, you might hear “더치페이 하자” (Let’s Dutch pay), meaning to split the bill. While English speakers usually say "split the bill" or "go Dutch," Koreans use 'Dutch pay' almost exclusively. Interestingly, the National Institute of Korean Language recommends the term 각자내기 (pay separately), but Dutch pay remains far more common.
스펙 (Spec)
스펙 comes from 'specification' but has a very different meaning in Korea. It refers to a person's qualifications—academic degrees, certifications, language scores, and more. Young people often say “스펙을 쌓다” (build up your specs) when preparing for job hunting.
체크카드 (Check Card)
In Korea, a 체크카드 means a debit card. 'Check' card might sound confusing to English speakers, but it’s standard Konglish here. For credit cards, Koreans say 신용카드 (trust card), where 신용 means 'credit' or 'trust.'
Related Posts
➤ Konglish is a dynamic reflection of how Korean society adapts and reshapes English words to fit everyday life. These terms might seem puzzling at first, but they add a layer of fun to learning Korean. With globalization and media exchanges, new Konglish words are constantly emerging. Stay tuned for more posts where I’ll introduce even more fun Konglish expressions!
