‘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 commonly used Konglish expressions 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!
핸드폰 (Hand Phone)
In Korea, '핸드폰' is an everyday term meaning 'cell phone.' It’s a Konglish word that combines 'hand' and 'phone.' Another common word for it is '휴대폰', which uses the Korean word for '휴대' means portable. Of course, you can also just say '스마트폰' (smartphone). All three terms are used frequently.
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' refers to a 'treadmill,' the exercise equipment commonly found at gyms. In Korea, 'treadmill' is rarely used; instead, everyone says '러닝머신.' Be sure to remember that one!
더치페이 (Dutch Pay)
After a meal with friends or colleagues, you’ll often hear “더치페이 하자." (Let’s do Dutch pay), which means to 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 it became so widely used in Korea! The National Institute of Korean Language recommends using '각자내기', which means each person pays for themselves, but 'Dutch pay' remains far more common.
스펙 (Spec)
Among job seekers, the term '스펙' 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, such as academic background, certifications, and language scores. The phrase '스펙을 쌓다' (to build up one’s spec) is especially popular among younger people, reflecting the competitive job market in Korea.
체크카드 (Check Card)
In Korea, a '체크카드' refers to what English speakers know as a 'debit card.' And how about 'credit card'? In Korean, it’s called '신용카드', where '신용' means 'trust' or 'credit.' It’s another fun mix of Korean and English!
Related Posts
➤ Konglish is more than just a mix of Korean and English—it’s 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 Konglish terms are constantly emerging. With the rapid influx of foreign words through social media, the internet, and cultural exchanges, Konglish is continuously evolving. Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll introduce even more interesting Konglish expressions. You won’t want to miss it! :)
