This is a list of words of Korean origin which have entered into English usage.
Word | Korean word | Explanation | Merriam-Webster | Oxford | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chaebol | jaebeol 재벌 (財閥) |
a large, usually family-owned, business group in South Korea (cognate with Japanese Zaibatsu) | [1] | [2] | |
Hangul | hangeul 한글 |
Korean alphabet | [3] | ||
Jeonse | jeonse 전세 (傳貰) |
a long-held renting arrangement where tenants pay lump-sum deposit for usually two years | |||
Korea | Goryeo 고려 (高麗) |
a historic dynasty of Korea (see Names of Korea) | [4] | [5] | |
Won | won 원 (圓) |
the basic monetary unit of North and South Korea | [6] | [7] |
Word | Korean word | Explanation | Merriam-webster | Oxford | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hapkido | hapgido 합기도 (合氣道) |
a Korean martial art | [8] | [9] | |
Kisaeng | gisaeng 기생 (妓生) |
(archaic) a female entertainer who pours drinks to guests and entertain them with songs and dances | [10] | ||
Manhwa | manhwa 만화 (漫畫) |
a style of Korean comic books, cartoons and animated cartoons (cognate with Japanese manga) | |||
Mukbang | meokbang 먹방 |
an online broadcast in which a host eats food while interacting with the audience | |||
Ondol | ondol 온돌 (溫突/溫堗) |
a system of underfloor heating | [11] | ||
Sijo | sijo 시조 (時調) |
an unrhymed three-verse poem (usually in six shorter lines in English translations) | [12] | ||
Taekwondo | taegwondo 태권도 (跆拳道) |
a Korean martial art | [13] | [14] |
Word | Korean word | Explanation | Merriam-webster | Oxford | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bibimbap | bibimbap 비빔밥 |
a dish of rice topped with sautéed vegetables, meat, egg, and chilli paste | [15] | [16] | |
Bulgogi | bulgogi 불고기 |
a dish of thin beef slices marinated and grilled on a barbecue | [17] | [18] | |
Galbi | galbi 갈비 |
a dish of beef or pork ribs marinated and grilled on a barbecue | |||
Gochujang | gochu-jang 고추장 |
Korean red chili paste | [19] | ||
Kimchi | gimchi 김치 |
a vegetable pickle that is the national dish of Korea | [20] | [21] | |
Makkoli | makgeolli 막걸리 |
an alcoholic drink made from fermented rice | [22] | ||
Soju | soju 소주 (燒酒) |
a distilled liquor, usually made from rice or sweet potatoes | [23] | [24] |
Word | Korean word | Explanation | Merriam-Webster | Oxford | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hanbok | hanbok 한복 (韓服) |
traditional Korean clothes |
Word | Korean word | Explanation | Merriam-Webster | Oxford | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Moonie | Mun Seonmyeong 문선명 (文鮮明) |
a member of the Unification Church, founded by Sun Myung Moon | [25] | [26] | |
Juche | juche sasang 주체사상 (主體思想) |
a political thesis formed by the former North Korean leader Kim Il Sung which states that the Korean masses are the masters of the country's development | |||
Songbun | seongbun 성분 (成分) |
a system of ascribed status used in North Korea, based on the political, social, and economic background of one's direct ancestors as well as the behavior of their relatives |
Word | Korean word | Explanation | Merriam-Webster | Oxford | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chobo | chobo 초보 (初步) |
a novice | |||
Gosu | gosu 고수 (高手) |
a person with great skill | |||
Hantaan virus | Hantan-gang 한탄강 (漢灘江) |
a virus species transmitted by rodents (The rodents carrying the virus were collected near Hantan River.) | [27] | [28] | |
Hantavirus | Hantan-gang 한탄강 (漢灘江) |
a genus of viruses transmitted by rodents (The rodents carrying the virus were collected near Hantan River.) | [29] | [30] | |
Hwabyeong | hwabyeong 화병 (火病) |
a mental illness occurring when anger builds up in the mind without being vented | |||
Minjung | minjung 민중 (民衆) |
the mass of the people (See also: minjung theology and minjung art) |