Konglish: The Fun Mix of Korean and English

Introduction

If you live in Korea or watch Korean dramas, you may notice words that sound like English but are not quite the same. This mix is called Konglish. It is short for Korean + English, and it has become part of everyday life in Korea.

In this blog post, we will talk about the Konglish meaning, look at some funny Konglish words, explore Konglish examples, share Konglish jokes, and see how real English words change when they move from English to Konglish.

We’ll use easy words and simple sentences. If you are learning Korean, you will enjoy these stories.

What Does Konglish Mean?

The Konglish meaning is simple: it is English words that Koreans use in their own way. Sometimes the word has the same meaning as English. But often, the meaning changes, and this makes it special.

For example, in Korean, people say hand phone for a cell phone. English speakers do not use that phrase, but Koreans understand it very well.

Free Korean Flashcard

Each of my lessons includes beautiful downloadable flashcards like this one:

Download this free Korean flashcard to keep learning anytime!

Get My Free Flashcards

Konglish Words and Examples in Daily Life

There are many Konglish words that people use every day in Korea. Some are funny, some are useful, and each has its own reason for existing. Let’s look at a few and see why they are used.

핸드폰 (Hand phone) → Cell phone

• Why? Koreans call it “hand phone” because it is a phone you hold in your hand. In English, we say “cell phone.”
• Example: My hand phone is new.

아이쇼핑 (Eye shopping) → Window shopping

• Why? When you shop with your eyes but don’t buy anything, Koreans say “eye shopping.”
• Example: She likes eye shopping at the mall.

화이팅 (Hwaiting) → Cheer up / You can do it!

• Why? It comes from the English word “fighting,” but Koreans changed the meaning to cheering.
• Example: Hwaiting! You will do well.

서비스 (Service) → Free gift

• Why? In Korea, “service” means a store or restaurant gives you something free as extra service.
• Example: The cafe gave me cake as service.

노트북 (Notebook) → Laptop

• Why? Koreans call laptops “notebooks” because they are small and flat like a paper notebook.
• Example: I use my notebook for school.

백미러 (Back mirror) → Rearview mirror

• Why? Koreans say “back mirror” because it’s a mirror you use to see the back while driving.
• Example: I look in the back mirror when I drive.

아파트 (Apateu) → Apartment

• Why? Koreans shortened the English word “apartment” to “apateu.” It usually means high-rise apartment buildings in Korea.
• Example: I live in an apateu in Seoul.

오피스텔 (Officetel) → Studio apartment / Office + Hotel

• Why? This is a Korean-made word that combines “office” and “hotel.” It means a small studio apartment with both living and office space.
• Example: My uncle lives in an officetel downtown.

컨디션 (Condition) → Physical condition / How you feel

• Why? In English, “condition” has many meanings. In Konglish, it usually means your health or energy level.
• Example: My condition is bad today, so I will rest.

헌팅 (Hunting) → Picking up people

• Why? In Korea, “hunting” doesn’t mean animals. It means going out to bars or clubs to meet new people.
• Example: They went hunting at the club last night.

미팅 (Meeting) → Group blind date

• Why? In English, a meeting is usually for business. In Korea, “meeting” means a group date where friends introduce each other.
• Example: We had a meeting with students from another university.

카페 (Cafe) → Coffee shop

• Why? While English uses “cafe” for a small restaurant, in Korea it almost always means a coffee shop.
• Example: Let’s go to a cafe after class.

Start the Free Course

Still wondering how to read Korean?

This isn’t just another beginner lesson. It’s a complete system designed to change the way you think about Korean — from struggling with letters to reading real sentences, understanding the language, and speaking out loud with confidence.

Learn with Stories & Practice

English to Konglish: How Words Change

How do English words become Konglish? There are a few main ways.

1. Pronunciation Change

Korean sounds are different from English sounds. So “computer” becomes “keom-pyu-teo.”

Example: I play games on my computer.

2. Shortening Words

Koreans like to make long words short. For example, “apartment” becomes “apateu.”

Example: I live in an apateu.

3. Combining Words

Sometimes, two English words join to make a new one. For example, “office + hotel” becomes “officetel,” which means a small studio apartment.

Example: My uncle lives in an officetel.

This shows how it changes happen every day.

Konglish Jokes and Funny Mistakes

Sometimes, it is funny. You might see signs or menus that make you smile. These are what we call Konglish jokes.

마약치킨 (Narcotic Chicken)

• Koreans use “마약 (mayak)” which literally means “drug” or “narcotic” to describe food that is so tasty it’s addictive. It doesn’t mean real drugs—it’s just a slang style for “super delicious.”
• Example: Let’s eat narcotic chicken tonight. (마약치킨 먹자!)

섹시쿠키 (Sexy Cookie)

• This is actually a brand name in Korea. The word “섹시 (sexy)” is often used in Korea just to mean “cool,” “charming,” or “fun.” So “Sexy Cookie” is not about cookies being sexy, but just a catchy name for a dessert shop.
• Example: I bought a cake from Sexy Cookie. (섹시쿠키에서 케이크 샀어.)

핸드드립커피 (Hand drip coffee)

• In Korea, “핸드드립” means coffee brewed by pouring hot water by hand through a filter. In English, people usually say “pour-over coffee,” not “hand drip.”
• Example: This cafe is famous for hand drip coffee. (이 카페는 핸드드립커피로 유명해.)

노버터빵 (No butter bread)

• Bakeries sometimes use “No butter bread” to mean “bread made without butter.” To English speakers, it sounds strange, because they would usually say “butter-free bread” or “bread without butter.”
• Example: This bakery sells no butter bread. (여기 빵집은 노버터빵을 팔아.)

프리사이즈 (Free size)

• In Korea, clothes that come in only one size are often called “free size.” In English, people usually say “one size fits all.”
• Example: This T-shirt is free size. (이 티셔츠는 프리사이즈야.)

리필 (Refill)

• Restaurants and cafes often write “Refill” to mean free extra drinks or side dishes. In English, “refill” usually means more drink, but in Korea it can mean free refills for rice, soup, or even kimchi.
• Example: Kimchi refill is free here. (여기서는 김치 리필이 공짜야.)

헬스 (Health)

• Koreans use the word “헬스 (health)” to mean “going to the gym” or “working out.” In English, “health” is just a general condition, not exercise.
• Example: I go to health every day. (나 매일 헬스 다녀.)

노트 (Note)

• In Korea, “노트” means a notebook for writing. In English, “note” usually means a short message. So students often say “I bought a note” instead of “I bought a notebook.”
• Example: I bought a new note for class. (수업용으로 새 노트를 샀어.)

아이스 아메리카노 (Ice Americano)

• In Korean cafes, people always say “Ice Americano” (아이스 아메리카노) instead of “Iced Americano.” Native speakers usually use the -ed form.
• Example: I want an ice americano, please. (아이스 아메리카노 주세요.)

Why Does Konglish Exist?

You may wonder, why is it everywhere? There are a few reasons:

1. English is cool. In Korea, English words sound modern and stylish. A shop or brand name with English feels special.
2. English is global. People use English all over the world. Koreans like to borrow words to make communication easy.
3. Language adapts. Korean language is flexible. It takes English words and changes them into Korean sounds.

That is why Konglish is not a mistake—it is a natural part of how language grows.

Is Konglish Good or Bad?

Some people say it is helpful. Others say it can be confusing. Let’s look at both sides.

Good things:

• It helps Koreans use English quickly.
• It adds new fun words to the language.
• It shows Korean culture is creative.

Bad things:

• English speakers may not understand.
• Students may learn wrong meanings.
• It can sometimes sound strange in global settings.

How to Use Konglish Safely

If you are studying Korean, it can be very fun and helpful. But you need to use it in the right way. Here are some tips:

1. Know the difference.
Understand that some words are real English, and some are Konglish. Konglish words are useful in Korea, but they are not correct English.

2. Use it when speaking Korean.
When you talk to Koreans in Korean, it’s okay to use it. People will understand you right away.

3. Don’t use Konglish as English.
If you use it outside of Korea or in English class, people may not understand you. Always switch back to the real English word.

By knowing when to use it, you can learn Korean culture more deeply and avoid mistakes in English. it is part of everyday Korean life, so enjoy it as a fun way to connect with Korean people.

From My Original Story Style Breakdown™ — A New Way to Truly Understand Korean

This is just one sentence from a complete learning system you won’t find anywhere else — designed to help you understand Korean naturally, without getting lost in grammar rules. You can choose between Quick Learning for a fast overview, or Deep Learning for a step-by-step breakdown.

When you can truly understand Korean sentences this way, speaking becomes much easier.

🚀 Quick Learning

Original Korean Sentence
사자가 코끼리를 잡아요.

Pronunciation Guide
사자가 (sa-ja-ga) 코끼리를 (ko-ggi-ri-reul) 자바요 (ja-ba-yo).

English Translation
The lion catches the elephant.

Literal Translation
Lion catch elephant.

Quick Reference
사자가 (lion) 코끼리를 (elephant) 잡아요 (catch).

💡 Want more details? See the Deep Learning section below!

Start the Story Course

Looking for super easy way to learn Korean?

Most Korean courses stop at grammar. Mine goes beyond — with stories, Story Style Breakdown™, and real practice to help you speak.

Learn with Stories & Practice

FAQs (What You Might Still Wonder About)

Final words​

Konglish is a fun mix of Korean and English. It changes words in new ways, makes jokes, and gives us a window into culture. We looked at Konglish meaning, explored many Konglish words, shared real Konglish examples, laughed at some Konglish jokes, and learned how English to Konglish changes happen.

It is not wrong—it is just different. It shows how languages grow and change when cultures meet.

So next time you hear a Korean say hand phone, or see a sign that makes you laugh, remember that it is part of the colorful world of language.

Final Example Sentence:

• Konglish is strange, funny, and useful all at the same time.