Air-Con: An "air-conditioner". It is obvious that this word has been formed by simply removing the three syllables from the ending of conditioner, probably for ease of pronunctiation. See also Remo-Con.
After-Service:Post purchase repair and maintenance, commonly abbreviated to A/S in writing on store windows.
A/S: An abbreviation found on store windows indicating that after-service is provided.
Auto-Bi': A motor bike. Probably used from the contraction of automatic motor bike.
Ball-pen: Ball-point pen. (Contraction of the English).
Bang-ul-Tomato: A small tomato or cherry tomato.
Barometer: Konglish for a short-cut (in distance, not hair).
Be-Nil Bong-Tu: Pronuncition of "vinyl", combined with the Korean word meaning "envelope". Possessing the meaning of a plastic bag.
Bee-Pee: A beeper or pager, the term is a synonymous one in Korea.
B/D: A written abbreviation for the word "Building". This abbreviated form can be seen within the names of office buildings on the building itself.
Booking: Term used when a group of men ask a waiter to ask another group of women in the night-club, rock cafe or coffee shop to join their group for fun. See also Dash.
Calorie-Balance: A nutritional low-diet shortbread. See Healthing.
Cafe: Borrowed from the French language and used in English, the word has also been absorbed into Korean language. The interesting point about the Konglish use of the word cafe is the spelling. It has been seen spelt: cafe, caf'e, caf and cafe'. Of course the first two spellings here are correct in English.
Cassette: Tape recorder. See also Mini-Cassette.
CC: Campus Couple. (Boyfriend-Girlfriend relationship made between students at university)
CCC: Campus Couple Cutter. (A person who tries to break the relationship between a CC, usually so that they can then start a relationship with one of the couples). CCC has been referred to as Campus Comedian Couple in one case.
Choco-Pie: A "Chocolate Pie", but actually not. A small biscuit size chocolate marsh mellow style cookie with cream in the centre.
City-Phone: A short range "mobile" phone for use in the downtown area. Anoher version is City-Man.
-Coh-Ah(Core): Used as a suffix added to other Korean words that come to form the name of department stores. Functioning similar to the -teria for eateries. It may have come from the English word "Core" which indicates the centre of something. As such the Korean usage would indicate the central place for all goods/merchandise for sale. E.g. New World Core, Hanshin Core, Expo Core, etc.
Co-pee: Korean pronunciation of "Coffee". Note that the English `f' sound is usually changed to a `b' or `p' sound in Korean.
C.V.S: An acronym used to indicate "Convenience Store".
Energy Plaza:Gas/Service station chain company name. The word association is obvious, although used out of context. See also Oil-Bank.
Excellent-Bus: An express bus which is considered "excellent". The English classification would be a "Deluxe Bus". See also Wide-Sus.
Exit: The word "Exit" is often printed on signs in Korea to indicate an exit. Although the Korean language on top of the sign actually indicates `Emergency Exit' (Bi Sang Gu).
-fancy: Found in use with stationary/gift store names. The English word may be used to describe that the style of goods for sale is of a "fancy" nature.
Festival: Usually held at Universities. Students from all faculties and departments organise beer to be sold on campus or establish some special stall from which they sell or provide different services such as food, beer, and games. As festival time usually lasts a good week, it serves as a means to cohese the student body as well as to intoxicate it.
Fighting: A sports chant used to cheer a team so that they will win. Usually shouted three times, with the humorous thing being that with Korean pronunciation it sounds as though they are saying "whiting". Note that the English 'f' sound usually changes to a 'b' or `p' sound when spoken by Koreans. In this case with a group of Koreans shouting rather loudly the initial sound of this word is not clear, as such the word fighting is heard by a native English speaker as "whiting". It should also be mentioned that there is no corelation of this word to the species of fish, or to the ingredient used in making putty or whitewash, etc.
FX Cable: A lead that links two computers together for data transfer.
-garden: Used similar to the English in places such as "beer-garden", but is often attached to a more expensive style restaurant name.
Gas-Range: The equivalent word in English would tend to be stove or oven. Although the term can also apply to a single burner operated by a small gas cylinder.
Glamour-girl: A large breasted woman in Korea is considered glamourous.
Half-sale: A "half-price" sale. Also used in conjunction with the word Annual to indicate a "year-round half-price sale".
Head Bing-Bing: Mentally crazy (usually used by children).
Healthing (Hael-shing): This product seems to have arisen as a competitor to Calorie Balance.
-Heim: A brand name suffix used for snack foods such as: choco-heim, and white-heim. Both of these are wafer filled cream biscuits (either chocolate or plain cream filled).
Hip: A term used to refer to the "butt" or "arse". Possible early missionary influence may have lead to the development of this term.
Hot-Bar: A processed sausage or processed fish on a stick.
Hof: Hof and Hop are used to mean the same thing. The word "Hof" might have derived from German language where the brewer who used to make the beer for the royal court was known as a "hof" brewer. The word "Hof" has also been brought into English language in the names of draft beer. The word "Hop" is becoming increasingly more popular probably due to the Korean pronunciation problems associated with the letter `f', where a `p' or `b' sound is more easily rendered.
Hop: A place to drink beer, similar to a bar. The word may have come from the English "Hops" where the cone used in making beer is described as such. See also Hof, Res-tu Hop, and Rest-O-Hop.
Konglish: The mixture of Korean and English words to form words independent to the base of Korean language but originating from English (in some cases from other European languages). There is a direct absorbtion of loan words, however sometimes the loaned terms taken are used out of context. Konglish also incorporates "psuedo loan-words", that is Koreans would use English terms but only after making a direct translation from Korean to English. Obviously Konglish is formed by taking the initial syllable of Korean "Ko", removing the "E" of English and then combining the two remaining words.
Lei-PoChu Saen-Ta: A "LEIsure sPORTS CENTRE". Seemingly the cousin of the Lei-po Chu, the leisure sports centre is usually found in the city areas and was designed for daily use. The facilities provided include health clubs, swimming pools, bowling centres, etc. The term Supo-lek-su is also used in refernence to the lei-pochu saen-ta.
Light Cable: A Fibre-optic cable.
Love-Hotel: Hotel established to service couples or people who wish to "make love".
Mani: Pronounced like the English word "money" in actual Korean usage the word means similar to a lot of or many. As such it is not really Konglish, but a false cognate in the ears of a native English speaker.
-Mart: A suffix used at the end of usually English words to indicate a convenience store. E.g. Family-Mart, Green-Mart, Q-Mart, Chae-Il-Mart. This usage may have stemmed from the American chain convenience/department stores Wall-Mart or K-Mart. It is also interesting to note that most -marts are c.v.s (convenience stores).
-Media: Media is used similar to English, where a company produces video cassettes or similar media type products. E.g. Seihan-media. The word production is also used by similar companies in related fields.
Meeting: A "Blind-Date". The term meeting is used out of context from the original English meaning. In English it used essentially only in a business context.
Menu: "Menu", a loan word from English. Coffee shop menus although written in Korean language are an amusing item of culture. In possess the ability to read Korean you will find coffee shop menu items listed in English, however, written in Korean text.
Message: "Message", a loan word from English.
Micro-Skirt: An extremely short skirt worn by young ladies in Korea. Note that this skirt is about half the size of a "mini-skirt".
Mini-Cassette: A walk-man. See also Cassette.
Mini-Sand: A small-sandwich. Actually a small biscuit with cream in the middle. See also Jack-Sand, and -Sand.
Mini-Skirt: "Mini-Skirt", an exact loan word from English. Note that the English contraction "Mini" is not used in Korean. A "mini-skirt", on occasion may also be referred to as a micro-skirt.
Mission-Oil: "Transmission oil". This is an obvious contraction of the English word, probably for ease of pronunciation.
Missy-jok: Jok is similar to "a group of people". The missy-jok are a group of married women who look young and beautiful enough so that Korean men make the mistake of not thinking that these women are married.
Motel: Use of the English term to describe a small and lower class hotel. This is in contrast to what would be classed in English as a "MOtor hoTEL". See also O-Pi-Su Tel, and Re-Jo Tel.
M.T.: Membership Training. A time (usually a few days) where new members are made feel welcome to an organisation. The training consists of playing games and interacting with peers. Similar to an "orientation". A related Konglish item is "Festival" time.
OilBank: Gas/Service station chain company name. The word association is obvious, although used out of context. See also Energy Plaza.
Okay: "Okay", a loan word from English used in the same semantic context.
Orange-Jok: Jok is a group of people. Originating in Seoul this term refers to any group of young men, financed from their rich parents, who drive around in expensive white colored cars. Their name derives from their actions. When they see a girl(s) that they would like to accompany them they will ask her if she wants an orange. If she accepts the orange, she will get in the car or they will go somewhere together. Otherwise if she refuses they head off to find another girl(s).
O-Pi-Su Tel: An "OFFIce hoTEL". A place like an hotel that provides a place to sleep and an office to work in at the same time. See also Motel, and Re-Jo-Tel.
-pia: Derived from the word "utoPIA", meaning a state or place of ideal perfection. Examples are Expo-pia, Green-pia, etc. However a Green-pia is not as an English speaker would tend to think. It is not a store for selling environmentally friendly goods or products. The signs for the store are green, but that is the only relation to the use of that word, the -pia suffix may have been added to create the image of a perfect place to obtain/buy goods.
-plaza: Used as a suffix. E.g. Energy plaza = gas station
Potato: "French Fries".
Pon-Ting: A "telePHONE meeTING". As such a meeting held over the telephone. See also Meeting.
Power Handle: Power steering. A steering wheel is usually referred to as the vehicle's handle.
Power Strip: A "Power-Board" for use with electronic products. In Konglish the word strip is used to indicate anything that looks like a "strip", such as a board or line, etc. A competitor to the Power Strip is a Power Line.
Pream: Korean pronunciation for "cream" used as the same in English. Note: Although Korean language does allow for the correct pronunciation of the English word cream, this has not occured. This may be due to the brand name of the creamer product introduced to the Korean market, see Prima.
Prima: 1). Brand name of a creamer product. 2). A term used to refer to "Creamer". See also Pream.
Re-Mi Truck: A "Cement Truck". The name probably derived from the fact that the truck carries ready mixed concrete that can be used straight from the truck. See Re-Mi-Con.
Re-Jo-Tel: A "RESOrt HoTEL", usually found at a scenic site or mountain. See also Motel, and O-Pi-Su Tel.
Re-mo-Con: A "REMOte CONtrol" unit. It is obvious that this word has been formed by simply removing the final syllable from each word. As a result it would go easier on pronuciation. See also Air-Con.
Re-mix: A "REady-MIXed" cocktail, such as lemon or cherry soju (rice wine).
Re-Mi-Con: Derived from "REady-MIxed CONcrete". A simple Konglish word formed by using the initial syllables of the English language term for the item. See also Re-Mi Truck.
Re-por-tu: A "Report". In Konglish it means a written assignment of any type. Where as in English a report is usually a written assignment in essay form.
Res-tu Hop: A hop or hof in which you can also "rest". Possibly also a short form of Rest-O-Hop.
Rest-O-Hop: Rest-o is possibly a contraction of Rest-O-Rang, joined with Hop or Hof, to indicate a bar where it is possible to get a restaurant style meal. Also written as Resto~Hof, RestoHof., Resto*Hof.
Rest-O-Rang: The meaning of this word is "restaurant" in English, however it sees to have come from the French languge and thus is pronounced similar to the French but with a Korean accent. The word is also contracted to Rest-O and joined with other Korean or Konglish words. E.g. Rest-o-Hop.
Running Shirt: A shirt that is used when jogging or going for a run. The English quivalent would be a singlet.
Same-same: This phrase has the exact meaning of the phrase in America. "It is the same", "I want the same", etc.
-Sand: A suffix used for snack foods that have a cream (sand) filling. See Mini-Sand, and Jack-Sand.
Self-: A contraction of "Self-Service", meaning you have to order at the counter and then collect your order when it is called out. Usually found in existence at bars or in cafes. E.g. "Self-Coffee", "Self-Hof".
Self-Service: A coffee-shop, hof/hop or restaurant where there is not table service. You have to go to the counter order and pay first, usually you have to return your tray to the counter after eating or drinking as well.
-Set: An established meal of food or other product. E.g. bulgolgi-burger-set, chicken-set, family-set, etc. Found in use mostly at fast-food outlets such as Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and Lotteria. Also see -Teria.
Sharp: A sharp pencil. Actually a clutch or mechanical pencil.
Shopping Bag: A large brown "paper bag" that has handles.
Sign: "Signature" (contraction of the English). Also see Sign-Pen.
Sign-Pen: A "fountain pen" (used in Western culture to produce a signature). See the Konglish word Sign.
Singing Room: Not as the name suggests, a room which can sing but a place where you can go to sing in Karaoke style in a private room. (This term is usually only used when speaking to an English speaker and not necessarily in the midst of Korean conversation).
Skin-Ship: Used in reference to someone who likes to touch another during conversation. For example on the arm and shoulder, or on the leg if sitting.
Smoke Ham: "Smoked Ham".
Sportage: Term placed on the back of Kia 4wd's. Possibly formed from the English term "sports advantage". Or more realistically from combining "Sport + Age", therefore the term may have been designed as a marketing tool to zero in on the young sports minded person.
-studio: This suffix is usually attached to stores that develop and take formal photographs.
Super: A "super market" - an obvious contraction of the English term.
Su-po-lek-su: A "SPOrts compLEX". See Lei-PoChu Saen-Ta.
Teeper: A teeth-keeper, is a brand of toothbrush. Formed from the intial and final syllables of the English words "teeth" and "keeper", therefore granting Tee + per = Teeper.
Telephone (Jeon-Hwa) Box: A Telephone booth. Note: Box can also refer to any standing booth like this. See also another definition for the Konglish term Box.
-Teria: A suffix joined to Korean words to form the name of an eating establishment. The suffix is taken from the English word Cafeteria originating from another language. (Lotteria is combined from putting Lotte + teria together. The Lotte group combined the words, and established a chain of fast food stores under this name). Also see -Set.
Vitamin: Same as in English, but with Korean pronunciation the `v' sound is altered to a `b'.
Video-Bang: The word bang is Korean for room. As such a Video-Bang is a room where you can go and pay to watch video movies on a large screen t.v. Note: The `v' sound in Korean pronunciation alters to a `b', as with the `v' in the pronunciation of `vitamin'.
Wae: A false-cognate, pronounced like the English word for "where" the actual Korean meaning is why, as such some confusion may be experienced by English speakers listening on to a Korean conversation.
Western-Bar: As the phrase suggests, a bar that is in the style seen in the Western world. Usually this means that stools are organised around a central bar area, with tables surrounding the edges of the room. It is possible to order beer and/or cocktails without the need of ordering an-ju or side-dishes. Note: It is Korean tradition to snack on side-dishes when drinking alcohol.
Wide Sus: A term used to indicate that a bus or vehicle has "wide suspension". The final two syllables have been dropped from the word "suspension" probably for ease of pronunciation. See also Excellent Bus.
X-Gen: Used to indicate "Generation X'. Note: Koreans use the term to indicate a class of youth who are more open to western thinking and portray the stereostypes of the western world rather than adopting typical Korean values.
Yea-Yea: Used in Korean as in English to mean "yes". As such it is not really Konglish, but a false cognate in the ears of a native English speaker. Note: In English language communication Koreans often use the phrase to indicate: `I have no idea of what you're saying, but I am saying yes anyway'.