List of English words of Korean origin

This is a list of words of Korean origin which have entered into English usage. One metric for determining this is whether they appear in mainstream English language dictionaries.

General

Word	Korean word	Explanation	Merriam-Webster	Oxford	Remarks
Chaebol	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	lang}})	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Hangul	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	Korean alphabet	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✗ ||
Jeonse	lang}} 전세 ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a long-held renting arrangement where tenants pay lump-sum deposit for usually two years	✗	✗
Korea	lang}} 고려 ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a historic dynasty of Korea (see Names of Korea)	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Won	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	the basic monetary unit of North and South Korea	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||

Culture and martial arts

Word	Korean word	Explanation	Merriam-webster	Oxford	Remarks
Hapkido	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a Korean martial art	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Kisaeng	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	(archaic) a female entertainer who pours drinks to guests and entertain them with songs and dances	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||
Manhwa	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a style of Korean comic books, cartoons and animated cartoons (cognate with Japanese manga)	✗	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||
Mukbang	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	an online broadcast in which a host eats food while interacting with the audience	✗	✗
Ondol	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a system of underfloor heating	✗	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Sijo	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	an unrhymed three-verse poem (usually in six shorter lines in English translations)	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✗ ||
Taekwondo	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a Korean martial art	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||

Food

Word	Korean word	Explanation	Merriam-webster	Oxford	Remarks
Bibimbap	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	a dish of rice topped with sautéed vegetables, meat, egg, and chilli paste	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Bulgogi	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	a dish of thin beef slices marinated and grilled on a barbecue	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> ||
Galbi	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	a dish of beef or pork ribs marinated and grilled on a barbecue	✗	✗
Gochujang	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	Korean red chili paste	✓	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Kimchi	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	a vegetable pickle that is the national dish of Korea	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Makkoli	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}	an alcoholic drink made from fermented rice	✗	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Soju	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a distilled liquor, usually made from rice or sweet potatoes	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||

Clothing

Word	Korean word	Explanation	Merriam-Webster	Oxford	Remarks
Hanbok	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	traditional Korean clothes	✗	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref>||

Ideology and religion

Word	Korean word	Explanation	Merriam-Webster	Oxford	Remarks
Moonie	Mun Seonmyeong {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a member of the Unification Church, founded by Sun Myung Moon	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Juche	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	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	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	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	✗	✗

Other

Word	Korean word	Explanation	Merriam-Webster	Oxford	Remarks
Chobo	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a novice	✗	✗
Gangnam	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a regional district of Seoul popularized by 2012 chart topping single Gangnam Style by Psy	✗	✗
Gosu	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a person with great skill	✗	✗
Hantaan virus	Hantan-gang {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a virus species transmitted by rodents (The rodents carrying the virus were collected near Hantan River.)	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Hantavirus	Hantan-gang {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a genus of viruses transmitted by rodents (The rodents carrying the virus were collected near Hantan River.)	✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> || ✓<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation	CitationClass=web }}</ref> ||
Hwabyeong	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	a mental illness occurring when anger builds up in the mind without being vented	✗	✗
Minjung	lang}} {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}})	the mass of the people (See also: minjung theology and minjung art)	✗	✗

See also

• Lists of English loanwords by country or language of origin