Sino-Korean vocabulary
Template:Short description Template:About Sino-Korean vocabulary or Hanjaeo (Template:Korean) refers to Korean words of Chinese origin. Sino-Korean vocabulary includes words borrowed directly from Chinese, as well as new Korean words created from Chinese characters, and words borrowed from Sino-Japanese vocabulary. Many of these terms were borrowed during the height of Chinese-language literature on Korean culture. Subsequently, many of these words have also been truncated or altered for the Korean language.
Estimates of the percentage of Sino-Korean ranges from as low as 30%<ref>Template:Cite news The dictionary mentioned is Template:Cite book</ref> to as high as 70%.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> According to the Standard Korean Language Dictionary published by the National Institute of Korean Language (NIKL), Sino-Korean represents approximately 57% of the Korean vocabulary.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
History
The use of Chinese and Chinese characters in Korea dates back to at least 194 BCE. While Sino-Korean words were widely used during the Three Kingdoms period, they became even more popular during the Silla period. During this time, male aristocrats changed their given names to Sino-Korean names. Additionally, the government changed all official titles and place names in the country to Sino-Korean.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref>
Sino-Korean words remained popular during the Goryeo and Joseon periods.<ref name=":0" /> Ultimately, the majority of Sino-Korean words were introduced before 1945, including Sino-Japanese words themselves that were introduced to Korea during Japanese Occupation.<ref name=":1"/> In the contemporary era, Sino-Korean vocabulary has continued to grow in South Korea, where the meanings of Chinese characters are used to produce new words in Korean that do not exist in Chinese. By contrast, North Korean policy has called for many Sino-Korean words to be replaced by native Korean terms.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref>
Usage
Sino-Korean words constitute a large portion of South Korean vocabulary, the remainder being native Korean words and loanwords from other languages, such as Japanese and English to a lesser extent. Sino-Korean words are typically used in formal or literary contexts,<ref name=":1">Template:Cite book</ref> and to express abstract or complex ideas.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref>
All Korean surnames and most Korean given names are Sino-Korean.<ref name=":0" /> Additionally, Korean numerals can be expressed with Sino-Korean and native Korean words, though each set of numerals has different purposes.<ref name=":2" />
Sino-Korean words may be written either in the Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, or in Chinese characters, known as Hanja.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Examples
Words borrowed from Chinese
Sino-Korean words borrowed directly from Chinese come mainly from Chinese classics, literature, and colloquial Chinese.<ref name=":3" />
| Word | Korean (RR) | Hanja | Hanja meaning | Ref | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| peace; tranquility; wellness | 안녕 (annyeong) | 安寧 | "tranquil peace" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | Colloquially often used as a form of greeting. For example, annyeonghaseyo (Template:Korean) from annyeong (Template:Korean) + haseyo (Template:Korean). |
| birthday | 생일 (saengil) | 生日 | "birth day" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| happiness; good fortune | 행복 (haengbok) | 幸福 | "happiness blessing" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| parents | 부모 (bumo) | 父母 | "father mother" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| student | 학생 (haksaeng) | 學生 | "study student" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| sun | 태양 (taeyang) | 太陽 | "great light" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| question | 질문 (jilmun) | 質問 | "background ask" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> | |
| perfume | 향수 (hyangsu) | 香水 | "fragrant water" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Words created in Korea using Chinese characters
These words below were created in Korea using Chinese characters. They are not used in China, Japan, nor Vietnam.
| Definition | Korean | Revised Romanization | Hanja | Remark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| shame | 미안 | mian | 未安 | Colloquially often used to express shame, sorrow or as a form of apology. For example, mianhamnida (Template:Korean) from mian (Template:Korean) + hamnida (Template:Korean). |
| false; rumor; canard | 낭설 | nangseol | 浪說 | |
| marital compatibility; well-suited; well-matched | 궁합 | gunghap | 宮合 | |
| common cold | 감기 | gamgi | 感氣 | |
| deceptive; trickster | 고단수 | godansu | 高段數 | |
| hardship; trouble; suffering | 고생 | gosaeng | 苦生 | |
| notebook | 공책 | gongchaek | 空冊 | |
| amazing | 굉장 | goengjang | 宏壯 | |
| determiner (grammar); prenoun | 관형사 | gwanhyeongsa | 冠形詞 | |
| prison; penitentiary | 교도소 | gyodoso | 矯導所 | |
| assortment (of goods) | 구색 | gusaek | 具色 | |
| a joke | 농담 | nongdam | 弄談 | |
| unity; join; combine | 단합 | danhap | 團合 | |
| reply; response; answer | 답장 | dapjang | 答狀 | |
| fortune; lucky | 다행 | dahaeng | 多幸 | |
| cod(fish) | 대구 | daegu | 大口 | |
| mass transportation; public transit | 대중교통 | daejung-gyotong | 大衆交通 | |
| site; land mass | 대지 | daeji | 垈地 | |
| indebtedness | 덕분 | deokbun | 德分 | |
| subcontract | 도급 | dogeup | 都給 | |
| unmarried young man; bachelor; youngster | 도령 | doryeong | 道令 | |
| flu; influenza | 독감 | dokgam | 毒感 | |
| same age | 동갑 | donggap | 同甲 | |
| sense of kinship | 동질감 | dongjilgam | 同質感 | |
| beer | 맥주 | maekju | 麥酒 | |
| pollock | 명태 | myeongtae | 明太 | |
| (national) holiday | 명절 | myeongjeol | 名節 | |
| business card containing name | 명함 | myeongham | 名銜 | |
| carpenter | 목수 | moksu | 木手 | |
| extinction; annihilation | 몰사 | molsa | 沒死 | |
| massacre; slaughter; extermination | 몰살 | molsal | 沒殺 | |
| hibiscus | 무궁화 | mugunghwa | 無窮花 | |
| visit to sick person | 문병 | munbyeong | 問病 | |
| questioning; interrogating | 문초 | muncho | 問招 | |
| uneasy; uncomfortable; to be apologetic | 미안 | mian | 未安 | |
| public harm | 민폐 | minpye | 民弊 | |
| just | 방금 | banggeum | 方今 | |
| sitting cushion; sitting mat | 방석 | bangseok | 方席 | |
| lottery ticket | 복권 | bokgwon | 福券 | |
| real estate agency | 복덕방 | bokdeokbang | 福德房 | |
| off-season; slow season | 비수기 | bisugi | 非需期 | |
| ice rink | 빙상장 | bingsangjang | 氷上場 | |
| subscribe | 구독 | gudog | 購讀 | |
| cemetery; grave; tomb | 산소 | sanso | 山所 | |
| fish (specifically prepared as food) | 생선 | saengseon | 生鮮 | |
| stonemason | 석수 | seoksu | 石手 | |
| present; gift | 선물 | seonmul | 膳物 | |
| peak season; busy season | 성수기 | seongsugi | 盛需期 | |
| (your) name | 성함 | seongham | 姓銜 | |
| effort | 수고 | sugo | 受苦 | |
| sexual harassment | 성희롱 | seonghuirong | 性戲弄 | |
| duty; responsibility; task | 소임 | soim | 所任 | |
| precious; valuable | 소중 | sojung | 所重 | |
| trip; picnic; excursion | 소풍 | sopung | 逍風 | |
| cheque | 수표 | supyo | 手票 | |
| beginning of; start of; embark upon | 시작 | sijak | 始作 | |
| earnestly request | 신신당부 | sinsindangbu | 申申當付 | |
| child actor or actress | 아역 | ayeok | 兒役 | |
| seize; distrainment; sequestration | 압류 | amnyu (apryu) | 押留 | |
| bad term; grudge | 앙숙 | angsuk | 怏宿 | |
| uproar; clamor; commotion | 야단 | yadan | 惹端 | |
| socks | 양말 | yangmal | 洋襪 | |
| heartlessness; mercilessness | 야박 | yabak | 野薄 | |
| as expected; also | 역시 | yeoksi | 亦是 | |
| yellow-green; light green | 연두 | yeondu | 軟豆 | |
| alien; extraterrestrial | 외계인 | oegyein | 外界人 | |
| native speaker | 원어민 | woneomin | 原語民 | |
| exclave | 월경지 | wolgyeongji | 越境地 | |
| beginning; commencing | 위시 | wisi | 爲始 | |
| lean on; depend on; rely on | 의지 | uiji | 依支 | |
| move; relocate | 이사 | isa | 移徙 | |
| rice-planting machine | 이앙기 | ianggi | 移秧機 | |
| behalf | 자기편 | jagipyeon | 自己便 | |
| determination; decision; plan | 작정 | jakjeong | 作定 | |
| gloves; mittens | 장갑 | janggap | 掌匣 / 掌甲 | |
| lease; charter | 전세 | jeonse | 專貰 | |
| procedure (for); process (of); steps; proceedings | 절차 | jeolcha | 節次 | |
| lovers' talk | 정담 | jeongdam | 情談 | |
| identity | 정체성 | jeongcheseong | 正體性 | |
| bakery; bakeshop | 제과점 | jegwajeom | 製菓店 | |
| gas station | 주유소 | juyuso | 注油所 | |
| kettle | 주전자 | jujeonja | 酒煎子 | |
| sorry; pardon; regrettable | 죄송 | joesong | 罪悚 | |
| purse; wallet | 지갑 | jigap | 紙匣 | |
| order; turn; table of contents | 차례 | charye | 次例 | |
| bookstore | 책방 | chaekbang | 冊房 | |
| window | 창문 | changmun | 窓門 | |
| ceiling | 천장 | cheonjang | 天障 | |
| wedding invitation | 청첩장 | cheongcheopjang | 請牒狀 | |
| elementary school | 초등학교 | chodeung-hakgyo | 初等學校 | |
| elementary school student | 초등학생 | chodeung-haksaeng | 初等學生 | |
| spring fatigue | 춘곤증 | chungonjeung | 春困症 | |
| release; launch | 출시 | chulsi | 出市 | |
| stairs; stairway; staircase | 층계 | cheunggye | 層階 | |
| friend | 친구 | chingu | 親舊 | |
| release | 출시 | chulsi | 出市 | video game related |
| block | 차단 | chadang | 遮斷 | |
| spring of clock; clockwork | 태엽 | taeyeop | 胎葉 | |
| consilience | 통섭 | tongseop | 統攝 | |
| convenience store | 편의점 | pyeoneuijeom | 便宜店 | |
| letter; epistle | 편지 | pyeonji | 便紙 | |
| a visit; a trip; travelling | 행차 | haengcha | 行次 | |
| brag; bluff; boast | 허풍 | heopung | 虛風 | |
| cash | 현찰 | hyeonchal | 現札 | |
| circumstances; conditions | 형편 | hyeongpyeon | 形便 | |
| go crazy; be out of one's mind | 환장 | hwanjang | 換腸 | |
| change of seasons; in-between seasons | 환절기 | hwanjeolgi | 換節期 | |
| Hyeonchungil | 현충일 | hyeonchungil | 顯忠日 | |
| device | 기기 | gigi | 機器/器機 | Does not share the same meaning in Chinese, which means machine. |
| name card | 명함 | myeongham | 名銜 |
Words borrowed from Sino-Japanese
Sino-Korean words borrowed from Sino-Japanese are used only in Korean and Japanese, not in Chinese.<ref name=":3" />
| Word | Hangul (RR) | Hanja | Hanja meaning<ref name=":0" /> | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| airplane | 비행기 (bihaenggi) | 飛行機 | "fly go machine" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| movie | 영화 (yeonghwa) | 映畵 | "shine picture" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| item of personal preference | 기호품 (gihopum) | 嗜好品 | "like items" | |
| actor | 배우 (baeu) | 俳優 | "show actor" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| broadcast | 방송 (bangsong) | 放送 | "put send" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| passport | 여권 (yeogwon) | 旅券 | "travel certificate" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| station | 역 (yeok) | 驛 | "station" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| photo | 사진 (sajin) | 寫眞 | "write real" | <ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Phonetic correspondences
Initial consonants
| Middle Chinese | Sino-KoreanTemplate:SfnpTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Full citation needed | |
|---|---|---|
| Labials | Template:Lang p | p/pʰTemplate:EfnTemplate:Full citation needed |
| Template:Lang pʰ | ||
| Template:Lang b | ||
| Template:Lang m | m | |
| Dentals | Template:Lang t | t/tʰTemplate:EfnTemplate:Efn |
| Template:Lang tʰ | ||
| Template:Lang d | ||
| Template:Lang n | n | |
| Template:Lang l | l | |
| Retroflex stops | Template:Lang ʈ | t/tʰTemplate:EfnTemplate:Efn |
| Template:Lang ʈʰ | ||
| Template:Lang ɖ | ||
| Dental sibilants | Template:Lang ts | tɕ/tɕʰTemplate:Efn |
| Template:Lang tsʰ | ||
| Template:Lang dz | ||
| Template:Lang s | s | |
| Template:Lang z | ||
| Retroflex sibilants | Template:Lang ʈʂ | tɕ/tɕʰTemplate:Efn |
| Template:Lang ʈʂʰ | ||
| Template:Lang ɖʐ | s/tɕ/tɕʰTemplate:Efn | |
| Template:Lang ʂ | s | |
| Palatals | Template:Lang tɕ | tɕ/tɕʰTemplate:Efn |
| Template:Lang tɕʰ | ||
| Template:Lang dʑ | s | |
| Template:Lang ɕ | ||
| Template:Lang ʑ | ||
| Template:Lang ɲ | z > ∅ | |
| Velars | Template:Lang k | k/h |
| Template:Lang kʰ | ||
| Template:Lang ɡ | k | |
| Template:Lang ŋ | ŋ > ∅ | |
| Laryngeals | Template:Lang ʔ | ʔ > ∅ |
| Template:Lang x | h | |
| Template:Lang ɣ |
Final consonants
The Middle Chinese final consonants were semivowels (or glides) /j/ and /w/, nasals /m/, /n/ and /ŋ/, and stops /p/, /t/ and /k/. Sino-Korean preserves all the distinctions between final nasals and stops. Although Old Korean had a /t/ coda, words with the Middle Chinese coda /t/ have /l/ in Sino-Korean, reflecting a northern variety of Late Middle Chinese in which final /t/ had weakened to /r/.Template:SfnpTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Full citation needed
| Middle Chinese | Sino-KoreanTemplate:SfnpTemplate:Full citation needed |
|---|---|
| -m | m |
| -n | n |
| -ng | ŋ |
| -p | p |
| -t | l |
| -k | k |
See also
- Chinese influence on Korean culture
- Korean language
- Hanja
- Korean mixed script
- Sino-Japanese vocabulary
- Sino-Vietnamese vocabulary