My Favorite Konglish Words

Quick Summary

• Konglish is a mix of Korean and English words that have taken on new meanings in Korean.
• “Health” means workout or gym in Korean.
• “One Plus One (1+1)” means Buy One, Get One Free.

1. Health

In Korean, “헬스 (hel-su)” doesn’t actually mean health.

It means workout and is also used to refer to the gym or a fitness center, short for health-jang!

You might say, “I’m going to health,” and everyone knows you’re off to get a workout.

2. Hand Phone

This one’s easy to guess!

“핸드폰 (haen-du-pon)” means “cell phone” or mobile phone.

It’s a perfect example of how Konglish words take English terms and give them a new life.

3. Notebook

In English, “notebook” usually means a paper notebook.

But in Korean, “노트북 (no-teu-buk)” refers to a laptop!

It’s so common that even tech stores like Samsung and LG will call them notebooks.

4. Air Con

We know this word as “air conditioner,” but in Konglish, it’s “에어컨 (e-eo-kon).”

Almost everyone uses this word when talking about cooling off in the summer.

5. Selca

This one is a combination of “self” and “camera,” meaning a selfie!

The word “셀카 (sel-ka)” is hugely popular, and you’ll notice it on social media and among friends.

6. One Plus One (1+1)

In Korea, “One Plus One (1+1)” means “Buy One, Get One Free.”

You’ll see this phrase a lot in convenience stores and supermarkets, and it’s such an intuitive way to describe a great deal.

The simplicity of “1+1” makes it easy to understand for anyone, even if you’re new to Konglish.

Maybe it’s because we love mathematics so much that this expression feels so natural in our daily shopping vocabulary.

Next time you’re in Korea, keep an eye out for those “1+1” deals!

7. One Shot

This is a crowd favorite!

“원샷 (won-shot)” means to down your drink in one go, usually during a toast.

It’s the Konglish version of “Bottoms up!”

8. Apart

This might sound familiar, but “아파트 (a-pa-teu)” refers to any large apartment complex in Korea.

Unlike in English, where “apartment” can mean a range of living spaces, in Korea, “apart” means the high-rise apartment buildings that dominate city skylines.

9. Drama

“드라마 (deu-ra-ma)” in Konglish means a TV series or soap opera, not just any TV show!

It’s most often used when talking about Korean dramas, a.k.a. K-dramas.

10. Service

One of my favorites!

“서비스 (seobiseu)” means “on the house” or a freebie given to customers at restaurants, cafes, or shops.

If your server brings a plate of something and says “서비스입니다 (or it’s subeesu)” when dining out, it means you’re getting a little something extra for free!

Conclusion

Konglish words are fun because they reflect how languages can blend and adapt.

Learning them gives insight into Korean culture and helps you feel more connected when communicating.

Try using these words next time you’re in Korea or chatting with a Korean friend!