Open this feature on the website: koreaneasy.com/loanwords
Overview
Loanwords (외래어, wae-rae-eo) are words adopted into Korean from other languages. This page groups them by origin so you can see patterns in how foreign words are adapted into Hangeul.Origin groups
| Origin | Description |
|---|---|
| English | The largest group — everyday words borrowed from English |
| Japanese | Words that entered Korean during the early 20th century |
| Chinese | Sino-Korean words that form a core part of formal vocabulary |
How to use this page
- Browse each origin group to see the Korean spelling alongside the source word.
- Notice how foreign sounds are adapted to fit Hangeul — this helps with pronunciation.
- Save any loanword to your Vocabulary for later review.
Related features
Dictionary
Browse and search all Korean words, including loanwords
My vocabulary
Save loanwords to your personal list for ongoing review