14 Konglish Terms That Defy Expectations

English has borrowed numerous words from other languages—consider karaoke (from Japanese), café (from French), and sauna (from Finnish). But what about words that appear English yet carry entirely different meanings? Enter the realm of pseudo-anglicisms: terms in foreign languages that mimic English in sound or appearance but diverge in meaning. Korean is particularly rich in these, often dubbed “Konglish.” Here’s a curated list of 14 such terms, ranging from the intuitive to the utterly baffling. 

Saida (사이다) // Sounds similar to cider  

When you ask for saida (사이다) in South Korea, don’t expect an alcoholic beverage. Instead, you’ll receive a lemon-flavored carbonated soft drink like Sprite or 7UP. For the alcoholic version, you’ll need to request sagwaju (사과주), which directly translates to “apple alcohol.”

Obaiteu (오바이트) // Sounds like overeat

If you manage to find alcoholic cider, you might need the term obaiteu (오바이트, pronounced like overeat with a British accent). Unlike its English counterpart, this word refers to the aftermath of excessive consumption—vomiting. It applies to any situation involving throwing up, whether due to food, drink, or illness.

Noteubuk (노트북) // Pronounced like notebook

If you’re told a noteubuk (노트북) costs hundreds or even thousands of dollars, don’t be shocked—it’s the Korean term for a laptop. (While some English speakers still use notebook to describe a laptop, this usage is fading.) For a paper notebook in South Korea, ask for a noteu (노트) or a gongchaek (공책).

Wonpiseu (원피스) // Sounds like one piece

If you overhear someone mention “one piece,” they’re likely not discussing the popular anime but rather shopping for a dress, as wonpiseu (원피스) is the Korean word for a dress. While this makes sense, couldn’t any single clothing item also be considered a “one piece”?

Paeding (패딩) // Sounds like padding

If someone mentions “padding,” you might assume they’re talking about cushion stuffing, but in Korean, paeding refers to a quilted or puffer jacket.

Seukin (스킨) // Pronounced like skin

If someone in Korea mentions they’re “going to put on some skin,” don’t be alarmed—it’s not a scene from a horror movie. Seukin (스킨) simply refers to facial toner.

Seobiseu (서비스) // Sounds like service

This term is handy for shopping or dining out: Seobiseu (서비스) refers to a freebie. You might receive small samples at cosmetic stores or even complimentary food at restaurants—traditional Korean eateries often provide banchan (반찬, “side dishes”) for free.

Paseu (파스) // Sounds like pass

If you visit a Korean pharmacy for muscle or joint pain, you might hear the word “pass.” This isn’t rudeness—it’s a reference to a simple remedy: a paseu (파스), a medicated patch applied to the skin to alleviate muscle discomfort.

Konsenteu (콘센트) // Pronounced like consent

If someone in South Korea mentions they’re searching for “consent,” they’re not flirting—they likely just need to charge their phone. In Korean, konsenteu (콘센트) refers to an electrical outlet or socket, derived from the term concentric plug.

Hwaiting (화이팅) // Sounds like fighting

If someone raises their fists and shouts “fighting!” they’re not provoking a fight. Instead, they’re using the term hwaiting (화이팅), a Korean expression often translated as “Good luck!” or “You’ve got this!” It’s commonly used to cheer someone on during sports, exams, work presentations, or even before a date.

Hadeukaeli (하드캐리) // Pronounced like hard carry

The term hadeukaeli (하드캐리) might not make sense in English, but in Korean, it describes the MVP who leads a team to victory. Often used in gaming, it also applies to group projects, sports, or even a standout actor saving a lackluster movie. It’s so popular that the K-pop group Got7 featured it in one of their songs.

Miting (미팅) // Sounds like meeting

If a coworker in South Korea proposes a meeting, consider their intent carefully—it might not be work-related. Miting (미팅) in Korean means a group blind date. For a professional meeting, you’d use the term hwei (회의).

Heonting (헌팅) // Pronounced like hunting

This term might raise eyebrows given its English counterpart—heonting (헌팅) is Korean slang for flirting or picking up someone new. There are even heontingpocha (헌팅포차, “hunting bars”) designed for singles looking to meet others.

Chikin (치킨) // Sounds like chicken

While this term is close to its English equivalent, misunderstanding it could lead to minor confusion. Tourists in South Korea are often surprised to learn that chikin (치킨) almost always means fried chicken. For other types of chicken, cooked or raw, you’ll need to ask for dak (닭).