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Konglish phrase

Konglish phrase

9.9
A mix of Korean and English words used informally by Korean speakers
  • noun
  • Informal
translation icon : frase Konglish
  • Teachers encourage students to avoid using Konglish phrases in formal English writing.

Examples

  • Many teenagers use Konglish phrases when chatting with friends online.

  • Can you teach me some Konglish phrases?

  • Her essay contained several Konglish phrases, making it difficult for non-Koreans to understand.

  • I heard a funny Konglish phrase yesterday.

  • Many teenagers use Konglish phrases when chatting with friends online.

  • Teachers encourage students to avoid using Konglish phrases in formal English writing.

  • Her essay contained several Konglish phrases, making it difficult for non-Koreans to understand.

Surface Forms

Morphology

Konglish + phrase

The noun phrase is fully compositional: 'Konglish' (a Korean–English mixed variety) modifies 'phrase', so the meaning 'a phrase composed of elements of both Korean and English' is directly derivable from the constituents. If a learner knows the two words, the pattern 'language-name + phrase' is transparent and cross-linguistically common, making this item readily understandable.

Etymology

Konglish phrase comes from the blended word Konglish, made by joining the words 'Korean' and 'English', and the word phrase. Imagine two languages meeting and creating new, casual words or uses in everyday speech. That's why Konglish phrase means a mixed Korean–English expression often used in informal talk.