Konglish ( or more formally "
Korean language style English") is the
macaronic use of
English words or words derived from English words in a
Korean context. Konglish terms, having initially been taken from the English language, are made from a combination of Korean and/or English words (such as
Officetel 오피스텔
Office +
Hotel) which are not used in
English-speaking countries. Konglish is often used by South Koreans in the
Americanized period after the
miracle on the Han River, but native English speakers usually don't understand Konglish, making such terms
pseudo-anglicisms. Common grammar or vocabulary mistakes made by Koreans learning
English as a foreign language have also been referred to as Konglish. Words and phrases borrowed from English or other languages may be shortened if Koreans feel they are too long.
Kim Seong-kon, an English professor at
Seoul National University, attributed these mistakes to an over-reliance on a Korean-English dictionary and a lack of understanding of culture and natural
collocations; he stated Koreans should actively seek native English speakers to proof-read their English.