In recent years, Korean culture, including K-POP, TV shows, and food, has taken the world by storm, inspiring many to learn Korean. Like the latest hit show Squid Game, Oscar-winning movie Parasite, and the popularity of BTS, Korean culture is being recognized more and more by other countries, and now it has reached the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)!
Scene from Squid Game (Source: Netflix)
Previously, in September 2021, the Oxford English Dictionary added 26 new Korean words and updated 11 existed words. And just last month, 7 more new Korean words were added!
BTS (Source: Getty Images)
International recognition of Korean culture has come a long way since "Korean" was first added to the OED in 1933. The success of K-pop and K-dramas initially led to the surge of interest in Korean culture and words like "hallyu" (South Korean popular culture/rise of interest in the culture) and "Korean wave" were added to the dictionary.
Tteokbokki (Source: Getty Images)
Korean food is also heavily featured in the update, with two new entries, including "jjigae" (stew) and "tteokbokki" (rice cakes).
Below are the complete list of added and revised words! Are there any other words you think should be added next?
Korean words added in the December 2024 update:
Korean words added in the September 2021 update:
- aegyo, n. & adj.
- banchan, n.
- bulgogi, n.
- chimaek, n.
- daebak, n., int., & adj.
- dongchimi, n.
- fighting, int.
- galbi, n.
- hallyu, n.
- hanbok, n.
- japchae, n.
- K-, comb. form
- K-drama, n.
- kimbap, n.
- Konglish, n. & adj.
- Korean wave, n. in Korean, adj. and n.
- manhwa, n.
- mukbang, n.
- noona, n.
- oppa, n.
- PC bang, n.
- samgyeopsal, n.
- skinship, n.
- tang soo do, n.
- trot, n.
- unni, n.
Revised Korean entries in the September 2021 update:
- gisaeng, n.
- Hangul, n.
- Juche, n.
- kimchi, n.
- Kono, n.
- Korean, adj. and n.
- K-pop, n.
- sijo, n.
- taekwondo, n.
- won, n.
- yangban, n.
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