외래어 (oe-rae-eo, oeraeeo) · 외국어 (oe-guk-eo, oegukeo) · 차용어 (cha-yong-eo, chayongeo)
외래어 (oeraeeo) means foreign words adopted into Korean, 외국어 (oegugeo) means foreign languages, and 차용어 (chayongeo) means borrowed words from another language.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
Foreign words adopted into Korean and used like Korean words
When to use
Foreign words settled as Korean vocabulary, Commonly used foreign-derived words in daily life, Words adapted to Korean pronunciation
The nuance
외래어 refers to foreign words that have been integrated into Korean and are used naturally within Korean sentences, often modified in pronunciation or spelling to fit Korean usage.
Languages spoken in countries other than Korea
When to use
Referring to the language itself, In foreign language study or education, Distinguishing languages of other countries
The nuance
외국어 refers to foreign languages themselves, meaning the language system or speech of another country, not individual words.
Words borrowed from another language, a linguistic term more formal than 외래어
When to use
Linguistic analysis or research, Explaining word origin and changes, More formal than 외래어
The nuance
차용어 is a linguistic term describing words borrowed from another language, often retaining original form or meaning, used more formally than 외래어.
컴퓨터는 외래어이다.
keom-pyu-teo-neun oe-rae-eo-i-da., keom pyu teo neun oe rae eo i da.
컴퓨터 is a word borrowed from English and adapted into Korean, so it's an 외래어.
나는 외국어를 잘 못한다.
na-neun oe-guk-eo-reul jal mos-han-da., na neun oe guk eo reul jal mos han da.
외국어 refers to foreign languages, so saying you're not good at 외국어 is correct.
한국어는 외국어이다.
han-guk-eo-neun oe-guk-eo-i-da., han guk eo neun oe guk eo i da.
Korean is a foreign language to non-Koreans, so this is correct.
나는 외래어를 공부한다.
na-neun oe-rae-eo-reul gong-bu-han-da., na neun oe rae eo reul gong bu han da.
외래어 means foreign loanwords, so studying them is natural.
영어는 차용어이다.
yeong-eo-neun cha-yong-eo-i-da., yeong eo neun cha yong eo i da.
English is a language, not a borrowed word, so use 외국어 instead.
택시와 버스는 외국어이다.
taek-si-wa beo-seu-neun oe-guk-eo-i-da., taek si wa beo seu neun oe guk eo i da.
Taxi and bus are words, so 외래어 is correct, not 외국어.
차용어는 일상 대화에서 자주 쓴다.
cha-yong-eo-neun il-sang dae-hwa-e-seo ja-ju sseun-da., cha yong eo neun il sang dae hwa e seo ja ju sseun da.
차용어 is a technical term; 외래어 fits daily conversation better.
나는 외국어 단어를 많이 안다.
na-neun oe-guk-eo dan-eo-reul man-i an-da., na neun oe guk eo dan eo reul man i an da.
Foreign language words means words from foreign languages, so it's correct.
What do you call foreign words naturally settled in Korean?
Which word refers to the language itself used in another country?
Which word is mainly used in linguistics to describe borrowed words?
