1.
Korean language; Korean
The language spoken in South Korea. This is the standard term used in Japan when referring to the Korean language in the context of South Korea.
韓国語を勉強する。
I study Korean.
韓国語で自己紹介ができるようになった。
I became able to introduce myself in Korean.
ドラマの影響で韓国語を学び始める若者が増えている。
More and more young people are starting to learn Korean because of the influence of Korean dramas.
韓国語 is composed of 韓国 (South Korea) + 語 (language). This is the most common term in Japan for referring to the Korean language in everyday conversation, particularly when associated with South Korea.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 韓国語を話す: speak Korean
- 韓国語を習う: learn Korean
- 韓国語の授業: Korean language class
- 韓国語能力試験: Korean language proficiency test (TOPIK)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 朝鮮語: Korean language — the term associated with the Korean Peninsula as a whole or with North Korea; used in academic and linguistic contexts
- ハングル: Hangul — strictly refers to the Korean writing system, but in Japan it is sometimes loosely used to mean the Korean language itself
CULTURAL NOTE:
In Japan, both 韓国語 and 朝鮮語 refer to the same language, but the choice of term carries political connotations. Universities and NHK sometimes use 朝鮮語 or ハングル as neutral alternatives.