韓国語(かんこくご)

韓国語(かんこくご) is composed of 韓国(かんこく) (South Korea) + 語(ご) (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(かんこくご)を話(はな)す: speak Korean
• 韓国語(かんこくご)を習(なら)う: learn Korean
• 韓国語(かんこくご)の授業(じゅぎょう): Korean language class
• 韓国語(かんこくご)能力(のうりょく)試験(しけん): Korean language proficiency test (TOPIK)

Similar words

• 朝鮮語(ちょうせんご): 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(かんこくご) and 朝鮮語(ちょうせんご) refer to the same language, but the choice of term carries political connotations. Universities and NHK sometimes use 朝鮮語(ちょうせんご) or ハングル as neutral alternatives.