Korean Reading Practice

라면(Ramyeon)·해녀(haenyeo)·선배(sunbae)…영국 옥스퍼드사전 추가

📅 January 07, 2026

1Introduction

This reading explores how Korean culture has gained global recognition through the inclusion of Korean words in prestigious English dictionaries. We’ll examine how the Korean Wave has influenced international language and the significance of cultural terms being adopted worldwide.

2Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
사전 sajeon dictionary 영어 사전에서 한국어 단어를 찾을 수 있어요.You can find Korean words in English dictionaries.
추가하다 chugahada to add 새로운 단어들이 사전에 추가되었습니다.New words have been added to the dictionary.
한류 hallyu Korean Wave 한류 덕분에 한국 문화가 유명해졌어요.Korean culture became famous thanks to the Korean Wave.
권위 gwonwi authority 이 사전은 권위 있는 출판사에서 만들어졌어요.This dictionary was made by an authoritative publisher.
표기 pyogi notation, spelling 한국어 단어의 영어 표기가 중요해요.The English notation of Korean words is important.
등재 deungjae registration, inclusion 많은 한국 단어가 사전에 등재되었어요.Many Korean words have been included in the dictionary.
사용빈도 sayongbindo frequency of use 이 단어의 사용빈도가 높아지고 있어요.The frequency of use of this word is increasing.
영향 yeonghyang influence K-pop이 세계에 큰 영향을 미쳤어요.K-pop has had a great influence on the world.
문화 munhwa culture 한국 문화에 관심이 많은 외국인들이 늘어나고 있어요.The number of foreigners interested in Korean culture is increasing.
인정받다 injeongngatda to be recognized 한국 음식이 세계적으로 인정받고 있어요.Korean food is being recognized worldwide.
대표적 daepyojeok representative 김치는 한국의 대표적인 음식이에요.Kimchi is a representative Korean food.
확산 hwaksan spread, expansion 한국어의 확산이 빨라지고 있어요.The spread of Korean language is accelerating.

3Reading Text

세계에서 가장 권위 있는 영어 사전 중 하나인 옥스퍼드 영어사전에 한국 단어들이 계속 추가되고 있습니다.

One of the world’s most authoritative English dictionaries, the Oxford English Dictionary, continues to add Korean words.

최근에는 ‘라면’, ‘해녀’, ‘선배’ 같은 단어들이 새롭게 등재되었어요.

Recently, words like ‘ramyeon’, ‘haenyeo’, and ‘sunbae’ have been newly included.

이는 작년에 ‘달고나’, ‘막내’, ‘떡볶이’ 등이 추가된 것에 이어 2년 연속으로 일어난 일입니다.

This follows last year’s addition of words like ‘dalgona’, ‘maknae’, and ‘tteokbokki’, making it two consecutive years.

한류영향으로 이런 한국 단어들의 사용빈도가 전 세계적으로 크게 높아졌기 때문이에요.

This is because the frequency of use of these Korean words has greatly increased worldwide due to the influence of the Korean Wave.

특히 흥미로운 점은 일본어 ‘라멘’과 구별되어 ‘라면’으로 정확히 표기된 것입니다.

What’s particularly interesting is that it was accurately written as ‘ramyeon’, distinguishing it from the Japanese ‘ramen’.

이미 ‘갈비’, ‘삼겹살’, ‘불고기’ 같은 한국 음식 이름들도 이 사전에 올라 있어요.

Korean food names like ‘galbi’, ‘samgyeopsal’, and ‘bulgogi’ are already included in this dictionary.

이번에는 ‘코리안 바비큐’라는 표현도 새롭게 추가되어 한국 음식 문화의 독특함이 더욱 인정받게 되었습니다.

This time, the expression ‘Korean barbecue’ was also newly added, further recognizing the uniqueness of Korean food culture.

이러한 변화는 한국 문화가 세계적으로 얼마나 큰 영향을 미치고 있는지를 보여주는 중요한 증거라고 할 수 있어요.

These changes can be said to be important evidence showing how much influence Korean culture is having globally.

4Comprehension Questions

Q1
Which Korean words were recently added to the Oxford English Dictionary?
Q2
How many consecutive years have Korean words been added to this dictionary?
Q3
What is the main reason for the increased use of Korean words internationally?
Q4
How is the Korean word for noodles distinguished from the Japanese version in the dictionary?
Q5
What does the inclusion of these words demonstrate about Korean culture’s global impact?

5Cultural Notes

The Oxford English Dictionary, first published in 1884, is considered one of the most prestigious English dictionaries globally and serves as a benchmark for language evolution. The inclusion of Korean words reflects the significant cultural impact of the Korean Wave, which began in the late 1990s and has accelerated dramatically with the global success of K-pop, Korean dramas, and Korean cuisine. This linguistic recognition represents a milestone in Korea’s soft power influence and demonstrates how cultural exchange can lead to permanent changes in international language use.

Source: Naver News |
Original Article

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