Vocabulary5 min read878 views
15 Korean Words That Come From French (That You Already Know!)
Did you know Koreans use French words daily? Here are 15 words you already know without realizing.
Published on January 31, 2026
French in Korea
Koreans use many words borrowed from French, often in fashion, cuisine, and the arts. These words are written in Hangeul with a Korean pronunciation.
The 15 Words
| # | French Word | Korean | Romanization | Use in Korea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Croissant | 크루아상 | keuruasang | Korean bakeries (very popular) |
| 2 | Café | 카페 | kape | Cafés are EVERYWHERE |
| 3 | Rendez-vous | 랑데부 | rangdebu | Romantic date |
| 4 | Coupon | 쿠폰 | kupon | Discount coupons |
| 5 | Accessoire | 악세사리 | akseosari | Fashion and jewelry |
| 6 | Ensemble | 앙상블 | angsangbeul | Coordinated outfit |
| 7 | Genre | 장르 | jangreu | Music, films |
| 8 | Nuance | 뉘앙스 | nwiangseu | Same meaning as in French |
| 9 | Déjà vu | 데자뷰 | dejabu | Same meaning |
| 10 | Buffet | 뷔페 | bwipe | All-you-can-eat (very popular) |
| 11-15 | ... | ... | ... | ... |
💡 빵 (ppang, bread) comes from Portuguese "pão" which itself comes from French "pain."
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