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30 Signs I’ve Found In South Korea That Made Me Laugh Out Loud
I love living as an expat in Korea. Everywhere you go, there's something beautiful to feast your eyes on, or delicious to indulge in, or fascinating to learn about. And there are hundreds of funny signs to make you giggle as you walk around and explore the Land of Morning Calm, as Korea is also known.
I want to share some of the funniest, strangest, or even rudest Konglish signs I've seen during my travels in Korea, a place I've called home since 2015, and write about in my blog.
More info: inmykorea.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I Will Find You And I Will Put You In A Salad!
This is why you shouldn't use a translation app for writing English signs! The word for red and enemy are similar in Korean and instead of a red cabbage, you get this.
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#2
Let's Get Naked To End Covid-19!
If you sneeze on your clothes, they could spread corona, so maybe being naked is the best way to walk around safely?
#3
The Table Is The Best Place For Delicious Love Making. Just For You
I think this cafe meant to say that they will make delicious love (romantic meals?) just for you, but love making is something they probably weren't intending to offer.
#4
You Don't Have To Be A B***h This Summer, But There's A Festival For You If You Are
Beach and b***h are written the same in Korea and they sound the same... It's funny to see that even Korean mega-corporations like Lotte can't avoid Konglish mistakes.
#5
This Eel Is Really Good At Lifting Weights. That's What Happens When You Eat Here
Yes, eating eel will help you be strong in a certain area, guys.
Final score:
156points
#6
No Wonder The Birth Rate In Korea Is So Low
#7
Do You Need An Old People Stick?
Final score:
150points
#8
I Was Really Confused Until I Learned How To Use A Toilet Correctly
Another useful guide to using a toilet in Korea. So many wrong ways to do it!
Final score:
138points
#9
What Else Would You Do At A Hair Stylists Except Set Your Hair On Fire?
This would make me really worried about getting my hair styled here.
Final score:
129points
#11
These Hotdogs Are Addictive!
Narcotic, maniac, and holic are commonly used in Konglish signs to mean something is addictive or really desirable. He's a check maniac/holic (he loves chicken). This hotdog is narcotic (it's addictive).
Final score:
124points
#12
It's Ok, I'm Fine Being Single. Honestly
Final score:
123points
#13
Don't Touch This Guy's Sack Or You Won't Get His Snacks
The name of this shop is "saek" in Korean, and they want to show what they sell. Unfortunately, their translation sounds like they're a bit possessive about a sack.
Final score:
107points
#14
The Toilet Is Painful, So You Should Probably Not Use It?
Another toilet sign with a weird Konglish translation. I'm not sure what's painful about the toilet, but it might make you want to avoid using it.
Final score:
106points
brukernavn340 5 years ago (edited)
Here the Korean says the "toilet is in pain/is hurting". It seems Koreans have trouble distinguishing noun and verb forms of the same word.
#15
The Irony Of This English Work Book. Hellow!
The easiest English word that people learn first, but it was apparently too much for the designer of this English workbook.
Final score:
105points
#16
Story Of My Life!
Final score:
103points
#17
Embracing Konglish By Making It Into Your Logo. Delicious Hatdogs Here
This shop actually embraces Konglish. Hotdogs are pronounced hat-dog in Korean and this shop decided to put hats on its hotdogs as a joke.
Final score:
102points
#18
Only Put Your Troubles Into The Toilet, Not Toilet Paper?
In Korea, a lot of older toilets don't have good plumbing, so you're meant to put your toilet paper in a bin, not in the toilet. I guess your troubles were what you deposited after lunch?
#19
A Creamy Story That's Only For Ladies
Seen on a ladies clothes store. For the dirty minded, this might be funny.
Final score:
94points
#20
Not Sure I'd Want To Order This In A Restaurant.
There's little difference between b/p in Korean, but a big difference between crab and c**p!
#23
Outsiders Don't Like To Be Used, So Please Don't Use Them
Final score:
85points
#24
Some Mountain Poetry For When You're Out Hiking In Korea
More random punctuation! Not a very useful warning sign, it actually sounds like a poem.
Final score:
82points
#25
Don't Use These Nunchaku Aggressively, Keep Them In A Shady Instead To Avoid Losing Quality
Final score:
82points
#26
Nothing Like A Bit Of Fun Time With Math! But Never Spare The Rod
From the same series as the 'hellow' English workbook, this math workbook has random phrases on it to make it look more 'international'. It just looks odd to English speakers though.
Final score:
80points
#27
What An Aweffle Name For A Waffle Shop!
Awesome + Waffle does not = a good shop name.
Final score:
76points
#28
Probably Not A Good Start To The Honeymoon
I assume the owner of this ice cream shop thinks that this is a cute name - a bride of ice cream - but it just sounds creepy in English.
Final score:
73points
#29
No! Perhaps It's Ok To Smoke Here?
A common problem in Korea when writing English signs is knowing when to use! punctuation. It really changes the meaning of the sign!
Final score:
70points
#30
I Was Sold At Ink, But Not Sure About The Cream Cheese Bread
Final score:
66points
#31
Those Chatty Beans Are Always Friendly.
Donkey boi 5 years ago
There is a saying that someone is 'full of beans', maybe it alludes to that?
#32
Don't Take Your Time To Fold It Up, Just Put That Toilet Paper Straight Into The Toilet
#33
I Lobe You, Beer. I Really Lobe You!
A common mistake in Korea as there is no letter 'v' in the Korean alphabet.
Final score:
24points
#35
I'm Feeling Very Thoughful Today. So Thoughful
Final score:
24points
#36
What Kind Of Chicken Do They Serve Here?
Final score:
23points
SilverRain 5 years ago
Ho is actually a surname, so it might be someone with the surname 'Ho' running the restaurant or must have established the restaurant.
#37
Learn How To Use The Toilet Correctly
This sign is really helpful for those who didn't grow up with seated toilets. But I wonder how many people have actually jumped on top like this?
Final score:
20points
#38
No! Let's Get Drinking! Cheers!
A common problem in Korea when writing English signs is knowing when to use! punctuation. It really changes the meaning of the sign!
Final score:
17points
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What do you think ?
Jo Choto 5 years ago
I love bad English! Different culture, I know, but during the Hello Kitty obsession of the '90s, I found a whole basket of stuff in the discount store. Thinking my daughter would like some, I found that there was a misprint and they were all labelled "Hell Kitty". Needless to say, I bought a ton of them.
Jo Choto 5 years ago
I love bad English! Different culture, I know, but during the Hello Kitty obsession of the '90s, I found a whole basket of stuff in the discount store. Thinking my daughter would like some, I found that there was a misprint and they were all labelled "Hell Kitty". Needless to say, I bought a ton of them.
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