Korea

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: The on reading is かん, and no kun reading is listed. It has 18 strokes. It appears in words for the Korean language and the Korean Wave.
• Basic usage: 韓国語 is read かんこくご and 韓流 is read かんりゅう.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 韓国語 / 韓流
  • 韓国語 means Korean language and is read かんこくご. It refers to the Korean language studied at university or used on a notice.
  • 大学で韓国語の会話を勉強しています。 means “I am studying spoken Korean at university.”
  • 韓流 means Korean Wave and is read かんりゅう. It refers to the Korean Wave as represented by Korean dramas or popular culture.
  • 韓流ドラマをきっかけに韓国語を学び始めた。 means “I began learning Korean after watching Korean television dramas.”