Konglish Words to Avoid in Business English Emails

Konglish refers to English-based words that are used in Korean with a meaning or form that English speakers do not share. They feel safe because they look like English. That is exactly the risk: a reader in another country will understand the word, just not the way you meant it. Here are four that show up in work writing, with what a native reader actually hears and what to write instead.

1. 1. "Cunning" when you mean cheating

In Korean, 컨닝 refers to cheating on a test. In English, cunning is mostly an adjective about cleverness, often the sneaky kind. Merriam-Webster defines it as crafty in using skill or knowledge to reach a goal, or characterized by wiliness and trickery. Its examples include "a cunning plotter" and "cunning schemes." It does not mean copying answers.

The word you want is cheat. Merriam-Webster lists the sense "to violate rules dishonestly," with the examples "cheat at cards" and "cheating on a test."

Before: We found that two candidates did cunning on the online assessment. After: We found that two candidates cheated on the online assessment.

Before: The new system prevents cunning during exams. After: The new system helps prevent cheating during exams.

2. 2. "One-shot" when you mean drinking it all at once

At a team dinner, 원샷 means finishing a drink in one go. In English, one-shot means something quite different. Merriam-Webster defines it as complete or effective through being done only once, or not followed by something else of the same kind. Its examples are "a one-shot tax cut" and "this offer is a one-shot deal."

So in an English email, one-shot naturally means "one-time," which can be useful in business:

• "This is a one-shot budget increase, not a permanent change."

If you are writing about the drinking custom, explain it in plain words: "drink it all at once" or "finish the glass in one go."

Before: At the welcome dinner, the team leader asked everyone to one-shot. After: At the welcome dinner, the team leader asked everyone to finish their drink in one go.

3. 3. "Sign" when you mean a signature

In Korean, 사인 is used for a signature on a document and also for a celebrity's autograph. In English, the noun for your name written on a document is signature. Merriam-Webster defines it as the name of a person written or affixed by that person, with the example "The form has a space for your signature." The dictionary lists autograph as a synonym, which is the usual word for a famous person's signature you collect.

Sign is still correct as a verb: "Please sign the contract." The mix-up happens when sign is used as the noun.

Before: Could you put your sign on page 3 and send it back? After: Could you sign page 3 and send it back? Also fine: Could you add your signature on page 3 and send it back?

Before: We need the CEO's sign before Friday. After: We need the CEO's signature before Friday.

4. 4. "Hand phone" when you mean a mobile phone

Some Korean speakers say 핸드폰, literally "hand phone." In American English, the standard term is cell phone, which Merriam-Webster defines as a portable, usually cordless telephone for use in a cellular system, In British English, mobile phone or mobile is the usual term. "Phone" alone is also perfectly clear.

Before: If the flight is delayed, please contact me at this hand phone number. After: If the flight is delayed, please call me at this cell phone number. Simpler: If the flight is delayed, please call me. The number is below.

In an email signature block, write "Mobile:" or "Cell:" before the number rather than "H.P."

5. Watch the meaning, not just the spelling

The pattern behind all four examples is the same: the word exists in English, so a spell checker will not flag it. The meaning is what changes. A few habits help:

• Check the dictionary sense, not just the spelling. If a word feels like Konglish, look at its English definition and example sentences before you send.
• Prefer the plain verb. "Please sign," "they cheated," and "call me" avoid most of these problems.
• Explain cultural terms once. If you need to mention a Korean custom, describe it in plain English instead of using the Konglish label.

6. Quick reference

7. Key takeaways

• Konglish words look like English, so spell checkers miss them; the problem is the meaning.
• Cunning means crafty or sly in English; the word for exam dishonesty is cheat.
• One-shot means one-time in English, so describe the drinking custom in plain words.
• Use signature as the noun and sign as the verb.
• In American English, say cell phone; in British English, mobile phone; or just say phone.