Korean
/kəˈriː.ən/noun
Relating to Korea, its people, languages, or cultures.
Did you know?“Korea” ultimately comes from Goryeo, the dynasty whose name was recorded by foreign travelers and gradually became the Western name for the peninsula.
Etymological Timeline
7th–10th Century
Middle Korean
Goguryeo
“The name of an ancient Korean kingdom, later echoed in the dynastic name Goryeo.”
10th Century
Middle Korean
Goryeo
“The name of the Korean dynasty founded by Wang Geon, which reunified much of the peninsula.”
Medieval Period
Chinese
高麗 (Gāolí)
“The Chinese designation for Goryeo, used in historical and diplomatic records.”
13th–14th Century
Arabic/Persian travel writing
Kūryā / Koryo
“Forms used by some foreign travelers and writers for the Korean kingdom.”
16th Century
Portuguese
Corea
“An early European rendering of the name of the Korean peninsula.”
17th Century
English
Korea
“The English geographical name derived through European forms such as Portuguese Corea.”
Modern English
English
Korean
“Korea plus the English relational suffix “-an,” meaning relating to Korea or its people.”