This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Sino-Korean vocabulary refers to Korean words that originated from Chinese characters (Hanja), including those directly borrowed from Chinese, newly created Korean words using Chinese characters, and words adopted from Sino-Japanese vocabulary, which also have Chinese origins.
Due to historical and cultural interactions between Korea, Japan, and China, many Korean words have roots in Chinese. So, in essence, Sino-Korean vocabulary are Korean words that are rooted in Chinese characters.
These Sino-Korean words are typically used in formal or academic contexts, while native Korean words are used in everyday speech.
