전자레인지
jeonjareinji
The English word 'microwave' is translated into Korean as 전자레인지 (jeonjareinji).
전자레인지 is an ellipsis of the full term for a microwave oven.
Meaning: ellipsis of microwave oven (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a loanword combination of 전자, meaning 'electronic' and 레인지, which comes from 'range'.
How do you pronounce it?
jeonjareinji
Did you know?
- While 전자레인지 is the standard term, many Koreans colloquially refer to the act of microwaving food as 렌지 돌리다, which literally means 'spinning the range'.
- The word 전자 (electronic) is composed of characters meaning 'electricity' and 'child', reflecting the scientific concept of an electron as a small unit of charge.
- The term 전자레인지 is a loanword hybrid that mirrors the Japanese 電子レンジ, showing how modern kitchen technology terminology flowed from Japan into Korea.
Examples in context
- 전자레인지가 고장 났어요.jeon-ja-re-in-ji-ga go-jang nas-seo-yo.The microwave is broken.
- 전자레인지에 데워 주세요.jeon-ja-re-in-ji-e de-wo ju-se-yo.Please heat it up in the microwave.
- 새 전자레인지를 샀어요.sae jeon-ja-re-in-ji-reul sas-seo-yo.I bought a new microwave.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Ji-hun are in the kitchen.
- 지은 Ji-eun지훈 씨, 전자레인지 어디에 있어요?Ji-hun ssi, jeon-ja-re-in-ji eo-di-e is-seo-yo?Ji-hun, where is the microwave?
- 지훈 Ji-hun저기 식탁 위에 있어요.Jeo-gi sik-tak wi-e is-seo-yo.It is over there on the dining table.
- 지은 Ji-eun아, 찾았어요. 고마워요!A, cha-jat-seo-yo. Go-ma-wo-yo!Ah, I found it. Thank you!
- 지훈 Ji-hun천만에요, 지은 씨.Cheon-man-e-yo, Ji-eun ssi.You're welcome, Ji-eun.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 전자레인지, CC BY-SA 4.0.
