Vocabulary: Identity (독자성)
Hey everyone! In this vocab list, we’re going to learn about some words related to identity. This ask here asked about how to say some sexuality-related words, so I thought I’d make a list not only about sexuality, but also gender, ethnicity, and race so you can describe yourself! I recommend you check out that ask so you can get a better idea of how to use those words! Keep in mind all of the following words are respectful and non-offensive, so you can use them appropriately!
*Also note that this list is not exhaustive! I’m just going to give a brief list that hopefully will apply to many of you, so please forgive me if I leave some words out :) You can always ask me about a word not listed! Moreover, I might have some trouble finding a good Korean equivalent of some of the words we use in English, so please understand :)
*A lot of words end in 의, making it an adjective. If it doesn’t end in 의, it’s likely a noun.
Asexual = 무성의 / 섹스에 관심이 없다 (this literally means “to have no interest in sex) (Both of these are adjectives)
Bisexual = 양성애자 (as in a bisexual person) / 양성애의 (this is the adjective version)
Heterosexual / Straight = 이성애자 (noun) / 이성애의 (adjective)
Homosexual = 동성애자 (noun) / 동성애의 (adjective)
Pan-sexual = 범성애자 (noun) / 범성애의 (adjective)
Queer = 퀴어( add 의 for the adjective) *In Korea, this might still be a slur, unlike in some western countries. I would recommend not using it.
To come out = 커밍아웃을 하다 / 밝히다 = to reveal / 털어놓다
(ex. from Naver Dictionary: 동성애자임을 밝히다 = to come out as gay / to reveal that you’re gay)
Non-binary = 남성도 여성도 아니다 (literally means “to not be either male or female”)
Transgender = 성전환(의) / 트랜스젠더(의)
(If anyone knows the word for “to transition” as in to transition from one gender to another, please let me know!)
Race and Ethnicity (인종과 민족성)
African-American = 아프리카계 미국인
American Indian = 아메리칸 인디언(의) / 미국 인디언(의)
Native Alaskan = 알래스카 원주민
Native Hawaiian = 하와이 원주민
Pacific Islander = 태평양의 섬 주민
If you want to say which country you’re from, check out my lesson about common phrases here and my list about countries here!
Hope you guys learned a lot and I hope you can now describe who you are!
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