The Korean language has diverged quite a bit since the division of the peninsula more than half a century ago. Here is a video that looks at different words for the same thing in South and North Korea:



Not surprisingly, a lot of the words that have kept their foreign origins in the South have been changed in the North. For example, "donuts" have become "garakji-bbang" (ring bread) and "boots" have become "mokdari-kudu" (sock shoes). Even a seemingly ubiquitious word like "ramyeon" is different, becoming the more poetic "Ggo-bu-rang-guk-su" (winding noodles).

One thing all people like is to be complimented. The video also shows us how to say "nice legs" in North Korea. So, should you take a tour to the North, be sure to holler out "darimae" when appropriate.

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