Chinese Translations

A few words of caution

Korea has historically used traditional Chinese characters. The Japanese used kanji during their occupation of Korea. Japanese kanji are characters that originated from Chinese characters. While the meaning of some symbols remains the same in all three countries, others have evolved differently in Korean, Japanese, and Chinese contexts, so it’s important to check the intended meaning in the correct language.

It is also important to check and make sure that the character you are searching for is not a simplified form. After WWII, both mainland China and Japan simplified many commonly used Chinese characters. These simplified characters are not the same in both countries. Korea and the Republic of China on Taiwan do not use simplified characters. Both countries want to maintain the traditional characters to preserve their cultural heritage and writing traditions. In South Korea today, a total of 1,800 Chinese characters (Hanja) are taught in Middle school (900 characters) and high school (900 characters). Hanja is taught to help students understand the nature of the Korean language, as about 70% of the Korean vocabulary is derived from Chinese. These characters are not used in daily life, so much of what was taught is completely forgotten once they leave school. Don’t be surprised if a Korean cannot help you with a translation. Also keep in mind that Japanese medals used in Korea before the end of WWII are generally written in Chinese Seal Script and not in Chinese Traditional Script. I might also add that even though Chinese characters are used daily in Japan, the vast majority of Japanese cannot read pre-WWII Chinese characters because many common words have been simplified.

If you decide to have a Korean document professionally translated, make sure you double-check and triple-check the translation. What you generally find is that proper names are Romanized in Chinese Mandarin. If this happens, go back to the translation service and demand that the document be translated with Korean pronunciation and style.

TRANSLATIONS: CHINESE AND MIXED CHINESE/KOREAN

Table of Contents

• Numbers and number-related words
• Non-numeric words
• People and name-related words
• Geographical locations

Numbers and number-related words.

• 零 (령) Zero
• 〇 A placeholder for missing characters. It has been used to represent the number zero since the 12th century, possibly before the concept of “zero” appeared. On some medals written in seal script, you will find it written as 囗.
• 一 (일) One
• 一等 (일등) “First Class” used on the Order of Diplomatic Service, 1961, 1963 & 1967 Series (Chinese text unconfirmed on 1961 Series), Order of National Security Merit, 1967 Series, and Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 一等獎 first prize
• 元 First, beginning; former time; origin.
• 元年 First year of an imperial reign.
• 二 (이) “Two”
• 二等 (이등) “Second Class” used on the Order of Diplomatic Service, 1961, 1963 & 1967 Series, Order of National Security Merit, 1967 Series, and Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 三 (삼) “Three”
• 三等 (삼등) “Third Class” used on the Order of Diplomatic Service 1961, 1963 & 1967 Series, Order of National Security Merit, 1967 Series, and Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 四 (사) “Four”
• 四等 (사등) “Fourth Class” used on the Order of Diplomatic Service, 1961, 1963 & 1967 Series, Order of National Security Merit, 1967 Series, and Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 五 (오) “Five”
• 五等 (오등) “Fifth Class” used on the Order of Diplomatic Service, 1961, 1963 & 1967 Series, Order of National Security Merit, 1967 Series, and Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 六 (육) “Six”
• 六等 (육등) “Sixth Class” used on the Order of Diplomatic Service Merit, 1961 Series, and Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 六二五 or 六. 二五 “6.25” refers to June 25th, 1950, the day on which the Korean War started. Common expression used in South Korea to refer to the Korean War.
• 六 二五사변종군기장 “6.25 (June 25) Incident Participation Medal,” Korean War Service Medal, Type 2
• 七 (칠) “Seven”
• 七等 (칠등) “Seventh Class” used on the Order of Service Merit, 1961 Series
• 八 (팔) “Eight”
• 九 (구) “Nine”
• 十 (십) “Ten”
• 拾 (습) “Ten” (Financial Form)
• 〹, 廾, or 廿 (입) “Twenty.” Rarely used, normally written as “二十.” It is actually a contraction of 二十. This form is still used to refer to Chinese calendar dates.
• 卅 or 丗 (세) “Thirty.” Rarely used, normally written as “三十.” It is actually a contraction of 三十. This form is still used to refer to Chinese calendar dates.
• 卌 “Forty.” Rarely used, normally written as “四十.” Possibly a contraction of 〹〹, 廾廾, or 廿廿. Used in Japan and China, not used in Korea, and not recognized by most translation programs.
• 呀 (하) When used with a number, it is a classifier for occurrences such as 1^st, 2^nd, 5^th, and 10^th. Rarely used.
• 亖 “Four.” Rarely used, archaic form, not used in Korea, and not recognized by most translation programs.
• 百 (백) “Hundred” (100)
• 千 (천) “Thousand” (1,000)
• 萬 (만) “Ten-thousand” (10,000). Typically, in the West, for 20,000, we would say “twenty thousand”; however, in Asia, you would typically say “two ten thousand.” Also, in Asia, 10,000 can mean “myriad” or a large, unspecified number or multitude. The word that 만 (man) can also be used in other contexts.
• 弌 (일) “One,” an obsolete financial form used for the number one and not commonly seen.
• 弍 (이) “Two,” an obsolete financial form, a simplified variant of 弐, 貮, or 貳 and not commonly seen.
• 弎 (삼) “Three,” an obsolete financial form, a variant of 叁 and not commonly seen. The character 叁 is generally used in accounting to prevent fraud.
• 貮 (이) “Two,” an obsolete financial character used for the number two, and not commonly seen, found on the Second Class of the Orders of the Korean Empire.
• 䦉 (사) “Four,” an obsolete financial form.
• 伍 (오) “Five,” a financial form. (Mostly seen on mahjong tiles)
• 什 (십) “Ten.” Rarely used, it is normally written as “十.”
• 壹 (일) “One,” found on Korean Empire Orders as 壹等 First Class
• 參 (참) “Three,” found on Korean Empire Orders as 參等 Third Class
• 第 (제) is typically a prefix used to indicate an ordinal number, i.e., 第二 2nd or 第十 10^th, but can also mean “precedence.”
• 第___號 (제___호) literally an “ordered number,” but often translated as serial number. When encountered on Korean Orders, it is a production number that is not traceable.
• 第___回 (제___회) a (numbered) round, for example, 第七回 seventh round or simply as the 7th
• 第___囬 (제___회) Identical to the line above.
• 回 Times; round; game; revolve; counter for occurrences
• 度 (도) It is a classifier for events or occurrences: 1^st, 2^nd, 5^th, or 10^th. Counter for occurrences. Degree, level, measure (often used to translate English -ness, -ity)

Note: Below you will find three different lists. They are ‘Non-numeric words,’ ‘People and name-related words,’ and ‘Geographical locations.’ To make the following lists a little easier to use, I have sorted them by the first word of each phrase. In other words, if you are searching for a term that starts with the word “朝,” you will find all the terms that start with “朝” grouped together. I have also added line numbers in case you want to make notes of where you found a specific term(s). However, I am continuing to add to this list, so be aware that the number of a particular entry may, over time, be higher than the original number.

Non-numeric words

1. 安慰獎 (안위장) Consolation prize, booby prize
2. 白動車 Automobile
3. 白転車 Bicycle
4. 頒獎 (반장) To award (a medal)
5. 褒章 (포장) Merit Medal/Badge
6. 盃 (배) Cup or glass. 清酒盃 (청주배) Sake cup. Awards were sometimes given in 金盃 (김배) Gold Cups or 銀盃 (은배) Silver Cups.
7. 標章 (표장) Commendation Medal/Badge
8. 表彰狀 (표창장) A certificate [letter] of commendation; a citation; a testimonial
9. 併 (병) To combine; to amalgamate; to annex
10. 博覽會 (박람회) Exposition
11. 博覽會 勸業課 (박람회 권업과) Department of Exposition and Industrial Promotion
12. 参加章 (참가장) Participation Badge
13. 曽 (증) Presents; send; give to; award to; confer on; presenting something. Note the difference between the Chinese form, which uses 曾, and the Japanese form, which uses 曽. In Korea, the upper right component is 八 instead of 丷, which is also the historical form found in the Kangxi dictionary (1716).
14. 朝鮮 統監府 (조선 통감부) Chosŏn Resident-General (1906-1910).
15. 朝鮮 総督府 (조선 총독부) Chosŏn Governor-General (1910-1945), sometimes translated as the Chosŏn Governor-General’s Office. The Japanese administration that oversaw Korea during the Japanese occupation.
16. 朝鮮軍 (조선군) It refers to the Imperial Japanese Army stationed on the Korean peninsula during Japan’s occupation of Korea (1915-1945).
17. 朝鮮日報 (조선일보) Chosŏn ilbo or Korea Daily News
18. 朝鮮体育協會 (조선분육협회) Chosŏn Sports Association Chapter
19. 朝鮮鉄道局 (조선철도국) Chosŏn Railway Bureau
20. 朝鮮王朝 (조선왕조) Chosŏn dynasty
21. 朝鮮新聞社 (조선신문사) “Chosŏn Shinmun” or “Chosŏn Newspaper” usually refers to either the Chosŏn Ilbo (朝鮮日報) founded on March 5, 1920 or the Chosŏn Shinmun 朝鮮新聞社 founded in 1936.
22. 朝鮮銀行 (조선은행) Bank of Korea
23. 朝鮮製菓共進會 (조선제과공진회) Korea Confectionery Association
24. 朝鮮総督府鐵道局 (조선총독부철도국) Government-General of Korea Railway Bureau
25. 朝鮮總督府鐵道 (조선총독부철도) Korean Governor-General’s Railway.
26. 誠實章 (성실장) “Faithfulness Medal,” 10-Year Police Service Medal
27. 赤十字 (적십자) International Red Cross
28. 純 (순) Pure, as in pure silver 純銀 (sterling silver) or pure gold 純金
29. 賜 (사) Gift; grant; boon; results. To give from superior to inferior; to give as a favor; to bestow. In Old Korean (57 BCE–936 CE), it was an honorific suffix for verbs and adjectives indicating that the subject of the sentence or the direct possessor of it is honored; it attaches directly to the stem, preceding all other suffixes.
30. 催 (최) sponsor; hold (a meeting) or give (a dinner).
31. 大韓赤十字社 (대한적십자사) Great Han (Korean) Red Cross
32. 大韓赤十字社會 (대한적십자사회) Great Han (Korean) Red Cross Society
33. 大韓獨立萬歲 (대한독립만세) “Long Live Korean Independence” Motto of the Korean Provisional Government
34. 大韓國 (대한국) Great Han Country but usually translated as Great Korea
35. 大韓勞總 (대한로총) Korean Federation of Labor
36. 大韓民國 臨時政府 (대한민국 임시정부) Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea 1919–1945
37. 大韓民國軍人遺族記章 (대한민국군인유족기장) “Republic of Korea Soldiers Bereaved Family Medal,” commonly referred to as the Korean next of kin medal
38. 大獎 (대장) Prize, award
39. 大學 (대학) College
40. 大學校 (대학교) University
41. 得獎 (득장) To win a prize
42. 等 (등) Class. Found on Korean Orders to indicate the class
43. 第二次世界大戰 (제2차 세계대전) World War II
44. 東道西器 (동도서기) Eastern ways and Western technologies
45. 恩賜記念 (은사기념) Imperial gift commemorative
46. 發獎 (발장) To award a prize
47. 奉仕章 (봉사장) “Service Medal,” 20-Year Police Service Medal
48. 副章 (부장) Breast Star
49. 複製品 (레플리카) Replica, duplicate, reproduction
50. 功 (공) Achievement
51. 功績 (功績) Achievements. As a noun: achievement, work, merit, feat, deed, meritorious service, meritorious deed.
52. 功勞章 (공로장) Merit Medal
53. 共進會 (공진회) Industrial exposition
54. 國勢調査 National Census
55. 韓國紅十字 (대한적십자) Hanguk (Korean) Red Cross
56. 韓國紅十字會 (한국적십자사) Hanguk (Korean) Red Cross Society
57. 韓國皇帝 (한국황제) Korean emperor
58. 韓商品博覽會 (한상품박람회) Japanese-Korean Merchandise Exposition.
59. 歡迎 (환영), also written as 歓迎 (환영), “Welcome”
60. 皇帝 (황제) Emperor
61. 徽章 (휘장) Literally “Beautiful Badge,” but generally translated as “Badge” or “Special Badge”
62. 會員之 (회원지) Membership
63. 會員之章 (회원지장) Membership Medal
64. 會貟之 (회원지) Membership. In modern usage, 貟 is normally written as 員.
65. 會貟之章 (회원지장) Membership Medal. In modern usage, 貟 is normally written as 員.
66. 獲獎 (획장) To win an award
67. 穫獎者  (확장자) Prize-winner laureate
68. 纪念 (기념) “Commemorate.” During the Korean Empire, 긔념 was the standard way of writing “commemorative” in Hanʼgŭl.
69. 紀年 (기년) Dynasty, chronicle, whereas 年紀 is a person’s age
70. 紀念 (기념) Commemorate; commemorative article; anniversary; souvenir, keepsake
71. 紀念獎 (기념장) Trophy
72. 紀元 (기원) Era, beginning of an era
73. 記念 (기념) To commemorate; to mark; to remember; souvenir; memento; keepsake
74. 記念章 (기념장) Commemorative Medal/Badge. During the Korean Empire, it was written as 긔념 in Hanʼgŭl.
75. 記章 (기장) Medal, or more properly, miscellaneous or other medal. Used for medals below Orders, Merit Medals, or Commendation Medals.
76. 嘉獎 (가장) To award commendation citation
77. 見本市 (견본시) Sample fair
78. 獎 (가장) Award prize
79. 獎 (장) Prize, award, encouragement
80. 獎杯 (장배) Trophy cup
81. 獎懲 (장징) Rewards and penalties
82. 獎酬 (장수) Incentive reward
83. 獎得主 (장득주) Recipient of an award, prize winner
84. 獎金 (장김) Premium award money bonus
85. 獎勵 (장려) To reward (as encouragement)
86. 獎牌 (장패) Medal (awarded as a prize)
87. 獎品 (장품) Award, prize
88. 獎賞 (장상) Reward, prize award
89. 獎挹 (장읍) To reward and promote
90. 獎章 (獎章) Medal
91. 獎狀 (장상) Prize certificate, a certificate of merit
92. 金 (김) Gold, Au
93. 金獎 (김장) Gold medal first prize
94. 襟章 (금장) Lapel/Collar Pin/Badge
95. 謹頒 (근반) means “respectfully presented,” indicating this was an official gift distributed to select personnel. This is a Japanese expression that does not seem to have been used in Korea.
96. 京城博覽會 (경성박람회) Kyŏngsŏng (Seoul) Exposition
97. 競進會 (경진회) Competitive Industrial Exhibition
98. 誇獎 (과장) To praise, to applaud, to compliment
99. 李 (이 or 리) Plum. It is the family name of the last ruling family of Korea (1392-1910).
100. 李朝 Yi Dynasty. It was used by Japanese and Chinese historians to distinguish the “Chosŏn Dynasty” (朝鮮王朝).
101. 李氏朝鮮 (리씨조선) Yi Chosŏn. After South Korea became independent, the term 李氏朝鮮 ”Yi Chosŏn” had colonial overtones, so it was changed to 朝鮮王朝 “Chosŏn Dynasty”, which is the name commonly used today.
102. 臨時博覽會陳列館 (림시박람회진렬관) Provisional Exposition Display Hall
103. 臨時博覽會事務所 (림시박람회사무소) Provisional Exposition Department
104. 領獎 (령장) Accept a prize; a prize-winner
105. 民族抹殺統治 (민족말살통치) National Annihilation Rule (description of Japanese colonial control from 1931 to 1945, also known by the slogan 内鮮一体 (내선일분) “Naeje (Japan) and Chosŏn (鮮) are one body”). The attempted genocide of Korea and its culture.
106. 末名獎品 (말명장품) Booby prize, a wooden spoon.
107. 年 (년) Year
108. 年…月…日 (…년…월…일) Year, Month, and Day. This was the standard date format used by the Japanese during the Korean colonial period. Normally written by the from top to bottom or right to left. 
109. 年鑑 (년감) Year Book, Almanac
110. 牌 (패) Class or grade, as in Silver Class or Gold Class
111. 牌匾 (액자) Plaque, frame, tablet, or inscribed board
112. 佩用 (패용) Wearing (a Decoration) Often found in legal statutes regarding medals and badges
113. 品評會 (품평회) Product Show
114. 平生章 (평생장) “Life Medal,” 40-Year Police Service Medal
115. 鉛 (연) Lead, Pb
116. 勤続 (근속) Long Service, sometimes translated as Continuous Service
117. 勤続表彰 Long Service Commendation
118. 勤続章 (근속장) Long Service Medal, sometimes translated as Continuous Service Medal
119. 任 (임) To appoint; to assign someone to a post. Found on appointment documents.
120. 日 (일) Day, Sun
121. 日韓併合 (일한병합) Japan-Korean Annexation, often translated as Japan-Korea Merger.
122. 日鮮同祖論 (일선동조론) Theory of Common Ancestry of Japanese and Koreans
123. 瑞星 (서성) Auspicious Stars; however, the Korean words “서성” are a homophone for “Three Stars.”
124. 閏年凡 (윤년범) Leap Year
125. 賞 (상) Prize; reward; praise
126. 賞牌 (상패) Award Medal
127. 十年 (십년) A decade, ten years.
128. 史 (사) History. There is also 歷史 (역사 or 력사; lit. Calendar History). Both 史 and 歴史 mean “history”. However, 歴史 is the word for “history,” while the character 史 is a suffix, as in Korean History 韓國史. All that being said, it is not uncommon to see Korean history as 韓國歷史.
129. 使用 (사용) used, as opposed to 未使用 (미사용) not used
130. 世紀 (세기) A century, 100 years
131. 授獎 (수장) To award a prize
132. 綬 (수) When translated from Chinese to English, you get ‘silk ribbon attached to an official seal or medal.’ When translated into Korean, you get the Konglish word 리본, pronounced ‘Ribbon.’
133. 術記念繪葉書 (술기념회엽서) Commemorative postcard
134. 檀紀 (단기) Dan Gi Calendar system (To arrive at a Western date, add 2333 to the Dan Gi date.)
135. 檀君紀 (단군기) Dan Gun Gi Calendar system, a more precise name for the Dan Gi Calendar (to arrive at a Western date, add 2333 to the Dan Gun Gi date)
136. 特産物 品評會 (특산물 품평회) Specialty Product Fair
137. 鐵 (철) Iron, Fe
138. 桐箱 (K. 동상; J. kiribako) Paulownia wood box used to hold medals. They are also referred to as tomobako (共箱), which are boxes used to house valuable items like artworks and medals, and the boxes can be signed to authenticate the contents.
139. 銅 (동) Copper, Cu; some sources also refer to this character as Bronze
140. 頭獎 (두장) First
141. 王朝 (왕조) Dynasty
142. 未使用 (미사용) not used as opposed to 使用 (사용) used
143. 文化統治 (문화통치) Cultural Rule (Description of Japanese colonial control from 1919-1931)
144. 武斷統治 (무단통치) Military Rule (The oppression of Koreans under Governor Generals Terauchi Masatake (1910–1916) and Hasegawa Yoshimichi (1916–1919) is a period labelled ‘Military Rule’ and was a major causal factor in fueling the development of modern Korean nationalism.)
145. 錫 (석) Tin
146. 鮮鐵 (선철) is an abbreviation for the Korean Governor-General’s Railway 朝鮮總督府鐵道 (조선총독부철도).
147. 小學 (소학) Grade / Elementary School (초등학교)
148. 協贊會 (협찬회) (Exposition) Sponsor Association
149. 新品 (새로운) New
150. 新品 (신품) Replica, reproduction
151. 修錬章 (수동장) Training Badge
152. 學 (학) Noun: School; Verb: imitate, learn, study
153. 勲 (훈) Meritorious deed; merit
154. 勲功 Distinguished service
155. 勲章 (훈장) Commonly used for order(s), but can also mean medal or symbol of merit.
156. 勲章箱 (훈장상) Medal Box
157. 勳 (슌) Meritorious deed; merits; rank
158. 勳章 (슌장) Medal. Commonly translated into Korean as 메달, which is a transliteration for medal.
159. 葉書 (엽서) Postcard
160. 役員章 (역원장) Officer’s Badge
161. 銀 (은) Silver, Ag
162. 銀杯 (은잔) Silver Cup
163. 銀獎 (은장) Silver medal, silver award
164. 銀質獎 (은질장) Silver medal, silver award
165. 優勝 (우승) Victory
166. 有功章 (유공장) Merit Medal
167. 有勞得獎 (유로득장) A good dog deserves a bone (Chinese idiom).
168. 月 (월) Month
169. 運動記 Athletic Meet Commemoration
170. 展覧會 Exhibition
171. 正章 (정장) Badge, pendant
172. 證書 (증서 or commonly translated as 자격증) Certificate, credentials
173. 殖産興業 (식산흥업) The promotion of industry
174. 製作所 Manufacturer, Mfg. Co., Ltd.
175. 中學 (중학) Middle school, but can also mean high school (고등학교)
176. 忠誠章 (충성장) “Loyalty Medal,” 30-Year Police Service Medal
177. 主催 (주최) Sponsor, Organizer
178. 表勳院總裁 (표훈원총재) Director of the Bureau of Decorations. Found on documents of the Korean Empire.
179. 表勳院書記官 (표훈원서기관) Bureau Secretary. Found on documents of the Korean Empire.
180. 奉天承運 “by the Grace of God” Used at the beginning of an edict, decree, or award document. Part of the Mandate of Heaven (天命, lit. ‘Heaven’s Command’).
181. 天命 “Heaven’s Command” is usually translated as the Mandate of Heaven. It is a doctrine that was used to legitimize the rule of the king or emperor. According to this doctrine, Heaven (天) bestows its mandate on a virtuous ruler. The Mandate of Heaven also extends to the ruler’s family as also having divine rights.

People and name-related words

1. 純宗 (순종) Sunjong, another name for Emperor Yunghi. Korean monarchs were typically given posthumous names, known as temple names (廟號; 묘호 myoho). Temple names generally ended in either “-jo” (조; 祖; lit. ‘Progenitor’) or “-jong” (종; 宗; lit. ‘Ancestor’). With “-jo” often reserved for kings who founded a dynasty or who were considered to have performed a heroic act, while “-jong” was more common for those who succeeded to the throne peacefully. For Sunjong, the specific preceding character, “Sun” (순; 純), means “pure” or “innocent.”
2. 大正 (대정) Taishō, or more accurately, 大正天皇 Taisho Emperor of Japan (1879–1926). He reigned from July 30, 1912, until his death on December 25, 1926. His personal name was Yoshihito (嘉仁). (The Korean term 대정 does not translate well when using a Korean-to-English translator; generally you get ‘Daejeong’ and not ‘Taishō’.)
3. 高宗 (고종) Kojong, or more properly King Kojong, 王高宗 (왕고종), was the title of Emperor Kwangmu before he declared the Korean Empire. Korean monarchs were typically given posthumous names, known as temple names (廟號; 묘호 myoho). Temple names generally ended in either “-jo” (조; 祖; lit. ‘Progenitor’) or “-jong” (종; 宗; lit. ‘Ancestor’). With “-jo” often reserved for kings who founded a dynasty or who were considered to have performed a heroic act, while “-jong” was more common for those who succeeded to the throne peacefully. For Kojong, the specific preceding character, “Ko” (고; 高), means “high” or “lofty.”
4. 光武 (광무) (Emperor) Kwangmu (lit. shining and martial)
5. 京城 (경성 Gyeongseong) “Capital City.” It translates as “capital (京) + fortress (城)” and implies that this is where the king resides. Pronounced as Keijo by the Japanese. It was the official name for Seoul, used during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. It is not a new phrase coined by the Japanese but was a term that has an extensive history throughout Asia. Frequently, translation programs will render it as Beijing (China). During the Chosŏn Dynasty (1392–1910), it started to be called “Seoul” by the public.
6. 李朝 (이조, also written as 리조) Yi Dynasty
7. 李命福 (리명복 or 이명복), Yi Myeongbok, personal name of the Emperor Kwangmu
8. 李㷩 (리희 or 이희) Yi Hui, a later personal name of Emperor Kwangmu
9. 李坧 (리척 or 이척척) Yi Cheok, personal name of Emperor Yunghi.
10. 隆熙 (륭희) (Emperor) Yunghi. The modern spelling of Yunghui is 융희, while 륭희 is the original spelling.
11. 明治 (명치) Meiji, or more accurately, 明治天皇 Meiji Emperor of Japan (1852–1912). He reigned from February 3, 1867, until his death on July 30, 1912. His personal name was Mutsuhito (睦仁). (The Korean term 명치 does not translate well when using a Korean-to-English translator; generally you get ‘pit of the stomach.’)
12. 手決 (수결) Personal Signature
13. 昭和 (소화) Shōwa, or more accurately, 昭和天皇 Showa Emperor of Japan (1901–1989). He reigned from December 25, 1926, until his death on January 7, 1989. His personal name was Hirohito 裕仁. (The Korean term 소화 does not translate well when using a Korean-to-English translator; generally you get ‘digestion.’)

Geographical locations

1. 北韓 (북한) North Korea. In formal situations, North Korea finds this term offensive and prefers to be called the “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” 조선민주주의인민공화국.
2. 朝鮮 (조선): It is pronounced Chosŏn and is the old name for Korea, used during the Yi Dynasty/Empire Period (1392-1910), the Japanese Occupation Period (1910-1945), and today, by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Korean-English translation programs will commonly translate it as North Korea, so you need to decide if you are dealing with pre- or post-1945. In a broader context, “Chosŏn” is still used in some contexts in South Korea, particularly when referring to the peninsula, ethnic group, or language in a general sense, which can be confusing. On old postcards and some books, it is sometimes romanized as Tyosen.
3. 大朝鮮國 (대조선국) Literally “Great Chosŏn Country,” the name used for Korea during the Empire Period.
4. 大韓帝國 (大韓帝國) Literally “Great Korean Empire,” name used for Korea during the Empire Period.
5. 大韓民國 (대한민국) “Republic of Korea”
6. 大満州帝國 (대만주제국) Great Empire of Manchuria (1934–1945)
7. 福爾摩沙 Formosa
8. 古朝鮮 (고조선) Gochosŏn: Ancient Korean kingdoms are often referred to as “Gojoseon” (Old Chosŏn) to differentiate them from the later Yi dynasty. “Go” more accurately means “ancient” but can also mean classic, old-style, simple, unaffected, unsophisticated things in the past, antiquities, or history. For more information on Gochosŏn, see Wikipedia.
9. 韓國 (한국): Commonly used in South Korea to mean “South Korea” or “Korea” (as a whole).
10. 京城 (경성) Keijo. Seoul
11. 京城府 (경성부) Keijo City. Seoul City
12. 京師 (경수) Capital City. Not generally used for the name of Seoul during the Japanese occupation.
13. 満州帝國 (만주제국) Empire of Manchuria (1934–1945). In 1934, it became a constitutional monarchy with little international recognition and was under the de facto control of Japan. A puppet state of Japan.
14. 満州國 (만주국) State of Manchuria (1932–1934). It was a republic until 1934 and had little international recognition and was under the de facto control of Japan. A puppet state of Japan.
15. 台灣 or 臺灣 Taiwan
16. 鮮満 (선만) Sen-Man. It was a term used until late 1945 by the Japanese for the area encompassing Korea and Manchukuo.
17. 鮮満支 (선만지) Sen-Man-Ji. It was a term used until late 1945 by the Japanese for the area encompassing Korea, Manchukuo, and China.
18. 全朝鮮 (전조선) ‘All Chosŏn’ is a concept encompassing the entire Korean peninsula. For example, a national organization, a national competition, or an entire nation. It was mainly used in the social, sports, and political fields during the Japanese colonial period. It emphasized national and political unity rather than unity of a specific city or administrative district.
19. 日本 Nippon is a formal Japanese name for Japan, meanng “Origin of the Sun,” used alongside the more common everyday term Nihon (日本), with both sharing the same Kanji characters but differing in usage and historical pronunciation. “Nippon” often appears in official contexts like on stamps, banknotes, and for major corporations (e.g., Nippon Steel, Nippon Airways) to convey tradition and formality, while “Nihon” is prevalent in daily conversation.
20. 日韓 Japan and Korea
21. 平城 (평성) Pyongseong is a city in South Pyongan Province, North Korea. Pronounced Heijo in Japanese, it is often confused with Keijo 京城 (경성), the Japanese pronunciation for Seoul (Gyeongsang 경성).