Say "Combined Test" Instead of "Pooling Test"

Ministry and Language Institute Announce New Korean Terms
"Window Through Screening" Renamed as "Transparent Window Screening"

On the 8th, at the screening clinic of Seoul Medical Center in Jungnang-gu, Seoul, medical staff were busy as the city of Seoul began free proactive COVID-19 testing for the general public to prevent community cluster infections caused by asymptomatic carriers of the novel coronavirus. This measure by the Seoul Metropolitan Government aims to identify 'silent spreaders' through active proactive testing amid increasing sporadic infections with unclear transmission routes, including asymptomatic individuals. Citizens can apply through the Seoul city website and visit designated municipal hospitals to receive free testing. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the National Institute of the Korean Language recommended on June 9 that the term "pooling test" be replaced with the Korean expression "combined (screening) test." They also suggested "transparent window screening" as a Korean alternative to "window through screening."

A "pooling test" refers to a method in which samples are collected from multiple individuals, mixed together, and tested for infection all at once. If the result is positive, each individual is then tested separately. This method enables rapid confirmation of infection status among large groups. "Window through screening" describes a process in which medical staff collect samples from individuals outside a separated space, such as a container, through a window. This allows for simple and swift testing with minimal protective equipment for the medical staff.

The Ministry and the Institute selected these alternative terms during the "New Words Meeting" held from June 1 to 3. This committee provides easy-to-understand Korean alternatives for difficult foreign neologisms before they become widespread. Experts from various fields, including Korean language, foreign languages, education, public relations and publishing, information and communications, and media, participate in the committee. The Ministry and the Institute plan to continue promoting the use of these alternative terms, encouraging government agencies and media outlets to take the lead in their adoption.

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