국룰

Usually analyzed as a blend of 국민(國民) (gungmin, “citizen”) +‎ 룰 (rul, “rule”, from English rule).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [kuŋnuɭ]
• Phonetic hangul: [궁눌]

국룰 • (gungnul)

1. (neologism, slang) an unwritten rule or unspoken rule, usually lighthearted or non-serious [mid 2010s]
   • 2021 February 6, “주4일 근무해도 회사 안 망합니다 [ju4il geunmuhaedo hoesa an manghamnida, a 4-day workweek won't ruin companies]”, in Weekly Dong-A‎:

     지금은 달력의 ‘파란 날’과 ‘빨간 날’에 쉬는 것이 ‘국룰’로 여겨지지만, 한국 사회에 주5일 근무제(주 5일제)가 정착된 건 20년도 되지 않는다.

     Jigeum-eun dallyeog-ui ‘paran nal’-gwa ‘ppalgan nal’-e swineun geos-i ‘gungnul’-ro yeogyeoji-jiman, Han'guk sahoe-e juoil geunmuje(ju oilje)-ga jeongchakdoen geon isimnyeon-do doeji anneunda.

     At this point, the notion of [employees] getting their weekends off is [well-accepted to the point of being] this unwritten rule. However, [one should put in mind that] it has been less than 20 years since the 5-day workweek has become the standard in Korea.

2. (neologism, slang, by extension) an obvious choice; something obvious; a trend [mid 2010s]

   라면에는 김치가 국룰이다.

   Ramyeon-eneun gimchi-ga gungnur-ida.

   Ramen with kimchi is amazing.

   (literally, “Ramen with kimchi is an obvious choice.”)

• 불문율(不文律) (bulmunyul)