Korean Words for Business: Essential Vocabulary Guide
Whether you're preparing for a job in Korea, working with Korean clients, or expanding your professional vocabulary, learning Korean words for business is essential for success in the Korean corporate world. This comprehensive guide covers the most important business vocabulary you'll need to navigate professional situations with confidence.
Essential Business Vocabulary
These core Korean words for business form the foundation of professional communication. Memorizing these terms will help you understand meetings, emails, and everyday office interactions.
| Word | Pronunciation | English | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 회사 | hoe-sa | company | 저는 큰 회사에서 일해요. (I work at a big company.) |
| 사업 | sa-eop | business | 새로운 사업을 시작했어요. (I started a new business.) |
| 회의 | hoe-ui | meeting | 회의가 몇 시에 시작해요? (What time does the meeting start?) |
| 계약 | gye-yak | contract | 계약서에 서명해 주세요. (Please sign the contract.) |
| 거래처 | geo-rae-cheo | business partner/client | 거래처와 점심 약속이 있어요. (I have a lunch appointment with a client.) |
| 직원 | jig-won | employee | 우리 회사에는 직원이 50명 있어요. (Our company has 50 employees.) |
| 사장님 | sa-jang-nim | CEO/president | 사장님께서 발표하실 거예요. (The CEO will give the presentation.) |
| 부장 | bu-jang | department manager | 부장님께 보고했습니다. (I reported to the department manager.) |
| 이력서 | i-ryeok-seo | resume/CV | 이력서를 제출해 주세요. (Please submit your resume.) |
| 면접 | myeon-jeop | interview | 내일 면접이 있어요. (I have an interview tomorrow.) |
| 급여 | geup-yeo | salary | 급여는 매달 25일에 나와요. (Salary is paid on the 25th of each month.) |
| 출근 | chul-geun | going to work | 몇 시에 출근해요? (What time do you go to work?) |
| 퇴근 | toe-geun | leaving work | 오늘 일찍 퇴근할 수 있어요. (I can leave work early today.) |
| 야근 | ya-geun | overtime/working late | 이번 주에 야근을 많이 했어요. (I worked a lot of overtime this week.) |
| 출장 | chul-jang | business trip | 다음 주에 부산으로 출장 가요. (I'm going on a business trip to Busan next week.) |
| 프로젝트 | peu-ro-jek-teu | project | 새 프로젝트를 맡았어요. (I was assigned to a new project.) |
| 마감 | ma-gam | deadline | 마감이 언제예요? (When is the deadline?) |
Common Business Phrases
Beyond individual words, mastering common business phrases will help you communicate more naturally in Korean professional settings. These expressions are frequently used in meetings, negotiations, and daily office interactions.
| Phrase | Pronunciation | English | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 잘 부탁드립니다 | jal bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da | I look forward to working with you | Used when meeting new colleagues or starting a project |
| 검토해 보겠습니다 | geom-to-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da | I will review it | Professional way to say you'll look into something |
| 수고하셨습니다 | su-go-ha-syeot-seum-ni-da | Thank you for your hard work | Said when leaving work or after completing a task |
| 회의 일정을 잡겠습니다 | hoe-ui il-jeong-eul jap-get-seum-ni-da | I will schedule a meeting | Used when arranging meetings |
| 보고 드리겠습니다 | bo-go deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da | I will report to you | Formal way to promise an update to a superior |
| 협조 부탁드립니다 | hyeop-jo bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da | I ask for your cooperation | Common closing in business emails |
| 확인해 주시겠어요? | hwak-in-hae ju-si-get-seo-yo? | Could you please confirm? | Politely requesting confirmation |
| 자료를 준비하겠습니다 | ja-ryo-reul jun-bi-ha-get-seum-ni-da | I will prepare the materials | Promising to prepare documents or data |
Usage Notes
Understanding Korean business culture is just as important as learning the vocabulary. Here are essential cultural and grammatical notes to help you use these Korean words for business appropriately.
- Honorific Language (존댓말): In Korean business settings, using formal language is crucial. Always use the polite ending -습니다/-습니까 or -요 forms when speaking to colleagues and especially to superiors. Using informal language can be seen as disrespectful.
- Titles Matter: Koreans typically address colleagues by their job title plus -님 (nim), such as 부장님 (department manager) or 과장님 (section chief). Using someone's name without their title is considered rude in professional settings.
- Business Card Exchange: When exchanging business cards (명함, myeong-ham), present and receive cards with both hands as a sign of respect. Take a moment to look at the card before putting it away.
- The 회식 (Hoe-sik) Culture: After-work dinners and drinks with colleagues are an important part of Korean business culture. Declining too often may affect your professional relationships.
- Email Etiquette: Korean business emails typically start with a greeting like 안녕하세요 and end with 감사합니다 or 협조 부탁드립니다. Being too brief can seem impolite.
- Nunchi (눈치): This concept refers to the ability to read the atmosphere and respond appropriately. In meetings, pay attention to non-verbal cues and hierarchy.
Practice Sentences
Put your knowledge of Korean words for business into practice with these example sentences. Try reading them aloud and understanding each component.
- 회의 시간을 변경해도 될까요?
Hoe-ui si-gan-eul byeon-gyeong-hae-do dwel-kka-yo?
May I change the meeting time? - 이 프로젝트의 마감일은 금요일입니다.
I peu-ro-jek-teu-ui ma-gam-il-eun geum-yo-il-im-ni-da.
The deadline for this project is Friday. - 거래처에서 연락이 왔어요.
Geo-rae-cheo-e-seo yeol-lak-i wat-seo-yo.
We received a call from the client. - 신입 사원들이 내일 입사합니다.
Shin-ip sa-won-deul-i nae-il ip-sa-ham-ni-da.
The new employees will start work tomorrow. - 계약 조건을 다시 검토해 주세요.
Gye-yak jo-geon-eul da-si geom-to-hae ju-se-yo.
Please review the contract terms again. - 출장 경비를 청구해야 합니다.
Chul-jang gyeong-bi-reul cheong-gu-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
I need to submit my business trip expenses. - 사장님께서 회의에 참석하실 예정입니다.
Sa-jang-nim-kke-seo hoe-ui-e cham-seok-ha-sil ye-jeong-im-ni-da.
The CEO is scheduled to attend the meeting. - 이번 분기 매출이 증가했습니다.
I-beon bun-gi mae-chul-i jeung-ga-haet-seum-ni-da.
Sales increased this quarter. - 면접 결과는 다음 주에 알려 드리겠습니다.
Myeon-jeop gyeol-gwa-neun da-eum ju-e al-lyeo deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
We will inform you of the interview results next week. - 야근 수당이 급여에 포함되어 있어요.
Ya-geun su-dang-i geup-yeo-e po-ham-doe-eo it-seo-yo.
Overtime pay is included in the salary.
Mastering these Korean words for business will give you a strong foundation for professional communication. Remember that consistent practice and immersion in real business contexts will help solidify your learning. Consider watching Korean business dramas or listening to business podcasts to hear these terms used naturally.