Business Korean: 비즈니스 한국어
Korean business culture places great importance on hierarchy, formality, and respect. Whether you are joining a Korean company, working with Korean partners, or attending a business meeting in Korea, mastering professional Korean (비즈니스 한국어) will set you apart. The formal speech level (격식체) is essential — never use casual speech (반말) in a business setting.
1 Formal Speech in Business (격식체)
Korean businesses use formal polite speech (격식체/합쇼체) — the most respectful register. This is more formal than everyday 존댓말 (해요체). Mastering these endings is non-negotiable in professional settings.
| Meaning | Polite (everyday 해요체) | Formal (business 합쇼체) |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 네 | 예 |
| I / Me (subject) | 저 | 저 (same, always humble) |
| I eat | 먹어요 | 먹습니다 |
| I go | 가요 | 갑니다 |
| I don't know | 몰라요 | 모릅니다 |
| I understand | 알아요 | 알겠습니다 |
| It is difficult | 어려워요 | 어렵습니다 |
2 Business Greetings (비즈니스 인사)
First impressions in Korean business settings are critical. A deep bow (고개를 숙이다) accompanies formal greetings. Learn these phrases to make a strong professional impression.
| Korean | Romanization | English | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 처음 뵙겠습니다 | Cheoeum boepgesseumnida | How do you do? (first meeting) | First time meeting someone professionally |
| 잘 부탁드립니다 | Jal butakdeurimnida | Please take care of me / I look forward to working with you | After introductions; starting new project |
| 안녕하십니까 | Annyeong hasimnikka | Good day (formal greeting) | Formal meeting; presentations |
| 수고하셨습니다 | Sugohasyeosseumnida | You've worked hard / Well done | End of meeting; after completing a task |
| 감사드립니다 | Gamsadeurimnida | Thank you (formal, humble) | More respectful than 감사합니다 |
| 죄송합니다 | Joesonghamnida | I sincerely apologize | Business apology; more formal than 미안해요 |
3 Business Card Exchange (명함 교환)
Exchanging business cards (명함) is a formal ritual in Korean business culture. Cards are presented and received with two hands, with a slight bow. Never write on a card or put it in your back pocket — it is seen as disrespectful.
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 명함 | Myeongham | Business card |
| 직함 | Jikham | Job title |
| 회사 | Hoesa | Company |
| 부서 | Buseo | Department |
| 연락처 | Yeollakcheo | Contact information |
4 Korean Business Hierarchy & Job Titles (직급)
Korean companies follow a strict hierarchy. Understanding titles (직급) is essential for addressing colleagues correctly — always use their title, not their first name.
| Korean | Romanization | Title | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 회장 | Hoejang | Chairman / Chairperson | Highest |
| 사장 | Sajang | CEO / President | Executive |
| 부장 | Bujang | General Manager / Director | Senior Management |
| 과장 | Gwajang | Section Chief / Manager | Mid Management |
| 대리 | Daeri | Assistant Manager | Junior Management |
| 사원 | Sawon | Staff Member / Employee | Entry Level |
| 인턴 | Inteon | Intern | Trainee |
5 Meeting Vocabulary (회의 어휘)
Korean business meetings (회의) are highly structured. Being able to participate actively — from requesting the floor to agreeing or disagreeing formally — is key to professional success.
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 회의를 시작하겠습니다. | Let us begin the meeting. |
| 의견이 있으신 분 계십니까? | Does anyone have an opinion / question? |
| 제 의견을 말씀드려도 될까요? | May I share my opinion? |
| 동의합니다. | I agree. |
| 재고해 볼 필요가 있을 것 같습니다. | I think we need to reconsider. (polite disagreement) |
| 확인해 보고 답변 드리겠습니다. | I will check and get back to you. |
| 이상으로 회의를 마치겠습니다. | That concludes our meeting. |
| 다음 회의는 언제로 할까요? | When shall we hold the next meeting? |
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 회의 | Hoeui | Meeting |
| 안건 | Angeon | Agenda item |
| 보고서 | Bogoseo | Report |
| 발표 | Balpyo | Presentation |
| 프레젠테이션 | Peurejentesyeon | Presentation (Konglish) |
| 결정 | Gyeoljeong | Decision |
| 마감 | Magam | Deadline |
| 예산 | Yesan | Budget |
| 목표 | Mokpyo | Goal / Target |
6 Office Phrases (사무실 표현)
Everyday office communication in Korean requires specific polite expressions. These phrases help you navigate the workplace naturally and professionally.
7 Email & Written Communication (이메일)
Korean business emails follow strict conventions. Always open with a respectful greeting, state your purpose clearly, and close with a polite sign-off. Written Korean uses more Sino-Korean (한자어) vocabulary than spoken Korean.
| Part | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 안녕하십니까, [이름] 님. | Dear [Name], |
| Self-intro | 저는 [회사]의 [이름]입니다. | I am [Name] from [Company]. |
| Purpose | 다름이 아니라 ~에 관하여 연락드립니다. | I am writing to you regarding ~. |
| Request | 검토해 주시면 감사하겠습니다. | I would be grateful if you could review this. |
| Closing | 앞으로도 잘 부탁드립니다. | I look forward to your continued support. |
| Sign-off | 감사드립니다. [이름] 드림 | Thank you. Sincerely, [Name] |
8 Business Culture & Key Terms (비즈니스 문화)
| Term | Meaning | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 눈치 | Social awareness / Reading the room | Being able to sense unspoken expectations without being told explicitly |
| 빨리빨리 | Quickly, quickly! / The Korean work ethic | Korea's famous speed-driven culture — things must be done fast and efficiently |
| 회식 | Company dinner / Work dinner | A team dinner where bonding and seniority dynamics are displayed; often involves 소주 |
| 야근 | Working overtime / Late-night work | Common in Korean work culture; leaving before your boss can be seen as disrespectful |
| 상사 | Superior / Boss | Always use honorific speech with 상사 |
| 후배 / 선배 | Junior / Senior (at work or school) | 선배 is treated with special respect; 후배 follows and assists |
| 갑을관계 | Power imbalance relationship (client-vendor / boss-employee) | 갑 (Gap) = the party with power; 을 (Eul) = the party in a weaker position |