Explaining a New Policy to a Teammate in Korean

Discussing work matters, especially new company policies, with colleagues is common. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for explaining a new policy to a teammate, particularly during an informal setting like a break, ensuring clear communication and understanding within the team.

Core Expression

• Expression: 새로운 정책에 대해 이야기하기
  Pronunciation: sae-ro-un jeong-chaek-e dae-hae i-ya-gi-ha-gi
  Meaning: Talking about the new policy

Explaining the Policy

• Expression: 새로운 회사 정책 들었어요?
  Pronunciation: sae-ro-un hoe-sa jeong-chaek deul-eoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Did you hear about the new company policy?
• Expression: 이번에 정책이 좀 바뀌었대요.
  Pronunciation: i-beon-e jeong-chaek-i jom ba-kkwi-eoss-dae-yo.
  Meaning: They say the policy changed a bit this time.
• Expression: 제가 간단하게 설명해 줄게요.
  Pronunciation: je-ga gan-dan-ha-ge seol-myeong-hae jul-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll explain it briefly.
• Expression: 핵심 내용은 이거예요.
  Pronunciation: haek-sim nae-yong-eun i-geo-ye-yo.
  Meaning: This is the main point.
• Expression: 이제부터 이렇게 해야 한대요.
  Pronunciation: i-je-bu-teo i-reok-ke hae-ya han-dae-yo.
  Meaning: They say we have to do it like this from now on.
• Expression: 가장 큰 변화는… 부분이에요.
  Pronunciation: ga-jang keun byeon-hwa-neun… bu-bun-i-e-yo.
  Meaning: The biggest change is the… part.
• Expression: 공지 확인해 봤어요?
  Pronunciation: gong-ji hwak-in-hae bwass-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Did you check the announcement?
• Expression: 이메일로 공지 왔더라고요.
  Pronunciation: i-me-il-lo gong-ji wass-deo-ra-go-yo.
  Meaning: The announcement came via email.
• Expression: 팀장님께서 설명해 주셨어요.
  Pronunciation: tim-jang-nim-kke-seo seol-myeong-hae ju-syeoss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: The team leader explained it.
• Expression: 이 부분은 꼭 알아야 해요.
  Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun kkok ar-a-ya hae-yo.
  Meaning: You definitely need to know this part.
• Expression: 적용 시점은 다음 달부터래요.
  Pronunciation: jeok-yong si-jeom-eun da-eum dal-bu-teo-rae-yo.
  Meaning: They say it applies starting next month.
• Expression: 우리 팀 업무랑 관련 있어요.
  Pronunciation: u-ri tim eom-mu-rang gwal-lyeon iss-eo-yo.
  Meaning: It’s related to our team’s work.

Asking Questions and Clarifying

• Expression: 정확히 뭐가 바뀐 거예요?
  Pronunciation: jeong-hwak-hi mwo-ga ba-kkin geo-ye-yo?
  Meaning: What exactly changed?
• Expression: 이해가 잘 안 가는데, 다시 설명해 줄 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an ga-neun-de, da-si seol-myeong-hae jul su iss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: I don’t quite understand, can you explain it again?
• Expression: 이 부분은 무슨 뜻이에요?
  Pronunciation: i bu-bun-eun mu-seun tteus-i-e-yo?
  Meaning: What does this part mean?
• Expression: 예를 들어 설명해 줄 수 있어요?
  Pronunciation: ye-reul deul-eo seol-myeong-hae jul su iss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Can you explain with an example?
• Expression: 그럼 우리는 어떻게 해야 돼요?
  Pronunciation: geu-reom u-ri-neun eo-tteok-ke hae-ya dwae-yo?
  Meaning: So, what should we do?
• Expression: 궁금한 점이 있는데요.
  Pronunciation: gung-geum-han jeom-i iss-neun-de-yo.
  Meaning: I have a question.
• Expression: 이 정책은 모든 직원에게 해당되는 건가요?
  Pronunciation: i jeong-chaek-eun mo-deun jik-won-e-ge hae-dang-doe-neun geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Does this policy apply to all employees?
• Expression: 혹시 예외 사항은 없어요?
  Pronunciation: hok-si ye-oe sa-hang-eun eops-eo-yo?
  Meaning: Are there perhaps any exceptions?
• Expression: 제가 제대로 이해한 건가요?
  Pronunciation: je-ga je-dae-ro i-hae-han geon-ga-yo?
  Meaning: Did I understand correctly?
• Expression: 다시 한번 확인해 볼게요.
  Pronunciation: da-si han-beon hwak-in-hae bol-ge-yo.
  Meaning: I’ll check again.
• Expression: 아, 이제 알겠어요.
  Pronunciation: a, i-je al-gess-eo-yo.
  Meaning: Ah, now I get it.
• Expression: 설명 고마워요.
  Pronunciation: seol-myeong go-ma-wo-yo.
  Meaning: Thanks for the explanation.

Expressing Opinions and Reactions

• Expression: 이 정책에 대해 어떻게 생각해요?
  Pronunciation: i jeong-chaek-e dae-hae eo-tteok-ke saeng-gak-hae-yo?
  Meaning: What do you think about this policy?
• Expression: 좀 갑작스러운 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: jom gap-jak-seu-reo-un geot gat-a-yo.
  Meaning: It seems a bit sudden.
• Expression: 좋은 변화인 것 같아요.
  Pronunciation: jo-eun byeon-hwa-in geot gat-a-yo.
  Meaning: I think it’s a good change.
• Expression: 좀 불편해질 수도 있겠네요.
  Pronunciation: jom bul-pyeon-hae-jil su-do iss-gess-ne-yo.
  Meaning: It might become a bit inconvenient.
• Expression: 익숙해지려면 시간이 좀 걸리겠어요.
  Pronunciation: ik-suk-hae-ji-ryeo-myeon si-gan-i jom geol-li-gess-eo-yo.
  Meaning: It will probably take some time to get used to it.
• Expression: 왜 이렇게 바꿨을까요?
  Pronunciation: wae i-reok-ke ba-kkweoss-eul-kka-yo?
  Meaning: Why do you think they changed it like this?
• Expression: 회사 입장에서는 필요했나 봐요.
  Pronunciation: hoe-sa ip-jang-e-seo-neun pil-yo-haess-na bwa-yo.
  Meaning: It seems it was necessary from the company’s perspective.
• Expression: 우리한테는 별로 안 좋은 것 같은데요.
  Pronunciation: u-ri-han-te-neun byeol-lo an jo-eun geot gat-eun-de-yo.
  Meaning: I don’t think it’s very good for us.
• Expression: 일단 따라야겠죠.
  Pronunciation: il-dan tta-ra-ya-gess-jyo.
  Meaning: We’ll have to follow it for now, I guess.
• Expression: 다들 어떻게 생각하는지 궁금하네요.
  Pronunciation: da-deul eo-tteok-ke saeng-gak-ha-neun-ji gung-geum-ha-ne-yo.
  Meaning: I wonder what everyone else thinks.
• Expression: 적응해야죠, 뭐.
  Pronunciation: jeog-eung-hae-ya-jyo, mwo.
  Meaning: Well, we just have to adapt.
• Expression: 긍정적으로 생각하려고요.
  Pronunciation: geung-jeong-jeok-eu-ro saeng-gak-ha-ryeo-go-yo.
  Meaning: I’m trying to think positively.

Cultural Tips

Even during informal breaks, maintain politeness using -(아/어)요 endings with colleagues unless you are very close friends of the same age or seniority. Using respectful language is key in workplace interactions.

Information in Korean companies often flows top-down. Policies are usually announced formally (email, meetings, official notices), but colleagues frequently discuss and clarify the details amongst themselves in more casual settings.

While sharing opinions is acceptable, directly criticizing company policy too harshly, especially in front of multiple colleagues or those with higher seniority, might be perceived as unprofessional or overly negative. Gauge the atmosphere before expressing strong dissent.

Offering to explain something you understand clearly demonstrates helpfulness and promotes teamwork, qualities that are highly valued in the Korean workplace culture.

Regularly confirming understanding (e.g., “이해했어요?” – i-hae-haess-eo-yo? – Do you understand? or “알겠어요?” – al-gess-eo-yo? – Do you get it?) is a common practice to ensure everyone is on the same page and prevent miscommunication.

Real Conversation Example

Situation: Two colleagues, Minjun (slightly senior) and Sora (slightly junior), are having coffee during their break. Minjun heard about a new expense reimbursement policy and explains it to Sora.

Roles: A = Minjun (선배 – seon-bae, senior colleague), B = Sora (후배 – hu-bae, junior colleague)

• Expression: A: 소라 씨, 이번에 경비 처리 정책 바뀐 거 들었어요?
  Pronunciation: A: so-ra ssi, i-beon-e gyeong-bi cheo-ri jeong-chaek ba-kkin geo deul-eoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: A: Sora, did you hear the expense reimbursement policy changed this time?
• Expression: B: 아니요, 처음 들어요. 뭐가 바뀌었어요?
  Pronunciation: B: a-ni-yo, cheo-eum deul-eo-yo. mwo-ga ba-kkwi-eoss-eo-yo?
  Meaning: B: No, it’s the first I’m hearing of it. What changed?
• Expression: A: 이제 영수증 제출 방식이 좀 달라졌대요. 온라인으로만 접수해야 한대요.
  Pronunciation: A: i-je yeong-su-jeung je-chul bang-sik-i jom dal-la-jyeoss-dae-yo. on-la-in-eu-ro-man jeop-su-hae-ya han-dae-yo.
  Meaning: A: They say the way we submit receipts has changed a bit now. We have to submit them online only.
• Expression: B: 아, 정말요? 종이 영수증은 안 받는데요?
  Pronunciation: B: a, jeong-mal-lyo? jong-i yeong-su-jeung-eun an bat-neun-dae-yo?
  Meaning: B: Oh, really? They won’t accept paper receipts?
• Expression: A: 네, 다음 달부터는 무조건 시스템에 스캔해서 올려야 한대요. 제가 이메일 공지 봤어요.
  Pronunciation: A: ne, da-eum dal-bu-teo-neun mu-jo-kkeon si-seu-tem-e seu-kaen-hae-seo ol-lyeo-ya han-dae-yo. je-ga i-me-il gong-ji bwass-eo-yo.
  Meaning: A: Yes, starting next month, we absolutely have to scan and upload them to the system. I saw the email announcement.
• Expression: B: 그렇군요. 좀 번거로워지겠네요. 설명 고마워요, 민준 씨.
  Pronunciation: B: geu-reok-kun-yo. jom beon-geo-reo-wo-ji-gess-ne-yo. seol-myeong go-ma-wo-yo, min-jun ssi.
  Meaning: B: I see. It might get a bit more cumbersome. Thanks for the explanation, Minjun.
• Expression: A: 네, 그래도 익숙해지면 괜찮을 거예요. 모르는 거 있으면 또 물어봐요.
  Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-rae-do ik-suk-hae-ji-myeon gwaen-chan-eul geo-ye-yo. mo-reu-neun geo iss-eu-myeon tto mul-eo-bwa-yo.
  Meaning: A: Yes, but it’ll probably be fine once we get used to it. Ask me again if there’s anything you don’t understand.
• Expression: B: 네, 그럴게요!
  Pronunciation: B: ne, geu-reol-ge-yo!
  Meaning: B: Okay, I will!

Practice Tips

Try role-playing this scenario with a study partner or friend! One person can explain a fictional new rule or policy (like a new team lunch schedule or a change in reporting methods), and the other can practice asking questions and reacting~ It’s a great way to make these phrases stick!

If you have the opportunity to be in a Korean workplace or social setting where rules or information are shared, pay close attention! Observe how people explain things, ask questions, and confirm understanding. You can learn a lot just by listening!

Don’t limit yourself to work policies! Practice explaining simple rules or changes in Korean in everyday situations. Maybe explain the rules of a board game, changes to a meeting time, or even new house rules. Every little bit of practice helps build confidence! Keep up the great work! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – You can do it!)