Starting a business in Korea involves several administrative steps, and one of the most crucial is obtaining a Business Registration Certificate (사업자 등록증). This guide provides the essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed to navigate the application process, whether you’re visiting a tax office or exploring online options. Understanding these terms will help you communicate effectively and complete your business registration smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 사업자 등록증 신청하기
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung sin-cheong-ha-gi
Meaning: Applying for a Business Registration Certificate
Essential Vocabulary
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Expression: 사업자 등록증
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung
Meaning: Business Registration Certificate -
Expression: 신청서
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo
Meaning: Application form -
Expression: 세무서
Pronunciation: se-mu-seo
Meaning: Tax office -
Expression: 국세청 홈택스
Pronunciation: guk-se-cheong hom-taek-seu
Meaning: National Tax Service Hometax (online portal) -
Expression: 개인 사업자
Pronunciation: gae-in sa-eop-ja
Meaning: Sole proprietor / Individual business owner -
Expression: 법인 사업자
Pronunciation: beo-bin sa-eop-ja
Meaning: Corporate business / Incorporated entity -
Expression: 신분증
Pronunciation: sin-bun-jeung
Meaning: Identification card (ID) -
Expression: 임대차 계약서
Pronunciation: im-dae-cha gye-yak-seo
Meaning: Lease agreement (for office/store space) -
Expression: 사업장 주소
Pronunciation: sa-eop-jang ju-so
Meaning: Business address / Place of business address -
Expression: 업종
Pronunciation: eop-jong
Meaning: Type of business / Industry category -
Expression: 대표자
Pronunciation: dae-pyo-ja
Meaning: Representative / CEO -
Expression: 발급
Pronunciation: bal-geup
Meaning: Issuance
Key Phrases for Application
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Expression: 사업자 등록증 신청하러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung sin-cheong-ha-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here to apply for a business registration certificate. -
Expression: 신청서는 어디서 받나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-neun eo-di-seo bat-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I get the application form? -
Expression: 신청서 작성 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo jak-seong jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me fill out the application form. -
Expression: 이 서류를 제출하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: i seo-ryu-reul je-chul-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Should I submit these documents? -
Expression: 개인 사업자로 신청할 거예요.
Pronunciation: gae-in sa-eop-ja-ro sin-cheong-hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I’m going to apply as a sole proprietor. -
Expression: 법인 사업자 등록 절차는 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: beo-bin sa-eop-ja deung-nok jeol-cha-neun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the procedure for corporate business registration? -
Expression: 사업장 주소는 여기로 할 거예요.
Pronunciation: sa-eop-jang ju-so-neun yeo-gi-ro hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: I will use this address as the business address. -
Expression: 업종 코드를 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: eop-jong ko-deu-reul hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the industry code. -
Expression: 신청서 여기에 제출하면 되나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo yeo-gi-e je-chul-ha-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I submit the application form here? -
Expression: 접수증 좀 주세요.
Pronunciation: jeop-su-jeung jom ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a receipt/confirmation slip.
Asking Questions About the Process
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Expression: 어떤 서류가 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are needed? -
Expression: 온라인으로도 신청할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: on-la-in-eu-ro-do sin-cheong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I also apply online? -
Expression: 발급까지 얼마나 걸리나요?
Pronunciation: bal-geup-kka-ji eol-ma-na geol-li-na-yo?
Meaning: How long does it take until it’s issued? -
Expression: 수수료가 있나요? 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-ga in-na-yo? eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: Is there a fee? How much is it? -
Expression: 신청 상태를 어떻게 확인할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong sang-tae-reul eo-tteo-ke hwa-gin-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: How can I check the application status? -
Expression: 사업자 등록증은 언제 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung-eun eon-je ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I receive the business registration certificate? -
Expression: 외국인도 사업자 등록을 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-gu-gin-do sa-eop-ja deung-nok-eul hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners also register a business? -
Expression: 필요한 서류 목록 좀 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu mong-nok jom al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please let me know the list of required documents. -
Expression: 세무서 운영 시간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: se-mu-seo un-yeong si-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the operating hours of the tax office? -
Expression: 신청서 작성 예시가 있나요?
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo jak-seong ye-si-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a sample of how to fill out the application form?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the business registration process involves knowing a few cultural and practical points. Firstly, the 사업자 등록증 is essential for almost all business activities in Korea, including opening a business bank account and issuing tax invoices. Operating without one can lead to penalties.
The application can typically be done in person at the local tax office (세무서) responsible for the business’s jurisdiction or online via the National Tax Service’s Hometax website (국세청 홈택스). The online process is often faster but might require a digital certificate and familiarity with the Korean web interface.
Required documents usually include an application form, ID of the representative, and proof of business location (like a lease agreement). For foreigners, additional documents like a Foreigner Registration Card (외국인 등록증) and proof of visa status might be necessary.
The processing time is generally quite fast, often completed within a few days (sometimes even on the same day if applying in person with all documents ready). There is typically no fee for issuing the certificate itself.
Choosing the correct business type (업종) and code is important as it affects tax rates and regulations. It’s advisable to consult with the tax office staff or a professional if unsure.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A person (A) is visiting the local tax office (세무서) to apply for a business registration certificate and speaks with an employee (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 사업자 등록증 신청하러 왔는데요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung sin-cheong-ha-reo wan-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: Hello, I came here to apply for a business registration certificate. -
Expression: B: 네, 이쪽으로 오세요. 신청서 작성하셨나요?
Pronunciation: ne, i-jjok-eu-ro o-se-yo. sin-cheong-seo jak-seong-ha-syeon-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, please come this way. Have you filled out the application form? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 아직요. 신청서 어디서 받을 수 있나요? 그리고 어떤 서류가 필요한지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, a-jing-nyo. sin-cheong-seo eo-di-seo ba-deul su in-na-yo? geu-ri-go eo-tteon seo-ryu-ga pil-yo-han-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: No, not yet. Where can I get the application form? And please tell me what documents are needed. -
Expression: B: 신청서는 저기 테이블에 있습니다. 개인 사업자이신가요? 신분증하고 임대차 계약서 사본이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: sin-cheong-seo-neun jeo-gi te-i-beul-e it-seum-ni-da. gae-in sa-eop-ja-i-sin-ga-yo? sin-bun-jeung-ha-go im-dae-cha gye-yak-seo sa-bon-i pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The application form is on the table over there. Are you applying as a sole proprietor? You’ll need your ID card and a copy of the lease agreement. -
Expression: A: 네, 개인 사업자입니다. 서류는 다 준비해 왔어요. 작성 후에 여기로 가져오면 되나요?
Pronunciation: ne, gae-in sa-eop-ja-im-ni-da. seo-ryu-neun da jun-bi-hae wa-sseo-yo. jak-seong hu-e yeo-gi-ro ga-jyeo-o-myeon doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Yes, I’m a sole proprietor. I have prepared all the documents. Should I bring them here after filling out the form? -
Expression: B: 네, 작성하시고 번호표 뽑고 기다리시면 됩니다. 검토 후에 바로 발급 가능할 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jak-seong-ha-si-go beo-no-pyo ppop-go gi-da-ri-si-myeon doem-ni-da. geom-to hu-e ba-ro bal-geup ga-neung-hal su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, fill it out, take a number ticket, and wait. After review, it might be possible to issue it right away. -
Expression: A: 알겠습니다. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: I understand. Thank you!
Practice Tips
Familiarizing yourself with these terms is the first step! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Visiting the official National Tax Service Hometax website (국세청 홈택스) can also be helpful, even if you just browse the sections related to business registration (사업자 등록 안내) to see the terms used in context.
Practice saying the phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation. Remember, clear communication at the tax office (세무서) will make the process much smoother. Good luck with your business venture in Korea!
