Understanding and participating in 회식 (hoe-sik), or company dinners, is a significant aspect of Korean workplace culture. This guide provides essential Korean expressions and cultural insights needed to navigate these important social gatherings, covering everything from confirming attendance to engaging in conversation and understanding etiquette.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 직장 회식 참석하기
Pronunciation: jik-jang hoe-sik cham-seok-ha-gi
Meaning: Attending a work dinner / company gathering
Essential Vocabulary for Hoesik
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Expression: 회사
Pronunciation: hoe-sa
Meaning: Company -
Expression: 직장 동료
Pronunciation: jik-jang dong-ryo
Meaning: Colleague / Coworker -
Expression: 상사
Pronunciation: sang-sa
Meaning: Boss / Superior -
Expression: 부장님
Pronunciation: bu-jang-nim
Meaning: Department Head / Manager (often used as a general term for a male boss) -
Expression: 팀장님
Pronunciation: tim-jang-nim
Meaning: Team Leader -
Expression: 회식
Pronunciation: hoe-sik
Meaning: Company dinner / gathering -
Expression: 저녁 식사
Pronunciation: jeo-nyeok sik-sa
Meaning: Dinner -
Expression: 술
Pronunciation: sul
Meaning: Alcohol -
Expression: 건배
Pronunciation: geon-bae
Meaning: Cheers -
Expression: 1차 (일차)
Pronunciation: il-cha
Meaning: First round (usually dinner) -
Expression: 2차 (이차)
Pronunciation: i-cha
Meaning: Second round (often drinks/bar) -
Expression: 3차 (삼차)
Pronunciation: sam-cha
Meaning: Third round (e.g., noraebang/karaoke, more drinks)
Confirming Attendance and Asking Details
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Expression: 회식 공지 봤어요?
Pronunciation: hoe-sik gong-ji bwat-seo-yo?
Meaning: Did you see the Hoesik announcement? -
Expression: 네, 참석하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, cham-seok-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will attend. (Formal) -
Expression: 저도 갈게요.
Pronunciation: jeo-do gal-ge-yo.
Meaning: I will go too. (Polite, slightly less formal) -
Expression: 죄송하지만 참석하기 어려울 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man cham-seok-ha-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but it seems difficult for me to attend. (Polite refusal) -
Expression: 그날 다른 약속이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: geu-nal da-reun yak-sok-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have another appointment/plan that day. -
Expression: 혹시 못 갈 수도 있어요.
Pronunciation: hok-si mot gal su-do i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I might not be able to go. -
Expression: 회식 장소가 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: hoe-sik jang-so-ga eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the location for the Hoesik? -
Expression: 몇 시에 시작하나요?
Pronunciation: myeot si-e si-jak-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What time does it start? -
Expression: 회비는 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: hoe-bi-neun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the fee/contribution? (Sometimes applicable, often paid by company/boss) -
Expression: 늦게라도 참석해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: neut-ge-ra-do cham-seok-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay if I join late? -
Expression: 1차만 참석해도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: il-cha-man cham-seok-hae-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would it be okay if I only attend the first round?
Phrases During the Hoesik
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Expression: 잘 먹겠습니다!
Pronunciation: jal meok-get-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: I will eat well! (Said before starting the meal) -
Expression: 많이 드세요.
Pronunciation: ma-ni deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please eat a lot. (Said to others) -
Expression: 건배! / 위하여!
Pronunciation: geon-bae! / wi-ha-yeo!
Meaning: Cheers! / For…! (Common toast phrases) -
Expression: 제가 한 잔 따라 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga han jan tta-ra deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Let me pour you a drink. (Especially to seniors/superiors) -
Expression: 한 잔 받으세요.
Pronunciation: han jan ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Please accept a drink. (When offering a drink) -
Expression: 감사합니다. 잘 마시겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. jal ma-si-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. I will drink it well. (When receiving a drink) -
Expression: 저는 술을 잘 못 마십니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun sul-eul jal mot ma-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: I can’t drink alcohol well / I’m not a good drinker. -
Expression: 괜찮습니다. 사양하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da. sa-yang-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s okay. I’ll pass (on the drink). (Polite refusal) -
Expression: 이거 정말 맛있네요!
Pronunciation: i-geo jeong-mal ma-sin-ne-yo!
Meaning: This is really delicious! -
Expression: 오늘 분위기 정말 좋네요.
Pronunciation: o-neul bun-wi-gi jeong-mal jon-ne-yo.
Meaning: The atmosphere today is really great. -
Expression: 부장님, 말씀 중에 죄송합니다만…
Pronunciation: bu-jang-nim, mal-sseum jung-e joe-song-ham-ni-da-man…
Meaning: Manager, excuse me for interrupting, but… (Use appropriate title) -
Expression: 다들 2차 가시나요?
Pronunciation: da-deul i-cha ga-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Is everyone going to the second round?
Leaving the Hoesik
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Expression: 오늘 정말 즐거웠습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeong-mal jeul-geo-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I had a really great time today. -
Expression: 잘 먹었습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jal meok-eot-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I ate well. Thank you. (Said after finishing the meal/event) -
Expression: 먼저 일어나겠습니다. / 먼저 가보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: meon-jeo i-reo-na-get-seum-ni-da. / meon-jeo ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’ll get going first. / I’ll be leaving now. (Polite way to announce departure) -
Expression: 내일 뵙겠습니다.
Pronunciation: nae-il boep-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: See you tomorrow. (Formal) -
Expression: 조심히 들어가세요.
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hi deu-reo-ga-se-yo.
Meaning: Get home safely. (Said to others leaving) -
Expression: 저는 2차는 참석하기 어려울 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun i-cha-neun cham-seok-ha-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems difficult for me to attend the second round. -
Expression: 다음에 꼭 같이 가요.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e kkok ga-chi ga-yo.
Meaning: Let’s definitely go together next time. (If you have to leave early) -
Expression: 연락 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeol-lak ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please contact me. / Keep in touch. -
Expression: 오늘 계산은 누가 하시나요?
Pronunciation: o-neul gye-san-eun nu-ga ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Who is paying today? (Usually the company or the highest-ranking person pays) -
Expression: 제가 내겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je-ga nae-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will pay. (Offer this cautiously, usually seniors pay)
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy is Key: Korean workplace hierarchy extends to Hoesik. Always show respect to seniors (선배 – seon-bae) and superiors (상사 – sang-sa). This includes letting them sit first, start eating first, and pouring drinks for them before yourself.
Pouring and Receiving Drinks: When pouring drinks for seniors, use two hands (right hand holding the bottle, left hand supporting your right arm or wrist). When receiving drinks from seniors, hold your cup with two hands. It’s also polite to turn your head slightly away when drinking in front of a senior.
Participation is Often Expected: While attitudes are changing, attending Hoesik is often seen as part of the job and important for team bonding. Declining frequently might be perceived negatively, though having a valid reason is usually accepted. Attending at least the first round (1차 – il-cha) is generally recommended.
The Rounds System (1차, 2차, 3차): Hoesik often involves multiple ’rounds’. The first round (1차 – il-cha) is typically dinner. The second (2차 – i-cha) might be at a bar or pub (호프집 – ho-peu-jip). The third (3차 – sam-cha) could involve karaoke (노래방 – no-rae-bang) or another venue. It’s acceptable to leave after the first or second round, but announce your departure politely.
Paying the Bill: Usually, the company or the highest-ranking person present pays for the Hoesik. Junior employees typically do not pay, although offering might be seen as polite (but expect the offer to be refused by seniors).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Minjun (junior) and Sora (senior), are discussing the upcoming team Hoesik.
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Expression: A (Minjun): 소라 선배님, 이번 주 금요일 팀 회식 공지 보셨어요?
Pronunciation: So-ra seon-bae-nim, i-beon ju geum-yo-il tim hoe-sik gong-ji bo-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Sora (senior colleague), did you see the announcement for the team Hoesik this Friday? -
Expression: B (Sora): 네, 봤어요. 민준 씨도 참석할 거죠?
Pronunciation: ne, bwat-seo-yo. Min-jun ssi-do cham-seok-hal geo-jyo?
Meaning: Yes, I saw it. Minjun, you’re attending too, right? -
Expression: A (Minjun): 네, 그럼요. 참석해야죠. 장소는 어디인지 확인하셨어요?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reom-yo. cham-seok-hae-ya-jyo. jang-so-neun eo-di-in-ji hwa-gin-ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: Yes, of course. I should attend. Did you check where the location is? -
Expression: B (Sora): 회사 근처에 있는 ‘서울 가든’이래요. 저녁 7시 시작이고요.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa geun-cheo-e it-neun ‘Seo-ul Ga-deun’ i-rae-yo. jeo-nyeok il-gop-si si-jak-i-go-yo.
Meaning: They said it’s ‘Seoul Garden’ near the company. It starts at 7 PM. -
Expression: A (Minjun): 알겠습니다. 혹시 2차도 가나요? 제가 그날 저녁 늦게 약속이 있어서요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. hok-si i-cha-do ga-na-yo? je-ga geu-nal jeo-nyeok neut-ge yak-sok-i i-sseo-seo-yo.
Meaning: I understand. Are we possibly going for a second round? I have a late appointment that evening. -
Expression: B (Sora): 아마 갈 것 같은데, 1차만 참석해도 괜찮을 거예요. 부장님께 미리 말씀드리면 돼요.
Pronunciation: a-ma gal geot ga-teun-de, il-cha-man cham-seok-hae-do gwaen-chan-eul geo-ye-yo. bu-jang-nim-kke mi-ri mal-sseum-deu-ri-myeon dwae-yo.
Meaning: We probably will, but it should be fine if you only attend the first round. You can just let the Department Head know in advance. -
Expression: A (Minjun): 네, 그래야겠네요. 감사합니다, 선배님! 금요일에 뵙겠습니다!
Pronunciation: ne, geu-rae-ya-gen-ne-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da, seon-bae-nim! geum-yo-il-e boep-get-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: Yes, I should do that. Thank you, Sora! See you on Friday! -
Expression: B (Sora): 네, 금요일에 봐요!
Pronunciation: ne, geum-yo-il-e bwa-yo!
Meaning: Yes, see you Friday!
Practice Tips
Attending a 회식 (hoe-sik) can be a great opportunity to practice your Korean and bond with colleagues! Try reviewing the vocabulary for food, drinks, and positions (부장님, 팀장님, 선배님) beforehand~ Listen carefully to how colleagues interact, especially regarding politeness levels and pouring drinks. Don’t be afraid to use simple phrases like “잘 먹겠습니다” or “감사합니다”. If you’re unsure about etiquette, observing others is always a good strategy. Most importantly, try to relax and enjoy the chance to socialize outside the office environment!
Practice saying the phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation. You can even role-play the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Good luck with your next Hoesik! 파이팅! (pa-i-ting! – Fighting! / Good luck!)
