Finding supplementary income through a side job or gaining work experience with a part-time job is common in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases needed to search for, apply for, and discuss 부업 (bu-eop – side job) or 아르바이트 (a-reu-ba-i-teu – part-time job), often shortened to 알바 (al-ba). Mastering these expressions will help you navigate the Korean job market for these types of positions.
Table Of Content
Core Expressions
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Expression: 부업
Pronunciation: bu-eop
Meaning: Side job, secondary job (often done alongside a main job) -
Expression: 아르바이트
Pronunciation: a-reu-ba-i-teu
Meaning: Part-time job (derived from the German word “Arbeit”) -
Expression: 알바
Pronunciation: al-ba
Meaning: Part-time job (casual short form of 아르바이트) -
Expression: 구하다
Pronunciation: gu-ha-da
Meaning: To look for, to seek, to find
Job Searching Phrases
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Expression: 아르바이트를 구하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: a-reu-ba-i-teu-reul gu-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a part-time job. -
Expression: 부업을 찾고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bu-eop-eul chat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to find a side job. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 알바를 찾으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui al-ba-reul cha-jeu-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of part-time job are you looking for? -
Expression: 주말 아르바이트 있나요?
Pronunciation: ju-mal a-reu-ba-i-teu it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any weekend part-time jobs? -
Expression: 단기 알바도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: dan-gi al-ba-do gwaen-cha-na-yo.
Meaning: Short-term part-time jobs are okay too. -
Expression: 재택 부업을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jae-taek bu-eop-eul ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to do a work-from-home side job. -
Expression: 구인 공고를 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gu-in gong-go-reul eo-di-seo bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I see job postings? -
Expression: 알바몬이나 알바천국에서 찾아보세요.
Pronunciation: al-ba-mon-i-na al-ba-cheon-guk-e-seo cha-ja-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try looking on Albamon or Alba Cheonguk (popular job sites). -
Expression: 여기 직원 구하시나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi ji-gwon gu-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Are you hiring here? -
Expression: 학생도 가능한 아르바이트인가요?
Pronunciation: hak-saeng-do ga-neung-han a-reu-ba-i-teu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this a part-time job that students can do? -
Expression: 경력은 필요 없나요?
Pronunciation: gyeong-ryeok-eun pil-yo eop-na-yo?
Meaning: Is experience not required? -
Expression: 외국인도 지원할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in-do ji-won-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can foreigners apply too?
Application and Interview Phrases
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Expression: 이 아르바이트에 지원하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: i a-reu-ba-i-teu-e ji-won-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to apply for this part-time job. -
Expression: 이력서를 제출해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul je-chul-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to submit a resume? -
Expression: 자기소개서도 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: ja-gi-so-gae-seo-do pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a cover letter (self-introduction letter) also needed? -
Expression: 면접은 언제 볼 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop-eun eon-je bol su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: When can I have an interview? -
Expression: 면접 보러 왔습니다.
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop bo-reo wat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m here for the interview. -
Expression: 관련 경험이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: gwan-ryeon gyeong-heom-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have related experience. -
Expression: 한국어 실력은 어느 정도 되세요?
Pronunciation: han-guk-eo sil-lyeok-eun eo-neu jeong-do doe-se-yo?
Meaning: What is your Korean language proficiency level? -
Expression: 간단한 의사소통은 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: gan-dan-han ui-sa-so-tong-eun ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Basic communication is possible. -
Expression: 언제부터 일할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-bu-teo il-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: When can you start working? -
Expression: 다음 주부터 바로 시작할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum ju-bu-teo ba-ro si-jak-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I can start immediately from next week. -
Expression: 결과는 언제쯤 알 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je-jjeum al su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: When will I know the result? -
Expression: 지원해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ji-won-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for applying.
Work Conditions and Pay Phrases
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Expression: 시급은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: si-geup-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the hourly wage? -
Expression: 최저 시급 이상인가요?
Pronunciation: choe-jeo si-geup i-sang-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it above the minimum wage? -
Expression: 근무 시간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: geun-mu si-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the working hours? -
Expression: 주 몇 회 근무인가요?
Pronunciation: ju myeo-thoe geun-mu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How many times a week do I work? -
Expression: 주휴수당 포함인가요?
Pronunciation: ju-hyu-su-dang po-ham-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the weekly holiday allowance included? -
Expression: 식사는 제공되나요?
Pronunciation: sik-sa-neun je-gong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Are meals provided? -
Expression: 주요 업무는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: ju-yo eom-mu-neun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the main duties? -
Expression: 휴식 시간은 있나요?
Pronunciation: hyu-sik si-gan-eun it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a break time? -
Expression: 급여는 언제 지급되나요?
Pronunciation: geu-byeo-neun eon-je ji-geup-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: When is the salary paid? -
Expression: 4대 보험 가입되나요?
Pronunciation: sa-dae bo-heom ga-ip-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Are the 4 major social insurances covered? -
Expression: 계약서는 언제 작성하나요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-neun eon-je jak-seong-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: When do we sign the contract? -
Expression: 수습 기간이 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-seup gi-gan-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a probation period?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding the job search culture in Korea can be beneficial. 아르바이트 (a-reu-ba-i-teu) is extremely common, especially among university students and young adults. Many businesses, from cafes and convenience stores to larger companies needing temporary help, rely on part-time workers.
Popular online platforms like 알바몬 (Albamon) and 알바천국 (Alba Cheonguk) are the primary places to find listings. Creating a profile and uploading a simple Korean-style resume (이력서 – i-ryeok-seo) is standard practice.
While some jobs, especially those requiring less customer interaction, may be open to foreigners with basic Korean, positions involving significant customer service often require higher fluency. Be prepared to demonstrate your language skills during the interview (면접 – myeon-jeop).
It’s crucial to understand your rights regarding minimum wage (최저 시급 – choe-jeo si-geup) and the weekly holiday allowance (주휴수당 – ju-hyu-su-dang), which is legally mandated pay for one day off per week if you work over 15 hours. Always ensure you have a written contract (근로계약서 – geun-ro-gye-yak-seo).
For 부업 (bu-eop), opportunities range from online tasks and tutoring to weekend gigs. These are often sought by individuals looking to supplement their main income and might be found through specialized platforms or word-of-mouth.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun is calling a cafe owner (Sajangnim) about a part-time job posting he saw online.
Characters:
- A: Minjun (Job Applicant)
- B: Sajangnim (Cafe Owner)
-
Expression: A: 여보세요, 안녕하세요. 카페 아르바이트 공고 보고 전화드렸습니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-bo-se-yo, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. ka-pe a-reu-ba-i-teu gong-go bo-go jeon-hwa-deu-ryeot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Hello. I’m calling about the cafe part-time job posting I saw. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 아직 구하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. a-jik gu-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. We are still hiring. -
Expression: A: 혹시 주말 근무만 가능한가요? 제가 평일에는 학교 수업이 있어서요.
Pronunciation: hok-si ju-mal geun-mu-man ga-neung-han-ga-yo? je-ga pyeong-il-e-neun hak-gyo su-eop-i i-sseo-seo-yo.
Meaning: A: Is it possible to work only on weekends? I have university classes on weekdays. -
Expression: B: 네, 주말 근무자 찾고 있습니다. 토요일, 일요일 오후 시간대 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, ju-mal geun-mu-ja chat-go it-seum-ni-da. to-yo-il, il-yo-il o-hu si-gan-dae gwaen-cha-neu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, we are looking for a weekend worker. Are Saturday and Sunday afternoons okay for you? -
Expression: A: 네, 좋습니다! 시급은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ne, jo-sseum-ni-da! si-geup-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, that’s great! What is the hourly wage? -
Expression: B: 시급은 만 원입니다. 혹시 카페 경력 있으세요?
Pronunciation: si-geup-eun man won-im-ni-da. hok-si ka-pe gyeong-ryeok i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: B: The hourly wage is 10,000 won. Do you happen to have any cafe experience? -
Expression: A: 네, 다른 카페에서 6개월 정도 일한 경험이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, da-reun ka-pe-e-seo yuk-gae-wol jeong-do il-han gyeong-heom-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, I have about 6 months of experience working at another cafe. -
Expression: B: 잘됐네요. 그럼 이력서 가지고 내일 오후 3시에 면접 보러 오실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: jal-dwaen-ne-yo. geu-reom i-ryeok-seo ga-ji-go nae-il o-hu se-si-e myeon-jeop bo-reo o-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: B: That’s good. Then, can you bring your resume and come for an interview tomorrow at 3 PM? -
Expression: A: 네, 가능합니다! 내일 3시에 뵙겠습니다. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da! nae-il se-si-e boep-get-seum-ni-da. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, I can! I’ll see you tomorrow at 3 PM. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Finding a part-time or side job in Korea involves specific vocabulary! Try browsing Korean job sites like Albamon or Alba Cheonguk just to see the types of jobs available and how they are described~ Pay attention to terms like 시급 (si-geup), 근무 시간 (geun-mu si-gan), and 주요 업무 (ju-yo eom-mu).
Role-play interview scenarios with a friend or language partner. Practice asking about work conditions and answering questions about your availability and experience. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel when applying for real jobs! Good luck with your job search! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
