Understanding how to discuss competency development is crucial in professional settings, particularly within the Korean work environment where continuous learning and skill enhancement are highly valued. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to developing professional skills and capabilities, often referred to as 역량개발 (yeok-ryang gae-bal).
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 역량개발
Pronunciation: yeok-ryang gae-bal
Meaning: Competency Development (The process of improving skills, knowledge, and abilities relevant to one’s job or career)
Related Terms
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Expression: 자기계발
Pronunciation: ja-gi gye-bal
Meaning: Self-Development / Self-Improvement -
Expression: 직무능력
Pronunciation: jik-mu neung-ryeok
Meaning: Job Skills / Work Competency -
Expression: 경력개발
Pronunciation: gyeong-ryeok gae-bal
Meaning: Career Development -
Expression: 교육훈련
Pronunciation: gyo-yuk hul-lyeon
Meaning: Education and Training -
Expression: 스킬 향상
Pronunciation: seu-kil hyang-sang
Meaning: Skill Improvement -
Expression: 전문성 강화
Pronunciation: jeon-mun-seong gang-hwa
Meaning: Strengthening Expertise / Enhancing Professionalism -
Expression: 잠재력 개발
Pronunciation: jam-jae-ryeok gae-bal
Meaning: Potential Development -
Expression: 인재 육성
Pronunciation: in-jae yuk-seong
Meaning: Talent Nurturing / Human Resource Development -
Expression: 학습 조직
Pronunciation: hak-seup jo-jik
Meaning: Learning Organization -
Expression: 코칭
Pronunciation: ko-ching
Meaning: Coaching -
Expression: 멘토링
Pronunciation: men-to-ring
Meaning: Mentoring -
Expression: 성과 향상
Pronunciation: seong-gwa hyang-sang
Meaning: Performance Improvement
Phrases for Discussing Competency Development
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Expression: 회사는 직원들의 역량개발을 지원합니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-neun jik-won-deul-ui yeok-ryang-gae-bal-eul ji-won-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The company supports employee competency development. -
Expression: 저는 역량개발을 위해 교육 과정을 수강하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun yeok-ryang-gae-bal-eul wi-hae gyo-yuk gwa-jeong-eul su-gang-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am taking a training course for competency development. -
Expression: 역량개발 계획을 세우는 것이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: yeok-ryang-gae-bal gye-hoek-eul se-u-neun geo-si jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s important to make a competency development plan. -
Expression: 어떤 역량을 개발하고 싶으신가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon yeok-ryang-eul gae-bal-ha-go sip-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What competencies do you want to develop? -
Expression: 이 교육은 직무 역량 향상에 도움이 될 것입니다.
Pronunciation: i gyo-yuk-eun jik-mu yeok-ryang hyang-sang-e do-um-i doel geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: This training will help improve job competencies. -
Expression: 꾸준한 자기계발을 통해 역량을 키워야 합니다.
Pronunciation: kku-jun-han ja-gi-gye-bal-eul tong-hae yeok-ryang-eul ki-wo-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to build your competencies through continuous self-development. -
Expression: 팀원들의 역량개발을 어떻게 도울 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: tim-won-deul-ui yeok-ryang-gae-bal-eul eo-tteo-ke do-ul su it-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How can we help team members with their competency development? -
Expression: 개인의 역량개발 목표를 설정해 보세요.
Pronunciation: gae-in-ui yeok-ryang-gae-bal mok-pyo-reul seol-jeong-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try setting personal competency development goals. -
Expression: 역량개발은 경력 성장에 필수적입니다.
Pronunciation: yeok-ryang-gae-bal-eun gyeong-ryeok seong-jang-e pil-su-jeok-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Competency development is essential for career growth. -
Expression: 회사의 역량개발 프로그램에 참여하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-ui yeok-ryang-gae-bal peu-ro-geu-raem-e cham-yeo-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to participate in the company’s competency development program. -
Expression: 새로운 기술 습득도 중요한 역량개발입니다.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un gi-sul seup-deuk-do jung-yo-han yeok-ryang-gae-bal-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Acquiring new skills is also important competency development. -
Expression: 역량개발 기회를 적극적으로 찾아야 합니다.
Pronunciation: yeok-ryang-gae-bal gi-hoe-reul jeok-geuk-jeok-eu-ro cha-ja-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You should actively seek competency development opportunities.
Phrases for Setting Goals
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Expression: 올해 저의 역량개발 목표는 외국어 능력 향상입니다.
Pronunciation: ol-hae jeo-ui yeok-ryang-gae-bal mok-pyo-neun oe-gu-geo neung-ryeok hyang-sang-im-ni-da.
Meaning: My competency development goal for this year is to improve my foreign language skills. -
Expression: 구체적인 역량개발 계획을 세웠습니다.
Pronunciation: gu-che-jeok-in yeok-ryang-gae-bal gye-hoek-eul se-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have made a specific competency development plan. -
Expression: 목표 달성을 위해 노력하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: mok-pyo dal-seong-eul wi-hae no-ryeok-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will strive to achieve my goals. -
Expression: 분기별로 역량개발 진행 상황을 점검할 것입니다.
Pronunciation: bun-gi-byeol-lo yeok-ryang-gae-bal jin-haeng sang-hwang-eul jeom-geom-hal geo-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check my competency development progress quarterly. -
Expression: 상사와 역량개발 목표에 대해 상의했습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-sa-wa yeok-ryang-gae-bal mok-pyo-e dae-hae sang-ui-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I discussed my competency development goals with my supervisor. -
Expression: 어떤 분야의 전문성을 키우고 싶으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bun-ya-ui jeon-mun-seong-eul ki-u-go sip-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: In which area do you want to develop expertise? -
Expression: 단기 목표와 장기 목표를 모두 설정하는 것이 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: dan-gi mok-pyo-wa jang-gi mok-pyo-reul mo-du seol-jeong-ha-neun geo-si jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s good to set both short-term and long-term goals. -
Expression: 측정 가능한 목표를 세우는 것이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: cheuk-jeong ga-neung-han mok-pyo-reul se-u-neun geo-si jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s important to set measurable goals. -
Expression: 역량개발을 통해 성과를 높이고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: yeok-ryang-gae-bal-eul tong-hae seong-gwa-reul nop-i-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to improve performance through competency development. -
Expression: 새로운 프로젝트를 통해 역량을 키울 기회를 얻었습니다.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un peu-ro-jek-teu-reul tong-hae yeok-ryang-eul ki-ul gi-hoe-reul eot-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I got an opportunity to develop my competencies through a new project. -
Expression: 필요한 교육이나 자원을 요청할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han gyo-yuk-i-na ja-won-eul yo-cheong-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: You can request necessary training or resources. -
Expression: 자신의 강점과 약점을 파악하는 것이 역량개발의 시작입니다.
Pronunciation: ja-sin-ui gang-jeom-gwa yak-jeom-eul pa-ak-ha-neun geo-si yeok-ryang-gae-bal-ui si-jak-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is the start of competency development.
Korean Culture Notes
In Korean workplaces, 역량개발 (yeok-ryang-gae-bal) is often seen as a shared responsibility between the employee and the employer. Companies frequently offer or subsidize various training programs, workshops, and certifications to encourage skill enhancement.
Continuous learning (평생학습 – pyeong-saeng-hak-seup) and self-improvement (자기계발 – ja-gi-gye-bal) are highly valued traits. Employees are generally expected to show initiative in developing their skills, which can positively impact performance reviews and promotion opportunities.
The concept of ‘spec’ (스펙 – seu-pek), referring to one’s qualifications, background, and skills, is significant. Actively engaging in competency development is a way to build a stronger ‘spec’ and enhance career prospects.
Discussions about competency development goals are common during performance reviews (업무평가 – eop-mu-pyeong-ga) or one-on-one meetings (면담 – myeon-dam) with supervisors.
Demonstrating a proactive attitude towards learning new skills and adapting to changes is generally well-regarded in Korean corporate culture.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A team leader (A) discusses competency development goals with a team member (B) during a mid-year review.
Roles: A: Team Leader (팀장님 – Timjangnim), B: Team Member (김대리 – Kim Daeri)
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Expression: A: 김 대리님, 올해 남은 기간 동안 역량개발 계획은 어떻게 되시나요?
Pronunciation: gim dae-ri-nim, ol-hae nam-eun gi-gan dong-an yeok-ryang-gae-bal gye-hoek-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Assistant Manager Kim, what are your competency development plans for the remainder of the year? -
Expression: B: 네, 팀장님. 데이터 분석 능력을 좀 더 키우고 싶습니다. 관련 온라인 강의를 수강할 계획입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, tim-jang-nim. de-i-teo bun-seok neung-ryeok-eul jom deo ki-u-go sip-seum-ni-da. gwal-lyeon on-la-in gang-ui-reul su-gang-hal gye-hoek-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, Team Leader. I’d like to further develop my data analysis skills. I plan to take a related online course. -
Expression: A: 좋은 생각이네요. 회사에서 교육비 지원 프로그램이 있으니 활용해 보세요. 필요한 부분이 있으면 언제든 이야기해 주시고요.
Pronunciation: jo-eun saeng-gak-i-ne-yo. hoe-sa-e-seo gyo-yuk-bi ji-won peu-ro-geu-raem-i it-seu-ni hwal-yong-hae bo-se-yo. pil-yo-han bu-bun-i it-eu-myeon eon-je-deun i-ya-gi-hae ju-si-go-yo.
Meaning: That’s a good idea. The company has a training expense support program, so try using it. Let me know anytime if you need anything. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다, 팀장님. 열심히 해서 업무 성과에도 기여하도록 노력하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da, tim-jang-nim. yeol-sim-hi hae-seo eop-mu seong-gwa-e-do gi-yeo-ha-do-rok no-ryeok-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you, Team Leader. I will work hard to contribute to work performance as well. -
Expression: A: 기대하겠습니다. 꾸준한 역량개발은 김 대리님 개인의 성장뿐만 아니라 팀 전체에도 큰 도움이 될 겁니다.
Pronunciation: gi-dae-ha-get-seum-ni-da. kku-jun-han yeok-ryang-gae-bal-eun gim dae-ri-nim gae-in-ui seong-jang-ppun-man a-ni-ra tim jeon-che-e-do keun do-um-i doel geom-ni-da.
Meaning: I look forward to it. Consistent competency development will be a great help not only for your personal growth, Assistant Manager Kim, but also for the entire team.
Practice Tips
Mastering phrases related to 역량개발 (yeok-ryang-gae-bal) is beneficial for career growth in Korea! Try identifying one or two skills you’d like to develop (개발하고 싶은 역량 – gae-bal-ha-go sip-eun yeok-ryang) and practice discussing them using the phrases above~
You can practice setting goals (목표 설정하기 – mok-pyo seol-jeong-ha-gi) by writing down your plans in Korean. Consider discussing your development goals with Korean colleagues or mentors if possible. Researching company training programs (회사 교육 프로그램 – hoe-sa gyo-yuk peu-ro-geu-raem) is also a practical way to apply this vocabulary. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more confident discussing your professional development in Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
