Understanding financial terms is crucial when discussing company benefits or investments in Korea. This guide focuses on the Korean term for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), “우리사주” (urisaju), providing essential vocabulary, phrases, and cultural context to help you navigate related conversations.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 우리사주
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju
Meaning: Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); literally “our company’s stock”
Key Terms Related to ESOP
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Expression: 주식
Pronunciation: ju-sik
Meaning: Stock, share -
Expression: 직원
Pronunciation: jik-won
Meaning: Employee -
Expression: 회사
Pronunciation: hoe-sa
Meaning: Company -
Expression: 제도
Pronunciation: je-do
Meaning: System, plan, program -
Expression: 우리사주조합
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju-jo-hap
Meaning: Employee Stock Ownership Association -
Expression: 부여하다
Pronunciation: bu-yeo-ha-da
Meaning: To grant, to give -
Expression: 취득하다
Pronunciation: chwi-deuk-ha-da
Meaning: To acquire, to obtain -
Expression: 매수하다
Pronunciation: mae-su-ha-da
Meaning: To purchase, to buy -
Expression: 매도하다
Pronunciation: mae-do-ha-da
Meaning: To sell -
Expression: 주가
Pronunciation: ju-ga
Meaning: Stock price -
Expression: 복지
Pronunciation: bok-ji
Meaning: Welfare, benefits -
Expression: 자사주
Pronunciation: ja-sa-ju
Meaning: Treasury stock (company’s own stock)
Korean Expressions
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Expression: 우리사주 제도가 있나요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju je-do-ga it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there an Employee Stock Ownership Plan? -
Expression: 우리사주를 받았습니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju-reul ba-dat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I received employee stocks. -
Expression: 우리사주 취득 조건이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju chwi-deuk jo-geon-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the conditions for acquiring employee stock? -
Expression: 우리사주를 언제 매도할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju-reul eon-je mae-do-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: When can I sell the employee stock? -
Expression: 우리 회사는 우리사주 제도를 운영합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri hoe-sa-neun u-ri-sa-ju je-do-reul un-yeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Our company operates an ESOP. -
Expression: 우리사주는 직원 복지의 일환입니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju-neun jik-won bok-ji-ui il-hwan-im-ni-da.
Meaning: ESOP is part of employee benefits. -
Expression: 우리사주 조합에 가입해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju jo-hap-e ga-ip-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to join the Employee Stock Ownership Association. -
Expression: 우리사주 가격은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju ga-gyeok-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the price of the employee stock? -
Expression: 우리사주 관련 규정을 확인해 보세요.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju gwal-lyeon gyu-jeong-eul hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the regulations regarding the ESOP. -
Expression: 우리사주 배정 수량이 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju bae-jeong su-ryang-i gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m curious about the allocated quantity of employee stock.
Useful Expressions for Discussing ESOP
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Expression: 우리사주 취득 후 일정 기간 동안 매도가 제한됩니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju chwi-deuk hu il-jeong gi-gan dong-an mae-do-ga je-han-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Selling is restricted for a certain period after acquiring employee stock. -
Expression: 회사의 성장에 따라 우리사주 가치도 상승할 수 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-ui seong-jang-e tta-ra u-ri-sa-ju ga-chi-do sang-seung-hal su it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The value of employee stock can increase with the company’s growth. -
Expression: 우리사주 매수 자금은 대출 지원이 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju mae-su ja-geum-eun dae-chul ji-won-i ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Loan support is available for purchasing employee stock. -
Expression: 퇴사 시 우리사주 처리 절차를 확인해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: toe-sa si u-ri-sa-ju cheo-ri jeol-cha-reul hwa-gin-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to check the procedure for handling employee stock upon resignation. -
Expression: 우리사주 제도는 직원들의 주인의식을 높이는 데 도움이 됩니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju je-do-neun jik-won-deul-ui ju-in-ui-sik-eul no-pi-neun de do-um-i doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The ESOP helps increase employees’ sense of ownership. -
Expression: 우리사주 관련 세금 문제도 고려해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju gwal-lyeon se-geum mun-je-do go-ryeo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Tax issues related to employee stock should also be considered. -
Expression: 우리사주 설명회에 참석하는 것이 좋습니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju seol-myeong-hoe-e cham-seok-ha-neun geo-si jo-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It is advisable to attend the ESOP information session. -
Expression: 우리사주 계좌는 어떻게 개설하나요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju gye-jwa-neun eo-tteo-ke gae-seol-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How do I open an ESOP account? -
Expression: 부여받은 우리사주의 수량을 확인했습니다.
Pronunciation: bu-yeo-ba-deun u-ri-sa-ju-ui su-ryang-eul hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I confirmed the quantity of granted employee stock. -
Expression: 우리사주 매도 시점에 대해 고민 중입니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju mae-do si-jeom-e dae-hae go-min jung-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am contemplating when to sell the employee stock. -
Expression: 우리사주가 회사 성과와 연동되어 있나요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju-ga hoe-sa seong-gwa-wa yeon-dong-doe-eo it-na-yo?
Meaning: Is the employee stock linked to company performance?
Korean Culture Notes
Employee Loyalty and Motivation: In Korea, ESOPs (우리사주 제도) are often viewed as a way to foster employee loyalty and motivate workers by giving them a direct stake in the company’s success. It aligns employee interests with those of the company and shareholders.
Long-Term Benefit: While immediate salary is important, benefits like 우리사주 are often considered significant long-term financial benefits, especially in established or rapidly growing companies. It’s seen as a form of wealth building tied to the company’s future.
Company Culture Indicator: Companies offering generous ESOPs are sometimes perceived as having a more progressive and employee-centric culture. It can be a factor potential employees consider when choosing between job offers.
Regulatory Context: The specifics of ESOPs, including vesting periods and selling restrictions (매도 제한), are governed by Korean regulations and individual company policies. Understanding these rules is crucial for employees participating in the plan.
Collective Aspect: The term 우리사주 itself, using “우리” (uri – meaning “we” or “our”), reflects a collective sentiment often emphasized in Korean corporate culture. The 우리사주조합 (Employee Stock Ownership Association) further highlights this collective approach.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues are discussing the company’s ESOP during a break.
Roles:
* A: Senior Employee (선배 직원 – seon-bae jik-won)
* B: New Employee (신입 직원 – sin-ip jik-won)
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Expression: B: 선배님, 우리 회사 우리사주 제도에 대해 궁금한 게 있어요.
Pronunciation: seon-bae-nim, u-ri hoe-sa u-ri-sa-ju je-do-e dae-hae gung-geum-han ge i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: B: Sunbae-nim, I have some questions about our company’s ESOP. -
Expression: A: 아, 우리사주요? 뭐든지 물어보세요. 저도 처음에 좀 헷갈렸어요.
Pronunciation: a, u-ri-sa-ju-yo? mwo-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo. jeo-do cheo-eum-e jom het-gal-lyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh, the ESOP? Ask me anything. I was a bit confused at first too. -
Expression: B: 우리사주를 받으려면 특별한 조건이 있나요?
Pronunciation: u-ri-sa-ju-reul ba-deu-ryeo-myeon teuk-byeol-han jo-geon-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Are there special conditions to receive the employee stock? -
Expression: A: 네, 보통 근속 연수나 직급에 따라 부여 수량이 달라져요. 그리고 우리사주조합에 가입해야 하고요.
Pronunciation: ne, bo-tong geun-sok yeon-su-na jik-geup-e tta-ra bu-yeo su-ryang-i dal-la-jyeo-yo. geu-ri-go u-ri-sa-ju-jo-hap-e ga-ip-hae-ya ha-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, the amount granted usually varies depending on years of service or position. And you need to join the Employee Stock Ownership Association. -
Expression: B: 그럼 받은 주식은 바로 팔 수 있는 건가요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom ba-deun ju-sik-eun ba-ro pal su it-neun geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Then, can I sell the stocks I receive right away? -
Expression: A: 아니요, 보통 몇 년 동안은 매도가 제한돼요. 보호예수 기간이라고 하죠. 회사 규정을 잘 확인해봐야 해요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-yo, bo-tong myeot nyeon dong-an-eun mae-do-ga je-han-dwae-yo. bo-ho-ye-su gi-gan-i-ra-go ha-jyo. hoe-sa gyu-jeong-eul jal hwa-gin-hae-bwa-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: A: No, selling is usually restricted for a few years. It’s called the lock-up period. You need to check the company regulations carefully. -
Expression: B: 그렇군요. 잘 알아봐야겠네요. 감사합니다, 선배님!
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. jal a-ra-bwa-ya-gen-ne-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da, seon-bae-nim!
Meaning: B: I see. I should look into it carefully. Thank you, Sunbae-nim! -
Expression: A: 네, 궁금한 거 있으면 또 물어보세요! 우리사주가 장기적으로는 꽤 도움이 될 수 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, gung-geum-han geo i-sseu-myeon tto mu-reo-bo-se-yo! u-ri-sa-ju-ga jang-gi-jeok-eu-ro-neun kkwae do-um-i doel su i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Sure, ask me again if you have more questions! The ESOP can be quite helpful in the long run.
Practice Tips
Understanding terms like 우리사주 is important if you work for a Korean company or are interested in Korean business culture! Try using the key terms and phrases when discussing company benefits or reading news about Korean corporations~
Practice asking questions about ESOP conditions (우리사주 취득 조건) or selling restrictions (매도 제한). You can also role-play the conversation example with a study partner. Familiarizing yourself with these expressions will make financial discussions in Korean much smoother! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
