Understanding the term for “freelancer” and related expressions is crucial for navigating the modern work landscape in Korea, whether you’re looking for work or discussing your profession. This guide covers the essential Korean vocabulary for talking about freelance work, including job titles, describing your work style, discussing projects, and cultural insights relevant to freelancing in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
This is the most common way to refer to a freelancer in Korean.
- Expression: 프리랜서
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo
Meaning: Freelancer (This is a direct loanword from English and is widely understood.)
Common Freelance Job Titles
Here are some common job titles used by freelancers in Korea. Notice that many combine “프리랜서” with the specific profession.
- Expression: 프리랜서 작가
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo jak-ga
Meaning: Freelance writer - Expression: 프리랜서 번역가
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo beon-yeok-ga
Meaning: Freelance translator - Expression: 프리랜서 디자이너
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo di-ja-i-neo
Meaning: Freelance designer - Expression: 프리랜서 개발자
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo gae-bal-ja
Meaning: Freelance developer - Expression: 프리랜서 사진작가
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo sa-jin-jak-ga
Meaning: Freelance photographer - Expression: 프리랜서 강사
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo gang-sa
Meaning: Freelance instructor/lecturer - Expression: 프리랜서 컨설턴트
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo keon-seol-teon-teu
Meaning: Freelance consultant - Expression: 프리랜서 모델
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo mo-del
Meaning: Freelance model - Expression: 프리랜서 마케터
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo ma-ke-teo
Meaning: Freelance marketer - Expression: 프리랜서 영상 편집자
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo yeong-sang pyeon-jip-ja
Meaning: Freelance video editor - Expression: 프리랜서 일러스트레이터
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo il-leo-seu-teu-re-i-teo
Meaning: Freelance illustrator - Expression: 1인 기업가
Pronunciation: il-in gi-eop-ga
Meaning: One-person entrepreneur (Sometimes used similarly to freelancer, emphasizing independence)
Describing Freelance Work
Use these phrases to talk about your experience and the nature of freelance work.
- Expression: 저는 프리랜서로 일해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun peu-ri-laen-seo-ro il-hae-yo.
Meaning: I work as a freelancer. - Expression: 프리랜서 활동을 하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo hwal-dong-eul ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am working/active as a freelancer. - Expression: 프리랜서로 전향했어요.
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo-ro jeon-hyang-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I switched to being a freelancer. - Expression: 프리랜서 수입은 불안정해요.
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo su-i-beun bul-an-jeong-hae-yo.
Meaning: Freelance income is unstable. - Expression: 프리랜서 계약을 맺었어요.
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo gye-ya-geul mae-jeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I signed a freelance contract. - Expression: 프로젝트 단위로 일해요.
Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu dan-wi-ro il-hae-yo.
Meaning: I work on a project basis. - Expression: 재택근무를 주로 해요.
Pronunciation: jae-taek-geun-mu-reul ju-ro hae-yo.
Meaning: I mainly work from home. - Expression: 시간 관리가 중요해요.
Pronunciation: si-gan gwan-ri-ga jung-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: Time management is important. - Expression: 여러 클라이언트와 일해요.
Pronunciation: yeo-reo keul-la-i-eon-teu-wa il-hae-yo.
Meaning: I work with multiple clients. - Expression: 세금 신고는 직접 해야 해요.
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go-neun jik-jeop hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I have to file taxes myself. - Expression: 포트폴리오가 필요해요.
Pronunciation: po-teu-pol-li-o-ga pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: A portfolio is necessary. - Expression: 프리랜서 플랫폼을 이용해요.
Pronunciation: peu-ri-laen-seo peul-laet-pom-eul i-yong-hae-yo.
Meaning: I use freelance platforms.
Discussing Projects and Clients
These expressions are useful when communicating with clients or talking about freelance projects.
- Expression: 새로운 프로젝트를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un peu-ro-jek-teu-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for a new project. - Expression: 클라이언트와 미팅이 있어요.
Pronunciation: keul-la-i-eon-teu-wa mi-ting-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a meeting with a client. - Expression: 마감일을 지켜야 해요.
Pronunciation: ma-gam-il-eul ji-kyeo-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I have to meet the deadline. - Expression: 견적서를 보내드렸어요.
Pronunciation: gyeon-jeok-seo-reul bo-nae-deu-ryeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I sent the quotation. - Expression: 계약 조건은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak jo-geon-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the contract terms? - Expression: 작업 비용은 얼마인가요?
Pronunciation: ja-geop bi-yong-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: How much is the fee for the work? - Expression: 수정 사항이 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-jeong sa-hang-i it-na-yo?
Meaning: Are there any revisions needed? - Expression: 프로젝트 완료 보고서를 제출했어요.
Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu wan-ryo bo-go-seo-reul je-chul-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I submitted the project completion report. - Expression: 장기 프로젝트를 선호해요.
Pronunciation: jang-gi peu-ro-jek-teu-reul seon-ho-hae-yo.
Meaning: I prefer long-term projects. - Expression: 단기 프로젝트도 괜찮아요.
Pronunciation: dan-gi peu-ro-jek-teu-do gwaen-chan-a-yo.
Meaning: Short-term projects are also fine. - Expression: 클라이언트의 요구사항을 확인해야 해요.
Pronunciation: keul-la-i-eon-teu-ui yo-gu-sa-hang-eul hwa-gin-hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to check the client’s requirements. - Expression: 결제는 언제 해주시나요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-neun eon-je hae-ju-si-na-yo?
Meaning: When will the payment be made?
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding these cultural points can help you navigate the freelance scene in Korea more effectively.
- Perception of Freelancing: While becoming more accepted, especially in creative and tech industries, freelancing (프리랜서) might still be viewed by some older generations as less stable than a traditional company job (회사원, hoe-sa-won). Explaining the benefits like flexibility (자유로운 시간, ja-yu-ro-un si-gan) can be helpful.
- Importance of Networking (인맥): Building personal connections, known as 인맥 (in-maek), is often crucial for finding freelance work in Korea. Referrals and introductions play a significant role.
- Contracts and Payments: Always aim for a clear written contract (계약서, gye-yak-seo). Be specific about the scope of work (업무 범위, eom-mu beo-mi), deadlines (마감일, ma-gam-il), and payment terms (결제 조건, gyeol-je jo-geon). Follow up politely if payments are delayed.
- Withholding Tax (원천징수): It’s common for clients in Korea to deduct a 3.3% withholding tax (원천징수, won-cheon-jing-su) from payments made to freelancers. Freelancers are responsible for filing their annual comprehensive income tax return (종합소득세 신고, jong-hap-so-deuk-se sin-go).
- Popular Freelance Platforms: Websites like Kmong (크몽, Keu-mong) and Soomgo (숨고, Sum-go) are popular online marketplaces connecting freelancers with clients in Korea.
Real Conversation Example
Here’s a sample conversation where someone discusses their freelance work.
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (company employee) and Sora (freelance translator), meet after a long time. Roles: A: Minjun, B: Sora
- Expression: A: 소라 씨, 오랜만이에요! 요즘 어떻게 지내요?
Pronunciation: So-ra ssi, o-raen-man-i-e-yo! yo-jeum eo-tteo-ke ji-nae-yo?
Meaning: Sora, long time no see! How have you been lately? - Expression: B: 민준 씨! 네, 잘 지내요. 저 회사를 그만두고 프리랜서로 일하기 시작했어요.
Pronunciation: Min-jun ssi! ne, jal ji-nae-yo. jeo hoe-sa-reul geu-man-du-go peu-ri-laen-seo-ro il-ha-gi si-jak-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Minjun! Yes, I’m doing well. I quit my company job and started working as a freelancer. - Expression: A: 아, 정말요? 대단하네요! 어떤 분야에서 프리랜서로 활동하세요?
Pronunciation: a, jeong-mal-lyo? dae-dan-ha-ne-yo! eo-tteon bun-ya-e-seo peu-ri-laen-seo-ro hwal-dong-ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Oh, really? That’s amazing! What field are you freelancing in? - Expression: B: 저는 프리랜서 번역가예요. 주로 IT 관련 문서를 번역하고 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun peu-ri-laen-seo beon-yeok-ga-ye-yo. ju-ro a-i-ti gwal-lyeon mun-seo-reul beon-yeok-ha-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I’m a freelance translator. I mainly translate IT-related documents. - Expression: A: 와, 멋지네요! 프리랜서 생활은 어때요? 장단점이 있을 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: wa, meot-ji-ne-yo! peu-ri-laen-seo saeng-hwa-reun eo-ttae-yo? jang-dan-jeom-i i-sseul geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Wow, that’s cool! How is freelance life? I imagine there are pros and cons. - Expression: B: 맞아요. 시간은 자유롭지만, 안정적인 수입을 만드는 게 중요해요. 프로젝트 찾는 것도 계속 신경 써야 하고요.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. si-gan-eun ja-yu-rop-ji-man, an-jeong-jeo-gin su-i-beul man-deu-neun ge jung-yo-hae-yo. peu-ro-jek-teu chat-neun geot-do gye-sok sin-gyeong sseo-ya ha-go-yo.
Meaning: That’s right. Time is flexible, but creating a stable income is important. I also have to constantly pay attention to finding projects. - Expression: A: 그렇군요. 그래도 원하는 일을 할 수 있다는 게 큰 장점이겠네요.
Pronunciation: geu-reo-kun-yo. geu-rae-do won-ha-neun il-eul hal su it-da-neun ge keun jang-jeom-i-gen-ne-yo.
Meaning: I see. Still, being able to do the work you want must be a big advantage. - Expression: B: 네, 그게 가장 만족스러워요. 혹시 주변에 번역 필요한 곳 있으면 저 소개해 주세요!
Pronunciation: ne, geu-ge ga-jang man-jok-seu-reo-wo-yo. hok-si ju-byeon-e beon-yeok pil-yo-han got i-sseu-myeon jeo so-gae-hae ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Yes, that’s the most satisfying part. If you know anyone around who needs translation, please introduce me!
Practice Tips
Now that you’ve learned the key terms and phrases, it’s time to practice! Try using 프리랜서 (peu-ri-laen-seo) and related expressions when talking about work or careers. Describe your job (or a hypothetical freelance job) using the sentences provided~ Pay close attention to the pronunciation, breaking each word down syllable-by-syllable as shown. Listen to native speakers if possible, and don’t be afraid to use these phrases in conversation! Good luck! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting!)
