Understanding and discussing international contracts requires specific terminology, whether you’re involved in global business, legal matters, or cross-border collaborations. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to international contracts, covering key terms, negotiation, review, and signing processes, along with cultural insights for effective communication.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 국제계약
Pronunciation: guk-je-gye-yak
Meaning: International Contract
Key Vocabulary for Contracts
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Expression: 계약서
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo
Meaning: Contract (document) -
Expression: 당사자
Pronunciation: dang-sa-ja
Meaning: Party (to a contract) -
Expression: 갑 (甲) / 을 (乙)
Pronunciation: gap / eul
Meaning: Party A / Party B (Often used in Korean contracts) -
Expression: 계약 조건
Pronunciation: gye-yak jo-geon
Meaning: Contract terms/conditions -
Expression: 계약 기간
Pronunciation: gye-yak gi-gan
Meaning: Contract period/term -
Expression: 서명
Pronunciation: seo-myeong
Meaning: Signature -
Expression: 날인
Pronunciation: na-rin
Meaning: Seal/Stamp (often used instead of or with signatures) -
Expression: 위약금
Pronunciation: wi-yak-geum
Meaning: Penalty fee / Breach penalty -
Expression: 비밀 유지 조항
Pronunciation: bi-mil yu-ji jo-hang
Meaning: Confidentiality clause -
Expression: 준거법
Pronunciation: jun-geo-beop
Meaning: Governing law -
Expression: 분쟁 해결
Pronunciation: bun-jaeng hae-gyeol
Meaning: Dispute resolution -
Expression: 계약 해지
Pronunciation: gye-yak hae-ji
Meaning: Contract termination
Phrases for Negotiating Contracts
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Expression: 계약 조건에 대해 협상하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak jo-geon-e dae-hae hyeop-sang-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to negotiate the contract terms. -
Expression: 이 조항을 수정할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i jo-hang-eul su-jeong-hal su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can we modify this clause? -
Expression: 저희 제안은 다음과 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui je-an-eun da-eum-gwa gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Our proposal is as follows. -
Expression: 이 조건은 받아들이기 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: i jo-geon-eun ba-da-deu-ri-gi eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It is difficult to accept this condition. -
Expression: 대안을 제시해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: dae-an-eul je-si-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you suggest an alternative? -
Expression: 양측 모두에게 유리한 방향으로 합의점을 찾읍시다.
Pronunciation: yang-cheuk mo-du-e-ge yu-ri-han bang-hyang-eu-ro hap-ui-jeom-eul cha-jeup-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s find a compromise that benefits both parties. -
Expression: 계약 세부 사항을 명확히 하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak se-bu sa-hang-eul myeong-hwak-hi ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to clarify the contract details. -
Expression: 이 부분에 대한 설명을 더 해주시겠습니까?
Pronunciation: i bu-bun-e dae-han seol-myeong-eul deo hae-ju-si-get-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Could you explain more about this part? -
Expression: 최종 합의에 도달했습니다.
Pronunciation: choe-jong ha-bui-e do-dal-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We have reached a final agreement. -
Expression: 협상 내용을 서면으로 정리해 주십시오.
Pronunciation: hyeop-sang nae-yong-eul seo-myeon-eu-ro jeong-ri-hae ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Please put the negotiated points in writing. -
Expression: 다음 미팅에서 이 문제를 논의합시다.
Pronunciation: da-eum mi-ting-e-seo i mun-je-reul non-ui-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s discuss this issue at the next meeting. -
Expression: 기한을 연장해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gi-han-eul yeon-jang-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you extend the deadline?
Phrases for Reviewing and Signing
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Expression: 계약서 초안을 검토했습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo cho-an-eul geom-to-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have reviewed the draft contract. -
Expression: 계약서를 꼼꼼히 읽어보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-reul kkom-kkom-hi il-geo-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will read the contract carefully. -
Expression: 이 조항에 대해 질문이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i jo-hang-e dae-hae jil-mun-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have a question about this clause. -
Expression: 법률 자문을 받아야 할 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: beom-nyul ja-mun-eul ba-da-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think I need to seek legal advice. -
Expression: 계약서 내용에 동의합니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo nae-yong-e dong-ui-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I agree with the contents of the contract. -
Expression: 계약서에 서명할 준비가 되었습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo-e seo-myeong-hal jun-bi-ga doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am ready to sign the contract. -
Expression: 여기에 서명(또는 날인)해 주십시오.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-e seo-myeong (tto-neun na-rin)-hae ju-sip-si-o.
Meaning: Please sign (or affix your seal) here. -
Expression: 계약서 사본을 받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo sa-bon-eul ba-deul su it-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a copy of the contract? -
Expression: 계약이 공식적으로 발효되었습니다.
Pronunciation: gye-ya-gi gong-sik-jeo-geu-ro bal-hyo-doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The contract has officially come into effect. -
Expression: 계약 조건을 준수해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: gye-yak jo-geon-eul jun-su-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We must comply with the contract terms. -
Expression: 수정된 계약서를 보내주세요.
Pronunciation: su-jeong-doen gye-yak-seo-reul bo-nae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please send the revised contract. -
Expression: 모든 페이지에 이니셜을 기입해 주세요.
Pronunciation: mo-deun pe-i-ji-e i-ni-syeol-eul gi-ip-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please initial every page.
Korean Culture Notes
Emphasis on Relationships: In Korean business culture, building a strong relationship (관계, gwan-gye) before finalizing a contract is often crucial. Negotiations might involve social gatherings or multiple meetings to establish trust.
Formality and Hierarchy: Contract negotiations and signings are typically formal events. Understanding and respecting hierarchy (e.g., addressing senior members appropriately) is important.
Use of Seals (도장, Dojang): While signatures (서명, seo-myeong) are common, official company or personal seals (도장, do-jang) are often used for formal contract execution in Korea, sometimes alongside a signature. Foreign entities usually use signatures.
Indirect Communication: Direct refusal or disagreement might be considered impolite. Koreans may use softer language or indirect expressions when raising concerns or rejecting proposals during negotiations. Pay attention to nuances.
Importance of Written Contracts: While relationships are key, written contracts are taken very seriously. Ensure all agreed-upon terms are clearly documented in the final 계약서 (gye-yak-seo).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Representatives from a Korean company (A) and a foreign company (B) are finalizing an international distribution contract.
Roles:
A: 김민준 (Kim Minjun) – Korean Company Representative
B: John Smith – Foreign Company Representative
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Expression: A: 존 스미스 씨, 보내드린 국제계약서 초안은 검토해 보셨습니까?
Pronunciation: jon seu-mi-seu ssi, bo-nae-deu-rin guk-je-gye-yak-seo cho-an-eun geom-to-hae bo-syeot-sseum-ni-kka?
Meaning: Mr. John Smith, have you reviewed the draft international contract we sent? -
Expression: B: 네, 김민준 씨. 꼼꼼히 검토했습니다. 대부분의 조건에 동의하지만, 제5조 지불 조건에 대해 질문이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gim-min-jun ssi. kkom-kkom-hi geom-to-haet-seum-ni-da. dae-bu-bun-ui jo-geon-e dong-ui-ha-ji-man, je-o-jo ji-bul jo-geon-e dae-hae jil-mun-i it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, Mr. Kim. I reviewed it carefully. I agree with most terms, but I have a question regarding Article 5, the payment terms. -
Expression: A: 네, 어떤 점이 궁금하십니까? 명확히 설명해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, eo-tteon jeom-i gung-geum-ha-sim-ni-kka? myeong-hwak-hi seol-myeong-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, what is your question? I will explain it clearly. -
Expression: B: 지불 기한을 현재 30일에서 45일로 연장하는 것이 가능할까요? 저희 내부 절차상 시간이 조금 더 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: ji-bul gi-han-eul hyeon-jae sam-sip-il-e-seo sa-sip-o-il-lo yeon-jang-ha-neun geo-si ga-neung-hal-kka-yo? jeo-hui nae-bu jeol-cha-sang si-gan-i jo-geum deo pil-lyo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Would it be possible to extend the payment deadline from the current 30 days to 45 days? Our internal procedures require a bit more time. -
Expression: A: 음, 내부적으로 확인해 보겠습니다. 45일은 조금 어려울 수 있지만, 대안을 찾아보겠습니다. 내일까지 답변드려도 괜찮을까요?
Pronunciation: eum, nae-bu-jeo-geu-ro hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. sa-sip-o-il-eun jo-geum eo-ryeoul su it-ji-man, dae-an-eul cha-ja-bo-get-seum-ni-da. nae-il-kka-ji dap-byeon-deu-ryeo-do gwaen-chan-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Hmm, let me check internally. 45 days might be a bit difficult, but I will look for an alternative. Is it okay if I get back to you by tomorrow? -
Expression: B: 네, 좋습니다. 다른 조항들은 모두 동의합니다. 수정된 최종 계약서를 받으면 서명할 준비가 됩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-sseum-ni-da. da-reun jo-hang-deul-eun mo-du dong-ui-ham-ni-da. su-jeong-doen choe-jong gye-yak-seo-reul ba-deu-myeon seo-myeong-hal jun-bi-ga doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, that’s fine. I agree with all the other clauses. Once I receive the revised final contract, I’ll be ready to sign.
Practice Tips
Mastering contract terminology takes practice! Try reviewing sample Korean contract clauses (you can often find templates online) and identify the key terms learned here~ Role-playing negotiation scenarios with a language partner can also be very helpful. Pay close attention to the formal language used in these situations. Remember to always double-check meanings and consult legal professionals for actual contracts! Good luck! 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting)!
