Securing an internship, known as 인턴십 (in-teon-ship) in Korean, is often a crucial step for students and young professionals aiming to gain practical experience in South Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to finding, applying for, and working as an intern, helping you navigate the process more effectively in a Korean context.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 인턴십
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship
Meaning: Internship (loanword from English)
Finding an Internship
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Expression: 인턴십 공고를 찾고 있어요.
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship gong-go-reul chat-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I am looking for internship postings. -
Expression: 어떤 분야에서 인턴십을 하고 싶으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bun-ya-e-seo in-teon-ship-eul ha-go si-peu-se-yo?
Meaning: In what field do you want to do an internship? -
Expression: 인턴 채용 정보는 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-teon chae-yong jeong-bo-neun eo-di-seo bol su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I find information about intern recruitment? -
Expression: 여름 방학 동안 인턴십을 할 계획이에요.
Pronunciation: yeo-reum bang-hak dong-an in-teon-ship-eul hal gye-hoek-i-e-yo.
Meaning: I plan to do an internship during the summer vacation. -
Expression: 이 회사에서 인턴을 모집하나요?
Pronunciation: i hoe-sa-e-seo in-teon-eul mo-jip-ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this company recruit interns? -
Expression: 인턴십 지원 자격이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship ji-won ja-gyeok-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the eligibility requirements for the internship? -
Expression: 유급 인턴십인가요?
Pronunciation: yu-geup in-teon-ship-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it a paid internship? -
Expression: 무급 인턴십이에요.
Pronunciation: mu-geup in-teon-ship-i-e-yo.
Meaning: It’s an unpaid internship. -
Expression: 인턴십 기간은 얼마나 되나요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship gi-gan-eun eol-ma-na doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How long is the internship period? -
Expression: 학교 취업 지원 센터에 문의해 보세요.
Pronunciation: hak-gyo chwi-eop ji-won sen-teo-e mun-ui-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Try contacting the university’s career support center.
Applying for Internships
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Expression: 인턴십에 지원하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship-e ji-won-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to apply for the internship. -
Expression: 이력서를 제출해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: i-ryeok-seo-reul je-chul-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You 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 required? -
Expression: 지원 마감일이 언제인가요?
Pronunciation: ji-won ma-gam-il-i eon-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When is the application deadline? -
Expression: 서류 심사 결과는 언제 나오나요?
Pronunciation: seo-ryu sim-sa gyeol-gwa-neun eon-je na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: When will the results of the document screening be announced? -
Expression: 면접 일정이 잡혔어요.
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop il-jeong-i jap-hyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The interview has been scheduled. -
Expression: 면접 준비를 해야 해요.
Pronunciation: myeon-jeop jun-bi-reul hae-ya hae-yo.
Meaning: I need to prepare for the interview. -
Expression: 어떤 질문이 나올까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jil-mun-i na-ol-kka-yo?
Meaning: What kind of questions might they ask? -
Expression: 인턴십 합격 통지를 받았습니다.
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship hap-gyeok tong-ji-reul ba-dat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I received the internship acceptance notification. -
Expression: 추천서가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: chu-cheon-seo-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A letter of recommendation is required.
During the Internship
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Expression: 저는 여기서 인턴으로 일하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun yeo-gi-seo in-teon-eu-ro il-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am working here as an intern. -
Expression: 제 담당 업무는 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: je dam-dang eom-mu-neun mu-eot-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are my assigned tasks? -
Expression: 많이 배우고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: ma-ni bae-u-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am learning a lot. -
Expression: 실무 경험을 쌓고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sil-mu gyeong-heom-eul ssa-ko si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to gain practical work experience. -
Expression: 선배님들께 많이 배우고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: seon-bae-nim-deul-kke ma-ni bae-u-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am learning a lot from my seniors (sunbaenims). -
Expression: 이 프로젝트를 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: i peu-ro-jek-teu-reul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Shall I help with this project? -
Expression: 궁금한 점이 있으면 언제든지 물어보세요.
Pronunciation: gung-geum-han jeom-i i-sseu-myeon eon-je-deun-ji mu-reo-bo-se-yo.
Meaning: If you have any questions, feel free to ask anytime. -
Expression: 오늘 제 업무는 끝났습니다. 먼저 퇴근하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul je eom-mu-neun kkeun-nat-seum-ni-da. meon-jeo toe-geun-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: My work for today is finished. I will leave first (formal way to announce departure). -
Expression: 인턴십 수료증을 받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship su-ryo-jjeung-eul ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I receive a certificate of completion for the internship? -
Expression: 인턴십 경험이 도움이 많이 되었습니다.
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship gyeong-heom-i do-um-i ma-ni doe-eot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The internship experience was very helpful.
Discussing Internship Experiences
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Expression: 인턴십 어땠어요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship eo-ttae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How was your internship? -
Expression: 어떤 회사에서 인턴 했어요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon hoe-sa-e-seo in-teon hae-sseo-yo?
Meaning: At which company did you do your internship? -
Expression: 인턴십을 통해 무엇을 배웠나요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship-eul tong-hae mu-eo-seul bae-won-na-yo?
Meaning: What did you learn through the internship? -
Expression: 그 인턴십 경험이 취업에 도움이 되었나요?
Pronunciation: geu in-teon-ship gyeong-heom-i chwi-eop-e do-um-i doe-eon-na-yo?
Meaning: Did that internship experience help you get a job? -
Expression: 인턴에서 정규직으로 전환될 가능성이 있나요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-e-seo jeong-gyu-jik-eu-ro jeon-hwan-doel ga-neung-seong-i in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a possibility of converting from an intern to a full-time employee? -
Expression: 인턴 동기들과 연락하고 지내요?
Pronunciation: in-teon dong-gi-deul-gwa yeol-lak-ha-go ji-nae-yo?
Meaning: Do you keep in touch with your fellow interns? -
Expression: 인턴십 하면서 가장 힘들었던 점은 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship ha-myeon-seo ga-jang him-deul-eot-deon jeom-eun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What was the most difficult part of doing the internship? -
Expression: 가장 보람 있었던 순간은 언제였어요?
Pronunciation: ga-jang bo-ram i-sseot-deon sun-gan-eun eon-je-yeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: When was the most rewarding moment? -
Expression: 다음에도 인턴십을 할 의향이 있으세요?
Pronunciation: da-eum-e-do in-teon-ship-eul hal ui-hyang-i i-sseu-se-yo?
Meaning: Are you willing to do an internship again in the future? -
Expression: 인턴십 추천해 줄 만한 곳 있어요?
Pronunciation: in-teon-ship chu-cheon-hae jul man-han got i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is there any place you would recommend for an internship?
Korean Culture Notes
Internships (인턴십) are highly valued in South Korea, often seen as a prerequisite for securing a good full-time job (정규직 – jeong-gyu-jik) after graduation. Competition can be fierce, especially for positions at large corporations (대기업 – dae-gi-eop).
Korean workplace culture emphasizes hierarchy (위계질서 – wi-gye-jil-seo). As an intern, it’s important to show respect to seniors (선배 – seon-bae) and superiors, often using formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal).
Networking (인맥 쌓기 – in-maek ssak-ki) is crucial. Building good relationships with colleagues and supervisors during your internship can be beneficial for future career opportunities.
Punctuality and diligence are highly expected. Interns are often expected to arrive slightly before the official start time and sometimes stay late, although this varies by company culture.
Company dinners (회식 – hoe-sik) are common social events, even for interns. Participating can be a good way to bond with the team, but attendance is not always mandatory.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two university students, Minji and Jihoon, are discussing their plans for finding summer internships.
Roles:
A: Minji
B: Jihoon
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Expression: A: 지훈아, 여름 방학 때 뭐 할 거야? 인턴십 지원했어?
Pronunciation: Ji-hun-a, yeo-reum bang-hak ttae mwo hal geo-ya? in-teon-ship ji-won-hae-sseo?
Meaning: Jihoon, what are you doing during summer vacation? Did you apply for any internships? -
Expression: B: 아직. 지금 인턴십 공고 찾아보고 있어. 민지는?
Pronunciation: a-jik. ji-geum in-teon-ship gong-go cha-ja-bo-go i-sseo. Min-ji-neun?
Meaning: Not yet. I’m looking for internship postings right now. How about you, Minji? -
Expression: A: 나는 마케팅 회사 몇 군데 지원했어. 서류 결과 기다리는 중이야.
Pronunciation: na-neun ma-ke-ting hoe-sa myeot gun-de ji-won-hae-sseo. seo-ryu gyeol-gwa gi-da-ri-neun jung-i-ya.
Meaning: I applied to a few marketing companies. I’m waiting for the document screening results. -
Expression: B: 와, 빠르다! 나는 IT 회사 쪽으로 알아보고 있는데, 경쟁이 너무 치열해.
Pronunciation: wa, ppa-reu-da! na-neun IT hoe-sa jjok-eu-ro a-ra-bo-go it-neun-de, gyeong-jaeng-i neo-mu chi-yeol-hae.
Meaning: Wow, you’re fast! I’m looking into IT companies, but the competition is so fierce. -
Expression: A: 맞아. 그래도 실무 경험 쌓으려면 인턴십이 중요하잖아. 꼭 좋은 곳 찾길 바랄게!
Pronunciation: ma-ja. geu-rae-do sil-mu gyeong-heom ssa-eu-ryeo-myeon in-teon-ship-i jung-yo-ha-ja-na. kkok jo-eun got chat-gil ba-ral-ge!
Meaning: Right. But internships are important for gaining practical experience. I really hope you find a good place! -
Expression: B: 고마워. 민지도 꼭 합격하길 바랄게! 나중에 인턴십 경험 공유하자.
Pronunciation: go-ma-wo. Min-ji-do kkok hap-gyeok-ha-gil ba-ral-ge! na-jung-e in-teon-ship gyeong-heom gong-yu-ha-ja.
Meaning: Thanks. I hope you get accepted too, Minji! Let’s share our internship experiences later.
Practice Tips
Understanding vocabulary related to internships is key for students and job seekers in Korea! Try using these phrases when discussing career plans with Korean friends or mentors~
Practice reading job postings (채용 공고 – chae-yong gong-go) online to familiarize yourself with the terms used. Role-playing interview scenarios (면접 연습 – myeon-jeop yeon-seup) can also be very helpful!
Remembering the cultural nuances, like showing respect to seniors (선배 존중 – seon-bae jon-jung), will make your internship experience smoother. Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!) You can do it!
