Understanding business concepts in Korean is crucial for professionals working with Korean companies or in Korea. This guide focuses on “Lean Management,” explaining the core term and related vocabulary used in Korean business contexts to discuss efficiency, waste reduction, and continuous improvement.
Table Of Content
Core Term
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Expression: 린경영
Pronunciation: rin-gyeong-yeong
Meaning: Lean Management (A direct phonetic borrowing combined with the Korean word for management)
Key Concepts in Lean Management
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Expression: 낭비 제거
Pronunciation: nang-bi je-geo
Meaning: Waste Elimination -
Expression: 지속적 개선
Pronunciation: ji-sok-jeok gae-seon
Meaning: Continuous Improvement (Often associated with Kaizen) -
Expression: 가치 흐름
Pronunciation: ga-chi heu-reum
Meaning: Value Stream -
Expression: 고객 가치
Pronunciation: go-gaek ga-chi
Meaning: Customer Value -
Expression: 풀 시스템
Pronunciation: pul si-seu-tem
Meaning: Pull System -
Expression: 칸반
Pronunciation: kan-ban
Meaning: Kanban (Visual signal system) -
Expression: 5S (정리, 정돈, 청소, 청결, 습관화)
Pronunciation: o-es-seu (jeong-ri, jeong-don, cheong-so, cheong-gyeol, seup-gwan-hwa)
Meaning: 5S (Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain) -
Expression: 카이젠
Pronunciation: ka-i-jen
Meaning: Kaizen (Philosophy of continuous improvement) -
Expression: 적시생산시스템 (JIT)
Pronunciation: jeok-si-saeng-san-si-seu-tem (je-i-a-i-ti)
Meaning: Just-in-Time System (JIT) -
Expression: 효율성
Pronunciation: hyo-yul-seong
Meaning: Efficiency -
Expression: 생산성 향상
Pronunciation: saeng-san-seong hyang-sang
Meaning: Productivity Improvement -
Expression: 프로세스 최적화
Pronunciation: peu-ro-se-seu choe-jeok-hwa
Meaning: Process Optimization
Discussing Lean Principles
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Expression: 우리는 낭비를 제거해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-neun nang-bi-reul je-geo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to eliminate waste. -
Expression: 지속적 개선에 집중합시다.
Pronunciation: ji-sok-jeok gae-seon-e jip-jung-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s focus on continuous improvement. -
Expression: 가치 흐름을 어떻게 개선할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ga-chi heu-reum-eul eo-tteo-ke gae-seon-hal su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How can we improve the value stream? -
Expression: 이 프로세스는 고객 가치를 창출합니다.
Pronunciation: i peu-ro-se-seu-neun go-gaek ga-chi-reul chang-chul-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This process creates customer value. -
Expression: 풀 시스템을 도입해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: pul si-seu-tem-eul do-ip-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We should implement a pull system. -
Expression: 칸반 보드를 사용하여 작업 흐름을 관리합시다.
Pronunciation: kan-ban bo-deu-reul sa-yong-ha-yeo jak-eop heu-reum-eul gwan-ri-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s manage the workflow using a Kanban board. -
Expression: 린경영 원칙을 적용해 봅시다.
Pronunciation: rin-gyeong-yeong won-chik-eul jeok-yong-hae bop-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s try applying Lean Management principles. -
Expression: 비효율적인 부분을 찾아야 합니다.
Pronunciation: bi-hyo-yul-jeok-in bu-bun-eul cha-ja-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to find inefficient parts. -
Expression: 모든 직원이 개선 활동에 참여해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: mo-deun jik-won-i gae-seon hwal-dong-e cham-yeo-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: All employees must participate in improvement activities. -
Expression: 표준화된 작업 절차가 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: pyo-jun-hwa-doen jak-eop jeol-cha-ga pil-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Standardized work procedures are necessary.
Implementing Lean Practices
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Expression: 5S 방법론을 적용합시다.
Pronunciation: o-es-seu bang-beom-non-eul jeok-yong-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s apply the 5S methodology. -
Expression: 우리는 카이젠 원칙을 채택하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: u-ri-neun ka-i-jen won-chik-eul chae-taek-ha-go is-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We are adopting Kaizen principles. -
Expression: 이것은 적시생산시스템(JIT)과 관련이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: i-geos-eun jeok-si-saeng-san-si-seu-tem (je-i-a-i-ti)-gwa gwan-ryeon-i is-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: This is related to the Just-in-Time (JIT) system. -
Expression: 이 작업 흐름을 최적화해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: i jak-eop heu-reum-eul choe-jeok-hwa-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to optimize this workflow. -
Expression: 리드 타임을 어떻게 줄일 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ri-deu ta-im-eul eo-tteo-ke jul-il su is-seul-kka-yo?
Meaning: How can we reduce the lead time? -
Expression: 병목 현상을 식별해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: byeong-mok hyeon-sang-eul sik-byeol-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to identify bottlenecks. -
Expression: 린 도구를 활용하여 문제를 해결합시다.
Pronunciation: rin do-gu-reul hwal-yong-ha-yeo mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hap-si-da.
Meaning: Let’s solve problems using Lean tools. -
Expression: 팀원들과 개선 아이디어를 공유해 주세요.
Pronunciation: tim-won-deul-gwa gae-seon a-i-di-eo-reul gong-yu-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please share improvement ideas with the team members. -
Expression: 정기적으로 성과를 측정하고 검토해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-gi-jeok-eu-ro seong-gwa-reul cheuk-jeong-ha-go geom-to-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to regularly measure and review performance. -
Expression: 린 교육 프로그램을 실시할 예정입니다.
Pronunciation: rin gyo-yuk peu-ro-geu-raem-eul sil-si-hal ye-jeong-im-ni-da.
Meaning: We plan to conduct a Lean training program.
Cultural Notes on Lean Management in Korea
Lean principles, often influenced by Japanese methodologies like Kaizen, resonate well with the strong emphasis on efficiency (효율성 – hyo-yul-seong) and continuous improvement (지속적 개선 – ji-sok-jeok gae-seon) in Korean corporate culture. Many large Korean conglomerates (Chaebols) have adopted and adapted these principles extensively.
When discussing Lean concepts, expect a focus on tangible results and data-driven decision-making. Phrases like 생산성 향상 (saeng-san-seong hyang-sang – productivity improvement) and 원가 절감 (won-ga jeol-gam – cost reduction) are frequently linked to Lean initiatives.
While the term 린경영 (rin-gyeong-yeong) is understood, specific tools and concepts like 카이젠 (Kaizen) or 5S might be more commonly discussed in daily operations. Understanding these specific terms is beneficial.
Hierarchy can play a role. Suggestions for improvement might follow formal channels, although many companies encourage bottom-up participation in 개선 활동 (gae-seon hwal-dong – improvement activities) as part of their Lean culture.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two colleagues, Team Leader Kim (A) and Team Member Park (B), are discussing ways to improve their department’s workflow using Lean principles.
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Expression: A: 박 대리님, 우리 부서 업무 흐름에 낭비가 좀 있는 것 같아요. 린경영 관점에서 개선할 부분을 찾아봅시다.
Pronunciation: bak dae-ri-nim, u-ri bu-seo eom-mu heu-reum-e nang-bi-ga jom it-neun geot ga-ta-yo. rin-gyeong-yeong gwan-jeom-e-seo gae-seon-hal bu-bun-eul cha-ja-bop-si-da.
Meaning: Assistant Manager Park, I feel there’s some waste in our department’s workflow. Let’s find areas for improvement from a Lean Management perspective. -
Expression: B: 네, 팀장님. 특히 서류 처리 과정에서 시간이 많이 소요되는 것 같습니다. 프로세스 최적화가 필요해 보입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, tim-jang-nim. teu-ki seo-ryu cheo-ri gwa-jeong-e-seo si-gan-i ma-ni so-yo-doe-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da. peu-ro-se-seu choe-jeok-hwa-ga pil-yo-hae bo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, Team Leader. Especially in the document processing stage, it seems to take a lot of time. Process optimization seems necessary. -
Expression: A: 맞아요. 가치 흐름을 분석해서 불필요한 단계를 제거해야겠어요. 지속적 개선을 위해 팀원들과 아이디어를 모아봅시다.
Pronunciation: ma-ja-yo. ga-chi heu-reum-eul bun-seok-hae-seo bul-pil-yo-han dan-gye-reul je-geo-hae-ya-ges-seo-yo. ji-sok-jeok gae-seon-eul wi-hae tim-won-deul-gwa a-i-di-eo-reul mo-a-bop-si-da.
Meaning: That’s right. We should analyze the value stream and eliminate unnecessary steps. Let’s gather ideas with the team members for continuous improvement. -
Expression: B: 좋습니다. 5S 활동을 통해 작업 환경을 개선하는 것도 효율성 향상에 도움이 될 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-seum-ni-da. o-es-seu hwal-dong-eul tong-hae jak-eop hwan-gyeong-eul gae-seon-ha-neun geot-do hyo-yul-seong hyang-sang-e do-um-i doel geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Sounds good. Improving the work environment through 5S activities also seems like it would help improve efficiency.
Practice Tips
Familiarize yourself with the core term 린경영 and key concepts like 낭비 제거 and 지속적 개선! Try discussing simple process improvements using these terms. You could analyze a daily task and think about how to apply Lean principles~!
Practice saying the phrases related to implementing Lean, like suggesting 5S or Kaizen. Listening to Korean business news or discussions might expose you to how these terms are used naturally. Keep practicing, and you’ll be discussing business efficiency in Korean confidently!
