Understanding how to discuss non-profit organizations is useful whether you’re interested in volunteering, donating, or simply talking about different types of work and social initiatives in Korea. This guide covers the essential Korean term for “non-profit organization” and related vocabulary and phrases to help you navigate conversations on this topic.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 비영리단체
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ni-dan-che
Meaning: Non-profit organization (literally “non-profit group/body”)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 기부
Pronunciation: gi-bu
Meaning: Donation -
Expression: 기부금
Pronunciation: gi-bu-geum
Meaning: Donation (money) -
Expression: 자원봉사
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa
Meaning: Volunteer work -
Expression: 자원봉사자
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-ja
Meaning: Volunteer (person) -
Expression: 후원
Pronunciation: hu-won
Meaning: Sponsorship, support -
Expression: 후원자
Pronunciation: hu-won-ja
Meaning: Sponsor, supporter -
Expression: 사회 복지
Pronunciation: sa-hoe bok-ji
Meaning: Social welfare -
Expression: 공익
Pronunciation: gong-ik
Meaning: Public interest -
Expression: 시민 단체
Pronunciation: si-min dan-che
Meaning: Civic group, citizens’ organization -
Expression: 재단
Pronunciation: jae-dan
Meaning: Foundation -
Expression: 협회
Pronunciation: hyeop-hoe
Meaning: Association -
Expression: 모금 활동
Pronunciation: mo-geum hwal-dong
Meaning: Fundraising activity
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 저는 비영리단체에서 일해요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-e-seo il-hae-yo.
Meaning: I work at a non-profit organization. -
Expression: 이 단체는 비영리단체입니다.
Pronunciation: i dan-che-neun bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This organization is a non-profit organization. -
Expression: 비영리단체에 기부하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-e gi-bu-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to donate to a non-profit organization. -
Expression: 여기서 자원봉사를 할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo ja-won-bong-sa-reul hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I do volunteer work here? -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 비영리단체인가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: What kind of non-profit organization is it? -
Expression: 이 단체는 정부 지원을 받나요?
Pronunciation: i dan-che-neun jeong-bu ji-won-eul bat-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this organization receive government support? -
Expression: 비영리단체를 후원하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-reul hu-won-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am sponsoring/supporting a non-profit organization. -
Expression: 그들은 공익을 위해 일합니다.
Pronunciation: geu-deul-eun gong-ig-eul wi-hae il-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They work for the public interest. -
Expression: 비영리단체 설립 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ni-dan-che seol-lip jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the procedure for establishing a non-profit organization? -
Expression: 많은 비영리단체가 기부금으로 운영됩니다.
Pronunciation: ma-neun bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-ga gi-bu-geum-eu-ro un-yeong-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: Many non-profit organizations operate on donations.
Useful Expressions
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Expression: 비영리단체 활동에 참여하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ni-dan-che hwal-dong-e cham-yeo-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to participate in the activities of a non-profit organization. -
Expression: 어떻게 기부할 수 있는지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke gi-bu-hal su it-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how I can donate. -
Expression: 정기 후원을 신청하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: jeong-gi hu-won-eul sin-cheong-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to apply for regular sponsorship. -
Expression: 자원봉사자 모집 공고는 어디서 볼 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-ja mo-jip gong-go-neun eo-di-seo bol su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Where can I see the volunteer recruitment notice? -
Expression: 이 비영리단체의 주요 활동은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: i bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-ui ju-yo hwal-dong-eun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What are the main activities of this non-profit organization? -
Expression: 기부금 영수증을 발급해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: gi-bu-geum yeong-su-jeung-eul bal-geup-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you issue a receipt for the donation? -
Expression: 비영리단체의 투명성이 중요하다고 생각해요.
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-ui tu-myeong-seong-i jung-yo-ha-da-go saeng-gak-hae-yo.
Meaning: I think the transparency of non-profit organizations is important. -
Expression: 어떤 분야의 비영리단체를 지원하고 싶으세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon bun-ya-ui bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-reul ji-won-ha-go sip-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Which field of non-profit organization do you want to support? -
Expression: 자원봉사를 통해 사회에 기여하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ja-won-bong-sa-reul tong-hae sa-hoe-e gi-yeo-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to contribute to society through volunteer work. -
Expression: 이 재단은 교육 지원에 중점을 둡니다.
Pronunciation: i jae-dan-eun gyo-yuk ji-won-e jung-jeom-eul dum-ni-da.
Meaning: This foundation focuses on educational support. -
Expression: 모금 행사에 참여해 주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: mo-geum haeng-sa-e cham-yeo-hae ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for participating in the fundraising event.
Korean Culture Notes
In Korea, non-profit organizations (비영리단체) play a significant role in various sectors, including social welfare, human rights, environmental protection, and cultural preservation. While the sector has grown, public awareness and participation levels can vary.
Donation (기부) culture is developing. Large corporations often make substantial donations, and celebrity involvement can significantly boost public interest in specific causes or organizations. Individual giving is also common, especially during year-end campaigns or disaster relief efforts.
Volunteering (자원봉사) is encouraged, particularly among students who may receive school credit or recognition for their service hours. Many companies also organize corporate volunteering days for their employees.
Transparency and accountability are increasingly important for Korean non-profits. Organizations often publish annual reports detailing their activities and financial status to build trust with donors and the public.
Civic groups (시민 단체), often operating as non-profits, are active in advocacy and social movements, contributing to public discourse and policy changes on various issues.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Minjun (A) asks his friend Sora (B) about her weekend plans.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 주말에 뭐 하세요?
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, ju-mal-e mwo ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Sora, what are you doing this weekend? -
Expression: B: 아, 저는 토요일에 비영리단체에서 자원봉사를 할 거예요.
Pronunciation: a, jeo-neun to-yo-il-e bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-e-seo ja-won-bong-sa-reul hal geo-ye-yo.
Meaning: Oh, I’m going to volunteer at a non-profit organization on Saturday. -
Expression: A: 와, 정말요? 어떤 종류의 비영리단체예요?
Pronunciation: wa, jeong-mal-lyo? eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui bi-yeong-ni-dan-che-ye-yo?
Meaning: Wow, really? What kind of non-profit organization is it? -
Expression: B: 환경 보호를 위한 시민 단체예요. 저희는 주로 재활용 캠페인을 해요.
Pronunciation: hwan-gyeong bo-ho-reul wi-han si-min dan-che-ye-yo. jeo-hui-neun ju-ro jae-hwal-yong kaem-pe-in-eul hae-yo.
Meaning: It’s a civic group for environmental protection. We mainly do recycling campaigns. -
Expression: A: 멋지네요! 저도 기회가 되면 기부나 후원을 하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: meot-ji-ne-yo! jeo-do gi-hoe-ga doe-myeon gi-bu-na hu-won-eul ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: That’s cool! I’d like to donate or sponsor too, if I get the chance. -
Expression: B: 네, 좋아요! 웹사이트에서 정기 후원을 신청할 수 있어요. 작은 기부금도 큰 도움이 돼요.
Pronunciation: ne, jo-a-yo! wep-sa-i-teu-e-seo jeong-gi hu-won-eul sin-cheong-hal su i-sseo-yo. ja-geun gi-bu-geum-do keun do-um-i dwae-yo.
Meaning: Yes, great! You can sign up for regular sponsorship on the website. Even small donations are a big help.
Practice Tips
Now you know how to say “non-profit organization” (비영리단체) in Korean and use related terms! Try incorporating these words into your practice conversations. You could talk about organizations you support, discuss volunteering experiences, or ask about non-profits in Korea~
Look up some famous Korean non-profit organizations online and try reading their mission statements (미션) or activity reports (활동 보고서) in Korean. This is great practice for reading comprehension and learning specialized vocabulary! Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing these important topics in Korean!
