Understanding the concept and terminology for social enterprises is increasingly important globally, including in Korea. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to 사회적기업 (social enterprise), helping you discuss this topic, understand related news, or even engage with these organizations in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Term: Social Enterprise
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Expression: 사회적기업
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop
Meaning: Social enterprise (A business aiming to achieve social objectives alongside financial returns)
Related Vocabulary
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Expression: 사회적 가치
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok ga-chi
Meaning: Social value -
Expression: 비영리 단체
Pronunciation: bi-yeong-ri dan-che
Meaning: Non-profit organization -
Expression: 지속가능성
Pronunciation: ji-sok-ga-neung-seong
Meaning: Sustainability -
Expression: 사회 문제 해결
Pronunciation: sa-hoe mun-je hae-gyeol
Meaning: Solving social problems -
Expression: 취약계층 지원
Pronunciation: chwi-yak-gye-cheung ji-won
Meaning: Support for vulnerable groups -
Expression: 일자리 창출
Pronunciation: il-ja-ri chang-chul
Meaning: Job creation -
Expression: 지역사회 공헌
Pronunciation: ji-yeok-sa-hoe gong-heon
Meaning: Contribution to the local community -
Expression: 사회적 책임
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok chaek-im
Meaning: Social responsibility -
Expression: 공익
Pronunciation: gong-ik
Meaning: Public interest / Common good -
Expression: 혁신
Pronunciation: hyeok-sin
Meaning: Innovation -
Expression: 영향력
Pronunciation: yeong-hyang-ryeok
Meaning: Impact / Influence -
Expression: 정부 지원
Pronunciation: jeong-bu ji-won
Meaning: Government support
Useful Phrases
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Expression: 사회적기업이 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bi mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is a social enterprise? -
Expression: 이 회사는 사회적기업입니다.
Pronunciation: i hoe-sa-neun sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bim-ni-da.
Meaning: This company is a social enterprise. -
Expression: 사회적기업은 사회적 가치를 추구합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-beun sa-hoe-jeok ga-chi-reul chu-gu-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Social enterprises pursue social value. -
Expression: 한국에는 다양한 사회적기업이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: han-gu-ge-neun da-yang-han sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: There are various social enterprises in Korea. -
Expression: 사회적기업 인증을 받았습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop in-jeung-eul ba-dat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: (It/They) received social enterprise certification. -
Expression: 그들은 취약계층을 고용합니다.
Pronunciation: geu-deu-reun chwi-yak-gye-cheung-eul go-yong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: They employ people from vulnerable groups. -
Expression: 사회적기업 제품을 구매하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop je-pum-eul gu-mae-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to buy products from social enterprises. -
Expression: 사회적기업은 지속가능한 모델을 지향합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-beun ji-sok-ga-neung-han mo-de-reul ji-hyang-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Social enterprises aim for a sustainable model. -
Expression: 사회적기업에 투자하는 사람들이 늘고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-be tu-ja-ha-neun sa-ram-deu-ri neul-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The number of people investing in social enterprises is increasing. -
Expression: 이 카페는 사회적기업이 운영합니다.
Pronunciation: i ka-pe-neun sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bi un-yeong-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: This cafe is run by a social enterprise. -
Expression: 사회적기업은 지역사회 발전에 기여합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-beun ji-yeok-sa-hoe bal-jeo-ne gi-yeo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Social enterprises contribute to community development. -
Expression: 사회적기업 관련 행사에 참여하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop gwal-lyeon haeng-sa-e cham-yeo-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to participate in events related to social enterprises.
Discussing Social Enterprises
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Expression: 사회적기업이 직면한 어려움은 무엇일까요?
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bi jik-myeon-han eo-ryeo-u-meun mu-eo-sil-kka-yo?
Meaning: What are the challenges faced by social enterprises? -
Expression: 정부의 사회적기업 지원 정책에 대해 알고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-bu-ui sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop ji-won jeong-chae-ge dae-hae al-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to know about the government’s support policies for social enterprises. -
Expression: 사회적기업의 성공 사례를 소개해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bui seong-gong sa-rye-reul so-gae-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please introduce some success stories of social enterprises. -
Expression: 사회적기업과 일반 기업의 차이점은 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop-gwa il-ban gi-eo-bui cha-i-jeo-meun mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What is the difference between a social enterprise and a regular company? -
Expression: 사회적기업이 어떻게 사회 문제를 해결하는지 궁금합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bi eo-tteo-ke sa-hoe mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-ha-neun-ji gung-geum-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m curious about how social enterprises solve social problems. -
Expression: 소비자로서 사회적기업을 어떻게 도울 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: so-bi-ja-ro-sseo sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-beul eo-tteo-ke do-ul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: As a consumer, how can I help social enterprises? -
Expression: 사회적기업의 재정적 지속가능성이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bui jae-jeong-jeok ji-sok-ga-neung-seong-i jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: The financial sustainability of social enterprises is important. -
Expression: 사회적기업 생태계를 활성화해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop saeng-tae-gye-reul hwal-seong-hwa-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: We need to vitalize the social enterprise ecosystem. -
Expression: 그 사회적기업의 사회적 영향력을 측정할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: geu sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bui sa-hoe-jeok yeong-hyang-ryeo-geul chuk-jeong-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can we measure the social impact of that social enterprise? -
Expression: 저는 사회적기업 창업에 관심이 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop chang-eo-be gwan-si-mi it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am interested in starting a social enterprise. -
Expression: 사회적기업 육성을 위한 교육 프로그램이 필요합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop yuk-seong-eul wi-han gyo-yuk peu-ro-geu-rae-mi pi-ryo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Educational programs are needed to foster social enterprises. -
Expression: 사회적기업에 대한 인식을 높이는 것이 중요합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-be dae-han in-si-geul no-pi-neun geo-si jung-yo-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: It is important to raise awareness about social enterprises.
Korean Culture Notes
Government Support and Certification: The Korean government actively promotes social enterprises through the Social Enterprise Promotion Act (사회적기업 육성법, sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop yuk-seong-beop). There’s a formal certification system managed by the Korea Social Enterprise Promotion Agency (KoSEA). Certified social enterprises receive various benefits, including tax breaks and subsidies, which encourages businesses to adopt this model.
Focus Areas: Many Korean social enterprises focus on creating jobs for vulnerable populations (취약계층, chwi-yak-gye-cheung), such as the disabled, elderly, low-income individuals, or North Korean defectors. Other common areas include environmental protection, fair trade, local community revitalization, and providing social services.
Growing Awareness: While the concept is still developing compared to some Western countries, public awareness and consumer interest in social enterprises are growing in Korea. Ethical consumption (윤리적 소비, yun-ri-jeok so-bi) is becoming more popular, leading people to seek out products and services from businesses with positive social impact.
Hybrid Model Emphasis: Korean social enterprises often emphasize the hybrid nature of their model – balancing social mission with financial sustainability. Unlike purely non-profit organizations, they aim to generate revenue through business activities while reinvesting profits back into their social goals.
Diverse Sectors: You can find social enterprises in various sectors in Korea, including cafes, restaurants, manufacturing (especially crafts or recycled goods), cleaning services, education, and cultural arts. This diversity reflects the wide range of social issues being addressed through business models.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are having coffee at a cafe.
Roles:
A: Minjun (Notices something unique about the cafe)
B: Sora (Knows about social enterprises)
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Expression: A: 이 카페 분위기 정말 좋다. 그런데 저기 안내문을 보니까 ‘사회적기업’이라고 쓰여 있네. 그게 뭐야?
Pronunciation: i ka-pe bun-wi-gi jeong-mal jo-ta. geu-reon-de jeo-gi an-nae-mu-neul bo-ni-kka ‘sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop’-i-ra-go sseu-yeo in-ne. geu-ge mwo-ya?
Meaning: This cafe has a really nice atmosphere. But I saw a sign over there that says ‘Social Enterprise’. What is that? -
Expression: B: 아, 사회적기업? 이익을 추구하면서 동시에 사회 문제 해결에 기여하는 회사야. 예를 들면, 여기는 수익금 일부를 환경 보호에 사용하거나, 취약계층을 고용하기도 해.
Pronunciation: a, sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop? i-i-geul chu-gu-ha-myeon-seo dong-si-e sa-hoe mun-je hae-gyeo-re gi-yeo-ha-neun hoe-sa-ya. ye-reul deul-myeon, yeo-gi-neun su-ik-geum il-bu-reul hwan-gyeong bo-ho-e sa-yong-ha-geo-na, chwi-yak-gye-cheung-eul go-yong-ha-gi-do hae.
Meaning: Ah, social enterprise? It’s a company that pursues profit while simultaneously contributing to solving social problems. For example, this place might use part of its profits for environmental protection or employ people from vulnerable groups. -
Expression: A: 와, 그렇구나. 그럼 우리가 여기서 커피 마시는 것도 좋은 일에 도움이 되는 거네?
Pronunciation: wa, geu-reo-ku-na. geu-reom u-ri-ga yeo-gi-seo keo-pi ma-si-neun geot-do jo-eun i-re do-u-mi doe-neun geo-ne?
Meaning: Wow, I see. So, drinking coffee here helps a good cause too? -
Expression: B: 맞아. 사회적기업 제품을 사거나 서비스를 이용하는 게 그들을 지원하는 방법 중 하나지. 한국에도 꽤 많은 사회적기업이 있어.
Pronunciation: ma-ja. sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop je-pum-eul sa-geo-na seo-bi-seu-reul i-yong-ha-neun ge geu-deu-reul ji-won-ha-neun bang-beop jung ha-na-ji. han-gu-ge-do kkwae ma-neun sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eo-bi i-sseo.
Meaning: That’s right. Buying products or using services from social enterprises is one way to support them. There are quite a few social enterprises in Korea. -
Expression: A: 흥미로운데? 나중에 다른 사회적기업들도 찾아봐야겠다.
Pronunciation: heung-mi-ro-un-de? na-jung-e da-reun sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop-deul-do cha-ja-bwa-ya-get-da.
Meaning: That’s interesting! I should look up other social enterprises later. -
Expression: B: 응, 좋은 생각이야! 사회적 가치를 만드는 곳들이 많으니까 관심을 가져보면 좋을 거야.
Pronunciation: eung, jo-eun saeng-ga-gi-ya! sa-hoe-jeok ga-chi-reul man-deu-neun got-deu-ri ma-neu-ni-kka gwan-si-meul ga-jyeo-bo-myeon jo-eul geo-ya.
Meaning: Yeah, good idea! There are many places creating social value, so it’s good to take an interest.
Practice Tips
Now you know how to talk about 사회적기업 (social enterprises) in Korean! Try using these phrases when discussing businesses with social missions or when you encounter one in Korea~ Remember the core term 사회적기업 (sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop) and related concepts like 사회적 가치 (sa-hoe-jeok ga-chi) and 지속가능성 (ji-sok-ga-neung-seong).
For practice, try researching some actual Korean social enterprises online! You can search for “한국 사회적기업 사례” (han-guk sa-hoe-jeok-gi-eop sa-rye – Korean social enterprise examples). See if you can understand their mission using the vocabulary you learned. Keep practicing, and you’ll become more comfortable discussing these important organizations! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/Good luck!)
