Discussing professions is common in introductions and networking. If your role involves technical support, like a Software Support Engineer (SSE), knowing how to express this in Korean is essential. This guide covers how to talk about SSE-related roles and responsibilities in Korean, helping you navigate professional conversations more effectively.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 소프트웨어 지원 엔지니어
Pronunciation: so-peu-teu-we-eo ji-won en-ji-ni-eo
Meaning: Software Support Engineer (Note: Acronyms like “SSE” are not commonly used in Korean conversation; using the full title or a descriptive term is preferred.)
Related Job Titles
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Expression: 기술 지원팀
Pronunciation: gi-sul ji-won-tim
Meaning: Technical Support Team -
Expression: 고객 지원 담당자
Pronunciation: go-gaek ji-won dam-dang-ja
Meaning: Customer Support Representative -
Expression: 소프트웨어 개발자
Pronunciation: so-peu-teu-we-eo gae-bal-ja
Meaning: Software Developer -
Expression: 시스템 엔지니어
Pronunciation: si-seu-tem en-ji-ni-eo
Meaning: System Engineer -
Expression: IT 전문가
Pronunciation: ai-ti jeon-mun-ga
Meaning: IT Specialist / IT Professional -
Expression: 기술 지원 엔지니어
Pronunciation: gi-sul ji-won en-ji-ni-eo
Meaning: Technical Support Engineer -
Expression: 헬프 데스크 직원
Pronunciation: hel-peu de-seu-keu jik-won
Meaning: Help Desk Staff -
Expression: 네트워크 관리자
Pronunciation: ne-teu-wo-keu gwan-ri-ja
Meaning: Network Administrator -
Expression: 데이터베이스 관리자
Pronunciation: de-i-teo-be-i-seu gwan-ri-ja
Meaning: Database Administrator (DBA) -
Expression: 프로젝트 매니저
Pronunciation: peu-ro-jek-teu mae-ni-jeo
Meaning: Project Manager (PM)
Describing Job Responsibilities
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Expression: 저는 소프트웨어 기술 지원을 담당하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun so-peu-teu-we-eo gi-sul ji-won-eul dam-dang-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am in charge of software technical support. -
Expression: 고객의 기술적인 문제를 해결해 줍니다.
Pronunciation: go-gaek-ui gi-sul-jeok-in mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hae jum-ni-da.
Meaning: I resolve customers’ technical issues. -
Expression: 소프트웨어 관련 문의에 답변합니다.
Pronunciation: so-peu-teu-we-eo gwal-lyeon mun-ui-e dap-byeon-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I answer inquiries related to software. -
Expression: 제품 사용 방법에 대해 안내합니다.
Pronunciation: je-pum sa-yong bang-beop-e dae-hae an-nae-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I provide guidance on how to use the product. -
Expression: 버그 리포트를 작성하고 개발팀에 전달합니다.
Pronunciation: beo-geu ri-po-teu-reul jak-seong-ha-go gae-bal-tim-e jeon-dal-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I write bug reports and forward them to the development team. -
Expression: 원격으로 고객 시스템 문제를 진단합니다.
Pronunciation: won-gyeok-eu-ro go-gaek si-seu-tem mun-je-reul jin-dan-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I diagnose customer system problems remotely. -
Expression: 기술 문서를 작성하고 관리합니다.
Pronunciation: gi-sul mun-seo-reul jak-seong-ha-go gwan-ri-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I write and manage technical documents. -
Expression: 고객 만족도 향상을 위해 노력합니다.
Pronunciation: go-gaek man-jok-do hyang-sang-eul wi-hae no-ryeok-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I strive to improve customer satisfaction. -
Expression: 새로운 기능에 대해 고객 교육을 진행합니다.
Pronunciation: sae-ro-un gi-neung-e dae-hae go-gaek gyo-yuk-eul jin-haeng-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I conduct customer training on new features. -
Expression: 문제 해결 과정을 추적하고 기록합니다.
Pronunciation: mun-je hae-gyeol gwa-jeong-eul chu-jeok-ha-go gi-rok-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I track and document the problem-solving process.
Asking About Someone’s Job
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Expression: 직업이 무엇입니까?
Pronunciation: jik-eop-i mu-eot-im-ni-kka?
Meaning: What is your occupation? (Formal) -
Expression: 어떤 일을 하세요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon il-eul ha-se-yo?
Meaning: What kind of work do you do? (Polite) -
Expression: 무슨 일을 하고 계세요?
Pronunciation: mu-seun il-eul ha-go gye-se-yo?
Meaning: What work are you doing? (Polite, asking about current role) -
Expression: 어느 회사에 다니세요?
Pronunciation: eo-neu hoe-sa-e da-ni-se-yo?
Meaning: Which company do you work for? -
Expression: 부서가 어디세요?
Pronunciation: bu-seo-ga eo-di-se-yo?
Meaning: What is your department? -
Expression: 직책이 어떻게 되세요?
Pronunciation: jik-chaek-i eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo?
Meaning: What is your job title/position? -
Expression: 하시는 일에 대해 좀 더 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ha-si-neun il-e dae-hae jom deo seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain a bit more about the work you do? -
Expression: IT 업계에서 일하시나요?
Pronunciation: ai-ti eop-gye-e-seo il-ha-si-na-yo?
Meaning: Do you work in the IT industry? -
Expression: 기술 지원 관련 일을 하세요?
Pronunciation: gi-sul ji-won gwal-lyeon il-eul ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you do work related to technical support? -
Expression: 이 분야에서 일하신 지 얼마나 되셨어요?
Pronunciation: i bun-ya-e-seo il-ha-sin ji eol-ma-na doe-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: How long have you been working in this field?
Korean Culture Notes
Job Titles and Hierarchy: In Korean workplaces, job titles (직함 – jik-ham or 직책 – jik-chaek) are very important and reflect seniority and hierarchy. Always use the full title when addressing someone formally, especially superiors or new acquaintances. Common titles include 사원 (sa-won – staff), 대리 (dae-ri – assistant manager), 과장 (gwa-jang – manager), 차장 (cha-jang – deputy general manager), and 부장 (bu-jang – general manager).
Using Full Titles: Unlike in some Western cultures where first names are quickly adopted, Koreans often address colleagues by their title plus 님 (-nim), a suffix indicating respect (e.g., 김 과장님 – Kim Gwa-jang-nim). Avoid using just the title or just the name in formal settings.
Acronyms vs. Full Names: While English acronyms like “SSE” are understood within specific industries globally, they aren’t commonly used in general Korean conversation. It’s better to use the full Korean title (소프트웨어 지원 엔지니어) or a descriptive phrase like 기술 지원 담당자 (gi-sul ji-won dam-dang-ja – technical support representative) when explaining your role.
Networking (인맥 – Inmaek): Building professional relationships (인맥 – in-maek) is crucial in Korean business culture. Exchanging business cards (명함 교환 – myeong-ham gyo-hwan) is a standard part of introductions, and clearly stating your role and company is expected.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two professionals, Minjun and Sarah, meet at a tech conference networking event.
Roles:
A: Minjun (Korean professional)
B: Sarah (Expat working in Korea)
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요, 처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 박민준입니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, cheo-eum boep-get-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun bak-min-jun-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, nice to meet you for the first time. I am Park Minjun. -
Expression: B: 네, 반갑습니다. 저는 사라입니다. 어떤 일을 하세요?
Pronunciation: ne, ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun sa-ra-im-ni-da. eo-tteon il-eul ha-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes, nice to meet you. I am Sarah. What kind of work do you do? -
Expression: A: 저는 ABC 테크에서 시스템 엔지니어로 일하고 있습니다. 사라 씨는요?
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ei-bi-ssi te-keu-e-seo si-seu-tem en-ji-ni-eo-ro il-ha-go it-seum-ni-da. sa-ra ssi-neun-yo?
Meaning: I work as a System Engineer at ABC Tech. How about you, Sarah? -
Expression: B: 저는 XYZ 솔루션에서 소프트웨어 지원 엔지니어로 일해요. 주로 고객 기술 지원을 담당하고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun ek-seu-wai-jet sol-lu-syeon-e-seo so-peu-teu-we-eo ji-won en-ji-ni-eo-ro il-hae-yo. ju-ro go-gaek gi-sul ji-won-eul dam-dang-ha-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I work as a Software Support Engineer at XYZ Solutions. I mainly handle customer technical support. -
Expression: A: 아, 그러시군요. 기술 지원 업무가 쉽지 않으실 텐데요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-si-gun-yo. gi-sul ji-won eom-mu-ga swip-ji a-neu-sil ten-de-yo.
Meaning: Ah, I see. Technical support work must not be easy. -
Expression: B: 네, 가끔 어려운 문제도 있지만 보람도 있어요. 저희 제품 사용자들이 만족할 때 기쁩니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ga-kkeum eo-ryeo-un mun-je-do it-ji-man bo-ram-do i-sseo-yo. jeo-hui je-pum sa-yong-ja-deul-i man-jok-hal ttae gi-ppeum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, sometimes there are difficult issues, but it’s also rewarding. I’m happy when our product users are satisfied.
Practice Tips
Talking about your job is a fundamental part of professional communication! Try practicing these phrases out loud~ Start by introducing yourself using your Korean job title. You can say “저는 [회사 이름]에서 [직책]으로 일하고 있습니다” (jeo-neun [hoe-sa i-reum]-e-seo [jik-chaek]-eu-ro il-ha-go it-seum-ni-da – I work as a [Job Title] at [Company Name]).
Role-play asking someone about their job and describing your responsibilities. Use the phrases for describing tasks like “주로 ~를 담당합니다” (ju-ro ~reul dam-dang-ham-ni-da – I mainly handle ~). Remember, consistent practice is key to sounding natural. Fighting! (화이팅! – hwa-i-ting!) You can do it!
