Launching a business venture in South Korea requires understanding specific terminology and procedures. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to starting a business (사업 시작하기 – sa-eop si-jak-ha-gi), covering everything from initial registration to networking and understanding basic financial terms.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 사업 시작하기
Pronunciation: sa-eop si-jak-ha-gi
Meaning: Starting a business
Essential Business Vocabulary
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Expression: 사업
Pronunciation: sa-eop
Meaning: Business -
Expression: 창업
Pronunciation: chang-eop
Meaning: Startup, founding a business -
Expression: 회사
Pronunciation: hoe-sa
Meaning: Company -
Expression: 법인
Pronunciation: beo-bin
Meaning: Corporation, legal entity -
Expression: 개인 사업자
Pronunciation: gae-in sa-eop-ja
Meaning: Sole proprietor -
Expression: 사업자 등록증
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung
Meaning: Business registration certificate -
Expression: 투자
Pronunciation: tu-ja
Meaning: Investment -
Expression: 자본금
Pronunciation: ja-bon-geum
Meaning: Capital (fund) -
Expression: 사무실
Pronunciation: sa-mu-sil
Meaning: Office -
Expression: 직원
Pronunciation: jik-won
Meaning: Employee -
Expression: 시장 조사
Pronunciation: si-jang jo-sa
Meaning: Market research -
Expression: 사업 계획서
Pronunciation: sa-eop gye-hoek-seo
Meaning: Business plan
Business Registration Phrases
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Expression: 회사를 설립하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa-reul seol-lip-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I want to establish a company. -
Expression: 법인 설립 절차가 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: beo-bin seol-lip jeol-cha-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the procedure for establishing a corporation? -
Expression: 사업자 등록을 해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-eul hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need to register the business. -
Expression: 필요한 서류가 무엇인가요?
Pronunciation: pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga mu-eo-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: What documents are required? -
Expression: 세무서에 가야 하나요?
Pronunciation: se-mu-seo-e ga-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to go to the tax office? -
Expression: 외국인 투자 기업으로 등록할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: oe-guk-in tu-ja gi-eo-beu-ro deung-nok-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I register as a foreign-invested enterprise? -
Expression: 사업자 등록증을 발급받았습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-eop-ja deung-nok-jeung-eul bal-geup-ba-dat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I received the business registration certificate. -
Expression: 사무실 임대 계약을 했습니다.
Pronunciation: sa-mu-sil im-dae gye-yak-eul haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I signed the office lease contract. -
Expression: 사업 개시 신고를 해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: sa-eop gae-si sin-go-reul hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need to report the commencement of business. -
Expression: 어떤 종류의 사업을 하실 건가요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sa-eo-beul ha-sil geon-ga-yo?
Meaning: What type of business will you be running? -
Expression: 정관을 작성해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-gwan-eul jak-seong-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: You need to draft the articles of incorporation. -
Expression: 은행 계좌를 개설해야 합니다.
Pronunciation: eun-haeng gye-jwa-reul gae-seol-hae-ya ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I need to open a bank account.
Networking and Meetings
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Expression: 만나서 반갑습니다. 제 이름은 [이름]입니다.
Pronunciation: man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da. je i-reum-eun [Name]-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Nice to meet you. My name is [Name]. -
Expression: 저는 [회사 이름]의 대표입니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun [Company Name]-ui dae-pyo-im-ni-da.
Meaning: I am the CEO/representative of [Company Name]. -
Expression: 명함 교환하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: myeong-ham gyo-hwan-ha-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Shall we exchange business cards? -
Expression: 여기 제 명함입니다.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi je myeong-ham-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is my business card. -
Expression: 다음에 한번 뵙고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e han-beon boep-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to meet you sometime later. -
Expression: 회의 일정을 잡을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hoe-ui il-jeong-eul ja-beul su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could we schedule a meeting? -
Expression: 협력할 기회를 찾고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hyeop-ryeok-hal gi-hoe-reul chat-go it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I am looking for opportunities to collaborate. -
Expression: 저희 사업에 대해 설명드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-hui sa-eo-be dae-hae seol-myeong-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Let me explain about our business. -
Expression: 연락처를 알려주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yeol-lak-cheo-reul al-lyeo-ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me your contact information? -
Expression: 좋은 관계를 유지하고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: jo-eun gwan-gye-reul yu-ji-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I would like to maintain a good relationship. -
Expression: 오늘 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul si-gan nae-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your time today. -
Expression: 다음에 다시 연락드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: da-eum-e da-si yeol-lak-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will contact you again later.
Financial and Legal Terms
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Expression: 투자 유치
Pronunciation: tu-ja yu-chi
Meaning: Attracting investment -
Expression: 계약서
Pronunciation: gye-yak-seo
Meaning: Contract -
Expression: 세금 신고
Pronunciation: se-geum sin-go
Meaning: Tax filing / Tax report -
Expression: 법률 자문
Pronunciation: beom-nyul ja-mun
Meaning: Legal consultation / Legal advice -
Expression: 회계 감사
Pronunciation: hoe-gye gam-sa
Meaning: Accounting audit -
Expression: 수익
Pronunciation: su-ik
Meaning: Profit, revenue -
Expression: 비용
Pronunciation: bi-yong
Meaning: Cost, expense -
Expression: 예산
Pronunciation: ye-san
Meaning: Budget -
Expression: 지적 재산권
Pronunciation: ji-jeok jae-san-gwon
Meaning: Intellectual property rights -
Expression: 대출 신청
Pronunciation: dae-chul sin-cheong
Meaning: Loan application -
Expression: 송금
Pronunciation: song-geum
Meaning: Remittance, money transfer -
Expression: 주주
Pronunciation: ju-ju
Meaning: Shareholder
Korean Culture Notes
Hierarchy Matters: Korean business culture places significant emphasis on age and position. Always use formal language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) and appropriate titles when addressing seniors or superiors. Knowing someone’s title (직함 – jik-ham) is crucial.
Business Card Etiquette (명함 교환 – myeong-ham gyo-hwan): Exchanging business cards is a formal ritual. Present and receive cards with both hands or with the right hand supported by the left. Take a moment to read the card carefully before putting it away respectfully.
Networking (인맥 – in-maek): Personal connections (인맥 – in-maek) are highly valued in Korean business. Building relationships through introductions, meals, and informal gatherings (회식 – hoe-sik) is often key to successful business dealings.
Palli-Palli Culture (빨리빨리 문화): Korea is known for its “palli-palli” (hurry, hurry) culture, which often translates to fast decision-making and quick implementation in business. Be prepared for a fast-paced environment.
Gift Giving: While not always necessary, small, thoughtful gifts can be appreciated, especially when visiting someone’s office for the first time or closing a deal. Avoid overly expensive gifts initially, as this can cause discomfort.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex, a foreign entrepreneur, is meeting with Ms. Kim, a Korean business consultant, to discuss starting a tech company in Seoul.
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Expression: A (Alex): 안녕하세요, 김 선생님. 만나서 반갑습니다. 저는 알렉스입니다.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, gim seon-saeng-nim. man-na-seo ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun al-lek-seu-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Hello, Ms. Kim. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Alex. -
Expression: B (Ms. Kim): 네, 알렉스 씨. 반갑습니다. 저는 김민지입니다. 여기 제 명함입니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-lek-seu ssi. ban-gap-seum-ni-da. jeo-neun gim-min-ji-im-ni-da. yeo-gi je myeong-ham-im-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, Mr. Alex. Nice to meet you. I’m Kim Minji. Here is my business card. -
Expression: A (Alex): 감사합니다. 여기 제 명함입니다. 한국에서 기술 회사를 설립하고 싶어서 상담을 받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi je myeong-ham-im-ni-da. han-guk-e-seo gi-sul hoe-sa-reul seol-lip-ha-go sip-eo-seo sang-dam-eul bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. Here is my card. I want to establish a tech company in Korea, so I’d like to get some consultation. -
Expression: B (Ms. Kim): 네, 잘 오셨습니다. 어떤 종류의 사업을 생각하고 계신가요? 법인 설립 절차나 외국인 투자 관련해서 궁금하신 점이 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, jal o-syeot-seum-ni-da. eo-tteon jong-nyu-ui sa-eo-beul saeng-gak-ha-go gye-sin-ga-yo? beo-bin seol-lip jeol-cha-na oe-guk-in tu-ja gwal-lyeon-hae-seo gung-geum-ha-sin jeom-i i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Yes, you’ve come to the right place. What kind of business are you considering? Do you have questions about the corporation establishment procedure or foreign investment? -
Expression: A (Alex): 네, 우선 법인 설립 절차와 필요한 서류가 궁금합니다. 그리고 외국인으로서 사업자 등록을 할 때 주의할 점이 있을까요?
Pronunciation: ne, u-seon beo-bin seol-lip jeol-cha-wa pil-yo-han seo-ryu-ga gung-geum-ham-ni-da. geu-ri-go oe-guk-in-eu-ro-seo sa-eop-ja deung-nok-eul hal ttae ju-ui-hal jeom-i i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, first I’m curious about the corporation establishment procedure and the necessary documents. Also, are there any points to be aware of when registering a business as a foreigner? -
Expression: B (Ms. Kim): 알겠습니다. 법인 설립은 정관 작성, 자본금 납입, 등기 신청 등의 단계가 있습니다. 외국인 투자 신고도 필요할 수 있고요. 자세히 설명해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da. beo-bin seol-lip-eun jeong-gwan jak-seong, ja-bon-geum na-bip, deung-gi sin-cheong deung-ui dan-gye-ga it-seum-ni-da. oe-guk-in tu-ja sin-go-do pil-yo-hal su it-gu-yo. ja-se-hi seol-myeong-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Understood. Establishing a corporation involves steps like drafting the articles of incorporation, paying in capital, and applying for registration. A foreign investment report might also be necessary. I will explain in detail.
Practice Tips
Starting a business involves complex language, so practice is key! Try role-playing scenarios like registering your business or attending a networking event~ Use the vocabulary lists to create flashcards. Watching Korean dramas or news related to business can also help you pick up natural expressions and understand the cultural context better. Don’t be afraid to use these phrases, even if you make mistakes. 화이팅 (hwa-i-ting – You can do it)!
