Navigating the social dynamics of a Korean workplace often involves understanding 회식 (hoesik), the unique company dinner culture. This guide introduces essential Korean vocabulary and phrases related to participating in and understanding hoesik, helping you integrate smoothly into your Korean work environment.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 회식
Pronunciation: hoe-sik
Meaning: Company dinner; workplace gathering (often involving food and drinks)
Basic Hoesik Phrases
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Expression: 오늘 저녁 회식 어때요?
Pronunciation: o-neul jeo-nyeok hoe-sik eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: How about a company dinner tonight? -
Expression: 회식 장소는 어디인가요?
Pronunciation: hoe-sik jang-so-neun eo-di-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Where is the company dinner being held? -
Expression: 회식 메뉴는 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: hoe-sik me-nyu-neun mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the menu for the company dinner? -
Expression: 네, 참석하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, cham-seok-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will attend. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 오늘 참석하기 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, o-neul cham-seok-ha-gi eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but it’s difficult for me to attend today. -
Expression: 선약이 있어서 참석 못 해요.
Pronunciation: seon-yak-i it-seo-seo cham-seok mot hae-yo.
Meaning: I can’t attend because I have a prior engagement. -
Expression: 회식은 몇 시에 시작해요?
Pronunciation: hoe-sik-eun myeot si-e si-jak-hae-yo?
Meaning: What time does the company dinner start? -
Expression: 회식 기대돼요!
Pronunciation: hoe-sik gi-dae-dwae-yo!
Meaning: I’m looking forward to the company dinner! -
Expression: 팀 회식 공지입니다.
Pronunciation: tim hoe-sik gong-ji-im-ni-da.
Meaning: This is an announcement about the team dinner. -
Expression: 회식비는 회사에서 지원됩니다.
Pronunciation: hoe-sik-bi-neun hoe-sa-e-seo ji-won-doem-ni-da.
Meaning: The company will cover the expenses for the dinner.
Participating in Hoesik
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Expression: 자, 건배합시다!
Pronunciation: ja, geon-bae-hap-si-da!
Meaning: Well then, let’s make a toast! -
Expression: 팀워크를 위하여!
Pronunciation: tim-wo-keu-reul wi-ha-yeo!
Meaning: To teamwork! (Common toast) -
Expression: 제가 한 잔 따라 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: je-ga han jan tta-ra deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: Let me pour you a drink. (Usually said by a junior to a senior) -
Expression: 여기 소주 한 병 더 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi so-ju han byeong deo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give us one more bottle of soju here. -
Expression: 이 집 삼겹살 정말 맛있네요!
Pronunciation: i jip sam-gyeop-sal jeong-mal ma-sin-ne-yo!
Meaning: The pork belly at this place is really delicious! -
Expression: 오늘 정말 즐거웠습니다.
Pronunciation: o-neul jeong-mal jeul-geo-wot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I had a really great time today. -
Expression: 부장님, 한 잔 받으세요.
Pronunciation: bu-jang-nim, han jan ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Manager, please accept this drink. (Offering a drink to a superior) -
Expression: 저는 술을 잘 못 마십니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun sul-eul jal mot ma-sim-ni-da.
Meaning: I can’t drink alcohol well. / I’m not a good drinker. -
Expression: 물 좀 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: mul jom ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could I have some water, please? -
Expression: 다 같이 사진 찍어요!
Pronunciation: da ga-chi sa-jin jjik-eo-yo!
Meaning: Let’s take a picture together! -
Expression: 이 음식 이름이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: i eum-sik i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What’s the name of this food?
Navigating Hoesik Etiquette
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Expression: 2차는 어디로 갈까요?
Pronunciation: i-cha-neun eo-di-ro gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Where shall we go for the second round (2cha)? -
Expression: 저는 먼저 일어나도 될까요?
Pronunciation: jeo-neun meon-jeo i-reo-na-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: May I leave first? / Is it okay if I leave now? -
Expression: 내일 일찍 일이 있어서 먼저 가보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: nae-il il-jjik il-i it-seo-seo meon-jeo ga-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I have work early tomorrow, so I’ll get going first. -
Expression: 오늘 잘 먹었습니다!
Pronunciation: o-neul jal meo-geot-seum-ni-da!
Meaning: Thank you for the meal today! (Said when leaving or at the end) -
Expression: 부장님께서 계산하신다고 들었습니다.
Pronunciation: bu-jang-nim-kke-seo gye-san-ha-sin-da-go deu-reot-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I heard the manager is paying. -
Expression: 술은 괜찮습니다. 사양하겠습니다.
Pronunciation: sul-eun gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da. sa-yang-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: No alcohol for me, thank you. I’ll pass. -
Expression: 잔이 비었네요. 채워 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: jan-i bi-eon-ne-yo. chae-wo deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Your glass is empty. Shall I fill it for you? -
Expression: 술을 받을 때는 두 손으로 받으세요.
Pronunciation: sul-eul ba-deul ttae-neun du son-eu-ro ba-deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Receive drinks with two hands. (Advice on etiquette) -
Expression: 따를 때는 오른손으로 병을 잡고 왼손으로 받치세요.
Pronunciation: tta-reul ttae-neun o-reun-son-eu-ro byeong-eul jap-go oen-son-eu-ro bat-chi-se-yo.
Meaning: When pouring, hold the bottle with your right hand and support it with your left hand. (Advice on etiquette) -
Expression: 저는 2차는 참석하기 어려울 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun i-cha-neun cham-seok-ha-gi eo-ryeo-ul geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I think it will be difficult for me to attend the second round. -
Expression: 조심히 들어가세요!
Pronunciation: jo-sim-hi deu-reo-ga-se-yo!
Meaning: Get home safely! (Said when parting ways)
Korean Culture Notes
Importance of Hoesik: Hoesik is more than just a dinner; it’s considered an extension of work and a crucial opportunity for team building, bonding, and informal communication. Participation is often highly encouraged, though less mandatory than in the past.
Drinking Culture: Alcohol, particularly 소주 (soju) and 맥주 (maekju – beer), often plays a significant role. There can be social pressure to drink, but it’s becoming more acceptable to decline politely. Never pour your own drink; always pour for others (especially seniors) and let others pour for you. Receive drinks from seniors with two hands.
Hierarchy Matters: Korean workplace hierarchy extends to hoesik. Juniors are expected to pour drinks for seniors, listen attentively, and often take care of tasks like grilling meat. Seniors usually initiate toasts and often pay the bill.
Multiple Rounds (1차, 2차, 3차): Hoesik often involves multiple rounds or locations (1차 il-cha: dinner, 2차 i-cha: drinks/bar, 3차 sam-cha: perhaps noraebang/karaoke or another bar). It’s generally okay to leave after the first or second round, especially if you give a polite reason.
Paying the Bill: Often, the most senior person or the company pays for the first round. Subsequent rounds might be paid by other managers or sometimes split, though ‘dutch pay’ (더치페이 deo-chi-pe-i) is becoming more common among younger colleagues for informal gatherings.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A team manager suggests having a hoesik after work.
Roles:
* A: 김 부장님 (Kim Bujangnim – Manager Kim)
* B: 박 대리 (Park Daeri – Assistant Manager Park)
* C: 최 사원 (Choi Sawon – Employee Choi)
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Expression: A: 여러분, 오늘 저녁에 시간 괜찮으면 다 같이 회식하는 거 어때요?
Pronunciation: yeo-reo-bun, o-neul jeo-nyeok-e si-gan gwaen-chan-eu-myeon da ga-chi hoe-sik-ha-neun geo eo-ttae-yo?
Meaning: Everyone, if you have time tonight, how about we all have a company dinner together? -
Expression: B: 네, 부장님! 좋습니다. 어디로 갈까요?
Pronunciation: ne, bu-jang-nim! jot-seum-ni-da. eo-di-ro gal-kka-yo?
Meaning: Yes, Manager! Sounds good. Where should we go? -
Expression: A: 회사 근처에 새로 생긴 삼겹살집 가봅시다. 맛있다고 하던데요.
Pronunciation: hoe-sa geun-cheo-e sae-ro saeng-gin sam-gyeop-sal-jip ga-bop-si-da. ma-sit-da-go ha-deon-de-yo.
Meaning: Let’s go to the new pork belly restaurant near the company. I heard it’s delicious. -
Expression: C: 와, 좋아요! 저 거기 가보고 싶었어요. 7시쯤 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: wa, jo-a-yo! jeo geo-gi ga-bo-go sip-eot-seo-yo. il-gop-si-jjeum gwaen-chan-eu-se-yo?
Meaning: Wow, great! I wanted to try that place. Is around 7 PM okay? -
Expression: A: 네, 7시면 좋겠네요. 그럼 퇴근하고 바로 갑시다.
Pronunciation: ne, il-gop-si-myeon jo-ken-ne-yo. geu-reom toe-geun-ha-go ba-ro gap-si-da.
Meaning: Yes, 7 PM sounds good. Let’s go right after work then. -
Expression: B: 알겠습니다! 기대됩니다!
Pronunciation: al-get-seum-ni-da! gi-dae-doem-ni-da!
Meaning: Understood! I’m looking forward to it!
Practice Tips
Understanding hoesik involves both language and cultural awareness! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner~ Observe how colleagues interact during real hoesik if you have the chance. Don’t feel pressured to drink too much; practice politely declining with phrases like “술은 괜찮습니다” (sul-eun gwaen-chan-seum-ni-da). Most importantly, use it as a chance to bond with your colleagues and practice your Korean! 화이팅 (hwaiting – You can do it)!
