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Korean Business Language: Professional Communication Guide

Master Korean business etiquette and formal language. Learn proper honorifics, business phrases, and cultural norms for professional success in Korea.

Business Honorifics

Formal Speech Levels

-(으)ㅂ니다/습니다 - Most formal ending
-시- - Honorific particle
-님 - Honorific title suffix
-께서 - Honorific subject marker
-께 - Honorific indirect object marker

Job Titles

사장님 - CEO/President
부장님 - Department Head
과장님 - Section Chief
대리님 - Assistant Manager
사원 - Employee
선배님 - Senior colleague

Honorifics Practice

1. What's the most formal speech ending?

2. How do you address a department head?

3. What's the honorific subject marker?

Business Greetings

First Meetings

처음 뵙겠습니다 - Pleased to meet you
성함이 어떻게 되시나요? - What is your name? (formal)
저는 [회사명]의 [이름]입니다 - I am [name] from [company]
잘 부탁드립니다 - Please take care of me
명함을 드리겠습니다 - Here is my business card

Office Greetings

안녕하십니까 - Hello (most formal)
수고하십니다 - Thank you for your hard work
들어가겠습니다 - Excuse me (entering)
실례하겠습니다 - Excuse me (leaving)
다녀오겠습니다 - I'll be back

Business Communication

Email Phrases

보내주신 이메일 감사합니다 - Thank you for your email
문의드립니다 - I have an inquiry
답변 부탁드립니다 - Please reply
첨부파일 확인 부탁드립니다 - Please check the attachment
추가 문의사항 있으시면 연락주세요 - Please contact me if you have additional questions

Phone Etiquette

여보세요 - Hello (phone)
잠시만 기다려 주시겠습니까? - Could you please wait a moment?
연결해 드리겠습니다 - I'll connect you
메모 남기시겠습니까? - Would you like to leave a message?
다시 연락드리겠습니다 - I'll call you back

Communication Practice

1. How do you ask someone to check an attachment?

2. What's the most formal way to say hello?

3. How do you say you'll call back?

Meeting Language

Meeting Phrases

회의 시작하겠습니다 - Let's begin the meeting
발표하겠습니다 - I will present
질문 있으십니까? - Do you have any questions?
의견 있으신 분? - Does anyone have opinions?
검토해 보겠습니다 - I will review it

Presentation Language

다음 장으로 넘어가겠습니다 - Moving to the next slide
보시다시피 - As you can see
강조드리고 싶은 점은 - The point I'd like to emphasize is
정리하자면 - To summarize
마치겠습니다 - I will conclude

Business Negotiations

Agreement Phrases

동의합니다 - I agree
검토해 보겠습니다 - I will review it
고려해 보겠습니다 - I will consider it
조건부로 수락하겠습니다 - I accept conditionally
계약을 체결하겠습니다 - Let's sign the contract

Disagreement Phrases

재고해 주시면 감사하겠습니다 - I would appreciate if you would reconsider
대안을 제시하고 싶습니다 - I would like to suggest an alternative
조금 더 논의가 필요합니다 - We need more discussion
검토 후 연락드리겠습니다 - I will contact you after review

Negotiation Practice

1. How do you politely disagree in Korean business?

2. What's a polite way to say you'll consider something?

3. How do you suggest an alternative?

Cultural Etiquette

Business Manners

  1. Bow when greeting
  2. Exchange business cards with both hands
  3. Wait for seniors to sit first
  4. Pour drinks for others
  5. Accept items with both hands

Office Hierarchy

  1. Respect age and position
  2. Use appropriate honorifics
  3. Follow proper seating order
  4. Wait for seniors to begin eating
  5. Show deference in speech

Common Mistakes

Language Mistakes

  1. Using informal speech
  2. Incorrect honorific forms
  3. Direct translations
  4. Inappropriate titles
  5. Too casual expressions

Cultural Mistakes

  1. Refusing senior’s drink offer
  2. Sitting before seniors
  3. Using one hand for giving/receiving
  4. Speaking out of turn
  5. Not showing proper respect

Next Steps

To improve your business Korean:

  1. Practice formal speech patterns
  2. Learn company hierarchy
  3. Study business customs
  4. Master proper etiquette
  5. Understand cultural context

Remember: Success in Korean business settings requires both language proficiency and cultural awareness.