Level 3 · Confident Speaker
Learn the unwritten rules of Korean business etiquette. From exchanging business cards to navigating company dinners, master the vocabulary and cultural knowledge that will earn you respect in Korean workplaces.
14 words · tap 🔊 to hear native-speaker pronunciation
In Korean business, how you behave matters as much as what you know. The concept of 예의 (etiquette/manners) runs deep in Korean professional culture, and mastering business manners can open doors that skills alone cannot.
From the two-handed business card exchange to the proper way to pour drinks at a 회식 (company dinner), Korean business etiquette is a rich system built on Confucian values of respect, hierarchy, and harmony. Even small gestures — like how you greet your 상사 (boss) in the morning or when you leave the office — send powerful signals about your character and cultural awareness.
In this unit, you'll learn 14 essential vocabulary words for Korean workplace life — from 명함 (business card) to 승진 (promotion) — plus two grammar patterns that are invaluable for polite business requests: -(으)ㄹ까 합니다 (I'm thinking of) and -게 해 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would appreciate if you could). 비즈니스 매너를 배워 봅시다!
business card
명함을 교환하시겠습니까?Shall we exchange business cards?
💡 Memory tip: 명 (name/fame) + 함 (contain/box) — a box containing your name. Your professional identity in card form!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [명함]. The ㅇ batchim in 명 is nasal, and ㅎ in 함 is clear. Standard pronunciation.
handshake
만나서 반갑습니다. 악수합시다.Nice to meet you. Let's shake hands.
💡 Memory tip: 악 (grip/hold) + 수 (hand) — gripping hands together. The universal gesture of greeting!
Pronunciation: 악수 is pronounced [악쑤]. The ㄱ batchim in 악 causes the ㅅ in 수 to tense to [ㅆ].
boss / superior
상사에게 먼저 인사하는 것이 예의입니다.It is polite to greet your superior first.
💡 Memory tip: 상 (upper/above) + 사 (person/officer) — the person above you. Your boss in the hierarchy!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [상사]. Two clear syllables with the ㅇ nasal batchim in 상.
subordinate
부하 직원을 잘 이끌어야 합니다.You should lead your subordinates well.
💡 Memory tip: 부 (lower/under) + 하 (below) — the person below in rank. The counterpart to 상사! Note: 부하 직원 (subordinate employee) is more commonly used than 부하 alone.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [부하]. Two clean open syllables. Straightforward pronunciation.
business partner / client company
거래처 방문 일정을 잡아 주세요.Please schedule a visit to the client.
💡 Memory tip: 거래 (transaction/dealing) + 처 (place) — the place you do business with. Your business partner or client company!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [거래처]. The ㅐ diphthong in 래 is open. 처 is a clean [처].
entertaining clients / hospitality
오늘 저녁에 거래처 접대가 있습니다.There is a client entertainment dinner tonight.
💡 Memory tip: 접 (receive/meet) + 대 (treat/hospitality) — receiving and treating guests. The art of client entertainment!
Pronunciation: 접대 is pronounced [접때]. The ㅂ batchim in 접 causes the ㄷ in 대 to tense to [ㄸ].
dress code / attire
회사 복장 규정을 지켜 주세요.Please follow the company dress code.
💡 Memory tip: 복 (clothes/clothing) + 장 (outfit/decoration) — your clothing outfit. What you wear to work!
Pronunciation: 복장 is pronounced [복짱]. The ㄱ batchim in 복 causes the ㅈ in 장 to tense to [ㅉ].
going to work / commuting to work
출근 시간이 9시입니다.The work start time is 9 o'clock.
💡 Memory tip: 출 (go out) + 근 (work/duty) — going out for work duty. Your daily commute to the office!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [출근]. The ㄹ batchim in 출 connects to ㄱ of 근. Standard pronunciation.
leaving work / getting off work
오늘은 일찍 퇴근하겠습니다.I will leave work early today.
💡 Memory tip: 퇴 (retreat/withdraw) + 근 (work/duty) — withdrawing from work duty. The glorious moment of leaving the office! The opposite of 출근.
Pronunciation: 퇴근 is pronounced [퇴근] or [퉤근]. The ㅚ diphthong in 퇴 can simplify.
overtime / working late
이번 주에 야근이 많았습니다.There was a lot of overtime this week.
💡 Memory tip: 야 (night) + 근 (work/duty) — night work duty. Working past your normal hours! A common reality in Korean corporate culture.
Pronunciation: Pronounced [야근]. Two clean syllables. The ㄴ batchim in 근 is nasal.
company dinner / team dinner
금요일에 팀 회식이 있습니다.There is a team dinner on Friday.
💡 Memory tip: 회 (company/gathering) + 식 (food/meal) — a company meal together. The famous Korean work dinner culture!
Pronunciation: 회식 is pronounced [회식] or [훼식]. The ㅚ diphthong in 회 varies. Final ㄱ is unreleased.
annual leave / paid vacation
연차를 사용하고 싶습니다.I would like to use my annual leave.
💡 Memory tip: 연 (year) + 차 (order/turn) — your yearly turn for time off. Your precious annual leave days!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [연차]. The ㄴ batchim in 연 flows into the ㅊ of 차. Standard pronunciation.
promotion
승진을 축하합니다.Congratulations on your promotion.
💡 Memory tip: 승 (rise/ascend) + 진 (advance/proceed) — rising and advancing. Moving up the corporate ladder!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [승진]. The ㅇ batchim in 승 is nasal before the ㅈ of 진.
HR (human resources) / personnel
아침에 상사에게 인사를 하세요.Greet your superior in the morning.
💡 Memory tip: 인 (person) + 사 (affairs/matters) — person affairs, which covers both greetings (person-to-person matters) and HR (human resource affairs). Context determines the meaning!
Pronunciation: Pronounced [인사]. Two clear syllables with the ㄴ batchim in 인. Very common word with dual meaning.
Two aspects of Korean business etiquette that foreigners most need to master: the business card exchange and the company dinner.
-- Business Card Exchange (명함 교환): The business card exchange is a ritual in Korean business. Follow these rules: 1. Present your card with BOTH HANDS (양손), Korean side facing the recipient 2. Receive the other person's card with both hands and read it carefully 3. NEVER write on someone's business card in front of them — it's disrespectful 4. Place received cards on the table during the meeting, arranged by seating position 5. After the meeting, store cards respectfully in a card holder, never in your back pocket 6. When exchanging with a more senior person, hold your card slightly lower than theirs
This ritual shows respect and demonstrates that you value the other person's identity and position.
-- 회식 Culture (Company Dinner): 회식 is a cornerstone of Korean corporate bonding. Key rules: 1. The most senior person usually chooses the restaurant and pays 2. Pour drinks for others with BOTH HANDS, especially for superiors (use your left hand to support your right forearm) 3. When receiving a drink from a superior, hold the glass with both hands 4. Turn your body slightly away from seniors when drinking — never drink facing a superior directly 5. The first toast is usually 건배 (cheers) or 위하여 (to [something]) 6. It's polite to keep others' glasses full throughout the evening 7. The 2차 (second round) at a different venue is common
-- Modern Changes: Younger Korean workers are pushing back against mandatory 회식 culture. Many companies now make 회식 optional, schedule them during work hours, or offer non-drinking alternatives. The phrase 회식 강요 (forced company dinners) has become a hot topic in Korean workplace reform discussions. However, building relationships through shared meals remains deeply valued, and voluntary participation shows team spirit.
-- Morning Greetings: Always greet your 상사 first thing in the morning with a slight bow and 안녕하세요 or the more formal 안녕하십니까. When leaving work, say 먼저 들어가겠습니다 (I'll be heading out first) if leaving before your superior, or 수고하셨습니다 (you've worked hard) to acknowledge others' efforts.
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