Discuss jobs, workplaces, and education in Korean. Understand Korean workplace hierarchy, the school system, and essential business vocabulary.
Estimated Time: 45β55 minutes
| Korean | Meaning | Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| νμ¬μ | office worker | μ μλ | teacher |
| μμ¬ | doctor | κ°νΈμ¬ | nurse |
| λ³νΈμ¬ | lawyer | κ²½μ°°κ΄ | police officer |
| μλ¦¬μ¬ | chef | κΈ°μ | journalist |
| νλ‘κ·Έλλ¨Έ | programmer | λμμ΄λ | designer |
| 곡무μ | civil servant | μ¬μ κ° | business owner |
| νμ | student | λνμ | university student |
| μ£ΌλΆ | homemaker | κ΅°μΈ | soldier |
Korean companies have strict hierarchies reflected in job titles. Understanding these is crucial for workplace interactions:
| Korean | Title | Level |
|---|---|---|
| μ¬μ₯λ | CEO / President | Top |
| λΆμ₯λ | Department Head | Senior |
| κ³Όμ₯λ | Section Chief | Mid-management |
| λ리λ | Assistant Manager | Junior management |
| μ¬μ | Staff / Employee | Entry level |
| μΈν΄ | Intern | Intern |
When addressing someone by title, always add λ (nim) β it's the honorific suffix. μ μλ (teacher), μ¬μ₯λ (CEO). Dropping λ is disrespectful. In Korean offices, people are often addressed by title rather than name.
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| λ¬΄μ¨ μΌ νμΈμ? | What do you do (for work)? |
| μ λ [job]μ΄μμ/μμ. | I'm a [job]. |
| [company]μμ μΌν΄μ. | I work at [company]. |
| μΆκ·Ό μκ°μ΄ λͺ μμμ? | What time do you start work? |
| μΌκ·Όν΄μΌ λΌμ. | I have to work overtime. |
| νμκ° μμ΄μ. | I have a meeting. |
| μκ³ νμ ¨μ΅λλ€. | You've worked hard. (said when leaving work) |
π‘ Culture Note β νμ (Hoesik): After-work team dinners (νμ) are a big part of Korean work culture. They typically involve food and drinks (μμ£Ό!) and are considered important for team bonding. Declining too often can be seen negatively, though this culture is slowly changing with younger generations.
| Korean | Meaning | Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| νκ΅ | school | λνκ΅ | university |
| μ΄λ±νκ΅ | elementary school | μ€νκ΅ | middle school |
| κ³ λ±νκ΅ | high school | μμ | class/lesson |
| μν | exam | μμ | homework |
| μ‘Έμ | graduation | μ 곡 | major (field of study) |
| νμ | academy/cram school | μλ₯ | college entrance exam (CSAT) |
Korea's College Scholastic Ability Test (μλ₯) is held every November and is one of the most important days in a Korean student's life. Planes are grounded during the listening section, police escort late students, and younger students cheer outside exam halls. Education is deeply valued in Korean culture.