Job Titles in Korean: 72 Need-To-Know Occupations in Korean
Learn How to Say 72 Common Job Titles in Korean || PLUS Useful Phrases
When meeting new people in Korea, once you’ve gotten past 이름이 뭐에요? Ileum-i mwo-eyo? What’s your name? and 어디서 오셨나요? Eodiseo osyeossnayo? Where are you from? You’re almost certainly going to be hit with this question:
당신의 직업은 무엇입니까?Dangsin-ui jig-eob-eun mueos-ibnikka? What’s your job?
Whilst learning your own job title is a great first step, you’re also going to need to learn other job titles so there are no awkward silences and/or confusion!
So in this article, we’ve compiled a list of common, need-to-know jobs in Korean and added some example sentences to help you put the new language into context.
시작하자 sijaghaja Let’s get started!
Jobs in Korean | Asking and Answering Job-Related Question
Jobs in Korean | Education and Research
Jobs in Korean | Office Jobs
Jobs in Korean | Personal Care and Health
Jobs in Korean | Services and Military
Jobs in Korean | Travel and Hospitality
Jobs in Korean | Sports and Entertainment
Jobs in Korean | FAQs
Jobs in Korean – Asking and Answering Job-Related Questions
First things first, let’s learn some essential vocabulary.
Work is 일 il
Job is 직업 jig-eob
Now you’ve mastered that, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can ask about jobs in Korean:
What’s your job?
직업이 뭐예요?jig-eob-i mwoyeyo?
What do you do?
뭐 하세요mwo haseyo?
뭐 하세요
What do you do?To answer this question, you can add your occupation to this sentence:
저는 …예요
I am a…I am a…
저는 ...예요.Jeo-nun … ye-yo.
For example, in Korean ‘I am an English teacher’ would be 나는 영어 선생님 입니다 naneun yeong-eo seonsaengnim imnida.
If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, you could try asking and answering more detailed questions about work, for example:
How long have you been a … for?
...이 된 지 얼마나 되었나요? … i doen ji eolmana doeeossnayo?
I have been a … for … years.
...이 된 지 ... 년 되었어요. … i doenji nyeon … doeeosseoyo.
What is your dream job?
당신의 꿈의 직업은 무엇인가요? Dangsin ui kkum ui jig-eob eun mueo singayo?
My dream job is …
내 꿈의 직업은 ... nae kkum-ui jig-eob-eun …
Whether you love your job, hate your job or just accept your job, it’s always useful to be able to talk about how you feel about work. Here’s some phrases you might find helpful!
Do you enjoy your job?
당신의 직업을 즐기십니까? dangsin-ui jig-eob-eul jeulgisibnikka?
Yes, I love my job!
네, 저는 제 일을 사랑합니다! ne, jeoneun je il-eul salanghabnida!
My job is ok.
내 직업은 괜찮아 nae jig-eob-eun Gwaenchana
No, I hate my job.
아니, 난 내 일이 싫어 ani, nan nae il-i sireo
And now you’ve got the basic question-and-answer structures down, let’s get cracking with some vocabulary!
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Jobs in Korean – Education and Research
Whilst Korea’s population is still largely homogenous, the number of foreigners living in Korea has been rising for decades.
Education draws in lots of foreigners in particular, with many coming to teach English or become a Korean language student.
So here’s a list of need-to-know education and occupations in Korean:
| English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher | 선생님 | Seonsaengnim |
| English teacher | 영어 교사 | Yeong-eo gyosa |
| University professor | 교수 | Gyosu |
| Student | 학생 | Haksaeng |
| Korean language student | 한국어 학생 | Hangugeo haksaeng |
| Exchange student | 교환 학생 | Gyohwan haksaeng |
| High school student | 고등학생 | Godeunghaksaeng |
| Undergraduate student | 학부생 | Hakbusaeng |
| Master’s student | 석사생 | Seogsasaeng |
| Phd student | 박사 과정 학생 | Baksa gwajeong haksaeng |
| Researcher | 연구원 | Yeonguwon |
| Research Assistant | 연구 조교 | Yeongu jogyo |
| Korean | English | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| 선생님 | Teacher | Seonsaengnim |
| 영어 교사 | English Teacher | Yeong-eo gyosa |
| University professor | 교수 | Gyosu |
| Student | 학생 | Haksaeng |
| Korean language student | 한국어 학생 | Hangugeo haksaeng |
| Exchange student | 교환 학생 | Gyohwan haksaeng |
| High school student | 고등학생 | Godeunghaksaeng |
| Undergraduate student | 학부생 | Hakbusaeng |
| Master’s student | 석사생 | Seogsasaeng |
| Phd student | 박사 과정 학생 | Baksa gwajeong haksaeng |
| Researcher | 연구원 | Yeonguwon |
| Research Assistant | 연구 조교 | Yeongu jogyo |
Example sentences:
- I am an exchange student at Seoul National University 저는 서울대학교 교환학생입니다. jeoneun seouldaehakgyo gyohwanhaksaeng-ibnida.
- Last year I was an English teacher in Busan. 작년에 저는 부산에서 영어교사였습니다 Jangnyeone jeoneun busan-eseo yeong-eo gyosa yeossseub nida
Jobs in Korean – Office Jobs
As for all you white-collar workers out there, you’ll probably want to practice your Korean language skills for when you’re finally allowed to peel yourself from the computer screen and grab some post-work drinks!
So here’s a list of some of the most common office jobs so you can tell others what you do every day:
| English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Accountant | 회계사 | Hoegyesa |
| Architect | 건축가 | Geonchugga |
| Assistant | 어시스턴트 조수 | Eosiseuteonteu / Josu |
| Bank clerk | 은행원 | Eunhaeng-won |
| Boss | 사장 | Sajang |
| Business person | 회사 근무자 샐러리맨 사업가 | Hoesa geunmuja / Saelleorimaen / Saeopga |
| Designer | 디자이너 | Dijaineo |
| Editor | 편집자 | Pyeonjibja |
| Lawyer | 변호사 | Byeonhosa |
| Manager | 관리자 | Gwanlija |
| Office worker | 회사원 | Hoesawon |
| Receptionist | 접수담당자 안내원 | Jeopsudamdangja / Annaewon |
| Salesperson | 영업사원 | Yeong-eobsawon |
| Secretary | 비서 | Biseo |
Example sentences:
- My dad is an accountant 우리 아빠는 회계사야 Uli appaneun hoegyesaya
- After I graduate, I want to be a lawyer 졸업 후에는 변호사가 되고 싶어요 Jol-eob hueneun byeonhosaga doego sip-eoyo
Jobs in Korean – Personal Care and Health
From the people who keep our health in check to the people who keep us looking pretty on the outside, here’s a list of occupations related to personal care and health.
Example sentences
- I don’t feel very well, I think I should go see a doctor 몸이 좋지 않아 의사에게 가야 할 것 같아요 momi jochi ana uisaege gaya hal geon gatayo.
- Are there any local hairdressers you would recommend? 추천해주실 동네 미용실 있으신가요? Chucheonhaejusil dongne miyongsil isseusingayo??
Jobs in Korean – Services and Military
With around 28,000 US soldiers stationed in Korea, odds are you’re going to bump into one at some point.
We’ve also included some other important services we think you should know.
| English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | 목수 | Mogsu |
| Engineer | 엔지니어 | Enjinieo |
| Firefighter | 소방관 | Sobang-gwan |
| Plumber | 배관공 | Baegwangong |
| Mailman | 집배원 | Jipbaewon |
| Police officer | 경찰관 | Gyeongchalgwan |
| Soldier | 군인 | Gun-in |
| American soldier | 미국 군인 미군 | Migukgunin / migun |
| Sergeant | 병장 | Byeonggang |
| Lieutenant | 중위 | Jungwi |
| Captain | 대위 | Daewi |
| Major | 소령 | Soryeong |
| Officer | 장교 | Jang-gyo |
Example sentences:
- There are many American soldiers in Korea. 한국에는 많은 미군이 있습니다 Hangugeneun maneun miguni itseumnida.
- I think firefighters are so brave. 소방관들이 정말 용감한 것 같아요 Sobanggwandeuri jeongmal yonggamhan geon gatayo.
Jobs in Korean – Travel and Hospitality
Traveling and dining out can be stressful when done in a second language, but if you learn the following words you’ll at least feel a little more prepared!
| English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Flight attendant | 승무원 | Seungmuwon |
| Bartender | 바텐더 | Batendeo |
| Chef | 요리사 | Yolisa |
| Customs agent | 세관원 | Segwan-won |
| Pilot | 조종사 | Jojongsa |
| Travel agent | 여행사 직원 | Yeohaengsa jig-won |
| Waiter | 웨이터 | Weiteo |
Example sentences
- Please tell the chef our food was delicious! 주방장에게 우리 음식이 맛있다고 전해주세요! jubangjang-ege uli eumsig-i mas-issdago jeonhaejuseyo!
- My dream job is being a pilot.
Jobs in Korean – Sports and Entertainment
Perhaps your dream is to move to Korea and become a K-pop star, or land a leading role in a hit K-drama. You might just want to talk about your favourite sports stars.
Psst… don’t forget to check out our list of binge-worthy K-dramas!
Either way, we should have you covered with the following vocabulary!
| English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|
| Actor / Actress | 배우 | Baeu |
| Actress | 여배우 | Yeobaeu |
| Director | 감독 | Gamdok |
| Footballer | 축구 선수 | Chukgu seonsu |
| Basketball player | 농구 선수 | Nong-gu seonsu |
| Baseball player | 야구 선수 | Yagu seonsu |
| Boxer | 권투선수 복싱선수 | Gwontuseonsu / Boksingseonsu |
| Figure skater | 피겨 스케이팅 선수 | Pigyeo seukeiting seonsu |
| Idol | 아이돌 | Aidol |
| K-pop idol | 케이팝 아이돌 | Keipab aidol |
| Singer | 가수 | Gasu |
| Musician | 음악가 뮤지션 | Eum-agga / Myujisyeon |
| Model | 모델 | Model |
| Photographer | 사진작가 | Sajinjakga |
| Magician | 마술사 | masulsa |
Example sentences:
Who’s your favourite K-pop idol? 가장 좋아하는 케이팝 아이돌은 누구입니까? gajang joa haneun keipab aidol-eun nugu-ibnikka?
Football players earn so much money! 축구 선수들은 돈을 많이 번다! chukgu seonsudeul-eun don-eul mani beonda!
And there you have it! If you fancy a challenge, see if you can answer the following question in the comments:
당신의 꿈의 직업은 무엇입니까?dangsin-ui kkum-ui jig-eop eun mueo simnikka? (What is your dream job?)
Jobs in Korean – FAQs
How do you say job in Korean?
Job in Korean is 직업 jig-eop
How do I say what my job is in Korean?
If you want to tell someone what your job is in Korean, you can simply add your profession into this sentence: 저는 ___ 에요 (Jeo-nun _____ye yo) which means ‘I am a ___’
How do I ask what someone else’s job is in Korean?
If you want to ask someone what they do for work in Korean, you can say one of these two sentences:
What’s your job? 직업이 뭐예요? jig-eob-i mwoyeyo?
What do you do? 뭐 하세요 mwo haseyo?
How can I learn to talk about jobs in Korean?
If you’d like to practice speaking about your work in Korean, you can study with our native Korean teachers online using our LTL Flexi Classes platform, or you can join a 1-on-1 or small group class in Seoul, South Korea!
How do you say English teacher in Korean?
In Korean, ‘English teacher’ is 영어 교사 yeong-eo gyosa.
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