사업
sa'eop[ˈsʰa̠(ː)ʌ̹p̚]
The English word business can be translated into Korean as 사업 (sa'eop), 기업 or 업무.
Meaning: commercial enterprise or establishment (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 사업 | sa'eop | [ˈsʰa̠(ː)ʌ̹p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 기업 | gieop | [kiʌ̹p̚] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 업무 | eommu | [ʌ̹mmu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term 사업 refers to any commercial, professional or entrepreneurial activities conducted for profit.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on what aspect of business you are discussing. 사업 refers to a business venture, a project or the act of running a commercial enterprise. In contrast, 기업 is used when referring to a business as a formal organization, a company or a legal entity like a corporation. Finally, 업무 refers to business in the sense of professional operations, work tasks or duties.
How do you pronounce it?
sa'eop
Did you know?
- The character 企 in 기업 means 'to stand on tiptoe', implying that a business involves looking or planning ahead.
- Korean has a specific word 갑질 to describe the abuse of power by a dominant party in a business relationship, typically by a large 기업 toward a small supplier.
- If you want to say 'business is slow', you might use the expression 경기가 안 좋다, which literally means 'the economy is not good' rather than focusing on the specific 'business'.
Examples in context
- 사업 어떻게 되어 가?How's the business going?This sentence shows how to ask about the progress of a 사업.Tatoeba #4749601 by kimhkng, translation #3738040 by CK
- 이것은 우리 사업을 다치게 할 수도 있다.This could hurt our business.This sentence illustrates how an action might negatively impact a 사업.Tatoeba #5526766 by raining211, translation #4665494 by CK
- 지리의 사업은 통제가 불가능한 지경으로 악화되기 시작했다.Ziri's business began to spiral out of control.This sentence describes a situation where a 사업 is spiraling out of control.Tatoeba #14034698 by Ldyhippo, translation #11051119 by Amastan
- 저는 사업에 투자하고 싶어요.I want to invest in business.
- 사업 관련 정보를 찾고 있어요.I am looking for business-related information.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their career goals.
- 도현 Do-hyeon나중에 내 사업을 하고 싶어.najunge nae saeobeul hago sipeo.I want to start my own business later.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어떤 종류의 사업을 생각하고 있어?eotteon jongnyue ui saeobeul saenggakhago isseo?What kind of business are you thinking of?
- 도현 Do-hyeon작은 카페 사업을 해보고 싶어.jageun kape saeobeul haebogo sipeo.I want to try a small cafe business.
- 서연 Seo-yeon정말 멋진 계획이다, 도현아.jeongmal meotjin gyehoek-ida, Dohyeona.That is a really cool plan, Dohyun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “business” translations and entries 사업, 기업, 업무, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 기업, 사업, 업무, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
