대표이사
daepyoyisa
The English term CEO is translated into Korean as 대표이사 (daepyoyisa).
In a corporate context, 대표이사 is the most common formal term used to describe a Chief Executive Officer. While 대표이사 specifically refers to a representative director, other terms like 사장 (president or chairman) can also be used in formal settings to refer to a CEO.
Meaning: chief executive officer (noun)
Which one should you use?
대표이사 is the formal legal title for a CEO in a corporation. In contrast, 대표 is a common shorthand used in both business and casual contexts to refer to the head of an organization. In smaller to medium-sized businesses, people often colloquially use 사장님 to refer to the person in charge.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
대표이사 is a formal term. In formal contexts, 사장 may also be used. For more casual or small-business environments, 사장님 is common. When addressing a CEO directly, it is standard to use the polite honorific form 대표님.
How do you pronounce it?
daepyoyisa
Did you know?
- The term 이사 (director) in 대표이사 shares the same characters as the word for 'moving house'. Context is the only way to tell if someone is a board member or is relocating their home.
- In Korea, you can call a shop owner or a taxi driver 사장님, even if they are not a 'CEO' in the corporate sense. It is used as a polite, respectful way to address any business owner or a middle-aged man.
- The word 대표 comes from 대 meaning 'represent' and 표 meaning 'mark' or 'symbol'. It literally describes someone who acts as the symbolic face of an organization to the outside world.
Examples in context
- 이 회사의 대표이사는 정말 타고난 리더십을 가지고 계셔요.The CEO of this company truly possesses natural leadership.
- 이 회사의 CEO는The CEO of this company is
- 그분은 우리 회사의 대표이사입니다.geubun-eun uri hoesa-ui daepyo-isa-imnida.He is the CEO of our company.
- 새로운 대표이사가 누구인가요?saeroun daepyo-isa-ga nuguingayo?Who is the new CEO?
- 대표이사를 직접 만나고 싶어요.daepyo-isa-reul jikjeop mannago sipeoyo.I want to meet the CEO in person.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Subin are talking about a business news report.
- 지훈 Ji-hun이번에 대표이사가 바뀌었대요.ibeone daepyo-isa-ga bakkwieotdaeyo.I heard the CEO changed this time.
- 수빈 Su-bin정말요? 어떤 분인가요?jeongmallyo? eotteon bun-ingayo?Really? What kind of person is she?
- 지훈 Ji-hun아주 유능한 분이라고 들었어요.aju yuneunghan bun-irago deureosseoyo.I heard she is a very capable person.
- 수빈 Su-bin그렇다면 다행이네요.geureotdamyeon dahaeng-ineyo.That is a relief then.
