If you’re interested in learning how to say “coworker” in Korean, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re planning to work in Korea or simply want to expand your Korean vocabulary, knowing how to refer to your colleagues is essential. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to address coworkers, as well as any regional variations you might encounter. So let’s get started!
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Formal Ways to Say Coworker
When it comes to formal speech, Korean has honorifics that reflect the social hierarchy within the workplace. Here are some expressions you can use to address your coworkers respectfully:
1. 동료 (dong-ryo)
동료 is a commonly used term in the work environment, which means “colleague” or “co-worker”. This is a formal and neutral term that can be applied to anyone you work with, regardless of their position.
예를 들어, “저는 한국에서 동료들과 함께 일합니다”라고 말할 수 있습니다.
(For example, you can say, “I work with colleagues in Korea.”)
2. 직장 동료 (jik-jang dong-ryo)
If you want to be more specific and emphasize the workplace aspect, you can use the term 직장 동료. 직장 (jik-jang) means “workplace”, so 직장 동료 translates to “workplace colleague”. This term is also appropriate in formal settings.
“저는 회사에서 저의 직장 동료들과 잘 지내고 있습니다.”
(I get along well with my workplace colleagues at my company.)
Informal Ways to Say Coworker
In less formal situations, such as when you are on friendly terms with your coworkers, you can use these more casual expressions:
1. 동료들 (dong-ryo-deul)
When addressing coworkers in an informal manner, you can simply add the suffix “들” (deul) after 동료. This plural marker is widely used to denote a group of people. 동료들 means “colleagues” or “coworkers” in a friendly context.
“오늘은 동료들과 함께 점심을 먹었어요!”
(Today I had lunch with my coworkers!)
2. 팀원 (tim-won)
If you want to specifically denote coworkers within your team, you can use the word 팀원. 팀 (tim) means “team” and 원 (won) means “member”. Therefore, 팀원 translates to “teammate” or “team member”. This term is often used in a more casual and friendly context as well.
“우리는 팀원끼리 서로 도와서 일합니다.”
(We help each other at work among team members.)
Regional Variations
Korean has some regional variations in dialect, but they usually don’t significantly affect the way to say “coworker.” However, it’s worth mentioning that in the Jeolla Province region, some people use the word 동감 (dong-gam) to refer to coworkers instead of 동료 (dong-ryo).
Now you have a good understanding of how to address your coworkers in Korean, both formally and informally. Remember, using the appropriate form of speech is crucial in Korean culture. Make sure to adapt your language based on the situation and relationship with your coworkers. Happy learning!
