How to Say "Coworker" in Korean

동료

dongnyo[to̞ŋɲo]

The Korean word for coworker is 동료 (dongnyo).

동료 is a formal and neutral term that means colleague or co-worker.

Meaning: somebody with whom one works (noun)

Which one should you use?

While 동료 means colleague or peer in many contexts, adding 직장 (workplace) makes it more specific to a coworker in a professional setting.

To refer to a coworker with more respect or politeness, you can add the honorific suffix –분 to the end of the word.

dongnyo

Because Korean culture emphasizes the group, 동료 is frequently used in the phrase 동료애, which refers to the specific 'collegial love' or bond felt between people who work together.
In many Korean companies, coworkers rarely use the word 동료 to address each other directly, preferring to use their professional title and the suffix –님 instead.
The Chinese character 僚 in 동료 is specifically associated with 'officials' or 'colleagues' in a formal hierarchy, giving the word a slightly more structured or professional weight than the English 'peer'.

저는 한국에서 동료들과 함께 일합니다
I work with colleagues in Korea.
저는 회사에서 저의 직장 동료들과 잘 지내고 있습니다.
I get along well with my workplace colleagues at my company.
오늘은 동료들과 함께 점심을 먹었어요!
Today I had lunch with my coworkers!
우리는 팀원끼리 서로 도와서 일합니다.
We help each other at work among team members.
그는 나의 좋은 동료이다.
He is my good colleague.
새로운 동료가 곧 올 거예요.
saeroun dongryega got ol geoyeyo.
A new coworker will arrive soon.
우리 동료들과 함께 점심을 먹어요.
uri dongryedeulgwa hamkke jeomsimeul meogeoyo.
I eat lunch with my coworkers.

Dohyun and Jieun are talking about their workplace.

도현 Do-hyeon

지은 씨는 동료들과 사이가 좋아요?
jieun ssineun dongryodeulgwa saiga joayo?
Jieun, do you get along well with your coworkers?
지은 Ji-eun

네, 모든 동료가 친절해요.
ne, modeun dongryoga chinjeolhaeyo.
Yes, all my coworkers are kind.
도현 Do-hyeon

다행이네요. 제 동료는 너무 무서워요.
dahaengineyo. je dongryoneun neomu museowoyo.
That's a relief. My coworker is too scary.
지은 Ji-eun

정말요? 도현 씨가 고생하시네요.
jeongmalyo? dohyun ssiga gosaenghasineyo.
Really? You're having a hard time, Dohyun.

Sources

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