여사장
yeosajang
The English phrase 'lady boss' is translated into Korean as 여사장 (yeosajang).
여사장 refers to a woman who owns or manages a business.
Which one should you use?
While 여사장 specifically denotes a female owner, the gender-neutral term 사장 is more commonly used in professional settings regardless of gender. For a colloquial way to refer to a lady boss, you can use 여대표, which is a contraction of 여자 (woman) and 대표 (representative).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term 여사장님 is a more respectful way to address or refer to the woman directly by adding the honorific suffix -님. If you wish to be polite, 여성 사장님 is a polite way to address a lady boss and translates to 'female boss'.
How do you pronounce it?
yeosajang
Did you know?
- Korean has a specific linguistic habit of adding 여 (woman) to professional titles, like 여의사 for female doctors, though this is becoming less common as gender neutrality increases.
- The term 사장 originally referred to the 'head' of a company, but in modern Korea, it is often used colloquially to refer to the owners of small neighborhood shops or cafes.
- If you call a female business owner 여사장 instead of adding the honorific suffix -님 to make it 여사장님, it can sound dismissive or even rude, as if you are pointing out her gender rather than respecting her position.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요. 저희 회사의 여성 사장님께서 만나고 싶다고 하셨습니다.Hello. I was told that our company's lady boss would like to meet.
- 난 우리 회사의 여대표랑 오랜 시간을 함께했어.I spent a long time with our lady boss.
- 그분은 아주 멋진 여사장님이에요.geubun-eun aju meotjin yeosajangnim-ieyo.She is a very cool lady boss.
- 우리 동네 카페 여사장님은 친절해요.uri dongne kape yeosajangnim-eun chinjeolhaeyo.The lady boss of the neighborhood cafe is kind.
- 여사장님이 직접 요리를 하세요.yeosajangnim-i jikjeop yori-reul haseyo.The lady boss cooks the food herself.
Example conversation
Jihoon and Seoyeon are talking about a restaurant they visited.
- 지훈 Ji-hun거기 여사장님 정말 카리스마 넘치시더라.geogi yeosajangnim jeongmal karisuma neomchisideora.The lady boss there was so charismatic.
- 서연 Seo-yeon맞아요, 정말 대단하신 여사장님 같아요.majayo, jeongmal daedanhasin yeosajangnim gatayo.Right, she seems like an amazing lady boss.
- 지훈 Ji-hun서연 씨도 나중에 그런 여사장님이 될 수 있어요.Seoyeon ssi-do najunge geureon yeosajangnim-i doel su isseoyo.Seoyeon, you can become a lady boss like that too.
- 서연 Seo-yeon고마워요, 지훈 씨 응원 덕분에 힘이 나요.gomawoyo, Jihoon ssi eungwon deokbune himi nayo.Thank you, Jihoon, your support gives me strength.
