직업
jigeop[t͡ɕiɡʌ̹p̚]
The English word 'occupation' is translated into Korean as 직업 (jigeop).
직업 refers to an activity or task with which one occupies oneself. It is the standard term used when filling out official forms or discussing one's professional status in a formal context. For example, you can use specific terms for certain roles, such as 의사 (Doctor), 학생 (Student), 교사 (Teacher), 경찰 (Police officer), 회사원 (Office worker), 배우 (Actor/Actress), 가수 (Singer), 주부 (Housewife), 간호사 (Nurse), 엔지니어 (Engineer), 변호사 (Lawyer), 요리사 (Chef) or 경제학자 (Economist). Certain roles also use honorific forms, such as 선생님 for a teacher or 사장님 for a company president.
Meaning: activity or task with which one occupies oneself (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 직업 refers to one's professional occupation, 일 is a more general term for 'work' or 'task'.
How do you pronounce it?
jigeop
Did you know?
- The character 업 in 직업 is also the root for the word 'karma' or 'fate' in certain Buddhist-influenced contexts, implying a sense of repetitive or habitual action.
- In many Korean contexts, when a stranger asks about your 'occupation', they are often more interested in your social status or company than your specific job title.
- While 직업 is the standard noun, if you want to ask someone 'What is your job?', it is more natural to ask 무슨 일을 하세요? which literally translates to 'What work do you do?'
Examples in context
- 직업이 뭐예요?What is your occupation?Tatoeba #13172398 by atitarev, translation #731142 by CM
- 너는 어떤 일을 해?What job do you do?
- 너의 직장은 어디야?Where is your workplace?
- 그의 직업은 요리사입니다.geu-ui jigeop-eun yorisa-imnida.His occupation is a chef.
- 좋은 직업을 찾는 것은 어려워요.joeun jigeop-eul chat-neun geon eoryeowoyo.Finding a good occupation is difficult.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are talking about their goals at a cafe.
- 민준 Min-jun민지 씨는 어떤 직업을 원해요?Minji ssineun eotteon jigeobeul wonhaeyo?Minji, what kind of occupation do you want?
- 민지 Min-ji저는 작가라는 직업을 갖고 싶어요.jeoneun jakgaraneun jigeobeul gatgo sipeoyo.I want to have the occupation of a writer.
- 민준 Min-jun정말 멋진 꿈이네요.jeongmal meotjin kkumineyo.That is a really cool dream.
- 민지 Min-ji민준 씨는요?Minjun ssineun-yo?How about you, Minjun?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “occupation” translations and entries 직업, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
