Formal Expressions in Business Emails

Korean business emails follow a standardized structure and set of expressions. They are written in the order greeting - main body - request - closing, and the key is using honorifics and softened, indirect expressions appropriately.

1. Opening Greeting

An email usually begins by identifying the recipient's company and name and introducing yourself. Starting with a greeting more formal than '안녕하세요' conveys credibility.

안녕하십니까, ○○ 주식회사 영업부 김민수입니다.

annyeonghasimnikka, ○○ jusikhoesa yeongeopbu gim minsu-imnida.

Hello, this is Kim Minsu from the Sales Department of ○○ Corporation.

늘 협조해 주셔서 진심으로 감사드립니다.

neul hyeopjohae jusyeoseo jinsimeuro gamsadeurimnida.

Thank you sincerely for your continued cooperation.

다름이 아니라 계약 건으로 연락드립니다.

dareum-i anira gyeyak geon-euro yeollakdeurimnida.

I am writing to you regarding the contract matter.

Opening with '다름이 아니라' is a set phrase that transitions smoothly into the main purpose of the email.

2. Softened Expressions for the Body and Requests

When making a request, use softened endings such as '-아/어 주시기 바랍니다' and '-(으)시면 감사하겠습니다.' Avoid direct imperative forms.

첨부 파일을 검토하신 후 회신해 주시기 바랍니다.

cheombu pail-eul geomtohasin hu hoesinhae jusigi baramnida.

Please reply after reviewing the attached file.

가능하시다면 금주 내로 답변을 주시면 감사하겠습니다.

ganeunghasidamyeon geumju naero dabbyeon-eul jusimyeon gamsahagetseumnida.

If possible, I would be grateful for a reply within this week.

관련 자료를 송부해 주시면 신속히 처리하겠습니다.

gwallyeon jaryo-reul songbuhae jusimyeon sinsokhi cheorihagetseumnida.

If you send the relevant documents, I will process them promptly.

회의 일정은 추후 다시 안내해 드리겠습니다.

hoeui iljeong-eun chuhu dasi annaehae deurigetseumnida.

I will inform you of the meeting schedule again at a later time.

Function	Formal Phrase	English
request	-아/어 주시기 바랍니다	Please kindly ...
request (softened)	-(으)시면 감사하겠습니다	I would appreciate it if you ...
attachment	첨부와 같이 / 붙임과 같이	as attached
reply request	회신 부탁드립니다	I would appreciate your reply
asking understanding	양해 부탁드립니다	Thank you for your understanding
closing	감사합니다 / 잘 부탁드립니다	Thank you / I look forward to working with you

When declining or reporting a delay, it is courteous to cushion the message with '죄송하지만' or '부득이하게' before stating the reason.

3. Closing

바쁘신 와중에 검토해 주셔서 감사합니다. 앞으로도 잘 부탁드립니다.

bappeusin wajung-e geomtohae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida. apeurodo jal butakdeurimnida.

Thank you for reviewing this despite your busy schedule. I look forward to our continued partnership.

💡 Tip: In an email closing, you usually add '드림' or '올림' after your name. '올림' is more respectful than '드림' and is appropriate when writing to someone senior to you.

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