Talking with Coworkers and Bosses

In Korean workplaces, how you speak shifts depending on who you're talking to. You can be relaxed with coworkers, but you'll use honorifics with your superiors.

Titles and Honorifics

When addressing a boss, attach '님' (nim) to their job title, as in '부장님' (bujangnim, department head) or '팀장님' (timjangnim, team leader).

팀장님, 이 자료를 확인해 주시겠어요?

timjangnim, i jaryoreul hwaginhae jusigesseoyo?

Could you take a look at this document, please?

과장님께서 회의에 들어오셨어요.

gwajangnimkkeseo hoeuie deureooshyeosseoyo.

The manager has come into the meeting.

Casual Talk with Coworkers

With coworkers of the same rank, you still keep polite speech but can speak a little more comfortably.

점심 같이 드실래요?

jeomsim gachi deusillaeyo?

Want to grab lunch together?

그 일은 제가 도와드릴게요.

geu ireun jega dowadeurilgeyo.

I'll help you out with that task.

혹시 이 부분 같이 검토해 주실 수 있어요?

hoksi i bubun gachi geomtohae jusil su isseoyo?

Would you mind reviewing this part with me?

Reporting and Sharing

Use '보고드리다' (bogodeurida) when reporting results up to a boss, and '공유하다' (gongyuhada) when sharing information with coworkers.

진행 상황을 부장님께 보고드릴게요.

jinhaeng sanghwangeul bujangnimkke bogodeurilgeyo.

I'll report the progress to the department head.

회의 내용을 메일로 공유해 드릴게요.

hoeui naeyongeul meillo gongyuhae deurilgeyo.

I'll share the meeting notes with you by email.

수고하셨습니다, 내일 뵙겠습니다.

sugohasyeotseumnida, naeil boepgesseumnida.

Thanks for your hard work today; see you tomorrow.

Situation	Expression	English
To a boss	확인해 주시겠어요?	Could you check it?
To a coworker	같이 하실래요?	Shall we do it together?
Making a request	도와주시면 감사하겠습니다	I'd appreciate your help
Reporting	보고드리겠습니다	I'll report to you
End-of-day greeting	수고하셨습니다	Thanks for your hard work

💡 Tip: When the subject is your senior, add '-시-' (-si-) to show respect, as in '오셨어요' (osyeosseoyo) or '하셨어요' (hasyeosseoyo). To honor the object of the sentence, use '드리다' (deurida) or '뵙다' (boepda).

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