30 Common Business English Terms – Original Meaning vs. Korean Usage
Introdution
In today’s global business environment, English words are often mixed naturally into corporate documents, startup pitches, financial reports, and IT discussions in Korea. However, the meaning of these terms in English-speaking countries and the way they are used in Korea can be quite different.
For instance, “Initiative” in English literally means the ability to take the lead, a new plan, or proactive action. Yet in Korea, it is often used to describe a special corporate project or a government policy plan.
Understanding these differences is important not only for writing reports or communicating inside Korean companies but also for engaging with global investors or partners. In this post, we will review 30 frequently used Business English terms, explain their original English meaning, and compare them with how they are commonly used in Korea.
Main Body – 30 Business English Terms
| No. | English Term (Korean) | Original Meaning in English | Common Usage in Korea |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Initiative (이니셔티브) | Leadership, new plan, proactive action | Special project, policy initiative |
| 2 | Engagement (인게이지먼트) | Participation, commitment, engagement | Customer or employee engagement, social media metrics |
| 3 | Portfolio (포트폴리오) | Collection of works, investment assets | Business lineup, asset composition |
| 4 | Financing (파이낸싱) | Raising capital | Fundraising, securing loans |
| 5 | Compliance (컴플라이언스) | Adherence to rules or laws | Corporate compliance system |
| 6 | Proxy (프락시) | Substitute, authorization, proxy vote | Proxy server, proxy voting rights |
| 7 | Commitment (커미트먼트) | Promise, dedication | Investment pledge, long-term dedication |
| 8 | Agenda (아젠다) | List of items for discussion | Corporate strategy agenda |
| 9 | Consensus (컨센서스) | General agreement, unanimity | Analysts’ average forecast |
| 10 | Governance (거버넌스) | System of ruling or management | Corporate decision-making structure |
| 11 | Momentum (모멘텀) | Driving force, physical momentum | Growth driver, stock market trend |
| 12 | Equity (에쿼티) | Fairness, ownership interest | Company shares, capital equity |
| 13 | Pipeline (파이프라인) | Supply channel, pipeline | New project or product development stage |
| 14 | Contingency Plan (컨틴전시 플랜) | Emergency plan, backup plan | Crisis management plan |
| 15 | Pivot (피벗) | Central axis, to rotate | Startup business model change |
| 16 | Consulting (컨설팅) | Expert advice | Business or IT advisory services |
| 17 | Outsourcing (아웃소싱) | Contracting out work | Delegating non-core tasks externally |
| 18 | Fundamental (펀더멘털) | Basic, essential | Company’s financial fundamentals |
| 19 | Facilitator (퍼실리테이터) | Helper, coordinator | Workshop or seminar moderator |
| 20 | Coverage (커버리지) | Range of reporting or coverage | Media coverage, service area |
| 21 | Protocol (프로토콜) | Formal procedure, diplomatic protocol | IT communication protocol |
| 22 | Insight (인사이트) | Deep understanding, perception | Data-driven insight |
| 23 | Collaboration (콜라보레이션) | Joint effort, cooperation | Brand partnerships, co-marketing |
| 24 | Customizing (커스터마이징) | Tailoring, personalization | Customer-specific solutions |
| 25 | Showcase (쇼케이스) | Display, demonstration | Product launch, debut stage |
| 26 | Viral (바이럴) | Spreading rapidly, like a virus | Viral marketing, social media buzz |
| 27 | Mobility (모빌리티) | Ability to move | Smart mobility, EV and autonomous driving industry |
| 28 | Entity (엔티티) | Independent unit, being | Legal entity, organizational unit |
| 29 | Archive (아카이브) | Records, storage | Data archive, content library |
| 30 | Legacy (레거시) | Heritage, inherited system | Outdated system, existing infrastructure |
Conclusion
These 30 English terms are widely used across Korean companies, financial institutions, startups, and IT sectors. However, their original English meaning and the localized Korean interpretation are often quite different.
When preparing global business reports, investor presentations, or collaborating with foreign partners, it is crucial to apply the correct English meaning to avoid misunderstandings. On the other hand, when writing internal reports or communicating within Korean corporate settings, using the “localized meaning” is often more effective and practical.
Ultimately, mastering business English is not just about memorizing vocabulary, but about knowing when to use the original meaning and when to apply the localized sense. By understanding this difference, professionals can enhance communication, reduce misinterpretation, and improve both domestic and international collaboration.
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