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Formal & Written Korean

Email Etiquette

Email etiquette in Korean follows specific conventions for professional communication. Understanding proper structure, tone, and expressions is essential for business and formal correspondence.

Email Structure

Standard Korean email format:

  1. Subject line (제목)
  2. Greeting (인사말)
  3. Introduction/Purpose (도입)
  4. Main content (본문)
  5. Action items/Requests (요청사항)
  6. Closing (맺음말)
  7. Signature (서명)

Subject Lines

Clear and Concise

Subject line principles:

  • Be specific and informative
  • Use formal nouns
  • Avoid casual language
  • Include keywords

Examples:

  • [확인 요청] 회의 일정 (Confirmation Request: Meeting Schedule)
  • 견적서 송부 (Quotation Submission)
  • 프로젝트 진행 현황 보고 (Project Progress Report)
  • 질문 사항 (Questions)

Subject Line Prefixes

Common prefixes:

  • [긴급] (Urgent)
  • [참고] (FYI)
  • [확인 요청] (Confirmation Request)
  • [공지] (Notice/Announcement)
  • [회신 요청] (Reply Request)

Opening Greetings

Very Formal

Traditional formal greetings:

  • 안녕하십니까 (How do you do)
  • 귀사의 무궁한 발전을 기원합니다 (I wish for your company's endless development)
  • 평소 귀사의 번영을 기원합니다 (I always wish for your company's prosperity)

Standard Professional

Common business greetings:

  • 안녕하세요 (Hello)
  • 수고 많으십니다 (You're working hard)
  • 안녕하세요, [이름]입니다 (Hello, I am [Name])

Follow-up Emails

Continuing correspondence:

  • 답변 감사합니다 (Thank you for your reply)
  • 빠른 회신 감사드립니다 (Thank you for the quick response)
  • 이어서 말씀드립니다 (Continuing from before)

Introduction/Purpose

First Contact

Self-introduction:

  • [회사명] [부서] [이름]입니다 (I'm [Name] from [Department] at [Company])
  • ~에서 근무하는 [이름]입니다 (I'm [Name] working at ~)
  • ~을/를 담당하고 있습니다 (I'm in charge of ~)

Purpose statement:

  • ~에 대해 문의드리고자 이메일 드립니다 (I'm emailing to inquire about ~)
  • ~을/를 요청드리고자 연락드렸습니다 (I'm contacting to request ~)
  • ~에 관해 안내드립니다 (I'm informing you about ~)

Internal Emails

To colleagues:

  • ~에 대해 공유드립니다 (Sharing about ~)
  • ~을/를 보고드립니다 (Reporting on ~)
  • 다음과 같이 전달드립니다 (Conveying as follows)

Body Content Patterns

Providing Information

Information delivery:

  • 다음과 같이 안내드립니다 (I inform you as follows)
  • 아래 내용을 참고해 주시기 바랍니다 (Please refer to the content below)
  • 첨부 파일을 확인해 주세요 (Please check the attached file)

Making Requests

Polite requests:

  • ~해 주시기 바랍니다 (Please do ~)
  • ~해 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would be grateful if you ~)
  • ~부탁드립니다 (I request ~)
  • ~을/를 요청드립니다 (I request ~)

Examples:

  • 회신 부탁드립니다 (I request a reply)
  • 확인해 주시기 바랍니다 (Please confirm)
  • 검토 후 의견 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would be grateful for your opinion after review)

Asking Questions

Question patterns:

  • ~에 대해 문의드립니다 (I inquire about ~)
  • ~을/를 여쭙고 싶습니다 (I would like to ask ~)
  • 궁금한 점이 있어 연락드렸습니다 (I'm contacting because I have questions)

Examples:

  • 회의 일정에 대해 문의드립니다 (I inquire about the meeting schedule)
  • 몇 가지 여쭙고 싶은 사항이 있습니다 (There are a few things I'd like to ask)

Offering Help

Assistance offers:

  • 도움이 필요하시면 말씀해 주세요 (Please let me know if you need help)
  • 추가 정보가 필요하시면 연락 주세요 (Please contact me if you need additional information)
  • 언제든지 문의 주시기 바랍니다 (Please feel free to inquire anytime)

Apologizing

Professional apologies:

  • 죄송합니다 (I'm sorry)
  • 불편을 끼쳐 드려 죄송합니다 (Sorry for the inconvenience)
  • 늦은 회신 죄송합니다 (Sorry for the late reply)
  • 착오가 있었습니다 (There was a mistake)

Explaining:

  • ~로 인해 (due to ~)
  • ~때문에 (because of ~)
  • 불가피하게 (unavoidably)

Thanking

Gratitude expressions:

  • 감사합니다 (Thank you)
  • 감사드립니다 (I thank you - humble)
  • 도움 주셔서 감사합니다 (Thank you for your help)
  • 시간 내 주셔서 감사합니다 (Thank you for taking the time)

Formatting Guidelines

Paragraph Structure

Clear organization:

  • Use short paragraphs
  • One idea per paragraph
  • Leave space between paragraphs
  • Use bullet points for lists

Bullet Points

When to use:

  • Multiple items
  • Action items
  • Checklist
  • Schedule

Format:

  • Use • or - for bullets
  • Or use numbers for sequences
  • Keep items parallel in structure

Attachments

Attachment mentions:

  • 첨부 파일 확인 바랍니다 (Please check the attached file)
  • 첨부해 드립니다 (I attach it)
  • 아래와 같이 첨부합니다 (I attach as follows)
  • 파일 2개를 첨부합니다 (I attach 2 files)

Closing Phrases

Standard Closings

General endings:

  • 감사합니다 (Thank you)
  • 좋은 하루 보내세요 (Have a good day)
  • 수고하세요 (Keep up the good work)

Request Closings

After making requests:

  • 확인 부탁드립니다 (Please confirm)
  • 검토 바랍니다 (Please review)
  • 회신 기다리겠습니다 (I'll await your reply)
  • 협조 부탁드립니다 (I ask for your cooperation)

Information Closings

After providing information:

  • 참고 바랍니다 (Please refer to this)
  • 문의 사항 있으시면 연락 주세요 (Please contact me if you have questions)
  • 추가 정보 필요시 말씀해 주세요 (Please let me know if you need more information)

Email Signatures

Professional Signature Format

Standard elements:

  • 이름 (Name)
  • 직책/직위 (Position/Title)
  • 부서 (Department)
  • 회사명 (Company Name)
  • 연락처 (Contact Information)
  • 이메일 (Email)

Example:

김민수
대리 / 마케팅팀
ABC 주식회사
Tel: 02-1234-5678
Email: minsu.kim@abc.com

Signature Variations

Minimal signature:

  • 이름 + 직책 (Name + Position)
  • 회사명 (Company Name)

Detailed signature:

  • Include address
  • Include fax number
  • Include company website

Honorific Usage

Recipients

Formal address:

  • ~님 (Mr./Ms./honorific suffix)
  • ~귀하 (Dear ~ - very formal)
  • ~께 (to ~ - honorific particle)

Examples:

  • 김 대리님 (Manager Kim)
  • 고객님께 (To the customer)

Humble Forms

Writer's actions:

  • 드리다 (to give - humble)
  • 여쭙다 (to ask - humble)
  • 뵙다 (to see - humble)
  • 올리다 (to send - humble)

Examples:

  • 보고 드립니다 (I report)
  • 말씀드립니다 (I tell you)
  • 자료를 보내 드립니다 (I send you the materials)

Response Time Expectations

Immediate Response

Acknowledge receipt:

  • 메일 잘 받았습니다 (I received your email well)
  • 확인했습니다 (I confirmed)
  • 검토 후 회신드리겠습니다 (I'll reply after reviewing)

Setting Expectations

Time commitments:

  • ~까지 회신드리겠습니다 (I'll reply by ~)
  • 검토 후 연락드리겠습니다 (I'll contact you after reviewing)
  • 확인하는 대로 알려드리겠습니다 (I'll let you know as soon as I confirm)

Common Email Scenarios

Meeting Requests

Requesting a meeting:

  • 미팅 요청드립니다 (I request a meeting)
  • 가능한 일정 알려주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would be grateful if you let me know available times)
  • 다음 주 중 시간 괜찮으신지 여쭙니다 (I ask if you have time next week)

Following Up

Follow-up phrases:

  • 이전 이메일에 이어서 (Following up on my previous email)
  • 지난번 메일 확인하셨는지요 (I wonder if you checked the previous email)
  • 추가 질문 있으시면 말씀해 주세요 (Please let me know if you have additional questions)

Declining Requests

Polite refusals:

  • 죄송하지만 어려울 것 같습니다 (I'm sorry but it seems difficult)
  • 현재로서는 불가능합니다 (It's not possible at present)
  • 다른 대안을 제안드립니다 (I propose an alternative)

Confirming Information

Confirmation phrases:

  • 다음과 같이 이해했는데 맞는지 확인 부탁드립니다 (I understood as follows, please confirm if correct)
  • 정보 확인 차 연락드립니다 (I'm contacting to confirm information)
  • 맞게 이해한 것인지 여쭙니다 (I ask if I understood correctly)

Tone Considerations

Professional Distance

Maintaining formality:

  • Use -습니다/-ㅂ니다 consistently
  • Avoid casual expressions
  • Use formal vocabulary
  • Keep personal comments minimal

Warmth vs. Formality

Balancing:

  • 감사합니다 (formal) vs. 감사해요 (warm)
  • 부탁드립니다 (formal) vs. 부탁드려요 (warm)

Internal vs. External

Adjust formality:

  • External: More formal, more humble
  • Internal: Slightly less formal, but still professional
  • To superiors: Highly formal and respectful
  • To peers: Professional but less formal

Common Mistakes

❌ Incorrect: 해 줘 (too casual)

In professional email

✅ Correct: 해 주시기 바랍니다

Proper formal request

❌ Incorrect: 오늘 중으로 (vague deadline)

Unclear timing

✅ Correct: 오늘 오후 5시까지

Specific deadline

❌ Incorrect: 잘 부탁해 (casual)

Too informal

✅ Correct: 잘 부탁드립니다

Proper formal request

❌ Incorrect: No subject line

Missing critical element

✅ Correct: Clear, specific subject

Proper email format

Summary Table

ScenarioOpeningClosingKey Phrase
First Contact안녕하십니까회신 기다리겠습니다문의드립니다
Follow-up답변 감사합니다확인 부탁드립니다추가로 여쭙니다
Request안녕하세요협조 부탁드립니다요청드립니다
Information안녕하세요참고 바랍니다안내드립니다
Apology안녕하세요양해 부탁드립니다죄송합니다
Thanks안녕하세요감사합니다감사드립니다