Korean word

직원

Pronunciation

Romanizationchigwon

Meaning

  • nounemployee

Example

가게에 직원이 몇 명 있나요?ka ge e chi gwo ni myeot myeong in na yo

How many employees are at the store?

Illustration for 직원 (employee)

More examples

직원 식당이 점심시간에 붐벼요.chi gwon sik ttang i cheom sim si ga ne pum byeo yo

The employee cafeteria is crowded at lunchtime.

Core concept

A person working as part of a business or organization.

Common phrases

  • 직원 식당chi gwon sik ttang

    employee cafeteria

  • 직원 교육chi gwon kyo yuk

    employee training

  • 직원 채용chi gwon chae yong

    employee recruitment

Similar words

사원sawon: A paid employee who is a member of a company.
종업원chongeobwon: A staff member who works at a shop, factory, office, or another workplace.
아르바이트생areubaiteusaeng: A worker hired for a short period or on a part-time basis.
근로자keulloja: A person who works for wages under an employment relationship.

Definition in Korean

회사나 가게 등에서 고용되어 일정한 일을 하는 사람.hoe sa na ka ge teung e seo ko yong doe eo il jeong han i reul ha neun sa ram

Word origin

직원 (jigwon, "employee") is a Sino-Korean word formed from 직 (ji, "duty or post") and 원 (gwon, "member"), meaning a member assigned to work.

Usage tips

  • 직원 (jigwon, "employee") does not show whether someone is full-time, part-time, or temporary, so Korean adds an employment-type word when that detail matters.

Other meanings

  • staff membernoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 직원수chigwonsunumber of employeesnoun
  • 직원증chigwonjeungemployee ID cardnoun

Word lists with this word