B2 · Intermedio alto Capítulo 4

Business and Legal Formalities

7 Reglas totales
72 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of professional communication with these essential formal Korean business structures.

  • Construct authoritative legal and business statements.
  • Navigate complex professional discussions with precision.
  • Deliver formal apologies and declarations with confidence.
Elevate your professional presence through formal Korean mastery.

Lo que aprenderás

Hey there, Korean language superstar! Ready to step beyond everyday chats and dive into the exciting world of formal and business Korean? In this chapter, you’re going to master some incredibly useful structures that will make you sound like a true professional in formal Korean settings. Don't worry, it's totally achievable, and we’ll learn it together! First up, you'll discover how to use '-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여' to make your statements sound precise and authoritative, just like a legal document – perfect for when you need to say 'according to this rule...'. Then, with '-는 데 있어서', you'll learn to speak with confidence and authority in specialized discussions, whether you're talking about a specific field or a complex process. Imagine you're in an important business meeting or need to issue a formal apology. You'll use '-ㄴ/은/는 바입니다' to craft impactful, official declarations, and with '-ㄴ/은/는 바 대단히 죄송합니다', you’ll learn the sophisticated way to apologize professionally in sensitive business or public situations. Plus, '-고자 하다' will empower you to express formal intentions or purposes, like 'we aim to achieve this.' Finally, you'll grasp '-에 의해' to formally identify the agent responsible for an action, such as 'this was done by the company.' By the end of this chapter, you won't just understand formal Korean documents and emails better; you'll be able to communicate with a new level of professionalism and confidence. These skills will seriously elevate your presence in any Korean business or academic environment. Get ready to shine like a true Korean pro!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Write a formal apology email and a project status report using professional grammar.

Guía del capítulo

Overview

Hey there, Korean language superstar! Ready to step beyond everyday chats and dive into the exciting world of formal and business Korean? Welcome to a pivotal chapter designed to elevate your communication skills to a B2 Korean grammar level and beyond.
In this section, you’re going to master some incredibly useful structures that will make you sound like a true professional in formal Korean settings. This isn't just about sounding polite; it's about precision, authority, and conveying respect in environments like business meetings, legal discussions, or official correspondence. Understanding these nuances is crucial for anyone aiming to succeed in a Korean professional or academic context.
Don't worry, it's totally achievable, and we’ll learn it together! By the end, you won't just understand formal Korean documents and emails better; you'll be able to communicate with a new level of professionalism and confidence. These skills will seriously elevate your presence in any Korean business or academic environment.
Get ready to shine like a true Korean pro!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter focuses on six powerful Korean grammar patterns essential for formal and business communication. First up, -ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여 translates to according to or
on the basis of,
perfect for precise, authoritative statements, much like legal language. For example, 법률에 의거하는 바에 의하여 이 계약은 유효합니다 (According to the law, this contract is valid).
Next, -는 데 있어서 means regarding or in terms of, allowing you to speak with confidence in specialized discussions. Think of it as setting the scope: 프로젝트 추진에 있어서 가장 중요한 것은 팀워크입니다 (Regarding project advancement, teamwork is the most important thing). When making impactful, official declarations, you'll use -ㄴ/은/는 바입니다.
This phrase adds gravitas, often used in public statements or formal reports. For instance, 저희는 이 문제에 대해 심각하게 고려하는 바입니다 (We are seriously considering this matter). For those sensitive business or public situations requiring a sophisticated apology, -ㄴ/은/는 바 대단히 죄송합니다 is your go-to.
It translates to
we are extremely sorry for what has happened.
Example: 고객 여러분께 불편을 드린 바 대단히 죄송합니다 (We are extremely sorry for having caused inconvenience to our customers). To express formal intentions or purposes, like
we aim to achieve this,
use -고자 하다. As in, 저희는 고객 만족을 최우선으로 하고자 합니다 (We aim to prioritize customer satisfaction).
Finally, -에 의해 formally identifies the agent responsible for an action, similar to by in English passive constructions. For example, 이 보고서는 전문가 팀에 의해 작성되었습니다 (This report was prepared by a team of experts). Mastering these patterns will significantly enhance your B2 Korean proficiency.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 저는 친구에 의해 이 영화를 봤어요. (I saw this movie by my friend.)
✓ Correct: 이 영화는 친구에 의해 추천되었습니다. (This movie was recommended by a friend.)
*Explanation:* -에 의해 is specifically used for formal, often inanimate agents or abstract entities in passive constructions, not typically for direct, active human agents in casual contexts. For a casual by a person, you'd usually use -이/가 or -에게서.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 내일 숙제를 끝내고자 해. (I intend to finish homework tomorrow.)
✓ Correct: 저희는 새로운 목표를 달성하고자 합니다. (We aim to achieve new goals.)
*Explanation:* -고자 하다 is a highly formal expression of intention or purpose. Using it in casual, everyday contexts like talking about homework sounds unnatural and overly stiff. It's reserved for formal speeches, official documents, or business contexts.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: 밥을 먹는 바입니다. (It is that I eat rice.)
✓ Correct: 저희는 최선을 다했음을 말씀드리는 바입니다. (We declare that we have done our best.)
*Explanation:* -ㄴ/은/는 바입니다 is a formal declarative ending used to state a fact or conclusion with emphasis and authority, often in official contexts. Using it for simple, everyday actions makes it sound awkward and pompous.

Real Conversations

A

A

이번 신제품 출시에 있어서 가장 중요한 점은 무엇이라고 생각하십니까? (Regarding the launch of this new product, what do you think is the most important point?)
B

B

고객의 피드백을 적극적으로 반영하는 바, 이는 성공적인 출시를 위한 핵심 요소라고 생각합니다. (We are actively reflecting customer feedback, and we believe this is a key factor for a successful launch.)
A

A

지난번 발생했던 시스템 오류로 인해 고객 여러분께 불편을 드린 바 대단히 죄송합니다. (We are extremely sorry for having caused inconvenience to our customers due to the system error that occurred last time.)
B

B

저희는 이러한 문제가 재발하지 않도록 시스템 개선을 최우선으로 하고자 합니다. (We aim to prioritize system improvements to prevent such issues from recurring.)

Quick FAQ

Q

When should I use -ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여 instead of other 'according to' phrases in Korean?

Use -ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여 for formal, legal, or official contexts where precision and authority are paramount, like citing regulations or documents. For casual according to, use -에 따르면 or -에 의하면.

Q

Is -고자 하다 always formal, or can it be used casually?

-고자 하다 is exclusively formal. It expresses a strong, deliberate intention or aim, typically used in speeches, official statements, or business plans. Avoid it in casual conversations.

Q

What's the difference between -ㄴ/은/는 바입니다 and just using a declarative ending like -습니다/ㅂ니다?

-ㄴ/은/는 바입니다 adds a layer of formality, emphasis, and often a sense of declaration or conclusion to a statement, making it sound more official or impactful than a simple declarative ending. It implies

it is the case that...
or we state that....

Cultural Context

In Korean business and legal settings, formality is paramount. These grammar patterns are not merely stylistic choices; they reflect a deep-seated cultural emphasis on respect, hierarchy, and precision in communication. Using these structures demonstrates not only your linguistic proficiency at a B2 Korean level but also your understanding of appropriate conduct.
They are commonly found in official reports, contracts, public apologies, speeches, and formal emails, signifying the speaker's or writer's professionalism and serious intent. Mastering them allows you to navigate these environments with confidence and credibility.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

계약서에 명시된 바에 의하여 처리될 것입니다.

Se procesará de acuerdo con lo especificado en el contrato.

Gramática Legal Coreana: De Acuerdo Con (-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여)
2

법률이 정하는 바에 의하여 권리를 보장받습니다.

Los derechos están garantizados de acuerdo con lo que determina la ley.

Gramática Legal Coreana: De Acuerdo Con (-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여)
3

건강을 유지하는 데 있어서 운동은 필수적입니다.

El ejercicio es esencial en cuanto a mantener la salud.

Coreano de Negocios: En cuanto a (-는 데 있어서)
4

취업을 준비하는 데 있어서 자기소개서가 큰 비중을 차지해요.

La carta de presentación tiene mucho peso en cuanto a la preparación para el empleo.

Coreano de Negocios: En cuanto a (-는 데 있어서)
5

이메일을 통하여 연락해 주세요.

Por favor, contáctame vía correo electrónico.

'A través de' o 'Vía' formal (-을/를 통하여)
6

저는 유튜브를 통하여 한국어를 배워요.

Aprendo coreano a través de YouTube.

'A través de' o 'Vía' formal (-을/를 통하여)
7

강남역을 중심으로 친구들을 만나요.

Me encuentro con amigos centrado en la estación de Gangnam.

Centrado en: -을/를 중심으로
8

문법을 중심으로 한국어를 공부해요.

Estudio coreano centrándome en la gramática.

Centrado en: -을/를 중심으로

Consejos y trucos (4)

⚠️

¡Ojo con el espacio!

Nunca olvides el espacio antes de la palabra 바. Escribir 정한바에 es un error de ortografía grave en coreano formal; siempre debe ser: «법률이 정하는 바에 의하여.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Legal Coreana: De Acuerdo Con (-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여)
🎯

Resalta tu acción principal

Usa esta estructura cuando quieras destacar un solo factor clave que hace que una acción sea exitosa. Le da mucha más fuerza a tus argumentos: «결정을 내리는 데 있어서 이성이 중요합니다.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Coreano de Negocios: En cuanto a (-는 데 있어서)
💡

El 'Aire' Escrito

Si ves esto en un libro o en las noticias, suena más formal y serio. ¡No te asustes por la 'h' extra! «공지를 통하여 내용을 확인하세요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'A través de' o 'Vía' formal (-을/를 통하여)
💬

El significado del Hanja

La palabra 중심 viene de dos caracteres chinos: 中 (Centro) y 心 (Corazón). Cuando usas esta gramática, ¡literalmente pones el sustantivo en el 'corazón' de tu frase!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Centrado en: -을/를 중심으로

Vocabulario clave (6)

규정 (gyujeong) regulation 검토하다 (geomtohada) to review 진행하다 (jinhaenghada) to proceed 결과 (gyeol-gwa) result 오류 (oryu) error 승인 (seung-in) approval

Real-World Preview

message-square

Formal Project Update

Review Summary

  • Verb/Adj + -ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여
  • Verb + -는 데 있어서
  • Verb + -ㄴ/은/는 바입니다
  • Verb + -ㄴ/은/는 바 대단히 죄송합니다
  • Noun + -에 의해

Errores comunes

Using colloquial verbs like '했다' ruins the formal tone. Use formal verbs like '진행하다'.

Wrong: 규정에 의하여 했다.
Correcto: 규정에 의하여 진행하였습니다.

Word order is crucial. The '바' structure must precede the apology phrase.

Wrong: 죄송합니다만 바에...
Correcto: 지연된 바 대단히 죄송합니다.

Avoid first-person pronouns in formal 'by' structures. Use '본인' or the team name.

Wrong: 나에 의해 완료되었다.
Correcto: 본인에 의해 완료되었습니다.

Reglas en este capítulo (7)

1

Gramática Legal Coreana: De Acuerdo Con (-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여)

B2
Usa «-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여» para sonar como un documento legal o una normativa oficial que dicta acciones basadas en reglas establecidas. Piensa en ello como el lenguaje de los
términos y condiciones
o de acuerdo con.
계약서에 명시된 바에 의하여 처리될 것입니다.
10 ejemplos
2

Coreano de Negocios: En cuanto a (-는 데 있어서)

B2
Usa «-는 데 있어서» para sonar con autoridad y precisión cuando hables de procesos, tareas o campos específicos.
건강을 유지하는 데 있어서 운동은 필수적입니다.
11 ejemplos
3

'A través de' o 'Vía' formal (-을/를 통하여)

B2
Tienes una herramienta genial para decir el medio o canal que usas para algo. Piensa en vía email o
a través de la experiencia
.
이메일을 통하여 연락해 주세요.
10 ejemplos
4

Centrado en: -을/를 중심으로

B2
Usa «을/를 중심으로» para convertir un sustantivo en el foco ABSOLUTO o el corazón de la acción de tu frase.
강남역을 중심으로 친구들을 만나요.
11 ejemplos
5

Declaraciones Formales: El hecho es que (-ㄴ/은/는 바입니다)

B2
Usa esta estructura para transformar tus afirmaciones en declaraciones autoritarias y profesionales en contextos de alta importancia, como si usaras declaración oficial, autoridad o contexto profesional.
본인은 이번 결과에 대해 매우 유감스러운 바입니다.
10 ejemplos
6

Disculpa formal de negocios (-ㄴ/은/는 바 대단히 죄송합니다)

B2
Usa este patrón para admitir errores con elegancia en el trabajo o anuncios oficiales: «-ㄴ/은/는 바» para el hecho y «대단히 죄송합니다» para la disculpa profunda.
불편을 끼쳐 드린 바 대단히 죄송합니다.
10 ejemplos
7

Agente formal 'Por' (-에 의해)

B2
Usa «-에 의해» para identificar formalmente a la persona, organización o causa responsable de una acción. ¡Es tu herramienta para sonar más oficial!
이 건물은 유명한 건축가에 의해 설계되었습니다.
10 ejemplos

Next Steps

You've successfully mastered the most formal tier of Korean grammar! Keep applying these to your real-world emails and meetings.

Write a mock business apology email.

Continue to: Advanced Contrast and Concession

Práctica rápida (10)

Encuentra y corrige el error en esta oración.

Find and fix the mistake:

커피을 중심으로 메뉴를 만들었어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 커피를 중심으로 메뉴를 만들었어요.
커피 termina en una vocal (ㅣ), por lo que debe llevar '를' en lugar de '을'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Centrado en: -을/를 중심으로

¿Qué frase es la más apropiada para una disculpa corporativa pública?

Elige la disculpa más formal:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 실수가 있었던 바 대단히 죄송합니다.
La estructura '-ㄴ/은 바' junto con '대단히 죄송합니다' es el estándar de oro para la alta formalidad.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Disculpa formal de negocios (-ㄴ/은/는 바 대단히 죄송합니다)

Completa el espacio en blanco usando el marcador formal 'por'.

이 소설은 김 작가___ 쓰였습니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 에 의해
'-에 의해' se usa para la agencia formal, como un autor que escribe un libro. Aquí, '김 작가' (el escritor Kim) es el agente formal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Agente formal 'Por' (-에 의해)

¿Qué oración suena natural para el habla cotidiana informal?

Elige la forma correcta de decir 'Hice lo que mi amigo me dijo'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구가 말한 대로 했다.
-는 바에 의하여 es demasiado robótico y legal para hablar con amigos. -대로 (tal como) es la opción natural aquí.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Legal Coreana: De Acuerdo Con (-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여)

¿Qué frase está correctamente formateada para un discurso formal?

Elige la oración más profesional:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여러분의 도움에 감사하는 바입니다.
La primera opción sigue correctamente el patrón 'Raíz de verbo de acción + 는 바입니다' para el tiempo presente.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Declaraciones Formales: El hecho es que (-ㄴ/은/는 바입니다)

Encuentra el error en esta frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

젓가락을 통하여 밥을 먹어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 젓가락으로 밥을 먹어요.
Debes usar -으로 para herramientas físicas como los palillos, no -을/를 통하여.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'A través de' o 'Vía' formal (-을/를 통하여)

Rellena el espacio en blanco con la gramática formal correcta.

계약서에 명시된 ___ 의하여 처리될 것입니다. (Se procesará de acuerdo con lo especificado en el contrato.)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 바에
Necesitamos el sustantivo dependiente 바 para completar el patrón legal formal -ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Gramática Legal Coreana: De Acuerdo Con (-ㄴ/은/는 바에 의하여)

Rellena el espacio en blanco con la forma correcta.

유튜브(___) 한국 요리를 배웠어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 를 통하여
Como '유튜브' termina en vocal, usa '를 통하여'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 'A través de' o 'Vía' formal (-을/를 통하여)

Encuentra y corrige el error en esta declaración formal.

Find and fix the mistake:

본인은 이에 동의한 바입니다. (Contexto: Acuerdo en el presente)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 본인은 이에 동의하는 바입니다.
Para un acuerdo en tiempo presente en un entorno formal, se debe usar '-는' en lugar del pasado '-ㄴ'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Declaraciones Formales: El hecho es que (-ㄴ/은/는 바입니다)

Completa la oración con la frase correcta.

가족___ 주말을 보냈어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 을 중심으로
가족 termina en consonante (ㄱ), por lo que lleva '을 중심으로'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Centrado en: -을/를 중심으로

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

Absolutamente no. Esto es estrictamente para reglas, leyes y procedimientos oficiales. Tus planes no son un contrato legal: «법률이 정하는 바에 의하여».
No hay diferencia funcional. 의해 es solo una contracción de 의하여. Ambas son igual de formales: «합의한 바에 의해 진행합니다.»
'-는 데서' es un poco más literal y suele referirse a un lugar físico o una fuente específica. En cambio, '-는 데 있어서' es más abstracto y formal, centrándose en el concepto o proceso del que hablas, como en: «성공하는 데 있어서».
No directamente. Necesitas convertirlo en una acción, por ejemplo usando: «행복하게 사는 데 있어서» (En cuanto a vivir felizmente).
Ambos significan lo mismo, pero -통하여 es más formal y se usa en escritos o noticias. -통해서 es la versión que escucharás al hablar con amigos. «이메일을 통해서» vs «이메일을 통하여».
¡Claro! Es perfecto para decir que encontraste algo 'vía Instagram' o 'a través de TikTok'. Solo añade -을 o -를 correctamente. Por ejemplo: «인스타그램을 통하여 찾았어요.»
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