폐업 en 30 segundos
- 폐업 means permanent business closure.
- It comes from Hanja: 閉 (close) and 業 (business).
- Commonly used with '하다' (to do) or '신고' (report).
- Distinguish it from '휴업' (temporary break).
The Korean word 폐업 (pye-eop) is a noun that translates directly to 'business closure' or 'going out of business.' It is composed of two Hanja (Sino-Korean) characters: 폐 (閉), meaning 'to close' or 'to shut,' and 업 (業), meaning 'business,' 'work,' or 'industry.' When these two characters combine, they represent the permanent cessation of a commercial enterprise. Unlike a temporary break or a holiday, this word signifies that the business entity is legally and physically ending its operations. In the context of South Korean society, where small-scale entrepreneurship (자영업) is incredibly common, this word carries significant weight and often evokes a sense of finality and economic struggle.
- Economic Context
- In economic reports, '폐업률' (business closure rate) is a key indicator of the health of the local economy. When people see '폐업' signs on storefronts, it usually indicates that the owner could no longer sustain the costs of rent, labor, or supplies.
저희 가게는 오늘부로 폐업하게 되었습니다. (Our shop has gone out of business as of today.)
You will encounter this word most frequently in formal notices, news articles, and legal documents. If a restaurant you like suddenly has a sign saying '폐업 안내' (Notice of Closure), it means they are not just taking a vacation but are finished for good. It is also used in the verb form 폐업하다, which means 'to close down a business.' Understanding this word is crucial for navigating the Korean urban landscape, as the rapid turnover of businesses in cities like Seoul makes this a very common sight and topic of conversation.
- Usage in Daily Life
- When talking with friends about a neighborhood shop that disappeared, you might say, '거기 폐업했어' (That place closed down). It is a neutral but definitive way to describe the end of a business.
경제 불황으로 인해 많은 소상공인들이 폐업 위기에 처해 있습니다. (Due to the economic recession, many small business owners are facing the crisis of closure.)
Ultimately, 폐업 represents the conclusion of a professional journey. It is used for everything from a small street-side kimbap shop to a massive corporate subsidiary. The nuance is professional and factual, though the emotional weight behind it can be heavy depending on the circumstances of the closure.
Using 폐업 correctly requires understanding its grammatical role as a noun and how it transforms into a verb. Most commonly, it is paired with the verb '하다' (to do) to create 폐업하다 (to close down). It can also be paired with '신고하다' (to report) to form 폐업 신고를 하다, which means to officially file for business closure with the tax office.
- Grammatical Structure
- Subject + [Business Name] + 폐업 + 하다 (Active: The business closes). Subject + [Business Name] + 폐업 + 되다 (Passive: The business is closed/has been closed).
그 식당은 작년에 폐업했습니다. (That restaurant closed down last year.)
When you are the owner, you use the active voice. For example, '경영난으로 폐업을 결정했습니다' (I decided to close the business due to management difficulties). If you are an observer or a customer, you can use either '폐업했다' or '폐업되었다.' In formal writing, such as a notice to customers, the tone is usually very polite and uses honorifics like '폐업하게 되었음을 알려드립니다' (We are informing you that we have come to close our business).
- Compound Usage
- 폐업 절차 (Closure procedures) refers to the legal steps taken to dissolve a company, including settling debts and informing employees.
백화점 1층에서 폐업 정리 세일을 하고 있어요. (They are having a closing-out sale on the first floor of the department store.)
In more advanced contexts, you might see '폐업' used in discussions about tax law, such as '폐업일' (the date of closure) which determines the final tax period for a business owner. Whether you are speaking casually or writing formally, the word remains the standard term for the end of a commercial venture.
In South Korea, you will hear and see 폐업 in several distinct environments. The most common is the local neighborhood. Because the Korean retail market is highly competitive, shops frequently open and close. You might walk past a building and see a large banner that says '폐업 처분' (Liquidation sale) or '폐업 세일' (Closing sale). These signs are designed to attract bargain hunters before the shop disappears forever.
- News and Media
- On the evening news, you will hear anchors discussing '자영업자 폐업 속출' (a series of small business closures). This is often used when reporting on economic downturns, rising interest rates, or the impact of global events on the domestic economy.
최근 임대료 상승으로 인해 폐업하는 상점들이 늘고 있습니다. (Recently, the number of shops closing down due to rising rents is increasing.)
Another place you'll encounter this word is in administrative settings. If you are helping someone with their business or studying Korean law, '폐업 신고서' (Business Closure Report) is a mandatory form filed at the '세무서' (Tax Office). You might also hear it in the workplace if a company is planning to shut down a specific branch or subsidiary. In these cases, the language is bureaucratic and precise.
- Real Estate and Urban Development
- Real estate agents often use the term when discussing commercial vacancies. They might say, '이 자리는 폐업한 지 얼마 안 됐어요' (This spot hasn't been closed for long).
그 카페는 결국 폐업 신고를 마쳤다고 합니다. (I heard that the cafe has finally finished filing for business closure.)
Lastly, in online shopping or apps like Naver Maps, if a business is listed as '폐업,' it serves as a warning to customers not to visit. This digital usage is perhaps the most practical application for learners living in or visiting Korea.
The most frequent mistake learners make with 폐업 is confusing it with 휴업 (hyu-eop). While both involve a business not being open, the duration and legal status are completely different. 휴업 is a 'pause,' like a restaurant closing for a week for summer vacation. 폐업 is 'termination,' meaning the business license is being cancelled.
- Confusing 폐업 with 부도
- Another common error is using 폐업 when you mean 부도 (bu-do). 부도 refers to bankruptcy or a default on payments. While a bankruptcy often leads to 폐업, they are not the same thing. A person can choose to 폐업 even if they are wealthy, simply because they want to retire.
Wrong: 우리 가게가 휴업해서 이제 안 열어요. (Incorrect if the shop is closed forever.)
Right: 우리 가게가 폐업해서 이제 안 열어요.
Learners also sometimes confuse it with 졸업 (jol-eop), which means graduation. Although the second syllable '업' is the same (meaning work/achievement), the first syllables '폐' (close) and '졸' (finish/end) lead to very different meanings. Saying a business 'graduated' instead of 'closed' would sound very strange in Korean.
- Grammar Mistake: Particle Usage
- Sometimes learners forget to use the correct particles. It is '폐업을 하다' (to do a closure) or '폐업이 되다' (closure happens). Using '폐업에 하다' is a common grammatical slip.
그 회사는 폐업 처리가 되었습니다. (The company's closure has been processed.)
Finally, remember that 폐업 is a noun. To use it as an action, you must attach '하다.' Just saying '그 가게 폐업' is acceptable in very casual, truncated speech (like a text message), but in a sentence, it needs a verb ending.
There are several words related to the end of a business, each with its own specific nuance. Understanding these will help you sound more natural in different contexts.
- 폐업 vs. 휴업
- 폐업 (Permanent closure) vs. 휴업 (Temporary closure/break). Use 휴업 for holidays or temporary pauses.
- 폐업 vs. 도산/부도
- 폐업 is the act of closing. 도산 (do-san) and 부도 (bu-do) refer to the financial failure or bankruptcy that often causes the closure.
- 폐업 vs. 해산
- 해산 (hae-san) means 'dissolution.' This is a more legalistic term used for corporations or organizations when they officially disband.
그 가게는 문 닫았어요. (That shop closed its doors - a common idiomatic alternative.)
In casual conversation, Koreans often use the phrase 문 닫다 (to close the door). This is much more common than saying '폐업하다' when chatting with friends. For example, '어제 그 빵집 갔는데 문 닫았더라' (I went to that bakery yesterday and it was closed/had gone out of business). Another idiomatic expression is 사업을 접다 (to fold up the business), which implies giving up on the venture.
- Opposite: 개업
- 개업 (gae-eop) is the antonym, meaning the opening of a new business. You will see '개업 축하' (Congratulations on your opening) on flower wreaths.
그는 결국 사업을 접기로 했습니다. (He finally decided to fold up the business.)
Lastly, 철수하다 (cheol-su-hada) is used when a large company withdraws from a specific market or country. For example, '그 브랜드는 한국 시장에서 철수했습니다' (That brand withdrew from the Korean market). While similar to 폐업, it implies moving away rather than just ceasing to exist.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing 'pye' like 'pie' (English). It should be 'py-eh'.
- Releasing the final 'p' with a puff of air. It should be unreleased.
- Confusing 'eo' with 'o'. 'Eop' uses a more open 'o' sound.
- Ignoring the aspiration on the first 'p'.
- Pronouncing it too slowly as two distinct words.
Ejemplos por nivel
그 가게는 폐업했어요.
That shop closed down.
Uses the past tense of '폐업하다'.
폐업 세일이 있어요.
There is a closing sale.
Noun '폐업' modifying '세일'.
식당이 폐업해요?
Is the restaurant closing down?
Present tense question.
여기는 폐업입니다.
This place is closed (out of business).
Uses the polite '입니다' ending.
어제 폐업했어요.
It closed down yesterday.
Adverb '어제' with past tense.
왜 폐업해요?
Why is it closing?
Question word '왜'.
이제 폐업이에요.
It's a closure now.
Noun + '이에요' (to be).
폐업하지 마세요.
Please don't close down.
Negative imperative '-지 마세요'.
장사가 안 돼서 폐업을 결정했어요.
Since business was bad, they decided to close down.
'-아서/어서' for reason.
폐업 신고는 어디서 하나요?
Where do I file for business closure?
Noun phrase '폐업 신고'.
그 카페가 폐업해서 너무 아쉬워요.
I'm so sad that the cafe closed down.
Expressing emotion about an event.
폐업하기 전에 한 번 더 가고 싶어요.
I want to go there one more time before they close.
'-기 전에' (before doing).
이 건물은 곧 폐업할 예정입니다.
This building (business) is scheduled to close soon.
'-을 예정입니다' (scheduled to).
폐업한 가게가 많아졌어요.
The number of closed shops has increased.
Past participle '폐업한' modifying '가게'.
갑자기 폐업해서 깜짝 놀랐어요.
I was surprised because it closed suddenly.
Adverb '갑자기' (suddenly).
폐업 소식을 들었어요.
I heard the news of the closure.
Noun phrase '폐업 소식'.
경영난을 이기지 못하고 결국 폐업했습니다.
Unable to overcome financial difficulties, they eventually closed down.
'-지 못하고' (unable to) and '결국' (eventually).
폐업 절차를 밟는 것이 생각보다 복잡해요.
Following the closure procedures is more complex than I thought.
'-는 것' (nominalization) and '생각보다' (than thought).
많은 자영업자들이 폐업 위기에 놓여 있습니다.
Many self-employed people are facing a crisis of closure.
'~위기에 놓이다' (to be placed in a crisis).
주인이 건강 문제로 폐업을 한다고 들었어요.
I heard the owner is closing down due to health problems.
'-는다고 들었어요' (indirect quotation).
폐업 안내문을 정문에 붙여 놓으세요.
Please post the closure notice on the front door.
'-어 놓다' (to do something and leave it in that state).
폐업률이 높아지면 지역 경제가 위험해집니다.
If the closure rate rises, the local economy becomes endangered.
'-어지다' (to become).
폐업한 식당 자리에 새로운 카페가 들어왔어요.
A new cafe opened in the spot where the restaurant closed.
Noun modification with past tense.
폐업을 막기 위해 정부가 지원금을 줍니다.
The government provides subsidies to prevent closures.
'-기 위해' (in order to).
지속적인 적자로 인해 폐업이 불가피한 상황입니다.
Due to continuous deficits, closure is an inevitable situation.
'~로 인해' (due to) and '불가피한' (inevitable).
폐업 신고를 제때 하지 않으면 과태료가 부과됩니다.
If you don't file for closure on time, a fine will be imposed.
'-지 않으면' (if not) and '부과되다' (to be imposed).
이 브랜드는 수익성 악화로 한국 시장에서 폐업하기로 했습니다.
This brand decided to close its Korean operations due to worsening profitability.
'-기로 하다' (to decide to).
폐업 전 재고 정리를 위해 파격적인 할인을 진행합니다.
We are holding a drastic discount for inventory clearance before closing.
'~를 위해' and '파격적인' (drastic/unprecedented).
폐업한 업체들의 미지급 임금 문제가 심각합니다.
The issue of unpaid wages from closed businesses is serious.
Compound noun '미지급 임금' (unpaid wages).
전통 시장의 상점들이 대형 마트 때문에 폐업하고 있어요.
Shops in traditional markets are closing down because of large supermarkets.
'~ 때문에' (because of).
폐업 이후의 진로에 대해 고민 중입니다.
I am thinking about my career path after the business closure.
'~ 이후' (after) and '~ 중이다' (in the middle of).
법인은 폐업과 동시에 해산 절차를 밟게 됩니다.
A corporation undergoes dissolution procedures simultaneously with closure.
'~와 동시에' (at the same time as).
코로나19 팬데믹은 자영업계에 전례 없는 폐업 사태를 몰고 왔습니다.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about an unprecedented wave of business closures in the self-employment sector.
Advanced vocabulary: '전례 없는' (unprecedented), '사태' (situation/crisis).
폐업 시 발생하는 잔여 재산 처분 문제는 법적 분쟁의 소지가 큽니다.
The issue of disposing of remaining assets upon closure has a high potential for legal disputes.
'~의 소지가 크다' (to have high potential/likelihood of).
정부는 폐업한 소상공인들의 재기를 돕기 위한 교육 프로그램을 운영합니다.
The government runs education programs to help closed small business owners restart.
'재기' (comeback/restart).
프랜차이즈 본사의 갑질로 인해 가맹점주들이 연쇄 폐업을 하고 있습니다.
Due to the abuse of power by franchise headquarters, franchisees are closing down in succession.
'갑질' (abuse of power) and '연쇄' (chain/succession).
폐업은 단순히 경제적 손실을 넘어 개인의 삶에 큰 트라우마를 남깁니다.
Closure goes beyond mere economic loss and leaves a significant trauma on an individual's life.
'~를 넘어' (beyond).
상가 임대차 보호법은 폐업 시 임차인의 권리를 보호하는 데 한계가 있습니다.
The Commercial Building Lease Protection Act has limits in protecting tenants' rights upon closure.
'~ 하는 데 한계가 있다' (to have limits in doing).
디지털 전환에 적응하지 못한 오프라인 매장들의 폐업이 가속화되고 있습니다.
The closure of offline stores that failed to adapt to digital transformation is accelerating.
'가속화되다' (to be accelerated).
폐업 신고 후에도 세무적인 의무가 완전히 종료되는 것은 아닙니다.
Tax obligations do not completely end even after filing for business closure.
'-는 것은 아니다' (partial negation).
산업 구조의 급격한 재편은 한 시대의 상징이었던 기업들의 폐업을 야기했습니다.
The rapid reorganization of the industrial structure caused the closure of companies that were symbols of an era.
High-level vocabulary: '재편' (reorganization), '야기하다' (to cause).
폐업률의 증가는 단순히 개별 기업의 실패가 아니라 사회 안전망의 부재를 시사합니다.
The increase in the closure rate suggests the absence of a social safety net, rather than just the failure of individual companies.
'~를 시사하다' (to suggest/imply).
한때 번성했던 골목 상권이 젠트리피케이션으로 인해 폐업의 길로 내몰리고 있습니다.
Once-thriving alleyway commercial districts are being pushed toward closure due to gentrification.
'~의 길로 내몰리다' (to be pushed toward the path of).
폐업 과정에서의 자산 유동화는 채권자들의 이해관계가 얽혀 있어 매우 까다롭습니다.
Asset liquidation during the closure process is very tricky as the interests of creditors are intertwined.
'자산 유동화' (asset liquidation) and '얽혀 있다' (to be intertwined).
고령화 사회로 접어들면서 후계자가 없어 폐업을 선택하는 '흑자 폐업' 사례가 늘고 있습니다.
As we enter an aging society, cases of 'profitable closure'—choosing to close due to a lack of successors despite being profitable—are increasing.
'흑자 폐업' (profitable closure).
기업의 폐업이 노동 시장에 미치는 충격을 완화하기 위한 정책적 대안이 시급합니다.
Policy alternatives to mitigate the shock that corporate closures have on the labor market are urgent.
'충격을 완화하다' (to mitigate shock).
폐업은 시장 경제의 자연스러운 도태 과정이라는 견해와 사회적 재난이라는 견해가 대립합니다.
The view that closure is a natural process of market selection conflicts with the view that it is a social disaster.
'도태' (selection/elimination) and '대립하다' (to conflict/oppose).
지방 소도시의 폐업 속출은 지역 소멸 위기를 가속화하는 핵심 요인으로 작용합니다.
The series of closures in small provincial cities acts as a key factor accelerating the crisis of regional extinction.
'~로 작용하다' (to act as).
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— To close down a business. Used as a general verb.
결국 그 가게도 폐업을 했네요.
— To end up closing down. Implies external circumstances.
사정이 안 좋아서 폐업하게 되었습니다.
— To decide to close down. Focuses on the choice.
가족과 상의 끝에 폐업을 결정했습니다.
— To overcome the crisis of closure. A positive outcome.
지원을 받아 폐업 위기를 넘겼어요.
— Liquidation or disposal due to closure.
남은 가구들을 폐업 처분하고 있어요.
— A going-out-of-business sale.
폐업 세일에서 옷을 싸게 샀어요.
— The official document for business closure.
폐업 신고서를 작성해서 제출하세요.
— The state of being closed down.
그 공장은 1년째 폐업 상태입니다.
— Chain closures; multiple businesses closing one after another.
상가의 연쇄 폐업이 심각합니다.
— Forced closure, usually by legal or administrative order.
불법 영업으로 인해 강제 폐업 당했습니다.
Modismos y expresiones
— Literally 'to fold the business.' It means to quit or close down.
더 이상 버티지 못하고 사업을 접었습니다.
Neutral— Literally 'to take down the sign.' It means to close the shop permanently.
30년 만에 결국 간판을 내리게 되었어요.
Casual/Emotional— To close doors. Common idiom for going out of business.
단골집이 문을 닫아서 슬퍼요.
Casual— To be ruined or go bankrupt. Very blunt.
그 가게 망했어.
Informal/Slang— To take one's hands off something. To quit a business.
그는 이제 유통업에서 손을 뗐다.
Neutral— To hit rock bottom. Often precedes a closure.
매출이 바닥을 쳐서 폐업할 수밖에 없었다.
Casual— To put the shop up for sale (often leading to closure).
가게를 내놓은 지 벌써 세 달이 지났어요.
Neutral— To not be able to avoid a deficit. Leads to 폐업.
계속 적자를 면치 못해 폐업했습니다.
Formal— To lower the curtain. Used for the end of a long-standing business.
그 백화점은 50년 역사의 막을 내렸다.
Literary/Formal— To turn into bubbles. Used when a business effort fails completely.
공들인 사업이 폐업으로 물거품이 되었다.
NeutralFamilia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Summary
폐업 is the definitive term for a business ending its life. Example: '경영난으로 폐업했습니다' (Closed down due to management difficulties). Use it when a shop is gone for good.
- 폐업 means permanent business closure.
- It comes from Hanja: 閉 (close) and 業 (business).
- Commonly used with '하다' (to do) or '신고' (report).
- Distinguish it from '휴업' (temporary break).
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~대하여
A2Significa 'sobre' o 'acerca de'. Se usa para indicar el tema de una conversación, libro o pensamiento.
대해서
A2Sobre; acerca de; con respecto a.
에 대해
A2Una frase que significa 'sobre' o 'acerca de'.
풍요롭다
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~에 따라
B1Según, dependiendo de. Se usa para indicar que algo depende de un factor o sigue una norma establecida.
에 따라
A2Dependiendo de la persona, el gusto es diferente. (Dependiendo de)
에 의하면
B1Según las noticias, esta frase significa 'según'. Por ejemplo: 'Según el periódico, la economía está mejorando.'
계좌번호
A2Un número de cuenta bancaria. Se utiliza para transferencias y pagos electrónicos en Corea.
