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A2 noun #5,500 le plus courant 8 min de lecture

임원

imwon Top 5,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 임원 en 30 secondes

Explication 임원 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you just need to know that '임원' (im-won) means a 'big boss' or a 'leader' in a company. Think of it as the person who is higher than a regular worker. You might hear it when people talk about their company's leaders. It is a noun. You can remember it by thinking of 'Important Member.' Example: '우리 아빠는 임원이에요' (My dad is an executive).

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At the A2 level, you should understand that '임원' is a specific category of people in a company or a club. They are the 'Executives' or 'Officers.' They are the ones who make big decisions. In a Korean company, becoming an '임원' is a very big promotion. You will often see this word in office-themed dramas or news. It's different from '직원' (employee), which refers to everyone else. Common phrases include '임원 회의' (executive meeting) and '임원이 되다' (to become an executive).

At the B1 level, you can use '임원' in more complex sentences and understand its nuance in different organizations. It doesn't just apply to companies; it also applies to the 'officers' of a student council or a non-profit board. You should also be aware of the collective term '임원진' (the executive board/team). You can now distinguish between an '임원' and a middle manager like a '부장.' You might use it to discuss career goals, such as '저는 10년 안에 임원이 되고 싶습니다' (I want to become an executive within 10 years).

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At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using '임원' in professional contexts, such as writing business emails or discussing corporate structure. You understand that '임원' status often comes with a different contract and specific responsibilities. You can use related terms like '임원 인사' (executive personnel changes) or '임원 연봉' (executive salary). You also recognize that in Korean culture, '임원' are treated with a high degree of respect (honorifics) and that their decisions affect the entire company's direction.

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At the C1 level, you understand the strategic implications of the term '임원.' You can discuss topics like '임원진의 경영 전략' (the management team's business strategy) or '임원의 사회적 책임' (the social responsibility of executives). You are familiar with the Hanja (任員) and how it relates to other words like '임명' (appointment) or '위원' (committee member). You can follow high-level business news about board of directors' disputes or executive succession planning without difficulty.

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '임원' and its socio-economic connotations in Korea. You can analyze the 'Chaebol' (conglomerate) structure and the role of '임원' within it. You can discuss the 'glass ceiling' (유리 천장) for female executives or the legal differences between '등기 임원' (registered director) and '비등기 임원' (unregistered executive). You use the word fluently in academic, legal, or high-stakes business negotiations, understanding every subtle nuance of power and hierarchy it conveys.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

임원 en 30 secondes

임원 means 'Executive' or 'Board Member.' It refers to high-ranking officials in companies, schools, or organizations who hold decision-making power.
The word is formal and carries high social status. In Korean companies, it is the rank above a General Manager (부장).
Commonly used in '임원 회의' (executive meeting) and '임원진' (the executive board). It is a noun derived from Hanja.
It is distinguished from '직원' (general employee) and implies significant responsibility, authority, and often higher benefits and prestige.

The Korean word 임원 (imwon) is a fundamental term in the landscape of Korean professional and organizational life. Derived from the Hanja characters 任 (임 - task/duty) and 員 (원 - member), it literally translates to a 'member with a duty' or an 'appointed member.' In most practical contexts, it refers to an executive, a board member, or a senior official within an organization, ranging from a global corporation like Samsung to a small university student club.

Corporate Context: In a business setting, an 임원 is someone who has moved beyond the 'employee' (직원) status. They are the decision-makers, such as Directors (이사), Managing Directors (상무), Senior Managing Directors (전무), and CEOs (사장). Becoming an executive is often referred to in Korea as 'reaching the star' (별을 달다) because of the prestige and difficulty involved.
Institutional Context: Beyond companies, this term applies to NGOs, schools, and social clubs. If you are part of the 'executive board' of a photography club or the 'student council officers' at a university, you are part of the 임원진 (executive team).

그는 입사 15년 만에 드디어 임원으로 승진했습니다.
— "He finally got promoted to an executive position after 15 years with the company."

Understanding 임원 requires understanding the steep hierarchy in Korean society. Unlike 'manager' (부장/과장), which is a rank within the general staff, an 임원 is considered part of the management layer (경영진). They often receive different benefits, such as a private office, a company car, or different contract terms. In daily conversation, if someone says "우리 회사 임원들이..." (Our company's executives...), they are usually discussing high-level strategy or major changes coming from the top down.

이번 주말에 임원 회의가 소집되었습니다.
— "An executive meeting has been called for this weekend."

Register and Usage: The word is predominantly formal. You will see it in news articles, business contracts, and official announcements. In informal settings, you might hear people complain about 'the higher-ups' using this term, but it retains its weight as a title of significant authority.

학생회 임원들이 축제를 기획하고 있습니다.
— "The student council officers are planning the festival."

Using 임원 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the specific verbs it typically pairs with. Because it represents a position of status, the verbs used often relate to promotion, election, or the exercise of authority.

Common Verb Pairings

임원이 되다 (To become an executive): The most common way to describe a promotion.
임원을 선출하다 (To elect an executive/officer): Used frequently in clubs, NGOs, or board elections.
임원진을 구성하다 (To form an executive team): Used when a new leadership group is being established.

새로운 임원진이 발표되었습니다.
— "The new executive team has been announced."

When discussing 임원 in a professional context, honorifics are often applied if you are talking about them to someone else. You might say 임원분들 (the executive people/gentlemen/ladies) to show respect. This is crucial in Korean business etiquette.

Sentence Structure Variations

1. Subjective: 임원이 회의를 주도했다. (The executive led the meeting.)

2. Objective: 회사는 유능한 임원을 영입했다. (The company recruited a competent executive.)

3. Possessive: 임원의 책임은 막중하다. (The responsibility of an executive is heavy.)

저희 아버지는 대기업 임원으로 퇴직하셨습니다.
— "My father retired as an executive of a large corporation."

In a academic or club setting, the usage is slightly less formal but still follows the same logic. You are describing the 'officers' of the group. For example, if you are the treasurer of a sports club, you are one of the 임원.

모든 임원은 반드시 투표에 참여해야 합니다.
— "Every executive/officer must participate in the voting."

Finally, when writing a resume or a bio, 임원 is used to summarize high-level experience. Instead of listing every title, one might write "10년 이상의 임원 경력" (Over 10 years of executive experience). This sounds professional and covers all senior management roles held during that time.

To truly master 임원, you need to recognize the environments where it is most prevalent. It's not a word you'll use to buy apples at the market, but it's everywhere in the professional world.

1. The News and Business Journals: Headline news often features stories about '임원 인사' (executive personnel changes). When a major company like LG or Hyundai changes its leadership, the news will report on which 임원 were promoted or dismissed. You will hear phrases like "임원 연봉 공개" (disclosure of executive salaries) frequently during fiscal reporting seasons.
2. Office K-Dramas (Office Life): In dramas like 'Misaeng' (Incomplete Life) or 'Search: WWW', the tension often revolves around the decisions of the 임원. Characters might whisper about an upcoming '임원 회의' (executive meeting) with a sense of dread or excitement. You'll hear employees say, "임원진의 결정이라 어쩔 수 없어" (It's the executive team's decision, so there's nothing we can do).

드라마에서 주인공은 최연소 임원이 되기 위해 노력합니다.
— "In the drama, the protagonist strives to become the youngest executive."

Another place you'll hear this is in university settings. In Korea, student politics is a big deal. The students who lead the student council are called 학생회 임원. If you are studying in Korea, your classmates might ask if you want to 'run for an executive position' (임원 선거에 나가다).

오늘 임원 전용 주차장에 자리가 없네요.
— "There are no spots in the executive-only parking lot today."

Lastly, in formal speeches or company-wide emails, the term is used to address the leadership collectively. A CEO might start an email with "임직원 여러분" (Executives and employees...). This is a very common compound word (임원 + 직원) used to address everyone in the company from the top down.

존경하는 임직원 여러분, 안녕하십니까?
— "Dear executives and employees, how are you?"

Learning 임원 comes with some pitfalls, especially regarding the strict hierarchy of Korean professional life and the nuances between similar-sounding terms.

1. Confusing '임원' with '이사': While an 이사 (Director) is a type of 임원, they are not always interchangeable. 임원 is the broad category (like 'fruit'), while 이사 is a specific rank (like 'apple'). Don't call a CEO just '이사' if they are the '사장' (President), but you can call both of them '임원'.
2. Misusing '임원' for Middle Management: A common mistake for learners is calling a Manager (과장) or Senior Manager (부장) an 임원. In the Korean system, these are still considered 'employees' (직원). An 임원 is someone who has crossed the line into 'officer' status, usually starting from the rank of 'Director' (이사).

Incorrect: 우리 부장님은 임원이에요.
Correct: 우리 부장님은 곧 임원이 되실 거예요.
— "Our manager is an executive (Incorrect)" vs "Our manager will soon become an executive (Correct)."

Another mistake involves the word 간부 (ganbu). While 간부 also means 'executive' or 'leader,' it has a slightly more military or structural feel. In a modern corporate office, 임원 is the standard professional term. Using 간부 might sound slightly dated or overly formal in a corporate context.

회의에 참석하는 임원의 인원을 확인해 주세요.
— "Please check the number (인원) of executives (임원) attending the meeting."

Lastly, remember that 임원 is a title of respect when referring to others, but you should be humble when referring to yourself if you happen to be one. Instead of boasting "나는 임원이다" (I am an executive), a Korean professional might say "이번에 임원직을 맡게 되었습니다" (I have been tasked with an executive role this time).

In the Korean language, hierarchy and nuance are everything. There are several words that overlap with 임원, and choosing the right one depends on the specific context and the level of formality you wish to convey.

1. 경영진 (Gyeong-yeong-jin) - Management / The Board

This refers to the 'management team' as a collective entity. While 임원 refers to the individuals who hold executive titles, 경영진 focuses on the group that runs the business operations.

Example: 경영진의 판단이 회사의 운명을 바꿨다. (The management's judgment changed the company's fate.)

2. 이사 (I-sa) - Director

This is the most common specific title for an executive. In many Korean companies, once you pass the rank of '부장' (General Manager), you become an '이사'. It is the first step into the 임원 level.

Example: 김 이사님은 마케팅 전문가입니다. (Director Kim is a marketing expert.)

3. 간부 (Gan-bu) - Executive / Leadership / Cadre

As mentioned before, 간부 is a slightly more rigid term. It is used in the military, government organizations, or labor unions to refer to those in leadership positions. In a company, it can sometimes include middle management (like 부장), whereas 임원 usually does not.

Example: 노조 간부들이 회의를 열었습니다. (The union leaders held a meeting.)

회사의 경영진은 모든 임원들에게 새로운 전략을 설명했습니다.
— "The management (group) explained the new strategy to all individual executives."

When you want to be very specific about the *role* rather than the *status*, you might use terms like 관리자 (Manager/Administrator) or 책임자 (Person in charge). However, these don't carry the same 'officer' status as 임원.

💡

Comparison Table

Word	Scope	Feeling
임원	Individual Executives	Professional/Status-oriented
경영진	Management Group	Strategic/Operational
간부	Leaders/Officers	Structural/Authoritative
이사	Specific Title (Director)	Formal Title

Choosing 임원 is almost always the safest and most accurate way to describe a high-ranking officer in a Korean organization. It acknowledges their status while remaining perfectly professional in any business setting.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient times, similar terms were used for government officials appointed by the king to manage specific state affairs. Today, it has transitioned into the corporate and organizational world.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɪm.wʌn/

US /ɪm.wʌn/

The stress is balanced, but slightly more emphasis can be placed on the first syllable '임'.

Rime avec

인원 (In-won) 학원 (Hak-won) 병원 (Byeong-won) 정원 (Jeong-won) 공원 (Gong-won) 심원 (Sim-won) 금원 (Geum-won) 남원 (Nam-won)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing it as 'In-won' (인원), which means 'number of people'.
Merging the 'm' and 'w' sounds too quickly.
Using a long 'ee' sound for 'im'. It should be a short 'i'.
Over-emphasizing the 'n' at the end.
Confusing it with 'Im-mun' (입문), which means 'introduction'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word itself is simple, but it appears in complex business contexts.

Écriture 3/5

Requires knowledge of formal particles and business vocabulary.

Expression orale 2/5

Easy to pronounce but must be careful not to confuse with '인원'.

Écoute 3/5

Often spoken quickly in news or office settings.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

회사 (Company) 직원 (Employee) 사장 (President) 회의 (Meeting) 일 (Work)

Apprends ensuite

경영 (Management) 이사 (Director) 승진 (Promotion) 조직 (Organization) 책임 (Responsibility)

Avancé

이사회 (Board of Directors) 거버넌스 (Governance) 주주 (Shareholder) 등기 (Registration) 인사권 (Personnel authority)

Grammaire à connaître

Noun + -(으)로 승진하다 (Promotion to...)

그는 사원에서 임원으로 승진했다.

Noun + -진 (Suffix for a group/body)

새로운 임원진이 구성되었습니다.

Noun + -급 (Suffix for level/rank)

임원급 회의가 진행 중입니다.

Noun + -직 (Suffix for position/job)

그는 임원직을 수락했습니다.

Noun + -분 (Honorific for people)

임원분들이 도착하셨습니다.

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Exemples par niveau

그는 회사의 임원입니다.

He is an executive of the company.

Simple sentence with 'is' (입니다).

임원들이 회의를 해요.

The executives are having a meeting.

Plural marker '들' added to '임원'.

우리 형은 임원이 되고 싶어 해요.

My older brother wants to become an executive.

V-고 싶어 하다 (want to do something - for 3rd person).

임원은 아주 바빠요.

The executive is very busy.

Subject marker '은' used for general statement.

저분이 우리 회사 임원이에요.

That person is our company's executive.

Polite ending '에요'.

임원 방은 넓어요.

The executive's room is spacious.

Possessive is implied without '의'.

임원들이 밥을 먹어요.

The executives are eating.

Simple present tense.

누가 임원이에요?

Who is the executive?

Question word '누가' (who).

새로운 임원을 뽑았어요.

We hired a new executive.

Past tense '뽑았어요' (hired/picked).

임원 회의는 3층에서 열립니다.

The executive meeting will be held on the 3rd floor.

Formal verb '열립니다' (is held).

그는 작년에 임원으로 승진했습니다.

He was promoted to executive last year.

Directional particle '으로' (to/as).

임원진이 정책을 바꿨습니다.

The executive team changed the policy.

'임원진' refers to the executive body.

학생회 임원을 모집합니다.

We are recruiting student council officers.

Formal '모집합니다' (recruiting).

임원은 책임감이 중요합니다.

For an executive, a sense of responsibility is important.

Noun + 이/가 중요합니다.

임원들과 함께 식사를 했습니다.

I had a meal with the executives.

Particle '와/과 함께' (together with).

그녀는 우리 회사의 첫 여성 임원입니다.

She is the first female executive of our company.

Ordinal '첫' (first).

임원이 되면 혜택이 많아집니다.

If you become an executive, the benefits increase.

Conditional '-(으)면' (if).

임원들의 의견을 먼저 들어봅시다.

Let's listen to the executives' opinions first.

Suggestive '-어/아 봅시다' (let's try to...).

그는 유능한 임원으로 평가받고 있습니다.

He is being evaluated as a competent executive.

Passive form '평가받다' (to be evaluated).

임원 선거가 다음 주에 실시될 예정입니다.

The executive election is scheduled to be held next week.

'-(으)ㄹ 예정이다' (be scheduled/planned to).

회사는 임원진을 대폭 교체하기로 결정했습니다.

The company decided to drastically replace the executive team.

'-기로 결정하다' (decide to).

임원으로서의 권한과 의무를 다해야 합니다.

One must fulfill the authority and duties as an executive.

'-로서' (as/in the capacity of).

그는 임원이 된 후에도 겸손함을 잃지 않았습니다.

He did not lose his humility even after becoming an executive.

'-(으)ㄴ 후에도' (even after doing...).

임원들의 반대로 프로젝트가 중단되었습니다.

The project was halted due to opposition from the executives.

Reasoning particle '-(으)로' (due to).

임원급 인사가 대대적으로 발표되었습니다.

An executive-level personnel announcement was made on a large scale.

Suffix '-급' (level/class).

이번 사태에 대해 임원진이 책임을 지기로 했습니다.

The executive team decided to take responsibility for this situation.

'책임을 지다' (take responsibility).

임원들의 연봉이 작년보다 20% 인상되었습니다.

The executives' salaries were raised by 20% compared to last year.

Passive '인상되다' (be raised).

그는 임원직을 수락하기 전에 깊이 고민했습니다.

He contemplated deeply before accepting the executive position.

'-기 전에' (before doing).

임원들은 회사의 장기적인 비전을 공유했습니다.

The executives shared the company's long-term vision.

Adjective '장기적인' (long-term).

임원진의 불화로 인해 회사 분위기가 어수선합니다.

Due to discord among the executive team, the atmosphere of the company is messy.

'-로 인해' (because of/due to).

임원들은 주주 총회에서 경영 실적을 보고했습니다.

The executives reported the business performance at the shareholders' meeting.

Business term '주주 총회' (shareholders' meeting).

임원으로서 내린 결정이 큰 파장을 일으켰습니다.

The decision made as an executive caused a great stir.

'파장을 일으키다' (cause a stir/impact).

등기 임원은 법적인 책임을 질 의무가 있습니다.

Registered executives have an obligation to bear legal responsibility.

Specific term '등기 임원' (registered director).

임원진의 도덕적 해이가 기업의 위기를 초래했습니다.

The moral hazard of the executive team led to a corporate crisis.

'도덕적 해이' (moral hazard).

임원들에게 부여된 스톡옵션의 가치가 급등했습니다.

The value of stock options granted to executives skyrocketed.

Passive '부여되다' (be granted/given).

그는 임원으로서의 카리스마와 리더십을 유감없이 발휘했습니다.

He fully demonstrated his charisma and leadership as an executive.

'유감없이 발휘하다' (demonstrate without regret/fully).

임원진은 시장의 변화에 기민하게 대응해야 합니다.

The executive team must respond promptly to market changes.

Adverb '기민하게' (promptly/nimbly).

비등기 임원이라 하더라도 실질적인 권한은 막강합니다.

Even if they are unregistered executives, their practical authority is powerful.

'-라 하더라도' (even if/even though).

임원 선임 과정의 투명성을 확보하는 것이 시급합니다.

It is urgent to ensure the transparency of the executive appointment process.

'투명성을 확보하다' (ensure transparency).

임원들의 과도한 성과급 지급이 논란이 되고 있습니다.

The payment of excessive performance bonuses to executives is becoming a controversy.

'-가 논란이 되다' (to be controversial).

임원진의 전략적 판단 미스가 기업 회생에 걸림돌이 되었다.

A strategic judgment error by the executive team became a stumbling block to corporate recovery.

'걸림돌이 되다' (become a stumbling block).

사외 이사를 포함한 임원진의 독립성 보장이 거버넌스의 핵심이다.

Ensuring the independence of the executive team, including outside directors, is the core of governance.

Advanced term '거버넌스' (governance).

임원 승진을 둘러싼 사내 정치는 조직의 효율성을 저해하곤 한다.

Internal politics surrounding executive promotions often hinders organizational efficiency.

'-하곤 한다' (often do/habitually do).

그는 임원직에서 물러난 후에도 고문으로서 영향력을 행사했다.

Even after stepping down from the executive position, he exercised influence as an advisor.

'영향력을 행사하다' (exercise influence).

임원들의 집단적 사고(groupthink)가 혁신을 가로막는 장애물이 되었다.

The collective thinking (groupthink) of the executives became an obstacle blocking innovation.

'가로막는 장애물' (an obstacle that blocks).

임원진은 ESG 경영을 실천하기 위한 구체적인 로드맵을 제시했다.

The executive team presented a specific roadmap to practice ESG management.

ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance).

신임 임원들은 조직 문화의 쇄신을 최우선 과제로 삼았다.

The newly appointed executives took the renewal of organizational culture as their top priority.

'-로 삼다' (take/regard as).

임원 선출 방식에 대한 전면적인 재검토가 불가피한 실정이다.

A total review of the executive election method is in an inevitable situation.

'불가피한 실정이다' (be in an inevitable situation).

Collocations courantes

임원 회의

임원 승진

임원 선출

임원진 구성

임원 연봉

임원 선임

임원 보수

임원 교육

임원 전용

임원 인사

Phrases Courantes

임원이 되다

— To become an executive. It signifies a major career milestone.

그는 마침내 임원이 되었다.

임원을 맡다

— To take on an executive role or position.

그녀는 홍보 임원을 맡고 있다.

임원진을 꾸리다

— To put together/form an executive team.

회장은 새로운 임원진을 꾸렸다.

임원급 대우

— Executive-level treatment (benefits, salary, respect).

그는 임원급 대우를 받으며 이직했다.

임원진의 결단

— The executive team's decision/determination.

이번 합병은 임원진의 결단이었다.

임원 선거

— Executive election (common in clubs or unions).

임원 선거에 출마하기로 했다.

임원직 사퇴

— Resignation from an executive position.

그는 건강상의 이유로 임원직에서 사퇴했다.

임원 전용차

— Executive-only car (provided by the company).

임원 전용차가 대기하고 있습니다.

임원실

— Executive's office.

임원실은 10층 끝에 있습니다.

임직원 여러분

— Dear executives and employees (common greeting).

임직원 여러분의 노고에 감사드립니다.

Souvent confondu avec

임원 vs 인원

Means 'number of people'. Sounds very similar to '임원'.

임원 vs 입문

Means 'introduction' or 'entry'. Often confused by beginners due to the '임' sound.

임원 vs 임금

Means 'wage' or 'king'. The first syllable '임' is the same.

Expressions idiomatiques

"별을 달다"

— To become an executive. In Korea, an executive rank is compared to a 'star' (general) in the military.

그는 입사 20년 만에 드디어 별을 달았다.

Informal/Idiomatic

"임원의 꽃"

— The 'flower' of executives; often refers to the position of '이사' (Director) as it's the first and most sought-after executive rank.

이사 승진은 모든 직장인에게 임원의 꽃이라 불린다.

Professional/Metaphorical

"바늘구멍 통과하기"

— Passing through a needle's eye. Used to describe how hard it is to become an '임원'.

임원이 되는 것은 바늘구멍 통과하기만큼 어렵다.

Common Idiom

"윗선"

— The 'upper line' or 'higher-ups.' Often used to refer to executives indirectly.

이 문제는 윗선의 허락이 필요합니다.

Neutral/Colloquial

"대감마님"

— An old term for a high-ranking official. Sometimes used sarcastically for executives.

임원들이 대감마님처럼 행동한다.

Sarcastic/Historical

"거수기 임원"

— An executive who just raises their hand (yes-man). Used for board members who don't challenge the CEO.

그는 이사회에서 거수기 임원에 불과했다.

Critical/Political

"낙하산 임원"

— A 'parachute' executive. Someone appointed due to connections rather than merit.

새로 온 임원은 전형적인 낙하산 임원이다.

Critical/Slang

"임원 사관학교"

— Executive academy. A company (like Samsung) known for producing many executives who then move to other firms.

그 회사는 임원 사관학교로 유명하다.

Business Slang

"임원 무덤"

— Executive's grave. A specific difficult department where many executives fail or get fired.

영업 2팀은 임원들의 무덤이라고 불린다.

Business Slang

"임원 마인드"

— Executive mindset. Thinking from the perspective of the company's leadership.

직원들도 임원 마인드를 가질 필요가 있다.

Professional

Facile à confondre

임원 vs 직원

Both work at a company.

직원 is a general employee. 임원 is an executive-level leader. An 임원 is NOT usually called a 직원 in strict corporate hierarchy.

직원들은 퇴근했고, 임원들은 회의 중이다.

임원 vs 간부

Both mean leader/executive.

간부 is more common in military or government. 임원 is more common in modern business. 간부 can sometimes include middle managers.

군 간부와 회사 임원은 리더십이 필요하다.

임원 vs 이사

Both refer to executives.

임원 is the category. 이사 is a specific rank (Director). All 이사 are 임원, but not all 임원 are 이사 (some are 사장, 전무, etc.).

그는 임원 중에서도 이사 직급이다.

임원 vs 관리자

Both manage people.

관리자 focuses on the function of managing (can be mid-level). 임원 focuses on the status and high-level decision making.

팀 관리자와 회사 임원은 역할이 다르다.

임원 vs 대표

Both are high-ranking.

대표 (Representative/CEO) is usually the single top person. 임원 includes all senior management below the CEO as well.

대표와 임원진이 함께 입장했다.

Structures de phrases

A는 B의 임원이다

김철수 씨는 삼성전자의 임원이다.

임원이 되기 위해서 -아/어/여야 하다

임원이 되기 위해서 열심히 일해야 합니다.

임원으로서 -ㄴ/은/는 것

임원으로서 책임을 지는 것은 당연합니다.

임원진을 대상으로 -다

임원진을 대상으로 설문조사를 실시했습니다.

임원급 인사가 단행되다

오늘 아침 임원급 인사가 단행되었습니다.

임원의 자질을 갖추다

그는 훌륭한 임원의 자질을 갖추고 있다.

임원진의 의견이 갈리다

신규 사업 추진을 놓고 임원진의 의견이 갈렸다.

임원 선임의 투명성을 제고하다

기업들은 임원 선임의 투명성을 제고하기 위해 노력하고 있다.

Famille de mots

Noms

임원진 (Executive board/team)

임원직 (Executive position)

임직원 (Executives and employees)

상임임원 (Standing/Full-time executive)

비상임임원 (Non-standing/Part-time executive)

Verbes

임원화하다 (To make into an executive/to professionalize leadership)

임명하다 (To appoint - related root)

임무를 수행하다 (To carry out a duty - related root)

Adjectifs

임원급의 (Executive-level)

Apparenté

이사 (Director)

상무 (Managing Director)

전무 (Senior Managing Director)

사장 (President/CEO)

경영 (Management)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in business, medium in daily life.

Erreurs courantes

Using '임원' to refer to a middle manager (부장/과장). → 부장님 (Manager) or 상사 (Boss).
In Korea, executives start at the Director (이사) level. Calling a manager an executive is factually incorrect in a corporate context.
Confusing '임원' (Executive) with '인원' (Number of people). → Clear pronunciation of 'm' vs 'n'.
These sound very similar. Context usually helps, but in a sentence like 'How many [imwon/inwon] are there?', it can be confusing.
Addressing an executive as '임원님'. → 이사님, 상무님, 사장님, etc.
You should use their specific rank title + 님. '임원' is a category name, not a form of address.
Using '임원' for a government minister. → 장관 (Minister) or 고위 공직자 (High official).
'임원' is primarily for corporations and private organizations. Government leaders have different specific titles.
Thinking '임원' includes all office workers. → 임직원 (Executives and employees).
'임원' is only the top tier. If you mean everyone, use '직원' or '임직원'.

Astuces

Learn the Hierarchy

To use '임원' correctly, learn the sequence: 사원 -> 대리 -> 과장 -> 차장 -> 부장 -> [임원 시작] 이사 -> 상무 -> 전무 -> 사장.

The Glass Ceiling

When reading about Korean society, '유리 천장' (glass ceiling) is often discussed in the context of how few women reach '임원' positions.

Use -진 for Groups

Whenever you want to talk about 'the leadership' as a whole, add '-진' to get '임원진'. It sounds much more natural in business reports.

Honorifics Matter

If you are an employee, always refer to your '임원' with high respect. Even when they aren't there, using '임원분들' shows your professionalism.

News Keywords

If you hear '인사' (insa) and '임원' together on the news, it always means 'personnel changes/promotions' at the executive level.

Resume Tip

If you have held senior roles, use '임원 경력' (executive experience) to summarize your high-level management background.

The 'M' Sound

Make the 'M' in 'Im' very clear. If it sounds like 'N', people will think you are talking about the 'number of people' (인원).

I'm Won

Think: 'I'm' (임) the one who 'Won' (원) the top job. It's a quick way to link the sound to the meaning of executive.

Beyond Business

Remember that '임원' also applies to school clubs. If you are the 'President' of a club, you are an '임원'.

Not Just Boss

A 'boss' can be anyone higher than you. An '임원' is a specific legal and corporate status. Use it precisely in professional settings.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of an 'Important Member' (IM) who has 'Won' (WON) the promotion. IM-WON.

Association visuelle

Imagine a person sitting at a large mahogany desk in a high-rise office building, looking over a city. That person is an '임원'.

Word Web

Company Leadership Director Promotion Decision Salary Authority Meeting

Défi

Try to identify three '임원' in a news article today. Write down their names and their specific titles in Korean if possible.

Origine du mot

The word is a Sino-Korean compound. It consists of two Hanja characters: 任 (임) and 員 (원).

Sens originel : 任 (임) means 'to entrust,' 'task,' or 'duty.' 員 (원) means 'member,' 'person,' or 'staff.' Together, they signify a person who has been entrusted with a specific duty or office.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using this word about someone who is a middle manager; calling them an '임원' might be seen as excessive flattery or a misunderstanding of their actual rank.

In English-speaking countries, 'Executive' can be a broad term. In Korea, '임원' is very strictly defined by rank (Director level and above).

Drama 'Misaeng' (Incomplete Life) explores the struggle to reach the executive level. The 'Samsung Executive' (삼성 임원) is a common archetype of success in Korean society. News reports on '임원 연봉' (Executive salaries) often spark public debate about income inequality.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Corporate Office

임원 회의
임원 승진
임원실
임원 보고

University / School

학생회 임원
임원 선거
동아리 임원
임원 수련회

News / Media

임원 인사
임원 연봉
신임 임원
임원진 교체

NGO / Non-profit

상임 임원
임원 명단
임원진 구성
임원 임기

Legal / Formal

등기 임원
임원의 의무
임원 선임
임원 해임

Amorces de conversation

"나중에 회사에서 임원이 되고 싶으세요?"

"그 회사의 임원진은 어떤 사람들인가요?"

"임원이 되면 가장 먼저 무엇을 하고 싶으세요?"

"한국 기업의 임원 문화에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"학생 때 동아리 임원을 해본 적이 있나요?"

Sujets d'écriture

내가 만약 회사의 임원이 된다면, 어떤 리더십을 보여주고 싶은지 써보세요.

임원이 갖춰야 할 가장 중요한 덕목 세 가지는 무엇일까요?

임원 승진을 위해 노력하는 사람들의 마음을 상상하며 일기를 써보세요.

우리나라의 임원 연봉 공개 제도에 대한 본인의 생각을 정리해 보세요.

과거에 임원(또는 리더) 역할을 했던 경험과 그를 통해 배운 점을 적어보세요.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. In the traditional Korean corporate ladder, '부장' (General Manager) is the highest rank for 'employees' (직원). The '임원' level typically starts at '이사' (Director). Once you become an 이사, you are considered an executive.

'임원' refers to an individual executive. '임원진' refers to the executive team or board as a collective group. For example, 'He is an 임원' vs 'The 임원진 decided to merge.'

This comes from the military, where becoming a general is symbolized by a star on the shoulder. In companies, it represents reaching the top tier of leadership, which is very difficult and prestigious.

Yes. In a university club or a small hobby group, the leaders (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) are collectively called '임원' or '임원진'.

'임직원' is a combination of '임원' (executives) and '직원' (employees). It is a formal way to refer to everyone who works at a company, from the CEO down to the entry-level staff.

Yes, legally speaking. While regular employees are protected by labor laws making it hard to fire them without cause, executives often have different contracts where they can be dismissed if they don't meet performance targets or if leadership changes.

No. '이사' (Director) is a type of '임원'. It is usually the first rank of the executive tier. Above '이사' are '상무', '전무', '부사장', and '사장'.

You should use their specific rank with the honorific '-님'. For example, '이사님' (Director), '상무님' (Managing Director), or '사장님' (President). Don't just call them '임원님'.

Yes, although historically the number has been low. The phrase '여성 임원' (female executive) is often used in news articles when discussing progress in corporate gender equality.

A '등기 임원' (Registered Director) is an executive whose name is officially registered in the company's legal documents. They have legal authority and carry significant legal responsibility for the company's actions.

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