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A2 noun #3,000 le plus courant 5 min de lecture

본사

bonsa
In A1, '본사' is a basic noun for 'main office'. You might learn it when talking about where people work. It's a place word. You can think of it as the 'big office' that controls the 'small offices' (branches). At this level, just remember that '본사' is where the boss of the whole company usually stays. Example: '본사는 서울에 있어요' (The main office is in Seoul). It is a combination of '본' (main) and '사' (company).
At the A2 level, you use '본사' to describe locations and simple business actions. You should be able to say you are going to the headquarters or that a meeting is happening there. You start to see the difference between '본사' (headquarters) and '지사' (branch). You might use it with particles like '에서' (at) or '로' (to). For example, '본사에서 일해요' (I work at the headquarters). It is common in basic office-related dialogues.
In B1, '본사' appears in more complex sentences involving company policies and reporting. You understand that '본사' is the source of rules and approvals. You might hear phrases like '본사의 허락' (permission from headquarters) or '본사 지침' (headquarters guidelines). You can discuss the relationship between a local office and the main office. You also begin to distinguish '본사' from '본점' (main store) in retail contexts.
At B2, you use '본사' in professional contexts, such as job interviews or business presentations. You understand the strategic role of the headquarters. You might discuss '본사 발령' (being transferred to headquarters) as a career move. You can explain the functions of different departments within the '본사'. You are comfortable using it in formal written reports and understanding its role in corporate governance and hierarchy.
In C1, '본사' is used in nuanced discussions about corporate structure, decentralization, and global management. You might analyze how a '본사' manages its international '해외 법인' (overseas corporations). You understand the legal and financial implications of '본사' decisions. You can use the word in academic or high-level journalistic contexts, discussing things like '본사 소재지' (location of headquarters) for tax purposes or '본사 차원의 대응' (response at the headquarters level).
At the C2 level, '본사' is a tool for discussing complex organizational theory and macroeconomics. You can debate the merits of centralizing power at the '본사' versus empowering regional branches. You understand the historical etymology and its application across different types of entities (corporations vs. NGOs vs. religious institutions). You can use it fluently in legal contracts, high-stakes negotiations, and philosophical discussions about the 'root' (本) of an organization's identity.
Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

본사 en 30 secondes

  • 본사 (Headquarters) is the central administrative hub of a company, responsible for major decisions and managing all subordinate branches and regional offices.
  • It is commonly used in business contexts to distinguish the main office from branch offices (지사) or retail stores (지점).
  • Commonly paired with verbs like '근무하다' (to work), '방문하다' (to visit), and '승인하다' (to approve) in professional settings.
  • Essential for understanding Korean corporate hierarchy and navigating professional environments, especially when dealing with centralized authority.

The term 본사 (本社) refers to the primary administrative center or the central hub of a commercial enterprise. In the landscape of Korean corporate culture, the 본사 is not merely a physical location; it represents the heart of decision-making, strategic planning, and the source of authority for all subordinate branches or regional offices. When a Korean professional says they work at the '본사', it often carries a nuance of being at the center of the company's power structure. The Hanja characters are 本 (본) meaning 'root' or 'basis' and 社 (사) meaning 'company' or 'society'. Together, they literally translate to the 'root company'.

Primary Function
The central office where executive decisions, HR management, and global strategies are formulated.
Hierarchy
Positioned above '지사' (branch office) and '영업소' (sales office) in the organizational chart.
Physical Scale
Usually the largest facility owned by the corporation, often located in major business districts like Gangnam or Gwanghwamun.

"다음 주에 서울 본사에서 회의가 있습니다." (There is a meeting at the Seoul headquarters next week.)

"본사의 승인을 기다리고 있습니다." (We are waiting for approval from the headquarters.)

Administrative Role
Handling legal compliance, large-scale financial auditing, and brand identity maintenance.
Strategic Role
Setting the long-term vision and annual performance targets for all regional units.

Using '본사' correctly involves understanding its relationship with various particles and verbs. It is most commonly used as a noun indicating a location or a subject of authority. In business Korean, '본사' is often paired with the particle '에서' to indicate where an action (like a meeting or work) takes place, or '의' to show possession or origin of a directive.

With Location Particles
본사에서 근무하다 (To work at the headquarters), 본사로 출근하다 (To go to work at the headquarters).
With Directives
본사 지침 (Headquarters guidelines), 본사 방침 (Headquarters policy).

"신입 사원 교육은 본사에서 진행됩니다." (New employee training is conducted at the headquarters.)

When discussing international companies, Koreans often distinguish between the '한국 본사' (Korean headquarters/subsidiary) and the '해외 본사' or '글로벌 본사' (Global headquarters). If the company is originally Korean, the main office in Korea is simply '본사'.

You will encounter '본사' in several specific environments. First and foremost is the corporate office setting. Whether you are an intern or a manager, discussions about '본사' are daily occurrences. It is also a staple word in business news and financial reports, where the performance of a '본사' is analyzed separately from its international subsidiaries.

"삼성전자 본사는 수원에 위치해 있습니다." (Samsung Electronics headquarters is located in Suwon.)

In the context of franchising (like fried chicken or coffee shops), the '본사' refers to the franchisor. Franchisees (owners of individual shops) often talk about the '본사' in terms of supply chains, marketing support, or contract terms. In dramas (K-Dramas), '본사 발령' (being assigned to the headquarters) is a common plot point, usually signifying a promotion or a return to the center of power.

One frequent mistake for learners is confusing '본사' with '본점'. While both mean 'main' or 'head', 본사 is for the administrative company, while 본점 is for the main physical store or the primary branch of a bank. For example, you go to the '본점' of a department store to shop, but you go to the '본사' to sign a corporate contract.

Mistake: Using '본사' for a building
Don't say '본사' when you mean the physical main building of a campus; use '본관' (Main Building) instead.
Mistake: Overusing it for small businesses
A small business with only one office doesn't usually call itself a '본사' unless it has branches.

"저희는 본사가 아니라 지사입니다." (We are a branch, not the headquarters.)

Understanding the synonyms and related terms helps in grasping the nuances of corporate hierarchy. While '본사' is the most common term for a company's main office, other words might be more appropriate depending on the organization type.

본부 (本部 - Headquarters/Command Center)
Often used for government agencies, NGOs, or specific departments within a company (e.g., 마케팅 본부 - Marketing Headquarters).
본점 (本店 - Main Store)
Used specifically for retail, restaurants, and banking.
모회사 (母會社 - Parent Company)
Refers to a company that owns other companies (subsidiaries), focusing on the legal ownership rather than the administrative office.

"유엔 본부는 뉴욕에 있습니다." (The UN headquarters is in New York - Note the use of 본부 for international organizations.)

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Informel

""

Niveau de difficulté

Grammaire à connaître

Exemples par niveau

1

본사는 어디에 있어요?

Where is the main office?

Noun + 은/는 + 어디에 있어요? (Where is...?)

2

본사는 아주 커요.

The main office is very big.

Adjective '크다' (to be big) in polite present tense.

3

여기가 본사입니까?

Is this the headquarters?

Formal question ending -입니까?

4

본사에서 만나요.

Let's meet at the main office.

Particle '에서' indicating location of action.

5

저는 본사 직원입니다.

I am a headquarters employee.

Noun + 입니다 (to be).

6

본사 건물은 예뻐요.

The headquarters building is pretty.

Noun + 건물 (building).

7

본사로 오세요.

Please come to the main office.

Particle '로' indicating direction.

8

본사 전화번호가 뭐예요?

What is the headquarters' phone number?

Noun + 뭐예요? (What is...?)

1

내일 본사로 출근해요.

I'm going to work at the headquarters tomorrow.

출근하다 (to go to work).

2

본사에서 회의가 있어요.

There is a meeting at the headquarters.

회의 (meeting) + 가 있다 (there is).

3

본사 위치를 알려주세요.

Please let me know the location of the headquarters.

알려주세요 (Please inform/tell me).

4

우리 회사는 본사가 서울에 있어요.

Our company's headquarters is in Seoul.

Possessive '우리' (our).

5

본사 직원이 지사를 방문했어요.

A headquarters employee visited the branch.

방문하다 (to visit) in past tense.

6

본사 근처에 맛집이 많아요.

There are many good restaurants near the headquarters.

근처 (near/vicinity).

7

본사에서 서류를 보냈어요.

The headquarters sent the documents.

보내다 (to send) in past tense.

8

본사 1층에서 기다릴게요.

I will wait on the first floor of the headquarters.

Future tense -(으)ㄹ게요.

1

본사의 승인을 받아야 합니다.

We must receive approval from the headquarters.

Must do structure -아/어야 하다.

2

본사 지침에 따라 행동하세요.

Please act according to the headquarters' guidelines.

~에 따라 (according to).

3

본사와 연락이 잘 안 돼요.

Communication with the headquarters is not going well.

연락이 되다 (to be in contact).

4

본사에서 새로운 정책을 발표했습니다.

The headquarters announced a new policy.

발표하다 (to announce).

5

이번 프로젝트는 본사 주도로 진행됩니다.

This project is being led by the headquarters.

주도 (lead/initiative).

6

본사로 발령이 나서 이사를 가야 해요.

I have to move because I was assigned to the headquarters.

발령 (assignment/transfer).

7

본사 교육 프로그램에 참여하고 싶어요.

I want to participate in the headquarters' training program.

-고 싶다 (want to).

8

본사 건물이 리모델링 중입니다.

The headquarters building is under renovation.

-중이다 (in the middle of).

1

본사 차원에서 지원을 아끼지 않겠습니다.

We will provide full support at the headquarters level.

차원 (level/dimension).

2

본사의 경영 방침이 변경되었습니다.

The management policy of the headquarters has changed.

경영 방침 (management policy).

3

본사와 지사 간의 소통이 중요합니다.

Communication between the headquarters and the branch is important.

간의 (between).

4

본사에서 파견된 전문가가 도와줄 것입니다.

An expert dispatched from the headquarters will help.

파견되다 (to be dispatched).

5

본사 직속 부서에서 근무하고 있습니다.

I am working in a department directly under the headquarters.

직속 (directly under).

6

본사의 과도한 간섭이 문제가 되고 있습니다.

Excessive interference from the headquarters is becoming a problem.

간섭 (interference).

7

본사에서 예산을 삭감하기로 결정했습니다.

The headquarters decided to cut the budget.

-기로 결정하다 (decide to).

8

본사로 보고서를 제출해 주세요.

Please submit the report to the headquarters.

제출하다 (to submit).

1

본사의 중앙 집권적 구조를 개선해야 합니다.

The centralized structure of the headquarters needs to be improved.

중앙 집권적 (centralized).

2

본사는 글로벌 시장 확대를 꾀하고 있습니다.

The headquarters is seeking to expand into the global market.

꾀하다 (to seek/plan).

3

본사와 해외 법인 간의 회계 기준을 통합했습니다.

Accounting standards between the headquarters and overseas subsidiaries have been integrated.

통합하다 (to integrate).

4

본사의 결정이 현지 사정과 맞지 않는 경우가 많습니다.

There are many cases where headquarters' decisions do not match local conditions.

현지 사정 (local conditions).

5

본사는 브랜드 가치 제고를 최우선 과제로 삼고 있습니다.

The headquarters considers enhancing brand value as its top priority.

제고 (enhancement/improvement).

6

본사의 통제력을 강화하기 위해 새로운 시스템을 도입했습니다.

A new system was introduced to strengthen the headquarters' control.

통제력 (control/power).

7

본사 소재지를 이전하는 방안을 검토 중입니다.

We are reviewing a plan to relocate the headquarters.

소재지 (location/site).

8

본사의 윤리 경영 지침이 전 지사에 배포되었습니다.

The headquarters' ethical management guidelines were distributed to all branches.

배포되다 (to be distributed).

1

본사의 수직적 위계질서가 혁신을 저해한다는 비판이 있습니다.

There is criticism that the headquarters' vertical hierarchy hinders innovation.

저해하다 (to hinder/obstruct).

2

본사는 지주회사 체제로의 전환을 통해 경영 효율성을 도모하고 있습니다.

The headquarters is promoting management efficiency by transitioning to a holding company system.

지주회사 (holding company).

3

본사의 독점적 지위를 이용한 불공정 거래 행위를 조사하고 있습니다.

Unfair trade practices using the headquarters' monopoly position are being investigated.

독점적 지위 (monopoly position).

4

본사와 계열사 간의 내부 거래 비중이 지나치게 높습니다.

The proportion of internal transactions between the headquarters and affiliates is excessively high.

계열사 (affiliate).

5

본사의 전략적 유연성이 급변하는 시장 환경에서 생존의 열쇠입니다.

The strategic flexibility of the headquarters is the key to survival in a rapidly changing market environment.

전략적 유연성 (strategic flexibility).

6

본사는 사회적 책임(CSR)을 다하기 위해 다양한 공헌 활동을 펼치고 있습니다.

The headquarters is carrying out various contribution activities to fulfill its social responsibility.

공헌 활동 (contribution activities).

7

본사의 의사결정 과정에 투명성을 확보하는 것이 시급합니다.

It is urgent to ensure transparency in the headquarters' decision-making process.

투명성 (transparency).

8

본사는 핵심 역량 강화를 위해 R&D 투자를 대폭 확대했습니다.

The headquarters significantly expanded R&D investment to strengthen core competencies.

핵심 역량 (core competency).

Collocations courantes

본사 근무
본사 승인
본사 지침
본사 발령
본사 방문
본사 이전
본사 차원
본사 직속
본사 소재지
본사 교육

Phrases Courantes

본사에 보고하다

본사에서 내려오다

본사 소속이다

본사로 출근하다

본사와 협의하다

본사의 허락을 받다

본사가 위치하다

본사로 연락하다

본사 방침에 따르다

본사 건물을 짓다

Souvent confondu avec

본사 vs 본점 (Main store)

본사 vs 본관 (Main building)

본사 vs 본부 (Command center/HQ)

Expressions idiomatiques

""

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""

""

""

""

""

""

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Facile à confondre

본사 vs 본점

Used for retail/banks.

본사 vs 본관

Used for buildings on a campus.

본사 vs 본부

Used for departments or NGOs.

본사 vs 모회사

Legal parent company.

본사 vs 지사

Opposite: branch office.

Structures de phrases

Comment l'utiliser

plurality

Usually singular, but can refer to multiple headquarters in a global context (e.g., 지역 본사).

distinction

Use '본사' for administrative offices, '본점' for the main store.

Erreurs courantes
  • Confusing 본사 (office) with 본점 (store).
  • Using 본사 for a university's main building (use 본관).
  • Mispronouncing '본' as '분'.
  • Using '본사' for a company that has no branches.
  • Forgetting the particle '에서' when saying you work there.

Astuces

Context Matters

Always check if you are talking about a store or an office before choosing between 본점 and 본사.

Hierarchy

Remember that 본사 often implies higher authority in Korea's top-down corporate culture.

Particles

Use '본사에서' for actions happening there and '본사로' for movement towards it.

Opposites

Learn '지사' (branch) at the same time to understand the corporate structure better.

Politeness

Use '본사 측' when you want to sound more professional and objective.

Reports

In business emails, '본사 지침' is a very useful phrase to justify actions.

News

Listen for this word in economic news to identify which company is being discussed.

Root

Associate '본' with 'Bone'—the skeleton or root of the company.

Networking

Mentioning you are going to the '본사' can sometimes impress colleagues at a branch.

TOPIK

This word frequently appears in TOPIK II reading and listening sections related to work.

Mémorise-le

Association visuelle

Imagine a giant tree where the trunk is the '본사' and the branches are the '지사'.

Origine du mot

Derived from Middle Chinese. '本' (root/origin) + '社' (group/company).

Contexte culturel

Working at the headquarters is a status symbol in Korean corporate culture.

The 'cool' main character in K-Dramas often works at the '본사' of a conglomerate (Chaebol).

Korean companies tend to be highly centralized, making the 본사 the ultimate authority.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Amorces de conversation

"본사가 어디에 있어요?"

"본사에서 근무해 본 적 있어요?"

"본사 분위기는 어때요?"

"본사로 언제 가세요?"

"본사 승인은 받았나요?"

Sujets d'écriture

내가 다니고 싶은 회사의 본사는 어디에 있는가?

본사에서 일하는 것과 지사에서 일하는 것 중 무엇을 선호하는가?

본사의 역할은 무엇이라고 생각하는가?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

본사 is specifically for commercial companies. 본부 is more general and can be used for government, military, or specific departments.

No, for a shop, use '본점'. Use '본사' only if that shop is the corporate office for other branches.

Yes, it is a standard business term used in both formal and informal professional settings.

You can say '글로벌 본사' or '해외 본사' (if referring to the one abroad).

Not necessarily. It can refer to the corporate entity itself as an authority.

The most common antonym is '지사' (branch office).

Yes, but they may use different terms for state-run enterprises.

No, but it can metonymically refer to the people working there (e.g., '본사의 입장' - the headquarters' position).

It means being officially assigned or transferred to work at the headquarters.

Yes, knowing '本' (root) and '社' (company) helps you remember the meaning easily.

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