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고용하다

B1 verb #4,000 가장 일반적인 8분 분량

고용하다

goyonghada 상위 4,000

연습하기 예시 노트와 팁 고용하다 30초 만에

설명 고용하다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use '고용하다' very often, but it's good to recognize it. Think of it as a fancy way of saying 'to give a job'. In very simple terms, '고용하다' is when a boss (사장님) says to a person, 'Work for me, and I will give you money.' Usually, A1 students use the word '쓰다' (to use) or '일하다' (to work). For example, instead of '고용하다', you might say '우리 가게에서 일해요' (Work at our store). However, if you see '고용' on a sign at a shop, it means they are looking for workers. Just remember: Boss + Person + 고용하다 = Job. It's a '하다' verb, so it's easy to conjugate: '고용해요' (present) and '고용했어요' (past). Don't worry about the complex Hanja yet; just focus on the idea of hiring someone for a job.

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At the A2 level, you can start using '고용하다' in basic sentences about work. You might say '제 친구가 직원을 고용했어요' (My friend hired an employee). It is more formal than '뽑다' (to pick), so use it when you want to sound more professional. You will also see this word in simple news headlines or job advertisements (구인 광고). It is important to know the difference between the subject (the one hiring) and the object (the one being hired). The employer takes the particle '-이/가' and the employee takes '-을/를'. You might also learn the word '고용주' (employer) and '피고용인' (employee) at this stage, though '직원' (staff) is more common. Practice by describing who hires whom in different businesses, like a restaurant hiring a chef or a school hiring a teacher.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '고용하다' in various professional and social contexts. This is the level where you start discussing the economy and social issues. You should know the passive form '고용되다' (to be hired) and use it to describe your own experiences: '저는 작년에 이 회사에 고용되었습니다' (I was hired by this company last year). You should also be able to use the noun form '고용' in compound words like '고용 보험' (employment insurance) or '고용 불안' (job insecurity). At this level, you can distinguish between '고용하다' and '채용하다'. Remember that '고용하다' is about the state of having a job and getting paid, while '채용하다' is about the process of being picked from a group of applicants. You can also use it with grammar patterns like '-기 위해' (in order to): '회사는 생산을 늘리기 위해 더 많은 사람을 고용했다.'

At the B2 level, '고용하다' becomes a tool for discussing complex labor market dynamics. You should use it to talk about '비정규직 고용' (non-regular employment) versus '정규직 고용' (regular employment). You will encounter this word in debates about '최저임금' (minimum wage) and how it affects a company's ability to '고용하다'. You should also be familiar with related terms like '고용 세습' (employment inheritance) or '고용 창출' (job creation). At this level, your sentences should be more complex, incorporating various modifiers and connectors. For example: '정부는 고용 창출을 위해 중소기업에 다양한 보조금을 지원하며 고용을 장려하고 있다.' (The government is encouraging employment by supporting SMEs with various subsidies to create jobs.) You should also understand the nuance of '기용하다' as an alternative in specific contexts like sports or politics.

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At the C1 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '고용하다' and its legal and economic implications. You will use it in academic writing, business reports, and high-level discussions. You should be able to analyze '고용 구조' (employment structure) and '고용 탄력성' (employment elasticity). You will understand the subtle differences between '고용', '임용', '채용', and '선발' and use them precisely. For instance, you would use '임용' for a public official but '고용' for a private sector worker. You should also be able to discuss the ethical aspects of '고용', such as '고용 차별' (employment discrimination) or '부당 고용' (unfair hiring). Your language should reflect a deep understanding of the Hanja roots, allowing you to decipher new related words easily. You should be able to read and summarize complex articles from the '고용노동부' (Ministry of Employment and Labor) without difficulty.

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At the C2 level, you use '고용하다' with the fluency and precision of a native professional. You can engage in high-level policy debates regarding '고용 유연성' (labor market flexibility) and '고용 안전망' (employment safety net). You understand the historical context of employment in Korea, from the lifelong employment model of the past to the modern gig economy. You can use '고용하다' in metaphorical or highly specialized contexts. You are sensitive to the socio-political weight the word carries in discussions about '고용 절벽' (employment cliff/crisis). Your use of the word is perfectly integrated with advanced grammar, honorifics, and specialized terminology. You can write comprehensive reports on labor trends, using '고용' as a central theme, and provide expert commentary on how '고용' patterns reflect broader societal changes in South Korea and the global market.

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연습하기 예시 노트와 팁

고용하다 30초 만에

고용하다 means to hire or employ someone formally for pay. It is a transitive verb commonly used in business and economic contexts.
It differs from '채용하다' (recruitment) by focusing on the ongoing work relationship rather than just the selection process.
The passive form is '고용되다' (to be hired), and the noun form '고용' is used in terms like '고용 보험' (employment insurance).
It is a '하다' verb, following regular conjugation patterns, and is essential for discussing the job market and labor laws.

The Korean verb 고용하다 (goyong-hada) is a fundamental term in the realm of labor and business, derived from the Hanja characters 雇 (to hire) and 用 (to use). At its core, it describes the formal act of an employer engaging a person to perform work in exchange for financial compensation. This is not merely a casual request for help; it implies a structured relationship, often governed by a contract, labor laws, and a recurring salary or wage. When you use this word, you are speaking about the systemic process of building a workforce.

Formal Recruitment: Companies use this term when discussing their annual hiring cycles or expansion plans. It sounds professional and authoritative.

우리 회사는 다음 달에 새로운 엔지니어를 고용하다 계획입니다. (Our company plans to hire new engineers next month.)

In everyday conversation, while people might use the simpler verb '쓰다' (to use/hire) for small tasks, '고용하다' remains the standard for official employment contexts. It carries a weight of responsibility, suggesting that the employer is now responsible for the employee's welfare, insurance, and legal rights under the Labor Standards Act. Understanding this word is crucial for navigating the Korean job market, as it appears in every employment contract and news report regarding the economy. It differentiates between a one-time gig and a sustained professional relationship.

정부는 청년들을 더 많이 고용하다 기업에게 혜택을 줍니다. (The government gives benefits to companies that hire more young people.)

Economic Context: In news and academic papers, this word is used to describe the state of the labor market, often paired with '안정' (stability) or '불안' (instability).

그는 대기업에 고용되다는 꿈을 이루었습니다. (He achieved his dream of being hired by a large corporation.)

Legal Nuance: Unlike '채용하다', which focuses on the selection process, '고용하다' focuses on the ongoing relationship of work for pay.

불법으로 외국인을 고용하다 행위는 처벌받습니다. (The act of hiring foreigners illegally is punished.)

단기 아르바이트생을 고용하다 때도 계약서가 필요합니다. (A contract is needed even when hiring short-term part-time workers.)

Overall, '고용하다' is the cornerstone of professional Korean vocabulary regarding the workforce.

Using '고용하다' correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical role as a transitive verb. It typically follows the pattern [Subject]이/가 [Object]를 고용하다. The subject is usually an entity like a company (회사), a boss (사장님), or a government (정부), while the object is the person or group being hired, such as workers (직원), laborers (노동자), or experts (전문가).

Active Voice: The focus is on the employer's action. Example: '삼성은 천 명의 직원을 고용했다.' (Samsung hired a thousand employees.)

우리는 정원사를 고용하다로 결정했습니다. (We decided to hire a gardener.)

When conjugating, remember that '고용하다' is a regular '하다' verb. In the present tense, it becomes '고용해요' (polite) or '고용합니다' (formal). In the past tense, it is '고용했어요' or '고용했습니다'. In more complex sentences, you might see it paired with adverbs like '직접' (directly) or '추가로' (additionally).

그 회사는 직원을 직접 고용하다 대신 파견직을 씁니다. (Instead of hiring employees directly, that company uses dispatched workers.)

Honorifics: If the subject is someone highly respected, use '고용하시다'. For example: '사장님께서 새로운 비서를 고용하셨어요.' (The CEO hired a new secretary.)

경제가 어려워지면 기업들은 신규 인력을 고용하다 것을 꺼립니다. (When the economy gets difficult, companies are reluctant to hire new personnel.)

Causative and Passive: While '고용하다' is active, the passive '고용되다' is used when the focus is on the person getting the job. '나는 그 회사에 고용되었다.' (I was hired by that company.)

장애인을 고용하다 기업에게는 세금 감면 혜택이 있습니다. (There are tax reduction benefits for companies that hire disabled people.)

그들은 변호사를 고용하다 문제를 해결했습니다. (They solved the problem by hiring a lawyer.)

Mastering these patterns allows you to discuss professional life with clarity and accuracy.

You will encounter '고용하다' in a variety of professional and public settings in Korea. One of the most common places is in the news, specifically during economic segments. Journalists often report on '고용 지표' (employment indicators) or how major conglomerates like Samsung, LG, or Hyundai are planning their '고용 규모' (hiring scale).

The Workplace: In HR departments, discussions about '고용 형태' (employment type—full-time, part-time, or contract) are constant. You'll hear managers saying, '우리는 더 많은 인턴을 고용해야 합니다.' (We need to hire more interns.)

이번 분기에 직원을 얼마나 고용하다 예정인가요? (How many employees do you plan to hire this quarter?)

Another major area is legal and governmental discourse. The South Korean Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부) uses this word in almost all its documentation. If you are applying for a visa that allows work, you will see '고용' throughout the application forms.

드라마에서 사장님이 '유능한 인재를 고용하다!'라고 외쳤어요. (In the drama, the CEO shouted, 'Hire competent talent!')

Job Advertisements: While '채용' is often the title of a job post, the body of the text will explain that the company is looking to '고용' individuals for specific roles.

부모님은 저를 위해 수학 과외 선생님을 고용하다 주셨어요. (My parents hired a math tutor for me.)

그 식당은 주말에만 일할 사람을 고용하다 합니다. (That restaurant says they hire people to work only on weekends.)

Public Announcements: Subway announcements or public service posters often mention '고용 지원' (employment support) programs for the elderly or youth.

정부는 노인들을 위한 공공 일자리 고용하다 사업을 확대하고 있습니다. (The government is expanding employment projects for the elderly in public jobs.)

In summary, if there's a transaction of money for labor in a formal or semi-formal capacity, you are likely to hear '고용하다'.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing '고용하다' with '채용하다' or '뽑다'. While they all relate to hiring, their nuances differ significantly. '채용하다' (chaeyong-hada) focuses specifically on the *selection* and *recruitment* process—choosing a candidate from a pool of applicants. '고용하다' (goyong-hada), however, emphasizes the *contractual relationship* and the act of giving someone work for pay.

Confusing with '쓰다': Learners often use '쓰다' (to use) in formal contexts where '고용하다' is more appropriate. While '사람을 쓰다' is okay in casual speech, it can sound slightly dismissive or overly informal in a business report.

Incorrect: 회사가 나를 사용하다. (The company used me - sounds like exploitation). Correct: 회사가 나를 고용하다. (The company hired me.)

Another common error is using the wrong particle for the employer. Remember, the employer is the subject (이/가/께서), and the employee is the object (을/를). Many students also forget to use the passive form '고용되다' when they are the ones getting the job. If you say '나는 고용했어' (I hired), people will ask, 'Who did you hire?' Instead, say '나는 고용됐어' (I was hired).

Mistake: 나는 어제 고용하다. Correct: 나는 어제 고용되었다.

Register Errors: Using '고용하다' when asking a friend to help move furniture is too formal. Use '도와주다' (to help) or '부탁하다' (to ask a favor) instead.

택시를 고용하다 (X) -> 택시를 부르다 (O).

Finally, watch out for the spelling. It is '고용', not '구용' or '고영'. The '용' (用) means 'to use', which is a common Hanja in many Korean words like '사용' (use) and '이용' (utilize).

To truly master '고용하다', you should understand its synonyms and how they differ in context. The most prominent alternative is 채용하다 (chaeyong-hada).

채용하다 vs. 고용하다: '채용하다' is 'to recruit' or 'to adopt'. It is used when a company selects a candidate from many applicants. '고용하다' is the broader term for the actual employment relationship. You '채용' someone to '고용' them.

그 기업은 블라인드 채용 방식을 도입했습니다. (The company introduced a blind recruitment method.)

Another common word is 뽑다 (ppopda). This is a native Korean word meaning 'to pull out' or 'to pick'. It is the most common casual way to say 'hire'.

뽑다 (Informal): '이번에 신입 사원 몇 명 뽑아요?' (How many new employees are you picking/hiring this time?) It sounds more natural in spoken conversation than '고용하다'.

그는 국립대학교 교수로 임용되었습니다. (He was appointed as a professor at a national university.)

선발하다 (seonbal-hada): This means 'to select' or 'to draft', often used for sports teams or special scholarship programs. '국가대표 선발' (Selection of the national team).

우수한 학생들을 장학생으로 선발하다. (To select excellent students as scholarship recipients.)

감독은 신인 선수를 선발 명단에 기용하다. (The coach assigned the rookie player to the starting lineup.)

Knowing these distinctions will help you choose the right word for the right level of formality and the specific type of 'hiring' you are describing.

How Formal Is It?

재미있는 사실

The '용' (用) in '고용하다' is the same '용' used in '스마트폰 사용' (using a smartphone). So, you are literally 'hiring and using' a person's labor.

발음 가이드

UK /ko.joŋ.ɦa.da/

US /koʊ.joʊŋ.hɑː.dɑː/

The stress is relatively even, but the first syllable '고' often carries a slightly higher pitch in standard Seoul dialect.

라임이 맞는 단어

활용하다 (hwalyong-hada) 적용하다 (jeokyong-hada) 수용하다 (suyong-hada) 공용하다 (gongyong-hada) 차용하다 (chayong-hada) 복용하다 (bokyong-hada) 인용하다 (inyong-hada) 오용하다 (oyong-hada)

자주 하는 실수

Pronouncing '고' as 'koo' (too much lip rounding).
Failing to pronounce the 'ng' at the end of '용'.
Pronouncing '하' too strongly like a German 'ch'.
Confusing '고용' with '고영' (goyeong).
Adding an 'r' sound to the 'o' vowels.

난이도

독해 3/5

Common in newspapers and formal texts, easy to recognize once Hanja is known.

쓰기 3/5

Requires correct particle usage and understanding of active/passive forms.

말하기 2/5

Simple conjugation, but '뽑다' is often more natural in casual speech.

듣기 3/5

Frequently heard in news broadcasts and business contexts.

다음에 무엇을 배울까

선수 학습

회사 (Company) 일하다 (To work) 돈 (Money) 사람 (Person) 사장 (Boss)

다음에 배울 것

해고하다 (To fire) 계약 (Contract) 월급 (Monthly salary) 승진 (Promotion) 퇴직 (Retirement)

고급

구조조정 (Restructuring) 노동조합 (Labor union) 최저임금 (Minimum wage) 고용 유연성 (Labor flexibility)

알아야 할 문법

Passive Voice (-되다)

고용하다 (Active) -> 고용되다 (Passive)

Noun + 하다 to Verb

고용 (Noun) + 하다 -> 고용하다 (Verb)

Purpose (-기 위해)

직원을 고용하기 위해 광고를 냈어요.

Causative/Request (-라고 하다)

사장님이 직원을 더 고용하라고 하셨어요.

Gerund (-는 것)

사람을 고용하는 것은 책임감이 필요한 일입니다.

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수준별 예문

우리 아버지는 직원을 고용해요.

My father hires an employee.

Present tense: 고용하다 -> 고용해요.

그 가게는 사람을 고용했어요.

That store hired a person.

Past tense: 고용하다 -> 고용했어요.

누구를 고용할 거예요?

Who will you hire?

Future tense: 고용하다 -> 고용할 거예요.

저는 직원을 고용하고 싶어요.

I want to hire an employee.

Wanting: 고용하다 + -고 싶다.

회사는 요리사를 고용해요.

The company hires a chef.

Direct object: 요리사를.

우리 집은 청소부를 고용했어요.

Our house hired a cleaner.

Past tense: 고용했다 (contracted).

선생님을 고용하세요?

Are you hiring a teacher?

Polite question: 고용해요? / 고용하세요? (honorific).

엄마는 정원사를 고용합니다.

Mom hires a gardener.

Formal present: 고용합니다.

새로운 직원을 고용하는 것은 어려워요.

Hiring a new employee is difficult.

Gerund form: 고용하는 것.

그 회사는 작년에 많은 사람을 고용했습니다.

That company hired many people last year.

Formal past: 고용했습니다.

우리는 변호사를 고용해야 해요.

We have to hire a lawyer.

Obligation: 고용해야 하다.

그들은 유능한 직원을 고용하려고 합니다.

They intend to hire a competent employee.

Intention: -려고 하다.

누가 이 사람을 고용했나요?

Who hired this person?

Question form: -었나요?

식당 사장님은 아르바이트생을 고용했어요.

The restaurant owner hired a part-time worker.

Subject: 사장님은.

직원을 고용하면 돈을 줘야 해요.

If you hire an employee, you must give them money.

Conditional: -(으)면.

그 회사는 외국인을 고용하지 않아요.

That company does not hire foreigners.

Negation: -지 않다.

정부는 더 많은 청년을 고용하라고 기업에 권고했다.

The government advised companies to hire more young people.

Indirect command: -라고 권고하다.

그는 드디어 대기업에 고용되었다.

He was finally hired by a large corporation.

Passive form: 고용되다.

회사가 어려워져서 새로운 사람을 고용할 수 없어요.

The company has become difficult, so we can't hire new people.

Reason and Ability: -아/어서 + -ㄹ 수 없다.

고용 보험에 가입하려면 직원이 있어야 합니다.

To join employment insurance, you must have employees.

Purpose: -으려면.

그들은 경험이 많은 전문가를 고용하기로 결정했다.

They decided to hire an experienced expert.

Decision: -기로 결정하다.

직원을 고용할 때 계약서를 꼭 써야 합니다.

When hiring an employee, you must write a contract.

Time: -을 때.

불법으로 사람을 고용하는 것은 범죄입니다.

Hiring people illegally is a crime.

Gerund as subject: 고용하는 것.

우리 회사는 성별에 상관없이 인재를 고용합니다.

Our company hires talent regardless of gender.

Regardless: -에 상관없이.

최저임금이 인상되면 영세 사업자들은 직원을 고용하기가 부담스럽다.

When the minimum wage rises, small business owners find it burdensome to hire employees.

Difficulty: -기가 부담스럽다.

기업의 사회적 책임 중 하나는 취약 계층을 고용하는 것이다.

One of the social responsibilities of a company is to hire the underprivileged.

Noun phrase: 고용하는 것.

그 나라는 고용 유연성을 높이기 위해 법을 개정했다.

That country revised its laws to increase employment flexibility.

Purpose: -기 위해.

비정규직을 고용하는 비율이 점차 늘어나고 있는 추세이다.

The ratio of hiring non-regular workers is gradually increasing.

Trend: -고 있는 추세이다.

유능한 인재를 고용하기 위해 파격적인 조건을 제시했다.

In order to hire competent talent, they offered unconventional terms.

Unconventional: 파격적인.

고용주와 피고용인 사이의 신뢰가 무엇보다 중요하다.

Trust between the employer and the employee is more important than anything.

Nouns: 고용주 (employer), 피고용인 (employee).

그 회사는 장애인 고용 의무를 준수하고 있다.

The company is complying with the obligation to hire disabled people.

Compliance: 준수하고 있다.

단기적인 이익보다는 장기적인 고용 안정을 추구해야 한다.

We should pursue long-term employment stability rather than short-term profits.

Comparison: -보다는.

급격한 기술 발전이 고용 시장에 미치는 영향은 지대하다.

The impact of rapid technological advancement on the employment market is profound.

Impact: -에 미치는 영향.

정부는 고용 지표를 개선하기 위해 다각적인 노력을 기울이고 있다.

The government is making multifaceted efforts to improve employment indicators.

Multifaceted: 다각적인.

기업들이 신규 고용을 축소하면서 청년 실업 문제가 심화되고 있다.

As companies reduce new hiring, the youth unemployment problem is deepening.

Deepening: 심화되고 있다.

고용 형태의 다변화는 노동법의 사각지대를 만들어내기도 한다.

The diversification of employment forms also creates blind spots in labor law.

Blind spot: 사각지대.

그 학자는 고용과 복지의 선순환 구조를 강조했다.

The scholar emphasized the virtuous cycle of employment and welfare.

Virtuous cycle: 선순환 구조.

부당하게 고용을 해지당한 노동자들이 시위를 벌이고 있다.

Workers who were unfairly terminated are holding a protest.

Unfairly: 부당하게.

고용 세습은 기회의 평등을 저해하는 고질적인 병폐이다.

Employment inheritance is a chronic malady that hinders equality of opportunity.

Chronic malady: 고질적인 병폐.

재택근무의 확산은 고용의 지리적 한계를 극복하게 해준다.

The spread of remote work allows for overcoming the geographical limits of employment.

Overcoming: 극복하게 해준다.

제4차 산업혁명 시대의 고용 패러다임은 근본적인 변화를 요구한다.

The employment paradigm in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution demands fundamental change.

Paradigm: 패러다임.

고용 유연화와 노동권 보호 사이의 균형점을 찾는 것은 난제 중의 난제이다.

Finding a balance between labor flexibility and the protection of labor rights is the most difficult of challenges.

Difficult challenge: 난제 중의 난제.

플랫폼 노동자들의 고용 지위 문제는 현대 사회의 새로운 갈등 요소이다.

The issue of the employment status of platform workers is a new element of conflict in modern society.

Conflict element: 갈등 요소.

고용 없는 성장은 소득 불평등을 심화시키는 주요 원인으로 지목된다.

Jobless growth is pointed out as a major cause of deepening income inequality.

Jobless growth: 고용 없는 성장.

정규직과 비정규직의 고용 이중 구조는 한국 노동 시장의 핵심 과제이다.

The dual structure of regular and non-regular employment is a core task for the Korean labor market.

Dual structure: 이중 구조.

고용 상속이라는 관행은 공정 사회의 가치에 정면으로 배치된다.

The practice of employment inheritance directly contradicts the values of a fair society.

Contradicts: 배치된다.

인공지능에 의한 고용 대체 가능성은 노동의 종말에 대한 담론을 불러일으켰다.

The possibility of job displacement by AI has sparked discourse on the end of labor.

Discourse: 담론.

국가 경쟁력은 유연하고 안정적인 고용 생태계 구축에 달려 있다.

National competitiveness depends on building a flexible and stable employment ecosystem.

Depends on: -에 달려 있다.

동의어

채용하다 모집하다 뽑다 선발하다

반의어

해고하다 감원하다

자주 쓰는 조합

직원을 고용하다

고용 보험

고용 창출

정규직 고용

대량 고용

불법 고용

고용 계약

직접 고용

고용 승계

고용 안정

자주 쓰는 구문

고용이 불안하다

— Job security is low or employment is unstable.

비정규직은 항상 고용이 불안합니다.

고용을 늘리다

— To increase hiring or expand the workforce.

경기가 좋아지면 기업들은 고용을 늘립니다.

고용을 유지하다

— To maintain current employment levels without firing.

어려운 상황에서도 고용을 유지하기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.

고용을 창출하다

— To create new jobs in the economy.

신산업 육성은 고용을 창출하는 데 도움이 됩니다.

고용을 촉진하다

— To promote or encourage hiring.

정부는 청년 고용을 촉진하기 위해 보조금을 줍니다.

고용이 중단되다

— For employment to be stopped or terminated.

계약 기간이 끝나서 고용이 중단되었습니다.

고용을 보장하다

— To guarantee employment or job security.

이 계약은 3년간의 고용을 보장합니다.

고용이 유연하다

— For hiring and firing to be easy or flexible.

미국은 한국보다 고용이 유연한 편입니다.

고용에 성공하다

— To succeed in hiring the right person.

우리는 드디어 유능한 팀장을 고용하는 데 성공했다.

고용을 포기하다

— To give up on hiring due to various reasons.

인건비가 너무 비싸서 직원을 고용하기를 포기했다.

자주 혼동되는 단어

고용하다 vs 채용하다

Focuses on the recruitment process, while '고용하다' focuses on the resulting employment status.

고용하다 vs 기용하다

Often used specifically for appointing someone to a position in sports or politics.

고용하다 vs 사용하다

Means 'to use' an object. Using it for a person can sound offensive or like exploitation.

관용어 및 표현

"고용의 문턱이 높다"

— It is very difficult to get hired (the threshold is high).

요즘은 대기업 고용의 문턱이 너무 높아요.

Common

"고용 절벽"

— A sudden and sharp decrease in hiring (employment cliff).

코로나19로 인해 고용 절벽이 현실화되었다.

Journalistic

"철밥통"

— An 'iron rice bowl' – a job with absolute employment security (like a civil servant).

공무원은 철밥통이라서 고용 걱정이 없어요.

Slang/Metaphorical

"낙하산 고용"

— Parachute hiring – hiring someone based on connections rather than merit.

그는 낙하산 고용이라는 비판을 받았다.

Critical

"고용 세습"

— Inheriting a job from one's parents within the same company.

노조의 고용 세습 요구가 논란이 되고 있다.

Journalistic

"고용 없는 성장"

— Economic growth that does not create new jobs.

기술의 발전으로 고용 없는 성장이 지속되고 있다.

Academic

"고용 한파"

— An 'employment cold wave' – a period of very little hiring.

겨울철 고용 한파로 취업 준비생들이 힘들다.

Journalistic

"깜깜이 고용"

— 'Blind' or non-transparent hiring where criteria are unknown.

깜깜이 고용을 막기 위해 채용 절차를 투명하게 해야 한다.

Informal/Critical

"고용 대란"

— An employment catastrophe or massive job crisis.

경제 위기로 고용 대란이 일어났다.

Journalistic

"고용 사다리"

— The 'employment ladder' – steps to move up in one's career.

인턴십은 좋은 고용 사다리가 될 수 있다.

Metaphorical

혼동하기 쉬운

고용하다 vs 임용하다

Both mean to give a job.

임용하다 is specifically for public officials, teachers, or professors in an official capacity.

그는 시청 공무원으로 임용되었다.

고용하다 vs 선발하다

Both involve choosing someone.

선발하다 emphasizes picking the best from a group, often for a team or award.

국가대표 선수를 선발하다.

고용하다 vs 모시다

Can be used when 'hiring' someone.

모시다 is an honorific used when hiring someone of high status or providing a service to them.

유명한 강사를 모셨습니다.

고용하다 vs 부리다

Means to make someone work.

부리다 can sound negative, like 'ordering someone around' or 'exploiting' them.

사람을 함부로 부리면 안 된다.

고용하다 vs 취직하다

Relates to getting a job.

취직하다 is from the employee's perspective ('to get a job'), whereas 고용하다 is from the employer's perspective.

저는 드디어 취직했어요!

문장 패턴

S이/가 O를 고용해요.

회사가 직원을 고용해요.

S이/가 O를 고용하려고 해요.

사장님이 알바생을 고용하려고 해요.

S이/가 O에 고용되었어요.

저는 그 공장에 고용되었어요.

O를 고용하는 것이 형편상 어렵습니다.

새 직원을 고용하는 것이 형편상 어렵습니다.

고용 창출을 위해 ~해야 합니다.

고용 창출을 위해 규제를 완화해야 합니다.

고용 유연화 정책이 미치는 파급 효과는...

고용 유연화 정책이 미치는 파급 효과는 상당합니다.

고용 계약서에 서명하다.

그는 어제 고용 계약서에 서명했다.

누구를 고용할 거예요?

누구를 비서로 고용할 거예요?

어휘 가족

명사

고용 (Employment/Hiring)

고용주 (Employer)

피고용인 (Employee)

고용인 (Employee/Sometimes Employer in old usage)

고용률 (Employment rate)

고용직 (Employed position)

동사

고용하다 (To hire/Active)

고용되다 (To be hired/Passive)

재고용하다 (To re-hire)

형용사

고용된 (Employed/Hired status)

사용법

frequency

Very common in professional, legal, and economic contexts.

자주 하는 실수

직원이 회사를 고용했다. → 회사가 직원을 고용했다.
The particles are swapped. The company is the one doing the hiring, so it should be the subject.
나는 어제 고용했다. → 나는 어제 고용되었다.
If you are the one who got the job, you must use the passive '고용되다'. '고용했다' implies you hired someone else.
사람을 사용하다. → 사람을 고용하다.
Using '사용하다' for people is dehumanizing. '고용하다' is the correct term for hiring labor.
택시를 고용하다. → 택시를 부르다 / 타다.
You don't 'employ' a taxi; you 'call' or 'ride' it. '고용하다' is for professional employment relationships.
고용 보험을 채용하다. → 고용 보험에 가입하다.
You don't 'recruit' insurance; you 'join' or 'subscribe' to it (가입하다).

팁

Subject-Object Particles

Always remember: Employer + 이/가, Employee + 을/를. Getting these backward changes the whole meaning of the sentence!

Hanja Roots

Learn the Hanja 雇 (고 - hire) and 用 (용 - use). This will help you understand words like '사용' (use) and '이용' (utilize) as well.

Business Context

Use '고용하다' in your resume or during a job interview to sound more professional and knowledgeable about labor terms.

Hiring vs. Recruiting

Distinguish '고용' from '채용'. '채용' is the 'picking' part, '고용' is the 'having' part. Both are essential for business Korean.

News Keywords

When you hear '고용' on the news, pay attention to the words following it, like '증가' (increase) or '감소' (decrease).

Job Security

In Korea, '고용 안정' (job stability) is a huge cultural value. Using this phrase shows you understand Korean social priorities.

Passive Voice

Master '고용되다'. It's much more common for job seekers to say 'I was hired' than 'They hired me'.

Compound Nouns

In reports, don't just use the verb. Use compound nouns like '고용 창출 효과' (job creation effect) to sound more academic.

Avoid '사용하다'

Never use '사용하다' for people. It sounds like you are using them like objects. Always use '고용하다' or '함께 일하다'.

Part-time Jobs

Even for '알바' (part-time jobs), the formal term is '고용'. You'll see this on official tax and insurance documents.

암기하기

기억법

Think of 'GO' (고) and 'YONG' (용). You want your business to GO, so you YONG (use) someone to help you. GO-YONG!

시각적 연상

Imagine a boss handing a 'GO' sign to a new worker, saying 'You're hired, now GO to work!'

Word Web

Hiring Money Contract Work Boss Employee Salary Office

챌린지

Try to write three sentences about your dream company: who would you hire, why would you hire them, and what would they do? Use '고용하다' in each sentence.

어원

Derived from the Hanja characters 雇 (고) meaning 'to hire' and 用 (용) meaning 'to use'. The character 雇 historically depicted a bird in a house, suggesting a sense of bringing something in, which evolved into hiring services.

원래 의미: To bring someone into service and utilize their skills.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-derived)

문화적 맥락

Be careful when using '쓰다' (to use) instead of '고용하다' in formal settings, as it can sound like you are treating people as tools rather than professionals.

In English, we often say 'hire' for the act and 'employ' for the state. '고용하다' covers both, but is slightly more formal than the English 'hire'.

The drama 'Misaeng' (Incomplete Life) revolves entirely around the struggles of different '고용 형태' (employment types). The movie 'Parasite' shows a family being '고용' (hired) one by one through deception. The Ministry of Employment and Labor (고용노동부) is the primary government body for labor issues.

실생활에서 연습하기

실제 사용 상황

Job Interview

언제 저를 고용하실 건가요?
이 회사는 어떤 사람을 고용합니까?
고용 조건이 무엇인가요?
고용 계약서를 작성하고 싶습니다.

Business Meeting

인력을 추가로 고용해야 합니다.
고용 비용이 너무 높습니다.
고용 규모를 축소합시다.
전문가를 고용하는 것이 좋겠습니다.

News/Economy

고용률이 하락하고 있습니다.
정부가 고용 창출에 나섰습니다.
대기업의 고용 소식입니다.
고용 시장이 얼어붙었습니다.

Legal/Contracts

고용 계약 위반입니다.
고용 기간은 1년입니다.
부당 고용 사례입니다.
고용 승계를 보장합니다.

Personal Services

베이비시터를 고용했어요.
변호사를 고용할 돈이 없어요.
과외 선생님을 고용하고 싶어요.
운전기사를 고용했습니다.

대화 시작하기

"요즘 한국의 고용 시장에 대해 어떻게 생각하세요?"

"회사에서 새로운 직원을 고용할 때 가장 중요하게 생각하는 것은 무엇인가요?"

"당신은 이전에 누군가를 고용해 본 적이 있나요?"

"고용 안정과 높은 연봉 중 어느 것이 더 중요하다고 생각하세요?"

"만약 당신이 사장이라면, 어떤 사람을 고용하고 싶나요?"

일기 주제

내가 처음으로 회사에 고용되었을 때의 기분을 써 보세요. (Write about how you felt when you were first hired by a company.)

고용 시장의 변화(예: AI 도입)가 우리의 미래에 어떤 영향을 줄지 생각해 보세요. (Think about how changes in the employment market, like AI, will affect our future.)

유능한 직원을 고용하기 위한 최고의 전략은 무엇일까요? (What is the best strategy for hiring competent employees?)

내가 사장이 된다면 어떤 기준으로 사람들을 고용할지 계획해 보세요. (Plan what criteria you would use to hire people if you became a boss.)

고용 불안을 해결하기 위해 정부가 해야 할 일은 무엇일까요? (What should the government do to solve job insecurity?)

자주 묻는 질문

10 질문

Yes, you can, but it sounds very formal. For a one-day job, '사람을 쓰다' (to use a person) or '아르바이트를 구하다' (to find a part-time job) is more common. '고용하다' usually implies a more formal agreement.

Historically, '고용인' could mean either employer or employee, which was confusing. Today, '고용주' is strictly the employer, and '피고용인' (literally 'the one who is hired') is strictly the employee. Use these to avoid confusion.

Use the passive form: '고용되었다' or '고용됐어요'. For example, '저는 그 회사에 고용되었어요.' (I was hired by that company.)

No, '고용하다' is only for humans because it involves a legal/financial contract. For animals, you would use '키우다' (to raise) or '사용하다' (to use, e.g., using a horse for labor).

No. For a taxi, use '택시를 타다' (ride) or '택시를 부르다' (call). '고용하다' is for professional labor services.

It is 'Employment Insurance'. In Korea, it's a mandatory social insurance that provides benefits to workers who lose their jobs.

Because the poster is about the *recruitment* and *selection* process, which is '채용'. Once you are selected, the relationship becomes '고용'.

It is a neutral, professional word. To make it honorific (talking about a respected boss), use '고용하시다'.

It means 'employment rate'—the percentage of the working-age population that is employed. It's a common economic term.

Yes, but often '계약하다' (to contract) or '의뢰하다' (to request/commission) is more specific for freelancers.

무료 가입하고 팁과 노트 보기