상장하다
상장하다 in 30 Seconds
- 상장하다 means to list a company on a stock market, allowing public share trading.
- It is a key term in Korean finance, associated with IPOs and corporate growth.
- Commonly used with markets like KOSPI and KOSDAQ using the particle -에.
- Must be distinguished from the homonym '상장' which means an award certificate.
The Korean verb 상장하다 (sang-jang-ha-da) is a specialized business and financial term that translates to 'to list a company on the stock market' or 'to go public.' In a broader economic sense, it refers to the process where a private corporation offers its shares to the general public for the first time, often referred to as an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in English. The word is composed of two Hanja characters: 上 (상 - up/above) and 場 (장 - place/market). Literally, it means 'to put up on the market.' When a company undergoes this process, its shares become tradable on stock exchanges like the KOSPI (Korea Composite Stock Price Index) or the KOSDAQ.
- Economic Context
- In South Korea, '상장하다' is a word that carries significant weight, representing a company's transition from a small-scale startup or private venture into a recognized, transparent, and regulated entity. It is the ultimate goal for many entrepreneurs because it provides the capital necessary for massive expansion.
- Public Perception
- When a major brand like Kakao, Coupang, or HYBE (the agency behind BTS) decides to '상장하다', it becomes national news. Average citizens, often referred to as 'Ants' (개미) in the Korean stock market, closely monitor these events to decide whether to invest their savings.
그 스타트업은 내년에 코스닥에 상장할 계획입니다.
— Translation: That startup plans to list on the KOSDAQ next year.
The usage of '상장하다' isn't limited to the actual act of listing; it's often used in the active voice when the company is the subject, or in the passive form 상장되다 when the focus is on the company being listed by the exchange authorities. For instance, if you are discussing the growth of the Korean tech sector, you might say that many 'Unicorn' companies are preparing to '상장하다' to secure global competitiveness. This term is essential for anyone reading Korean newspapers (경제 신문), watching financial news, or discussing investments with Korean colleagues.
신규 상장한 주식의 가격이 급등했습니다.
— Translation: The price of the newly listed stock skyrocketed.
Furthermore, the word is frequently paired with specific markets. You will often hear '유가증권시장에 상장하다' (listing on the Main Board/KOSPI) or '코스닥에 상장하다' (listing on the KOSDAQ). The choice of market depends on the company's size, profitability, and industry. For example, technology and growth-oriented companies typically aim for the KOSDAQ, while established conglomerates like Samsung or Hyundai are listed on the KOSPI. Understanding '상장하다' is therefore a gateway to understanding the structure of the Korean economy itself.
대기업들이 해외 거래소에 상장하는 사례가 늘고 있습니다.
— Translation: Cases of large corporations listing on overseas exchanges are increasing.
- Formal Usage
- Because it is a technical term, it is almost always used in a formal or professional context. You wouldn't use it in casual conversation unless you were specifically talking about money, business, or the news.
- The 'Award' Homonym
- Be careful! '상장' (sang-jang) as a noun can also mean a 'certificate of award.' However, the verb '상장하다' almost exclusively refers to the stock market listing. To 'give an award' would be '상장을 주다' or '수여하다.'
우리 회사가 드디어 주식 시장에 상장했습니다!
— Translation: Our company has finally listed on the stock market!
In summary, '상장하다' is a vital verb for navigating the world of Korean finance. It describes the monumental step of a company making its shares available for public purchase, a process that involves rigorous auditing, legal compliance, and a significant shift in corporate governance. Whether you are an investor, a business student, or simply a learner of Korean interested in current affairs, mastering this word will allow you to participate in conversations about the country's most successful and dynamic enterprises.
나스닥에 상장하기 위해서는 엄격한 조건을 충족해야 합니다.
— Translation: In order to list on the NASDAQ, strict conditions must be met.
Using 상장하다 correctly involves understanding its role as a transitive verb that typically takes 'company' as the subject or 'stock market' as the location. Because it's a technical term, it frequently appears in the past tense to describe a completed IPO or in the future tense to discuss upcoming business goals. Let's look at the grammatical structures and particles that accompany this word.
- Subject and Particles
- The company (회사, 기업, 스타트업) is usually the subject with the particle -이/가. The market where they list takes the particle -에 (to/at). For example: '회사가 시장에 상장하다.'
많은 정보기술(IT) 기업들이 코스닥에 상장하고 싶어 합니다.
— Translation: Many IT companies want to list on the KOSDAQ.
When you want to say a company 'was listed' (passive), you use 상장되다. This is very common in news reports focusing on the status of the company rather than the action of listing itself. For instance, '이 주식은 2010년에 상장되었습니다' (This stock was listed in 2010). If you are talking about the *process* of listing, you might use the noun form 상장 combined with other verbs like '준비하다' (to prepare) or '추진하다' (to push forward/promote).
그 회사는 상장 심사를 통과하여 곧 상장할 예정입니다.
— Translation: The company passed the listing review and is scheduled to list soon.
In business presentations, you might encounter the causative form or complex sentences involving intent. '우리는 내년까지 회사를 상장시키는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다' (We are aiming to get the company listed by next year). Here, 상장시키다 acts as 'to make/cause the company to be listed.' This reflects the active effort of the management team to meet all the requirements for an IPO.
삼성전자는 1975년에 유가증권시장에 상장했습니다.
— Translation: Samsung Electronics listed on the KOSPI in 1975.
- Common Verb Endings
- 1. 상장하려고 (Intention): '상장하려고 노력 중입니다' (Trying to list).
2. 상장하기 위해 (Purpose): '상장하기 위해 자본을 모았습니다' (Raised capital in order to list).
3. 상장한다면 (Condition): '상장한다면 주가가 오를까요?' (If they list, will the stock price go up?).
회사를 상장하는 것은 경영진의 큰 결정입니다.
— Translation: Listing a company is a major decision for the management.
One final nuance: '상장하다' can also be used metaphorically in rare cases to mean bringing something to light or putting it on a 'list' for consideration, but this is extremely rare compared to its financial meaning. In 99.9% of cases, stick to the stock market context. If you are a student of business Korean, practicing the transition from '비상장 기업' (unlisted/private company) to '상장 기업' (listed/public company) using '상장하다' will make your speech sound very professional.
그 게임 회사는 미국 나스닥 시장에 상장하며 글로벌 시장에 진출했습니다.
— Translation: By listing on the US NASDAQ, that game company entered the global market.
To master this word, try writing sentences about famous companies you know. For example, '애플은 아주 오래전에 상장했습니다' (Apple listed a very long time ago). This helps ground the technical term in familiar reality. Remember that the honorific form would be '상장하셨습니다' if you were speaking very formally about a founder's achievement, though the neutral '상장했습니다' is more common in news reports.
상장 요건이 까다로워져서 상장하기가 더 어려워졌습니다.
— Translation: It has become harder to list because the listing requirements have become stricter.
If you are living in Korea or consuming Korean media, you will encounter 상장하다 in several specific environments. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the word instantly without needing a dictionary. The most common place is, unsurprisingly, the 24-hour news cycle, particularly during the business segments.
- 1. Morning Financial News (아침 경제 뉴스)
- Every morning, news anchors report on '오늘의 상장 소식' (Today's listing news). They might say, '오늘 OO 기업이 코스닥에 상장합니다.' This is a signal for investors to watch the stock price as the market opens.
"이번 달에만 5개의 기업이 유가증권시장에 상장할 것으로 보입니다."
— News Anchor: "It appears that 5 companies will list on the KOSPI this month alone."
Another very common place is on YouTube. Korea has a massive community of retail investors who follow financial influencers (often called '주식 유튜버'). In these videos, you'll hear detailed analyses of companies that are about to '상장하다.' They discuss the '공모가' (offering price) and whether the '상장' will be successful. If you hear someone say '따상' (tta-sang), they are using slang that combines '따블' (double) and '상한가' (upper limit), referring to a stock that doubles its offering price and then hits the daily limit on its first day of being '상장'.
"이 회사가 상장하면 주식 시장의 판도가 바뀔 거예요."
— Financial YouTuber: "If this company lists, it will change the landscape of the stock market."
You will also see this word in advertisements for brokerage apps like 'Toss Securities' or 'Kiwoom Securities.' These apps often have notifications that say, '내일 상장하는 주식을 확인하세요' (Check the stocks listing tomorrow). This direct engagement with the word makes it part of the daily digital life of many Koreans who manage their own investments. Even in non-financial settings, like a documentary about a successful entrepreneur, the climax of the story is often the moment the company '상장하다', symbolizing ultimate success.
창업 10년 만에 거래소에 상장하는 쾌거를 이루었습니다.
— Documentary Narrator: "After 10 years of founding, they achieved the feat of listing on the exchange."
- 2. Job Interviews
- If you apply for a job at a startup, the interviewer might ask: '우리 회사가 상장하게 된다면 어떤 기여를 할 수 있나요?' (If our company were to list, what contribution could you make?). It shows they have long-term growth ambitions.
"비상장 주식을 미리 사서 상장할 때까지 기다리는 투자자들도 많아요."
— Investment Advisor: "There are many investors who buy unlisted stocks in advance and wait until they list."
In conclusion, '상장하다' is not just a dry financial term; it is a word associated with wealth, corporate growth, and national economic health. Whether you're watching the news, scrolling through a finance app, or chatting with colleagues about their investments, '상장하다' is the key verb that describes the exciting process of a company entering the public arena. Pay attention to how often it appears in headlines—you'll be surprised at its frequency!
최근에는 해외 기업들도 한국 거래소에 상장하고 있습니다.
— Business News: "Recently, foreign companies are also listing on the Korean exchange."
While 상장하다 is a straightforward technical term, its specific Hanja roots and similar-sounding words in Korean can lead to some common pitfalls for learners. Understanding these mistakes will help you avoid sounding awkward or being misunderstood in a professional setting.
- 1. Confusing it with '상장을 주다' (Awarding a Certificate)
- The most common mistake is confusing the noun 상장 (Certificate of Award) with the noun 상장 (Listing). While they are spelled and pronounced exactly the same, their meanings are entirely different. If you say '선생님이 학생에게 상장했어요,' it sounds like the teacher listed the student on the stock market! Instead, you must say '상장을 주었어요' (gave a certificate).
[Wrong] 제가 상을 받아서 상장했습니다.
[Right] 제가 상을 받아서 상장을 받았습니다.
— Explanation: You 'receive' a certificate (상장을 받다), you don't 'list' it (상장하다).
Another error involves the choice between the active 상장하다 and the passive 상장되다. In English, we often say 'The company listed,' but in Korean, if the company is the subject, '상장하다' is active. However, if you are talking about the *stock* itself, '상장되다' (to be listed) is much more natural. For example, '주식이 상장되었습니다' is better than '주식이 상장했습니다'. Confusing these two won't necessarily make you misunderstood, but it will sound less like a native speaker.
이 종목은 지난달에 상장되었습니다.
— Translation: This item (stock) was listed last month. (Passive is preferred for the stock itself).
Learners also sometimes use the wrong particle for the stock market. Because '상장하다' feels like 'entering' a market, some people try to use the object particle -을/를 for the market (e.g., 코스닥을 상장하다). However, the market is a destination or location, so the particle -에 is required. You list *on* or *to* the market. The thing you list is the 'company' or the 'shares,' which would take the -을/를 particle.
[Wrong] 우리 회사는 코스닥을 상장할 거예요.
[Right] 우리 회사는 코스닥에 상장할 거예요.
— Explanation: Use '에' for the stock exchange name.
- 3. Overusing 'IPO'
- While Koreans know the acronym 'IPO,' in spoken and written Korean, '상장' or '기업 공개' (Gi-eop Gong-gae) is much more common. Using only 'IPO' might make you sound like you're relying too much on English loanwords when a perfectly good Korean word exists.
많은 사람들이 이번 상장 소식에 관심을 보이고 있습니다.
— Translation: Many people are showing interest in this listing news.
Finally, remember that '상장하다' is a formal verb. Using it in a very casual, slangy way (like '나 오늘 내 인생 상장했어' to mean 'I'm successful today') is not common and might just confuse people. It is a precise term for a precise financial action. By keeping the context professional and being mindful of homonyms and particles, you'll use '상장하다' like a finance pro.
상장 절차가 생각보다 복잡해서 상장하기까지 시간이 오래 걸립니다.
— Translation: The listing process is more complex than thought, so it takes a long time until listing.
In the world of Korean business, 상장하다 is part of a cluster of related terms. Knowing the subtle differences between these words will help you express yourself more accurately and understand the nuances of financial reports.
- 1. 기업 공개 (IPO - Going Public)
- This literally means 'Corporate Disclosure' or 'Opening the Company.' While '상장하다' focuses on the act of putting shares on the market, '기업 공개' (often abbreviated as IPO) refers to the broader process of opening a company's financial records and ownership to the public. You 'do' a 기업 공개 to 'reach' a 상장.
기업 공개를 통해 투명한 경영을 약속했습니다.
— Translation: They promised transparent management through the IPO.
Another word often heard is 등록하다 (To Register). In some contexts, this can be used for registering a company with regulatory bodies, but it is much broader than '상장하다.' You can register a car, a student, or a trademark. '상장하다' is specifically and exclusively for the stock exchange listing process.
법인 등록과 주식 상장은 서로 다른 절차입니다.
— Translation: Corporate registration and stock listing are different procedures.
Then there is 상장 폐지 (Delisting). This is the direct antonym. If a company fails to meet the exchange's standards or goes bankrupt, it undergoes '상장 폐지.' It is a word that strikes fear into the hearts of investors. You might hear people say '상폐' (sang-pye) as a slangy abbreviation when talking about a stock that failed miserably.
그 회사는 실적 악화로 인해 상장 폐지 위기에 처했습니다.
— Translation: That company is in danger of delisting due to worsening performance.
- Synonyms at a Glance
- 1. 기업을 공개하다: To go public (more formal/process-oriented).
2. 주식 시장에 진입하다: To enter the stock market (more descriptive).
3. 거래소에 이름을 올리다: To put one's name on the exchange (idiomatic).
Finally, consider the difference between 유가증권시장 (KOSPI) and 코스닥 (KOSDAQ). When you use '상장하다,' you almost always specify which one. KOSPI is for the 'big players' (대형주), while KOSDAQ is for 'growth stocks' (성장주) and tech firms. Choosing the right market to pair with '상장하다' shows a deep understanding of the Korean financial landscape.
벤처 기업들은 주로 코스닥 상장을 목표로 합니다.
— Translation: Venture companies mainly aim for KOSDAQ listing.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
The same Hanja '상장' (上場) is used in Japanese (Jōjō) and Chinese (shàngshì) with the same meaning, making it a pan-East Asian financial term.
Pronunciation Guide
Difficulty Rating
Easy to recognize in headlines due to Hanja roots.
Requires knowledge of business particles and formal endings.
Pronunciation is straightforward but context is specific.
Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with '상장' (certificate).
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Passive formation with -되다
회사가 상장되다 (The company is listed).
Causative formation with -시키다
회사를 상장시키다 (To get the company listed).
Noun modification with -ㄴ/은/는
상장한 기업 (A company that listed), 상장할 예정 (Scheduled to list).
Purpose with -기 위해
상장하기 위해 노력하다 (Work hard to list).
Condition with -면
상장하면 부자가 될 거예요 (If we list, we will be rich).
Examples by Level
회사가 상장해요.
The company lists (goes public).
Simple present tense with the subject '회사'.
어제 상장했어요.
It listed yesterday.
Past tense '상장했어요'.
이 회사는 상장한 회사예요.
This company is a listed company.
Noun modifier form '상장한'.
언제 상장해요?
When does it list?
Question form.
상장해서 기뻐요.
I'm happy because it listed.
Reasoning connector '-어서'.
우리 아빠 회사가 상장해요.
My dad's company is going public.
Possessive '우리 아빠'.
상장하는 날이에요.
It is the day of listing.
Noun modifier '상장하는'.
주식 시장에 상장해요.
It lists on the stock market.
Location particle '에'.
그 스타트업은 내년에 상장할 거예요.
That startup will list next year.
Future tense '-ㄹ 거예요'.
코스닥에 상장하고 싶어요.
I want to list on the KOSDAQ.
Desire form '-고 싶어요'.
상장한 후에 주가가 올랐어요.
After listing, the stock price went up.
Sequence '-ㄴ 후에'.
어느 시장에 상장합니까?
On which market are you listing?
Formal question '-습니까'.
상장하기 위해 준비를 많이 했어요.
We prepared a lot in order to list.
Purpose '-기 위해'.
이 회사는 아직 상장하지 않았어요.
This company has not listed yet.
Negation '-지 않았다'.
상장 소식을 들었어요?
Did you hear the listing news?
Noun '상장' + '소식'.
상장하면 돈을 많이 벌 수 있어요.
If they list, they can make a lot of money.
Condition '-면'.
회사를 상장하기로 결정했습니다.
We have decided to list the company.
Decision '-기로 결정하다'.
상장된 주식을 사고 싶어요.
I want to buy listed stocks.
Passive modifier '상장된'.
상장 절차가 매우 복잡합니다.
The listing procedure is very complicated.
Noun '상장' + '절차'.
미국 시장에 상장하는 기업들이 많아졌어요.
The number of companies listing on the US market has increased.
Noun modifier '상장하는' + '기업'.
상장하기 전에는 비공개 회사였어요.
Before listing, it was a private company.
Time '-기 전에는'.
상장할 때 공모주를 신청했어요.
I applied for public offering shares when they listed.
Time '-ㄹ 때'.
상장 가능성이 높다고 들었습니다.
I heard the possibility of listing is high.
Indirect quotation '-고 들었습니다'.
상장하지 않고도 성공할 수 있습니다.
You can succeed without listing.
Contradiction '-지 않고도'.
상장 요건을 충족하기 위해 회계 감사를 받았습니다.
We underwent an accounting audit to meet listing requirements.
Noun phrase '상장 요건' (listing requirements).
상장 직후에 주가가 폭락하는 경우도 있습니다.
There are cases where stock prices plunge immediately after listing.
Time '직후' (immediately after).
해외 거래소에 상장함으로써 글로벌 인지도를 높였습니다.
By listing on an overseas exchange, they increased global recognition.
Method '-함으로써' (by doing).
상장 심사에서 탈락하면 다시 도전해야 합니다.
If you fail the listing review, you must try again.
Condition '-면'.
상장 기업은 정기적으로 공시를 해야 합니다.
Listed companies must make public disclosures regularly.
Obligation '-해야 합니다'.
상장을 추진하던 계획이 갑자기 취소되었습니다.
The plan to push for a listing was suddenly cancelled.
Retrospective modifier '-던'.
상장 폐지 결정은 투자자들에게 큰 충격이었습니다.
The decision to delist was a huge shock to investors.
Noun '상장 폐지' (delisting).
상장을 통해 막대한 자금을 조달할 수 있었습니다.
They were able to raise massive funds through listing.
Ability '-ㄹ 수 있었다'.
우회 상장을 통해 까다로운 심사 절차를 피했습니다.
They avoided the strict screening process through a backdoor listing.
Noun phrase '우회 상장' (backdoor listing).
상장 적격성 실질 심사가 진행 중입니다.
A substantive examination of listing eligibility is underway.
Ongoing action '-중입니다'.
나스닥 상장은 기술력을 세계적으로 인정받았음을 의미합니다.
Listing on NASDAQ means their technology has been recognized globally.
Nominalization '-음' + '의미합니다'.
상장 규정 강화로 인해 중소기업들의 부담이 커졌습니다.
The burden on SMEs has increased due to the tightening of listing regulations.
Cause '-로 인해'.
상장 당일 거래량이 역대 최고치를 기록했습니다.
Trading volume on the day of listing recorded an all-time high.
Noun '상장 당일' (the day of listing).
이 회사는 상장 이후 꾸준한 배당 정책을 유지해 왔습니다.
Since listing, this company has maintained a steady dividend policy.
Duration '-어 왔다'.
상장 예비 심사 청구서를 거래소에 제출했습니다.
They submitted the preliminary listing review application to the exchange.
Noun phrase '상장 예비 심사 청구서'.
상장 유지를 위해서는 최소 거래량을 충족해야 합니다.
To maintain the listing, the minimum trading volume must be met.
Noun '상장 유지' (maintaining listing).
상장 폐지 사유가 발생하여 매매 거래가 정지되었습니다.
Trading has been suspended due to the occurrence of grounds for delisting.
Passive '정지되었습니다'.
상장 법인의 공시 의무 위반은 엄중한 처벌을 받게 됩니다.
Violations of disclosure obligations by listed corporations are subject to severe punishment.
Noun '상장 법인' (listed corporation).
자발적 상장 폐지를 통해 경영권을 방어하려는 움직임이 있습니다.
There is a movement to defend management rights through voluntary delisting.
Intent '-하려는' + '움직임'.
상장 시 시가총액이 수조 원에 달할 것으로 전망됩니다.
The market capitalization is projected to reach trillions of won upon listing.
Estimation '-ㄹ 것으로 전망됩니다'.
신규 상장 종목의 오버행 이슈가 시장의 화두입니다.
The overhang issue of newly listed items is a hot topic in the market.
Loanword '오버행' (overhang).
상장 차익을 노린 단기 투자자들이 대거 유입되었습니다.
A large number of short-term investors aiming for listing profits flooded in.
Intent '-을 노린'.
상장 주관사 선정 과정에서 치열한 경쟁이 벌어졌습니다.
Fierce competition broke out during the process of selecting the listing underwriter.
Noun '상장 주관사' (listing underwriter).
상장 후 보호예수 기간이 만료되자 매도 물량이 쏟아졌습니다.
As the lock-up period expired after listing, selling volume poured out.
Time '-자' (as soon as).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Scheduled to be listed. Used in news to talk about upcoming IPOs.
내일 상장 예정인 기업은 어디인가요?
— The day of listing. Refers to the first day of trading.
상장 당일에 주가가 두 배로 뛰었습니다.
— Profit from listing. Money made by selling shares after the IPO.
상장 차익을 노리고 투자하는 사람들이 많습니다.
— A listed corporation. A legal term for a public company.
상장 법인은 회계 정보를 투명하게 공개해야 합니다.
— Listed stocks. Shares that are traded on the exchange.
상장 주식의 가치는 매일 변합니다.
— Delisting crisis. When a company is at risk of being removed.
그 회사는 자본 잠식으로 상장 폐지 위기입니다.
— Immediately after listing. Used to describe price volatility.
상장 직후에는 변동성이 매우 큽니다.
— Listing underwriter. The bank helping the company go public.
미래에셋증권이 상장 주관사를 맡았습니다.
— Preliminary listing review. The first major hurdle in an IPO.
상장 예비 심사 결과가 다음 주에 나옵니다.
— Listing maintenance costs. The fees a company pays to stay public.
상장 유지 비용이 너무 비싸서 상폐를 고민 중입니다.
Often Confused With
Same spelling, but means a certificate of award. Usually used with '받다' or '주다'.
Sounds similar. '성장하다' means to grow. Companies 'grow' then 'list'.
Often used in politics (안건을 상정하다 - to introduce a bill). Sounds very similar to 상장.
Idioms & Expressions
— To cross the threshold of listing. Successfully completing the difficult IPO process.
수많은 실패 끝에 드디어 상장의 문턱을 넘었습니다.
Literary/Journalistic— A portmanteau for a stock doubling its offering price and hitting the upper limit on day one.
그 주식은 상장하자마자 따상을 기록했습니다.
Slang/Investment— A 'big fish' listing. Refers to a massive, highly anticipated IPO.
이번 하반기 상장 대어는 누구일까요?
Journalistic— A feast for the ants. A listing where retail investors make a lot of money.
이번 상장은 개미들의 잔치가 될 것으로 보입니다.
Informal/Metaphorical— Listing jackpot. Making a huge amount of money through a listing.
직원들이 스톡옵션으로 상장 잭팟을 터뜨렸습니다.
Informal— To take the 'Listing Exam.' Comparing the difficult review process to a state exam.
그 스타트업은 지금 상장 고시를 치르고 있습니다.
Metaphorical— The flower of the exchange. Refers to the most popular newly listed company.
이 회사는 올해 거래소의 꽃으로 불립니다.
Literary— To take off the 'unlisted' label. Finally becoming a public company.
드디어 비상장 딱지를 떼고 코스피에 입성했습니다.
Informal— Listing rally. A period of rising stock prices following a listing.
상장 랠리가 어디까지 이어질지 궁금합니다.
Financial— To achieve the dream of listing. Reaching the pinnacle of business success.
모든 창업자가 상장의 꿈을 이루는 것은 아닙니다.
InspirationalEasily Confused
Both refer to going public.
상장 focuses on the listing on the exchange, while 기업공개 (IPO) refers to the whole process of opening the company to the public.
기업공개를 마친 후 드디어 상장했습니다.
Both involve putting a name on a list.
상장하다 is specific to stock exchanges; 등록하다 is general registration (cars, classes).
거래소에 상장하려면 먼저 법인 등록을 해야 합니다.
One is a verb/noun of action, the other is the entity.
상장 is the act; 상장사 is the 'Listed Company' itself.
상장사가 되기 위해 상장을 준비합니다.
Both are bad for companies.
상장 폐지 is removing from the stock market; 부도 is bankruptcy. A company can be delisted without going bankrupt.
부도가 나면 보통 상장 폐지 절차를 밟습니다.
Both are markets where you '상장하다'.
KOSPI is for large established firms; KOSDAQ is for smaller tech/growth firms.
삼성전자는 코스피에, 카카오는 처음에 코스닥에 상장했습니다.
Sentence Patterns
[Company]이/가 [Market]에 상장하다
카카오가 코스닥에 상장하다.
[Company]은/는 상장할 계획입니다
그 회사는 내년에 상장할 계획입니다.
[Stock]이/가 상장되었습니다
새로운 주식이 상장되었습니다.
상장 요건을 충족하여 상장하다
회사가 상장 요건을 충족하여 상장했습니다.
상장을 통해 [Goal]을/를 달성하다
상장을 통해 자금 조달을 달성했습니다.
상장 적격성 여부를 판단하다
거래소는 상장 적격성 여부를 판단합니다.
우회 상장을 시도하다
작은 회사가 우회 상장을 시도하고 있습니다.
상장 폐지 사유를 해소하다
기업은 상장 폐지 사유를 해소하기 위해 노력 중입니다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
High in news, medium in daily life, very high in business.
-
상장했어요 (to mean 'I got an award')
→
상장을 받았어요
상장하다 is only for stock listings. For awards, use the noun 상장 + 받다 (receive).
-
코스닥을 상장하다
→
코스닥에 상장하다
The market is a location, so use the location particle '에' instead of the object particle '을'.
-
회사가 성장했어요 (when they mean the company went public)
→
회사가 상장했어요
성장 means growth; 상장 means listing. While related, they are distinct actions.
-
주식을 상장 폐지했어요 (by a small investor)
→
주식이 상장 폐지되었어요
An investor doesn't delist a stock; the exchange does. Use the passive form.
-
IPO를 상장하다
→
IPO를 하다 / 상장하다
This is redundant. You either 'do an IPO' or 'list'. Don't combine them into one phrase.
Tips
Use the right particle
Always use '에' for the stock market name. Example: 코스닥에 상장하다. Using '을' for the market sounds like you are listing the market itself!
Learn the antonym
Knowing '상장 폐지' (delisting) is just as important as knowing '상장' because they appear together in news about company health.
The 'Ant' Investors
In Korea, retail investors are called '개미' (ants). You'll often hear about '개미들이 상장주에 몰렸다' (Ants flocked to the listed stock).
Sang vs Seong
Be careful not to say '성장' (growth) when you mean '상장' (listing). The 'ah' sound in '상' must be clear.
Noun Modifiers
Use '상장사' instead of '상장한 회사' in professional writing to sound more like a native business expert.
Active vs Passive
Use '상장하다' when the company is the subject. Use '상장되다' when talking about the stock or the result.
Hanja Logic
Remember 上 (Up) and 場 (Market). Your company is going UP on the big board in the MARKET.
Watch the News
The best way to learn this word is to watch the 8 PM news business segment. It appears almost every day.
Tta-sang
If you want to sound like a local investor, learn '따상'. It shows you understand the excitement of a new listing.
Formal Endings
Since this is a business word, it's almost always paired with formal endings like -습니다 or -ㄴ다.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'SANG' (Up) and 'JANG' (Market). You are moving your company 'UP' into the 'MARKET'.
Visual Association
Imagine a company logo being physically lifted and placed onto a giant scoreboard (the stock market).
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find the word '상장' in a Korean news headline today and see which company it refers to.
Word Origin
Derived from the Hanja characters 上 (상) and 場 (장).
Original meaning: 上 means 'up' or 'above', and 場 means 'place' or 'market'. Together they mean putting something up on the market.
Sino-Korean (Hanja-based)Cultural Context
Be aware that '상장 폐지' (delisting) is a very sensitive topic, as it often means investors have lost their life savings.
In English, we usually say 'going public' or 'IPO,' whereas in Korean, the single word '상장' covers most of these meanings in daily conversation.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Financial News
- 상장 첫날
- 공모가 상회
- 상장 예비 심사
- 거래소 공시
Corporate Strategy
- 상장 로드맵
- 자금 조달
- 기업 가치 제고
- 주주 친화 정책
Retail Investing
- 상장주 투자
- 따상 기대
- 보호예수 해제
- 비상장 주식 거래
Legal/Regulatory
- 상장 규정 위반
- 실질 심사 대상
- 상장 폐지 사유
- 회계 투명성
Startup Culture
- 엑시트(Exit) 수단
- 스톡옵션 행사
- 시리즈 투자
- 유니콘 상장
Conversation Starters
"최근에 상장한 기업 중에 관심 있는 곳이 있나요? (Are there any recently listed companies you're interested in?)"
"그 회사가 상장하면 주가가 얼마나 될까요? (If that company lists, what do you think the stock price will be?)"
"상장하기 전에 주식을 미리 사는 게 좋을까요? (Do you think it's good to buy stocks before they list?)"
"한국 기업들이 왜 미국 나스닥에 상장하려고 할까요? (Why do you think Korean companies try to list on the US NASDAQ?)"
"상장 폐지된 주식을 가지고 있어 본 적 있나요? (Have you ever held a stock that was delisted?)"
Journal Prompts
내가 만약 회사를 차린다면, 언제쯤 상장하고 싶은지 써 보세요. (If you started a company, write about when you would want to list it.)
최근에 상장한 회사 중 가장 성공적이라고 생각하는 회사를 분석해 보세요. (Analyze a recently listed company that you think is most successful.)
회사가 상장했을 때의 장점과 단점에 대해 자신의 생각을 적어 보세요. (Write your thoughts on the pros and cons when a company lists.)
주식 투자를 한다면, 신규 상장주와 오래된 상장주 중 무엇을 선택할지 이유를 써 보세요. (If you were to invest, write why you would choose between newly listed stocks and old ones.)
상장 폐지 위기에 처한 기업을 구하는 방법에 대해 상상해서 써 보세요. (Imagine and write about how to save a company in danger of delisting.)
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions상장하다 is the active form (The company lists), while 상장되다 is the passive form (The stock is listed). Use 상장하다 when the company is the subject taking the action, and 상장되다 when talking about the result or the status of the shares.
No, 상장하다 is strictly for business entities and stocks. If you want to say a person is 'listed' on a directory, use '명단에 오르다' or '등록되다'.
Yes, 'IPO' is widely understood in business contexts, but '상장' or '기업 공개' are the standard Korean terms used in daily news and conversation.
It is a slang term where a stock's opening price is double (따블) the offering price, and then it hits the daily upper limit (상한가). It's the best possible outcome for a new listing.
The term is '상장 폐지' (sang-jang pye-ji). As a verb, it is '상장 폐지하다' or '상장 폐지되다'.
Yes, they are two different boards of the Korea Exchange. Large companies list on KOSPI, while tech startups and venture companies usually list on KOSDAQ.
Common requirements (상장 요건) include a certain level of annual profit, total assets, number of shareholders, and years in operation.
Yes, foreign companies can list on the Korean exchange. This is called '해외 기업의 국내 상장'.
It's a homonym. '상장' (Certificate) uses different Hanja (賞狀). You can tell them apart by the context: awards are 'received' (받다), while listings are 'done' (하다).
Usually, the stock becomes very difficult to sell and loses most of its value. There is a short 'organizing period' (정리매매) where you can try to sell it before it disappears from the exchange.
Test Yourself 200 questions
Translate: The company will list on the KOSDAQ next month.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: My dream is to list my startup on the stock market.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: The stock price rose sharply after listing.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Why did the company decide to delist?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: We are preparing for an IPO to raise capital.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: The listing review process is very strict.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Newly listed stocks are very popular among retail investors.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: Coupang listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: The company failed to meet the listing requirements.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: The day of listing is finally here.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '상장하다' and '내년'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '상장 폐지' and '위기'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '상장' and '주식'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '코스피' and '상장'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence using '심사' and '상장'.
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Translate: How many companies listed this year?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: The company is pushing for an overseas listing.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: The listing was a huge success.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: We need to prepare more documents for listing.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: IPOs are the flower of capitalism.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Describe what '상장하다' means in your own words.
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'Our company plans to list next year.'
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You said:
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Say: 'I want to invest in newly listed stocks.'
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Explain why a company would want to '상장하다'.
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Say: 'The listing review process is very strict.'
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Discuss the risks of '상장 폐지'.
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'Samsung Electronics is listed on the KOSPI.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'The stock price doubled on the day of listing.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Explain the term '따상'.
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Say: 'We are preparing documents for the listing review.'
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Discuss whether listing is always good for a company.
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'Many startups dream of listing on the KOSDAQ.'
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You said:
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Say: 'The company withdrew its listing plan.'
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You said:
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Say: 'Listing on the NASDAQ is a global achievement.'
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You said:
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Say: 'Trading was suspended due to delisting reasons.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Explain the difference between KOSPI and KOSDAQ.
Read this aloud:
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Say: 'The listing underwriter was selected yesterday.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'The company finally crossed the threshold of listing.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'I applied for IPO shares.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Say: 'Listing is the flower of capitalism.'
Read this aloud:
You said:
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Listen to the sentence: '이 회사는 내일 상장합니다.' When is the company listing?
Listen: '상장 요건이 너무 까다로워요.' What is the speaker complaining about?
Listen: '코스닥 상장을 축하합니다!' What is being congratulated?
Listen: '상장 폐지 소식에 주가가 급락했습니다.' Why did the stock price drop?
Listen: '신규 상장주에 투자해 보세요.' What does the speaker suggest investing in?
Listen: '상장 주관사는 어디인가요?' What is the speaker asking for?
Listen: '상장 당일에는 변동성이 큽니다.' When is the volatility high?
Listen: '상장 심사 결과를 기다리고 있어요.' What is the speaker waiting for?
Listen: '우회 상장을 추진 중입니다.' What is the company promoting?
Listen: '상장 후에 자본금이 늘었습니다.' What increased after listing?
Listen: '나스닥 상장이 결정되었습니다.' What has been decided?
Listen: '상장 차익을 얻었습니다.' What did the speaker get?
Listen: '상장 절차가 복잡하네요.' What is complex?
Listen: '비상장 주식을 샀어요.' What did the speaker buy?
Listen: '상장 폐지 위기를 극복했습니다.' What did the company overcome?
/ 200 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Mastering '상장하다' allows you to discuss business and investment in Korean. For example, '카카오가 상장했을 때 주가가 높았어요' (When Kakao listed, the stock price was high) is a common type of sentence you'll hear in economic discussions.
- 상장하다 means to list a company on a stock market, allowing public share trading.
- It is a key term in Korean finance, associated with IPOs and corporate growth.
- Commonly used with markets like KOSPI and KOSDAQ using the particle -에.
- Must be distinguished from the homonym '상장' which means an award certificate.
Use the right particle
Always use '에' for the stock market name. Example: 코스닥에 상장하다. Using '을' for the market sounds like you are listing the market itself!
Learn the antonym
Knowing '상장 폐지' (delisting) is just as important as knowing '상장' because they appear together in news about company health.
The 'Ant' Investors
In Korea, retail investors are called '개미' (ants). You'll often hear about '개미들이 상장주에 몰렸다' (Ants flocked to the listed stock).
Sang vs Seong
Be careful not to say '성장' (growth) when you mean '상장' (listing). The 'ah' sound in '상' must be clear.
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More business words
에 대한
A2Concerning or relating to; about, regarding.
~대하여
A2About, concerning, regarding.
대해서
A2Concerning or with regard to; about, regarding.
에 대해
A2About; regarding.
풍요롭다
A2To be abundant, prosperous, or rich.
관철하다
B2To carry through, achieve, or persist in one's will or goal until it is accomplished, despite difficulties.
~에 따라
B1According to, depending on; as stated by or determined by.
에 따라
A2According to; in accordance with.
에 의하면
B1According to; as stated by or reported by.
계좌번호
A2A unique identifier for a bank account.