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A2 noun 9 min read

개인 사업자

gaein saeopja
Examples Notes & Tips 개인 사업자 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 개인 사업자 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should know that '개인 사업자' (Gae-in Sa-eop-ja) means a person who has their own small business. In Korea, you might see many people who own their own coffee shops or small stores. They are called '개인 사업자'. You can think of it as 'Individual Business Owner'. For now, just remember that '개인' means 'individual' or 'private', and '사업자' means 'business person'. If you want to say 'I am a business owner,' you can say '저는 개인 사업자입니다.' This is a useful word if you want to talk about your job or if you see a small shop. You don't need to worry about the difficult tax laws yet. Just know that this word describes someone who works for themselves and owns their business. It is a very common word in Korea because there are so many small businesses everywhere you look.
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At the A2 level, you can start using '개인 사업자' in more specific contexts. You should understand that this is the official term for a 'sole proprietor'. If you want to open a shop in Korea, you need to go to the tax office and get a '개인 사업자 등록증' (Business Registration Certificate). You will hear this word often when talking about work, taxes, or banks. For example, '개인 사업자는 세금을 직접 내야 해요' (Sole proprietors must pay taxes themselves). You should also know the difference between a 'salaried worker' (직장인) and a 'sole proprietor' (개인 사업자). Most people in Korea are either one or the other. When you meet someone new, they might ask, '직장 다니세요, 아니면 개인 사업 하세요?' (Do you work at a company, or do you run an individual business?). This word is essential for basic conversations about professional life and administrative tasks like opening a bank account.
At the B1 level, you should be familiar with the practical implications of being a '개인 사업자'. This includes understanding terms like '사업자 등록' (business registration) and '부가가치세' (VAT). You should be able to explain the pros and cons of this status. For instance, a '개인 사업자' has the freedom to make all decisions but also has '무한 책임' (unlimited liability). You might encounter this word in news articles about the economy or small businesses. You should also be able to distinguish it from '자영업자', which is more of a general term for the self-employed. In a B1 conversation, you might discuss your future plans, such as: '나중에 제 카페를 차려서 개인 사업자가 되고 싶어요' (I want to open my own cafe and become a sole proprietor later). You should also understand that '개인 사업자' can be divided into '일반과세자' (general tax payer) and '간이과세자' (simplified tax payer) depending on their annual sales.
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At the B2 level, you should have a deeper understanding of the legal and economic nuances of '개인 사업자'. You should be able to discuss the differences between a sole proprietorship and a corporation (법인) in detail. For example, you might talk about '법인 전환' (converting to a corporation) to save on taxes once the business grows. You should also be aware of the social issues surrounding sole proprietors in Korea, such as the high competition in the food and beverage industry and the '개인 사업자 폐업률' (business closure rate). You should be comfortable using the term in professional settings, such as during a business negotiation or when discussing financial reports. You might say, '개인 사업자로서의 세무 처리가 복잡해서 세무사에게 맡기기로 했습니다' (Since the tax processing for a sole proprietor is complex, I decided to leave it to a tax accountant). This level requires understanding how this status affects social insurance (사회보험) and retirement planning.
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At the C1 level, you are expected to understand the complex regulatory environment and the strategic reasons for choosing '개인 사업자' status. You should be able to analyze economic data related to sole proprietors and discuss government policies, such as '소상공인 지원금' (support funds for small business owners). You should understand the legal liabilities involved, including how the owner's personal assets can be seized to pay business debts. You might engage in high-level discussions about the 'dual nature' of sole proprietors as both labor and capital. In a professional or academic context, you could use phrases like '개인 사업자의 소득 파악률' (the rate of identifying sole proprietors' income) or '영세 개인 사업자의 사회안전망 확충' (expanding the social safety net for small-scale sole proprietors). You should also be familiar with the historical context of how the number of sole proprietors has shaped the Korean labor market and the challenges of the 'overcrowded' self-employment sector.
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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like grasp of '개인 사업자' and its place in the socio-economic fabric of Korea. You can navigate the most complex legal documents, tax codes, and economic theories involving this status. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'individual entrepreneurship' in a late-capitalist society like Korea. You are capable of critiquing government fiscal policies that target this demographic and can understand the subtle linguistic shifts when the term is used in political rhetoric. Whether it's discussing the 'platform economy's impact on individual business registration' or the 'intergenerational shift in the perception of sole proprietorship,' you can express nuanced views with precision. You understand the historical trajectory from the traditional 'mom-and-pop' shops to the modern '1-person creative businesses' and can discuss how the term '개인 사업자' has evolved to encompass digital labor and global e-commerce. Your vocabulary includes highly technical terms related to business law, bankruptcy, and asset protection specifically for the individual owner.
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Examples Notes & Tips

개인 사업자 in 30 Seconds

  • 개인 사업자 (Gae-in Sa-eop-ja) means 'sole proprietor' or 'individual business owner' in Korean.
  • It is a legal and tax status for individuals who run their own business without forming a corporation.
  • Sole proprietors have unlimited liability for business debts but full control over their business operations.
  • Common examples include cafe owners, small shopkeepers, and registered freelancers in South Korea.

The term 개인 사업자 (Gae-in Sa-eop-ja) is a cornerstone of the South Korean economic landscape. At its simplest, it refers to a sole proprietor or an individual business owner. Unlike a corporation (법인), where the business is a separate legal entity from the owner, a sole proprietor is the business. This means the individual has total control over all decisions, keeps all profits after taxes, but also bears unlimited liability for all business debts and legal obligations. In the context of Korean society, becoming a 개인 사업자 is often seen as a significant life step toward independence, whether one is opening a small neighborhood cafe, starting a freelance design studio, or running an online shopping mall on platforms like Naver Smart Store.

Legal Status
In Korea, this status is defined by the National Tax Service. You are an individual who has registered a business license (사업자등록증) under your own name rather than forming a company board.
Economic Role
Sole proprietors make up a massive portion of the Korean workforce, encompassing everything from street food vendors to high-end consulting firms.

When do people use this word? You will hear it most frequently in administrative, financial, and professional settings. If you are applying for a bank loan, the clerk will ask if you are a salaried worker (직장인) or a 개인 사업자. If you are signing a contract for a new office space, the landlord will request your business registration number. It is a term that conveys a sense of professional responsibility and autonomy. It is not just a tax category; it is an identity for millions of Koreans who have chosen to 'be their own boss.'

요즘은 직장을 그만두고 개인 사업자로 등록해서 일하는 사람들이 많아졌어요. (These days, many people have quit their jobs and registered as sole proprietors to work.)

The nuance of the term also touches upon the risks involved. Because the individual is personally liable, the term is sometimes discussed in the context of economic hardship. When the economy is slow, news reports often highlight the struggles of 개인 사업자 who face high rent and decreasing consumption. Conversely, during tech booms, the term is associated with '1-person creators' (1인 크리에이터) and 'smart store' entrepreneurs who find success through digital platforms. Understanding this term is essential for anyone looking to navigate the professional world in Korea, as it distinguishes the small-scale entrepreneur from the corporate employee.

Furthermore, the term is categorized into 'General Taxable Persons' (일반과세자) and 'Simplified Taxable Persons' (간이과세자) based on annual revenue. This distinction is vital for tax reporting. When a Korean person says they are a 개인 사업자, they are signaling that they are a legitimate, registered business entity, even if they operate alone. This provides a level of trust (신뢰) in B2B transactions that a simple unregistered freelancer might lack.

Using 개인 사업자 in a sentence requires an understanding of its role as a noun that represents both a person and a legal status. It is frequently paired with verbs like 등록하다 (to register), 전환하다 (to convert), and 운영하다 (to operate/run). When you want to say you are a sole proprietor, you use the standard '이다' ending: "저는 개인 사업자입니다."

Registration Context
"세무서에 가서 개인 사업자 등록을 마쳤어요." (I went to the tax office and finished my sole proprietor registration.)
Financial Context
"개인 사업자 대출을 알아보러 은행에 갔습니다." (I went to the bank to look into loans for sole proprietors.)

In more formal discussions, especially regarding policy or economy, you might see it used as a collective noun. For example, "정부는 개인 사업자를 위한 지원책을 발표했습니다" (The government announced support measures for sole proprietors). Here, the word represents the entire class of small business owners. It is also common to see it modified by adjectives describing the scale of the business, such as '영세' (small/struggling) to form '영세 개인 사업자'.

법인으로 전환하기 전까지는 개인 사업자로 남기로 했어요. (I decided to remain as a sole proprietor until I convert to a corporation.)

Grammatically, when 개인 사업자 acts as a subject, it takes the particles -가 or -는. When it modifies another noun (like 'registration' or 'loan'), it often appears without particles in a compound structure, such as '개인 사업자 등록' (Sole proprietor registration). It is important to note that while the word literally means 'individual business person,' in conversation, it is often used to describe the business itself. For instance, "우리 가게는 개인 사업자예요" (Our shop is a sole proprietorship).

In everyday speech among friends, you might hear people use the more casual '자영업' (self-employment) or '자영업자' (self-employed person). However, 개인 사업자 remains the preferred term for any official paperwork, tax discussions, or professional introductions. If you are introducing yourself in a business meeting, saying "저는 디자인 관련 개인 사업자를 운영하고 있습니다" sounds much more professional and established than simply saying you do freelance work.

You will encounter the term 개인 사업자 in a variety of real-world environments in Korea. The most common location is the 세무서 (Tax Office). Every year during the Global Income Tax (종합소득세) reporting period in May, the term is everywhere—on banners, in brochures, and in the long lines of people waiting for assistance. Tax accountants (세무사) use this term constantly when advising clients on how to minimize their tax burden or how to deduct business expenses like meals, rent, and equipment.

At the Bank
Banks have specific products for this group. You'll see signs for '개인 사업자 전용 통장' (Bank accounts exclusively for sole proprietors) or '사업자 우대 대출' (Preferential loans for business owners).
Online Platforms
When signing up as a seller on Coupang, Gmarket, or Naver, you must choose between being a 'Personal Seller' (개인 판매자) and a 'Business Seller' (사업자 판매자), the latter of which requires you to be a registered 개인 사업자.

In the media, 개인 사업자 is a frequent topic in the 'Economy' section of the news. Reporters often discuss the '개인 사업자 폐업률' (closure rate of sole proprietorships) as a barometer for the health of the local economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the term was used daily in government briefings regarding relief funds (재난지원금) specifically targeted at small business owners who were struggling due to social distancing measures.

은행 창구 직원: "개인 사업자이신가요? 등록증을 보여주시겠어요?" (Bank Clerk: "Are you a sole proprietor? Could you show me your registration certificate?")

You will also hear it in the context of real estate. When looking for a 'Sanga' (상가 - commercial space), realtors will ask if you have a business license. The term is also prevalent in the tech industry, particularly among YouTubers and influencers. In the past, many influencers worked informally, but as their income grew, the tax authorities began requiring them to register as 개인 사업자 to ensure proper tax collection. Thus, in the modern Korean digital economy, this term has moved from the traditional brick-and-mortar shop owner to include the digital nomad and content creator.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 개인 사업자 with 자영업자 (Ja-yeong-eop-ja). While they are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, they have different nuances. 자영업자 is a broader sociological term for anyone who is self-employed, including those who might not have a formal business registration. 개인 사업자, however, specifically refers to the legal and tax status of having a registered business license. Using '자영업자' in a tax office would sound slightly informal, while using '개인 사업자' in a casual chat about a neighbor's fruit stand might sound a bit too clinical.

Confusion with Corporations
Do not confuse it with '법인 사업자' (Beop-in Sa-eop-ja). A '법인' is a corporation. Beginners often use '사업자' alone, but in legal contexts, you must specify if it is '개인' (individual) or '법인' (corporate) because the tax rates and liability laws are completely different.
Confusing with Freelancers
Another mistake is assuming all freelancers are '개인 사업자'. In Korea, a freelancer (3.3% tax withhold) is not necessarily a registered '개인 사업자'. You only become the latter once you formally register with the tax office and receive a business number.

Another common error involves the pronunciation and spelling. Some learners might confuse '사업자' (business person) with '사용자' (user). While they sound somewhat similar, their meanings are worlds apart. Ensure you emphasize the 'ㅂ' in '사업' to avoid confusion. Additionally, when writing, remember that there is a space between '개인' and '사업자' in standard orthography, though in many digital forms or compound technical terms, the space is often omitted.

Incorrect: "저는 프리랜서니까 개인 사업자예요." (I'm a freelancer, so I'm a sole proprietor.)
Correct: "저는 프리랜서로 일하다가 최근에 개인 사업자 등록을 했어요." (I worked as a freelancer and recently registered as a sole proprietor.)

Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the honorifics. While '개인 사업자' is a neutral term for a status, when referring to the person who owns the business in a social context, it is much more common and polite to use the word 사장님 (Sajang-nim). Calling someone "개인 사업자님" sounds very awkward and overly formal, almost like calling someone "Mr. Sole Proprietor" in English. Use the legal term for paperwork and the social term (Sajang-nim) for face-to-face interaction.

To truly master the vocabulary surrounding business in Korea, it is helpful to compare 개인 사업자 with its synonyms and related terms. Each word carries a slightly different weight depending on the context—whether it is legal, social, or economic.

자영업자 (Self-employed Person)
This is the most common social term. It covers everyone from a small shop owner to a taxi driver. It focuses on the act of 'operating by oneself' (자영) rather than the legal registration status.
1인 기업 (One-person Company)
A modern term often used in the tech and creative industries. It sounds more professional and 'startup-like' than the traditional 'sole proprietor'. It emphasizes that the business is a 'company' even if it only has one employee.
소상공인 (Small Business Owner/Micro-enterprise)
A policy-oriented term used by the government. If you are looking for government grants or subsidies, you will see this word. It defines businesses based on having fewer than 5 or 10 employees.

On the opposite side, we have 법인 사업자 (Corporate Business). The main difference here is 'entity'. A corporate business is its own legal person, which offers limited liability but requires much more complex accounting and higher registration costs. Most small businesses in Korea start as 개인 사업자 and only 'convert to corporate' (법인 전환) once their revenue exceeds a certain threshold where the tax benefits of a corporation outweigh the administrative costs.

Comparison:
1. 개인 사업자: Legal/Tax focus.
2. 자영업자: Social/Daily life focus.
3. 소상공인: Policy/Government support focus.

Finally, consider the term 프리랜서 (Freelancer). While a freelancer is technically an individual worker, they usually operate under their own resident registration number (주민등록번호) and have 3.3% tax deducted by their clients. A 개인 사업자 has their own business registration number (사업자번호) and can issue their own bills. Choosing between these two often depends on the scale of the work and whether the clients require formal tax invoices.

Fun Fact

In the past, most people worked for the government or in agriculture. The modern legal concept of a '개인 사업자' emerged with the development of the Korean tax system in the 20th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ɡeɪn sɑːʌpdʒɑː/
US /ɡeɪn sɑːʌpdʒɑː/
The primary stress is on the first syllable of each word: GAE-in SA-eop-ja.
Rhymes With
개인 (Gae-in): 내인 (Nae-in), 외인 (Oe-in) 사업자 (Sa-eop-ja): 작업자 (Jak-eop-ja), 실업자 (Sil-eop-ja), 수업자 (Su-eop-ja), 농업자 (Nong-eop-ja), 어업자 (Eo-eop-ja), 공업자 (Gong-eop-ja), 창업자 (Chang-eop-ja), 상업자 (Sang-eop-ja)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing '사업' as '사용' (user).
  • Missing the 'p' (ㅂ) sound at the end of 'eop'.
  • Pronouncing '개인' as '가인' (gain).
  • Treating it as one long word without a slight pause between 'gae-in' and 'sa-eop-ja'.
  • Over-emphasizing the 'ja' so it sounds like 'jja'.
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Examples by Level

1

저는 개인 사업자입니다.

I am a sole proprietor.

Noun + 입니다 (to be)

2

그는 개인 사업자예요.

He is a sole proprietor.

Noun + 예요 (to be, informal polite)

3

개인 사업자가 많아요.

There are many sole proprietors.

Noun + 가 (subject particle) + 많아요 (many)

4

제 친구는 개인 사업자입니다.

My friend is a sole proprietor.

Possessive '제' (my) + friend

5

여기는 개인 사업자 가게예요.

This is a sole proprietor's shop.

Noun + 가게 (shop)

6

개인 사업자가 되고 싶어요.

I want to become a sole proprietor.

-고 싶어요 (want to)

7

누가 개인 사업자예요?

Who is a sole proprietor?

누가 (who) + subject particle

8

아버지는 개인 사업자셨어요.

My father was a sole proprietor.

Past tense honorific -셨어요

1

어제 개인 사업자 등록을 했어요.

I registered as a sole proprietor yesterday.

Noun + 등록 (registration) + 했다 (did)

2

개인 사업자 등록증이 필요합니다.

I need a sole proprietor registration certificate.

-이/가 필요하다 (to need)

3

개인 사업자는 세금이 복잡해요.

Taxes are complicated for sole proprietors.

Adjective 복잡하다 (complicated)

4

은행에서 개인 사업자 대출을 받았어요.

I got a sole proprietor loan from the bank.

대출 (loan) + 받다 (receive)

5

개인 사업자로 일하면 자유로워요.

Working as a sole proprietor is free.

-로 (as/by) + 일하다 (work)

6

작은 카페를 하는 개인 사업자입니다.

I am a sole proprietor running a small cafe.

Present participle -는 modifying '사업자'

7

개인 사업자 번호를 알려주세요.

Please let me know your business registration number.

번호 (number) + 알려주세요 (please tell me)

8

개인 사업자는 매년 신고를 해야 해요.

Sole proprietors have to file (taxes) every year.

-야 하다 (must do)

1

개인 사업자는 부가가치세를 직접 신고해야 합니다.

Sole proprietors must report VAT themselves.

부가가치세 (VAT) + 신고하다 (report)

2

최근에 개인 사업자에서 법인으로 전환했어요.

I recently converted from a sole proprietor to a corporation.

A에서 B로 전환하다 (convert from A to B)

3

개인 사업자는 모든 채무에 대해 무한 책임을 집니다.

Sole proprietors bear unlimited liability for all debts.

무한 책임 (unlimited liability) + 지다 (to bear)

4

정부는 개인 사업자를 위한 재난지원금을 지급했습니다.

The government paid out disaster relief funds for sole proprietors.

-를 위한 (for)

5

개인 사업자 전용 통장을 만들면 관리가 편해요.

It's easy to manage if you make a bank account exclusively for sole proprietors.

전용 (exclusive use) + 편하다 (comfortable/easy)

6

그는 개인 사업자로서 성공적인 경력을 쌓고 있어요.

He is building a successful career as a sole proprietor.

-로서 (as a status)

7

개인 사업자는 지역 가입자로 건강보험료를 냅니다.

Sole proprietors pay health insurance premiums as regional subscribers.

지역 가입자 (regional subscriber)

8

많은 개인 사업자들이 임대료 상승으로 힘들어합니다.

Many sole proprietors are struggling due to rising rents.

임대료 (rent) + 상승 (rise)

1

개인 사업자의 종합소득세율은 소득 구간에 따라 다릅니다.

The global income tax rate for sole proprietors varies by income bracket.

소득 구간 (income bracket) + -에 따라 (depending on)

2

사업 규모가 커지면 개인 사업자보다 법인이 유리할 수 있습니다.

If the business scale grows, a corporation may be more advantageous than a sole proprietorship.

유리하다 (to be advantageous)

3

개인 사업자는 노란우산공제를 통해 퇴직금을 준비할 수 있어요.

Sole proprietors can prepare for retirement through the Yellow Umbrella Deduction.

노란우산공제 (a specific Korean deduction for small businesses)

4

개인 사업자 명의의 차량은 비용 처리가 가능합니다.

Vehicles under the name of a sole proprietor can be treated as an expense.

비용 처리 (expense processing)

5

경기 불황으로 인해 개인 사업자들의 폐업이 늘고 있습니다.

Due to the economic recession, the closure of sole proprietorships is increasing.

-로 인해 (due to) + 폐업 (business closure)

6

개인 사업자 등록 시 업종 코드를 정확히 선택해야 합니다.

When registering as a sole proprietor, you must select the business category code accurately.

업종 코드 (business category code)

7

개인 사업자는 근로기준법의 보호를 받지 못하는 경우가 많습니다.

Sole proprietors often do not receive protection under the Labor Standards Act.

근로기준법 (Labor Standards Act)

8

프리랜서가 소득이 높아지면 개인 사업자로 등록하는 것이 일반적입니다.

It is common for freelancers to register as sole proprietors when their income increases.

-하는 것이 일반적이다 (It is common to...)

1

개인 사업자의 경영난은 지역 경제 전반에 부정적인 영향을 미칩니다.

The management difficulties of sole proprietors have a negative impact on the regional economy as a whole.

영향을 미치다 (to exert influence/impact)

2

정부는 개인 사업자의 사회안전망 확충을 위해 고용보험 가입을 장려하고 있습니다.

The government is encouraging enrollment in employment insurance to expand the social safety net for sole proprietors.

사회안전망 확충 (expanding social safety net)

3

개인 사업자는 법인과 달리 자금 인출이 비교적 자유롭다는 장점이 있습니다.

Unlike corporations, sole proprietors have the advantage of relatively free fund withdrawals.

자금 인출 (fund withdrawal) + -와 달리 (unlike)

4

영세 개인 사업자를 위한 세정 지원 대책이 시급히 마련되어야 합니다.

Tax administration support measures for small-scale sole proprietors must be prepared urgently.

세정 지원 (tax administration support)

5

개인 사업자의 신용도는 사업의 성패뿐만 아니라 개인의 금융 생활에도 직결됩니다.

A sole proprietor's credit rating is directly linked not only to the success of the business but also to their personal financial life.

직결되다 (to be directly linked)

6

최근 플랫폼 노동자들이 개인 사업자 지위를 부여받으면서 논란이 일고 있습니다.

Controversy is arising as platform workers are being granted sole proprietor status.

지위를 부여받다 (to be granted a status)

7

개인 사업자는 성실신고 확인 대상이 될 경우 더욱 엄격한 세무 조사를 받게 됩니다.

If a sole proprietor becomes subject to sincere reporting verification, they will undergo a stricter tax audit.

성실신고 확인 (sincere reporting verification)

8

개인 사업자의 창업 생태계를 활성화하기 위한 다각적인 노력이 필요합니다.

Multifaceted efforts are needed to vitalize the startup ecosystem for sole proprietors.

다각적인 노력 (multifaceted efforts)

1

개인 사업자의 비중이 지나치게 높은 한국의 노동 시장 구조는 구조적 취약성을 내포하고 있습니다.

The structure of the Korean labor market, with an excessively high proportion of sole proprietors, contains structural vulnerabilities.

취약성을 내포하다 (to involve/contain vulnerability)

2

개인 사업자와 임금 근로자 사이의 경계가 모호해지는 '기그 경제'의 확산은 새로운 법적 해석을 요구합니다.

The spread of the 'gig economy,' which blurs the boundary between sole proprietors and wage earners, requires new legal interpretations.

경계가 모호해지다 (boundary becomes blurred)

3

개인 사업자의 폐업은 단순한 경제적 손실을 넘어 가계 부채의 급증과 가정 해체로 이어질 위험이 큽니다.

The closure of a sole proprietorship goes beyond simple economic loss and carries a high risk of leading to a surge in household debt and family breakdown.

-를 넘어 (beyond) + -로 이어지다 (lead to)

4

정부의 규제 완화가 개인 사업자의 자생력을 강화하기보다는 과당 경쟁을 부추기는 측면이 있습니다.

There is an aspect where government deregulation encourages excessive competition rather than strengthening the self-viability of sole proprietors.

자생력 (self-viability) + 부추기다 (to instigate/encourage)

5

개인 사업자의 과세 표준 양성화는 조세 정의 실현을 위한 핵심 과제 중 하나입니다.

Bringing the tax base of sole proprietors into the open is one of the key tasks for realizing tax justice.

양성화 (bringing into the open/legalization)

6

디지털 전환 시대에 개인 사업자들은 전통적인 영업 방식에서 탈피하여 혁신을 꾀해야 합니다.

In the era of digital transformation, sole proprietors must break away from traditional business methods and seek innovation.

-에서 탈피하여 (breaking away from)

7

개인 사업자의 소득 불평등 문제는 한국 사회의 양극화를 심화시키는 요인으로 작용하고 있습니다.

The issue of income inequality among sole proprietors is acting as a factor that deepens polarization in Korean society.

양극화 (polarization) + 심화시키다 (to deepen)

8

개인 사업자의 권익 보호를 위해 결성된 단체들이 정책 결정 과정에서 목소리를 높이고 있습니다.

Organizations formed to protect the rights and interests of sole proprietors are raising their voices in the policy-making process.

권익 보호 (protection of rights and interests)

Common Collocations

개인 사업자 등록
개인 사업자 대출
개인 사업자 통장
개인 사업자 폐업
영세 개인 사업자
개인 사업자 전환
개인 사업자 세금
개인 사업자 카드
개인 사업자 명의
개인 사업자 혜택

Common Phrases

사업자 등록증

— Business registration certificate. Essential document for any business owner.

사업자 등록증 사본을 보내주세요.

사업자 번호

— Business registration number. A 10-digit identification number.

사업자 번호를 입력하세요.

간이 과세자

— Simplified tax payer. A status for very small businesses with lower taxes.

저는 매출이 적어서 간이 과세자예요.

일반 과세자

— General tax payer. Standard business status for higher revenue.

올해부터 일반 과세자로 바뀌었습니다.

종합 소득세

— Global income tax. The main tax sole proprietors pay in May.

종합 소득세 신고하셨어요?

비용 처리

— Expense processing. Deducting business costs from taxable income.

식비도 비용 처리가 되나요?

세금 계산서

— Tax invoice. A formal bill issued by business owners.

세금 계산서 발행 부탁드립니다.

부가가치세 (부가세)

— Value Added Tax (VAT). Business owners must report this twice a year.

부가세 포함 가격인가요?

노란우산공제

— A savings/insurance program for small business owners in Korea.

노란우산공제에 가입했어요.

폐업 신고

— Reporting the closure of a business.

장사가 안 돼서 폐업 신고를 했어요.

Idioms & Expressions

"내 장사를 하다"

— To run one's own business. Implies independence and hard work.

남 밑에서 일하기보다 내 장사를 하고 싶어.

Informal
"사장님 소리 듣다"

— To be called 'Boss'. Implies achieving business owner status.

이제 나도 어디 가서 사장님 소리 듣네.

Informal
"자기 사업을 차리다"

— To set up one's own business.

그는 회사를 그만두고 자기 사업을 차렸어.

Neutral
"바닥부터 시작하다"

— To start from the bottom (scratch). Common for sole proprietors.

그는 개인 사업자를 바닥부터 시작해서 성공했다.

Neutral
"목이 좋다"

— To have a good location for a business. Vital for sole proprietors.

이 가게는 목이 좋아서 손님이 많아요.

Informal
"손이 크다"

— To be generous (often in business/service).

그 사장님은 손이 커서 서비스를 많이 줘요.

Informal
"문을 닫다"

— To close down a business (permanently).

옆집 식당이 결국 문을 닫았대요.

Neutral
"대박 나다"

— To hit the jackpot / be very successful.

개인 사업 시작하셨다면서요? 대박 나세요!

Slang/Informal
"쪽박 차다"

— To go broke / fail miserably.

무리하게 사업하다가 쪽박 찰 수 있어.

Slang/Informal
"가늘고 길게 가다"

— To last a long time by being modest/steady (rather than flashy).

욕심 안 부리고 가늘고 길게 가는 게 목표예요.

Informal

Word Family

Nouns

개인 (Individual)
사업 (Business)
사업가 (Entrepreneur)
사업장 (Place of business)
사업체 (Business entity)

Verbs

사업하다 (To do business)
창업하다 (To start a business)
운영하다 (To operate)
등록하다 (To register)

Adjectives

사업적인 (Business-like)
개인적인 (Personal/Private)

Related

자영업
법인
프리랜서
소상공인
매출
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Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Gae-in' as 'Gain' (you keep all the gain) and 'Sa-eop-ja' as 'Saw-Up-Job' (you saw up the jobs yourself). A 'Gain-Saw-Up-Job' is a sole proprietor.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing alone (개인) holding a big sign that says 'OPEN' (사업) and wearing a hat that says 'BOSS' (자).

Word Web

Tax Cafe License Freedom Liability Bank Registration Owner

Word Origin

The term is a Sino-Korean compound. '개인' (個人) means 'individual' or 'private person'. '사업자' (事業者) means 'business person' or 'operator'.

Original meaning: Individual + Business + Person/Operator. It literally translates to 'a person who conducts business as an individual'.

Sino-Korean (Hanja-based).
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