Writing emails in Korean can feel like walking on a tightrope—especially when formality, nuance, and grammar collide. Whether you're an expat professional, a Korean learner, or someone doing business with Korean clients, it's easy to fall into linguistic traps that make your emails sound awkward or even unintentionally rude.
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Many non-native speakers make the same common mistakes in Korean business emails—using incorrect honorifics, misplacing verbs, or over-translating from English. These errors not only affect clarity but may also impact how your professionalism is perceived.
Fortunately, these mistakes are easy to fix once you're aware of them. In this post, we’ll walk you through the most frequent email blunders, explain why they’re problematic, and show you the natural, respectful Korean alternatives you can use instead.
Get ready to level up your Korean business communication, sound more native-like, and avoid missteps that could cost you credibility. Let’s get started!
🚫 Most Common Mistakes in Korean Business Emails
One of the most common mistakes non-native speakers make when writing Korean business emails is assuming that direct translation from English will sound natural. What often happens is a mix of overly literal, grammatically broken, or culturally awkward phrases. This can make even a well-intended message come across as stiff, robotic, or confusing to Korean colleagues.
For example, many learners write "검토해 주시겠어요? (geomtohae jusigesseoyo?)" thinking it means "Could you review this?" but it sounds too casual for a business email. A more appropriate version would be "검토 부탁드립니다 (geomto butak deurimnida)." Even small honorific changes can dramatically shift the tone of a message.
Another frequent mistake is incorrect verb endings or using casual forms. Phrases like "확인했어요 (hwagin haesseoyo)" might be fine with friends but not with clients or supervisors. In formal emails, you should use "확인했습니다 (hwagin haetseumnida)" instead. Respectful speech (존댓말, jondaetmal) is not just a politeness tool—it defines professionalism in Korean workplace settings.
Learners also misuse “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” in places where other expressions would be more appropriate. Saying “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” after making a request is fine, but for emails that open with gratitude, “감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida)” is more refined. The same goes for closings—"고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida)" sounds friendly but may be too casual.
Spacing and punctuation can also trip people up. Korean emails are more structured than many expect: a clear greeting, a body with short, respectful sentences, and a proper closing. Run-on sentences or overly flowery phrases can feel excessive or insincere in Korean business writing.
Many non-native speakers try to add emphasis with phrases like “진짜로 부탁드려요! (jinjjaro butak deuryeoyo),” which sounds childlike or emotionally loaded. A better version would be “확인해주시면 감사하겠습니다 (hwagin-hae jusimyeon gamsahagetseumnida)”—calm, neutral, and professional.
Let’s look at some common incorrect vs correct expressions to help you understand how a small change can make a big difference in tone and clarity:
📌 Incorrect vs Correct Business Email Phrases
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 검토해 주시겠어요? | geomtohae jusigesseoyo? | Too casual for business |
| 검토 부탁드립니다 | geomto butak deurimnida | Polite and professional |
| 확인했어요 | hwagin haesseoyo | Too informal |
| 확인했습니다 | hwagin haetseumnida | Business formal |
| 진짜로 부탁드려요! | jinjjaro butak deuryeoyo | Too emotional |
| 확인해주시면 감사하겠습니다 | hwagin-hae jusimyeon gamsahagetseumnida | Polite follow-up |
Fixing these common mistakes will not only help you sound more professional—it’ll also show respect for Korean workplace norms and culture. In the next section, we’ll go deeper into how honorifics and sentence endings affect the tone of your message.
🙇 How Politeness Levels Change Your Message Tone
In Korean business emails, the way you end your sentences carries more weight than you might think. While English emails often rely on word choice or formality markers like "Kind regards" or "Best," Korean conveys tone heavily through verb endings and honorific structure. These small grammatical shifts dramatically affect how polite or respectful your message sounds.
For instance, saying "보내요 (bonaeyo)" instead of "보냅니다 (bonaemnida)" can unintentionally downgrade the formality of your message. This difference may seem subtle, but it can shift your tone from professional to overly casual in a workplace setting.
Let’s take the verb “to confirm” — 확인하다 (hwagin-hada). If you write “확인해요 (hwagin-haeyo),” it sounds friendly but a bit too familiar for client emails. On the other hand, “확인합니다 (hwagin-hamnida)” feels more neutral and appropriate for formal communication. When dealing with higher-ups or external partners, “확인 부탁드립니다 (hwagin butak deurimnida)” goes one step further, adding deference and indirectness, which is highly valued in Korean business culture.
A common mistake is overusing casual polite forms such as ~요 (yo). While these are polite in daily life, they lack the rigid formality often expected in written communication between professionals. For example, “검토해 주세요 (geomtohae juseyo)” might be acceptable in spoken language but feels slightly too forward in an email. “검토 부탁드립니다 (geomto butak deurimnida)” is a better fit.
Even closings vary depending on the level of politeness. Ending an email with “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” is generally safe and respectful. However, “감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida)” adds an extra layer of humility, which can be helpful in hierarchical environments like Korean companies.
Another tip: avoid mixing multiple politeness levels in the same message. For example, starting with “안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)” and then using “드립니다 (deurimnida)” at the end can feel inconsistent. Try to maintain either a casual polite tone throughout (for internal chats or juniors) or a formal business tone throughout (for external clients or senior staff).
Honorifics, such as the use of ~시 (si), also influence tone. Saying “보내시겠어요? (bonaesigesseoyo?)” adds respect to the subject, whereas “보내겠어요? (bonaegesseoyo?)” omits that honorific and may feel blunt. These details may feel small to learners, but they are immediately noticeable to Korean professionals.
Take a look at the table below for a clearer view of how these sentence endings differ and where each fits in a professional context:
📊 Politeness Level Comparison Table
| Korean | Romanization | Context / Tone |
|---|---|---|
| 보내요 | bonaeyo | Casual polite (Too soft for emails) |
| 보냅니다 | bonaemnida | Formal and appropriate for email |
| 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida | Standard respectful closing |
| 감사드립니다 | gamsadeurimnida | Extra polite (for formal/hierarchical settings) |
| 검토해 주세요 | geomtohae juseyo | Too direct for email |
| 검토 부탁드립니다 | geomto butak deurimnida | Polite and professional request |
Understanding and applying the right politeness level is what separates a textbook learner from a true professional communicator in Korean. In the next section, we’ll explore awkward sentence structures that often come from direct translations—and how to fix them.
🔧 Awkward Translations and How to Fix Them
Many Korean business email mistakes come from thinking in English first and translating directly into Korean. This usually results in awkward sentence structures, inappropriate tone, or unnatural word choices. While understandable, these direct translations often reveal a learner’s level and can confuse or even offend the reader unintentionally.
One of the most frequent problems is overusing "I" as the subject, like in “저는 확인했습니다 (jeoneun hwagin haetseumnida).” While grammatically correct, Korean business writing often drops the subject to keep messages clean and professional. Just writing “확인했습니다 (hwagin haetseumnida)” is better in most cases.
Another mistake is trying to say “Please let me know if you have any questions” as “질문이 있으면 저에게 알려주세요 (jilmun-i itseumyeon jeoege allyeojuseyo).” While this might work in casual writing, a more natural business version would be “문의 사항 있으면 말씀 부탁드립니다 (munui sahang itseumyeon malsseum butak deurimnida).”
Some learners use English logic to stack multiple verbs. For example: “파일 확인하고 검토해 주세요 (pail hwagin-hago geomtohae juseyo).” While not incorrect, this can feel rushed or too compact. Breaking it down into two separate sentences is more polite: “파일 확인 부탁드립니다. 검토해 주시면 감사하겠습니다. (pail hwagin butak deurimnida. geomtohae jusimyeon gamsahagetseumnida).”
Some expressions just don’t translate. For instance, learners often write “나는 그 점을 감사히 여깁니다 (naneun geu jeomeul gamsahi yeogimnida)” to mean “I appreciate that point.” This sounds strange to native readers. A better sentence might be “그 부분에 감사드립니다 (geu bubune gamsadeurimnida).”
You should also be careful with English-style closings like “Have a great day.” Translated directly, this becomes “좋은 하루 되세요 (joeun haru doeseyo),” which sounds friendly but may feel overly casual. Instead, close your message with a neutral phrase like “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” or “수고해 주셔서 감사합니다 (sugohae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida).”
Let's look at a comparison table showing commonly mistranslated English phrases and their better Korean equivalents for business email:
🔍 Direct Translation Fix Table
| Direct Translation | Romanization | Natural Korean |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 확인했습니다 | jeoneun hwagin haetseumnida | 확인했습니다 |
| 알려주세요 | allyeojuseyo | 말씀 부탁드립니다 |
| 좋은 하루 되세요 | joeun haru doeseyo | 감사합니다 |
| 그 점을 감사히 여깁니다 | geu jeomeul gamsahi yeogimnida | 감사드립니다 |
When you avoid direct translations and adopt authentic Korean sentence structure, your emails sound smoother, more confident, and far more professional. In the next section, we’ll look at how misusing common grammar forms can hurt your message clarity.
⚠️ Grammar Mistakes That Undermine Your Message
Even with a decent vocabulary, grammar mistakes in Korean business emails can weaken your message and reduce your professional impression. Unlike casual messages, business emails require consistency, accuracy, and a formal tone. Small errors—especially in verb usage or sentence structure—can shift your message from polished to problematic.
One of the most common problems is verb tense and function confusion. For example, learners often use “검토하였습니다 (geomtohaeotseumnida)” when they're actually making a request. This past-tense form implies the action is complete. A better expression would be “검토 부탁드립니다 (geomto butak deurimnida),” which politely asks for review.
Particles such as 은/는 (eun/neun), 이/가 (i/ga), and 을/를 (eul/reul) are frequently misused. Saying “자료는 필요합니다 (jaryoneun piryohamnida)” may be grammatically correct, but without context, it feels abrupt. A more complete sentence like “본 자료는 회의에 필요합니다 (bon jaryoneun hoeui-e piryohamnida)” sounds polished and precise.
Misusing the passive voice also causes confusion. Learners sometimes write things like “회의가 시작되어집니다 (hoeui-ga sijak-doeeojibnida).” While technically grammatical, this double passive structure is awkward and overly formal. A cleaner and more natural version is “회의가 시작됩니다 (hoeui-ga sijak-doemnida).”
There’s also confusion with nominal phrases like “그것에 대한 의견입니다 (geugeos-e dae-han uigyeneumnida).” While it might make sense as a direct translation of “This is an opinion about that,” it’s clunky. A smoother Korean alternative would be “그 점에 대해 말씀드립니다 (geu jeome daehae malsseum deurimnida).”
Ending sentences with overly casual tone markers, like ~요 (yo), after using formal openings is another red flag. For instance, beginning with “안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)” and ending with “확인해 주세요 (hwagin-hae juseyo)” might feel inconsistent. Instead, keep the entire message at a consistent formality level using expressions like “확인 부탁드립니다 (hwagin butak deurimnida).”
Below is a comparison table of grammar mistakes commonly found in business emails and their corrected, natural versions:
📘 Grammar Fixes in Business Email (Improved)
| Incorrect | Romanization | Why It’s Wrong | Correct | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 검토하였습니다 | geomtohaeotseumnida | Past tense, implies task is done, not a request | 검토 부탁드립니다 | geomto butak deurimnida |
| 회의가 시작되어집니다 | hoeui-ga sijak-doeeojibnida | Double passive, redundant and awkward | 회의가 시작됩니다 | hoeui-ga sijak-doemnida |
| 그것에 대한 의견입니다 | geugeos-e dae-han uigyeneumnida | Too literal, stiff and overly formal | 그 점에 대해 말씀드립니다 | geu jeome daehae malsseum deurimnida |
| 자료는 필요합니다 | jaryoneun piryohamnida | Lacks context; sounds abrupt | 본 자료는 회의에 필요합니다 | bon jaryoneun hoeui-e piryohamnida |
Grammatical clarity is essential to building professional trust in Korean communication—especially when formality and tone are so deeply tied to respect and culture. Next, we’ll look at how tone shifts when moving from email to office messenger apps like KakaoTalk.
💬 KakaoTalk vs Email – Tone Matters in Korean Office Messaging
In Korean workplaces, tone is everything. While KakaoTalk (카카오톡) is widely used for fast and informal communication, emails still carry a formal and structured tone. Many learners struggle when switching between the two, accidentally using casual KakaoTalk phrases in business emails or overly stiff email phrases in chat.
What sounds friendly and efficient in KakaoTalk can feel rushed or even rude in a business email. Understanding when to be brief and casual—and when to be formal and elaborate—is a crucial skill in Korean professional communication.
For instance, “자료 확인 부탁해요 (jaryo hwagin butakhaeyo)” might sound fine in a Kakao message to a close colleague, but in email, it sounds overly casual and lacks professional polish. In that case, “자료 확인 부탁드립니다 (jaryo hwagin butak deurimnida)” is preferred.
Another example is ending with “고마워요 (gomawoyo)” in KakaoTalk. It’s warm and nice in chat, but in an email to a superior or client, “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” or “감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida)” is standard. The tone shift can signal respect, hierarchy, and clarity of intent.
In messenger apps, it’s common to omit greetings or subject lines entirely. A Kakao message might simply say “이거 확인해줘요 (igeo hwagin-hae jwoyo)” without even addressing the recipient. However, business emails require structure, starting with “안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)” and ending with formal closings like “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” and a proper signature.
Even punctuation reflects tone. In KakaoTalk, messages like “파일 보냅니다~” (pail bonaemnida) or “ㅇㅋ요^^” (okkyo^^) use symbols and emoticons freely. This approach, while friendly, feels unprofessional in email. Stick to proper spacing, full stops, and formal wording to ensure clarity and tone alignment.
Below is a comparison table showing common phrases used in KakaoTalk that should be adjusted when writing formal emails in a Korean workplace:
📊 Messaging vs Email Tone Comparison
| Messenger Phrase | Romanization | Too Casual For | Formal Email Version | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 자료 확인 부탁해요 | jaryo hwagin butakhaeyo | Emails to seniors or clients | 자료 확인 부탁드립니다 | jaryo hwagin butak deurimnida |
| 고마워요 | gomawoyo | Any formal business message | 감사합니다 | gamsahamnida |
| 이거 확인해줘요 | igeo hwagin-hae jwoyo | Client emails or first contact | 해당 자료 확인 부탁드립니다 | haedang jaryo hwagin butak deurimnida |
| ㅇㅋ요~ ^^ | okkyo | All business email | 확인했습니다 | hwagin haetseumnida |
Switching tones appropriately between KakaoTalk and email is not just a language skill—it's a reflection of cultural awareness and professional etiquette. In the next section, we’ll summarize key tips and give you a checklist to avoid common email mistakes.
📑 Pro Email Checklist & Style Wrap-Up
After learning proper openings, requests, follow-ups, and tone differences, the final step is putting it all together. Writing professional Korean emails may feel overwhelming, but with structure and awareness, it becomes manageable—even smooth. This section helps you cross-check your writing before sending.
Before you hit send, always re-read your email not just for grammar—but for tone, hierarchy, and clarity. Even native speakers take extra care when emailing higher-ups or clients. For Korean learners, a structured checklist makes all the difference.
Start by checking your greeting. Did you use “안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)” or a more appropriate “안녕하십니까 (annyeonghasimnikka)” depending on the recipient? Many learners stick to one phrase out of habit, but varying it shows deeper cultural understanding.
Next, verify your body tone. If you’re asking someone to review a file, avoid direct casual forms like “봐 주세요 (bwa juseyo).” Instead, write “확인 부탁드립니다 (hwagin butak deurimnida).” This small difference transforms your tone from friendly to professional.
Also, review your closings. “감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)” is always safe, but for more polished tone, use “검토 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다. (geomto butak deurimnida. gamsahamnida)” with name and title. Avoid casual endings like “그럼 이만~” or emoji use, which often leaks from KakaoTalk habits.
Punctuation matters, too. Periods (.) are standard. Avoid tilde (~) or ellipsis (…) unless quoting something or implying trailing thought—which rarely applies in business emails. A sentence like “자료 공유드립니다.” (jaryo gong-yu deurimnida.) reads cleanly and formally.
Below is a checklist to help you finalize any Korean business email with confidence:
✅ Korean Business Email Checklist
| Checklist Item | Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greeting | 안녕하십니까 / 안녕하세요 | annyeonghasimnikka / annyeonghaseyo | Hello (formal / polite) |
| Request Phrase | 검토 부탁드립니다 | geomto butak deurimnida | Please review (formal) |
| Formality Consistency | 전체 이메일 존댓말 유지 | jeonche imeil jondaetmal yuji | Maintain honorifics throughout |
| Punctuation | 마침표 사용 / 이모티콘 X | machimpyo sayong / emotikon X | Use periods / No emojis |
| Closing Phrase | 감사합니다 / 드림 | gamsahamnida / deurim | Thank you / (I) sincerely |
| Signature | 회사명 + 이름 + 부서 | hoesamyung + ireum + buseo | Company + Name + Department |
Professional writing is more than grammar—it's about tone, awareness, and respect. Keep this checklist nearby until writing formal Korean emails becomes second nature.
📚 FAQ – 30 Must-Know Questions
Q1. How do I politely ask someone to review a document?
You can say: “검토 부탁드립니다” (geomto butak deurimnida), which means "Please review" in a formal tone.
Q2. What’s the best way to start a business email in Korean?
Use “안녕하십니까” (annyeonghasimnikka) for formal openings, especially with clients or senior colleagues.
Q3. Can I end an email with just 감사합니다?
Yes, “감사합니다” (gamsahamnida) is polite and standard. You can also add “드림” (deurim) after your name for a respectful sign-off.
Q4. How do I request a response politely?
Say: “회신 부탁드립니다” (hoesin butak deurimnida) — this means “Please respond” formally.
Q5. How do I say ‘Please share the file’ in Korean?
Use: “파일 공유 부탁드립니다” (pail gongyu butak deurimnida).
Q6. How can I apologize for a late reply?
You can say: “답변이 늦어 죄송합니다” (dapbyeoni neujeo joesonghamnida).
Q7. Is it okay to use casual language like “ㅎㅇ” in business chat?
No. Avoid internet slang in business settings. Use proper greetings like “안녕하세요” (annyeonghaseyo) even in chat.
Q8. How do I say ‘Thank you for your quick response’?
Use: “빠른 회신 감사드립니다” (ppareun hoesin gamsadeurimnida).
Q9. What’s the polite way to say ‘I'll be waiting for your feedback’?
Say: “검토 후 회신 부탁드립니다” (geomto hu hoesin butak deurimnida).
Q10. How do I ask someone to confirm by a specific date?
Use: “OO일까지 회신 부탁드립니다” (OOil kkaji hoesin butak deurimnida).
Q11. How do I follow up on an unanswered email?
You can write: “지난 메일 확인 부탁드립니다” (jinan meil hwagin butak deurimnida), meaning "Please check the previous email."
Q12. How do I say ‘Attached is the requested document’?
Say: “요청하신 자료를 첨부해 드렸습니다” (yocheonghasin jaryoreul cheombu-hae deuryeotsseumnida).
Q13. What’s a respectful way to say ‘I’ll check and get back to you’?
You can use: “확인 후 다시 회신드리겠습니다” (hwagin hu dasi hoesin deurigetsseumnida).
Q14. How do I ask if someone has any questions?
Say: “궁금한 사항이 있으면 언제든지 말씀 주세요” (gunggeumhan sahangi isseumyeon eonjedunji malsseum juseyo).
Q15. What’s the proper way to write ‘Please see the below’?
Use: “아래 내용을 참고해 주시기 바랍니다” (arae naeyongeul chamgohae jusigi baramnida).
Q16. How do I write ‘We will review and reply shortly’?
Say: “검토 후 빠르게 회신드리겠습니다” (geomto hu ppareuge hoesin deurigetsseumnida).
Q17. How can I say ‘Thank you for your support’?
Use: “항상 도움 주셔서 감사합니다” (hangsang doum jusyeoseo gamsahamnida).
Q18. How do I say ‘We’ll get back to you by tomorrow’?
Write: “내일까지 회신드리겠습니다” (naeil kkaji hoesin deurigetsseumnida).
Q19. What’s a good phrase for saying ‘Please feel free to contact me’?
Say: “언제든지 연락 주시기 바랍니다” (eonjedunji yeollak jusigi baramnida).
Q20. How do I politely inform someone that I’ve forwarded their message?
Use: “관련 내용을 전달해 드렸습니다” (gwanryeon naeyongeul jeondalhae deuryeotsseumnida).
Q21. How do I confirm receipt of a document?
Say: “자료 잘 받았습니다” (jaryo jal badasseumnida), which means "I’ve received the document."
Q22. What’s the formal way to say ‘Please wait a moment’ in email?
Use: “잠시만 기다려 주시기 바랍니다” (jamsiman gidaryeo jusigi baramnida).
Q23. How do I mention a previous meeting in email?
Say: “지난 회의에서 논의된 사항입니다” (jinan hoeuieseo nonuidaeun sahangimnida) — "These are the items discussed in the previous meeting."
Q24. How do I mention that two files are attached?
Say: “파일 두 개 첨부해 드렸습니다” (pail du gae cheombu-hae deuryeotsseumnida).
Q25. How do I say ‘Let me know if anything is unclear’?
Use: “궁금한 점 있으면 말씀 부탁드립니다” (gunggeumhan jeom isseumyeon malsseum butak deurimnida).
Q26. What’s a polite way to say ‘I’ll follow up next week’?
Say: “다음 주에 다시 연락드리겠습니다” (daeum jue dasi yeollak deurigetsseumnida).
Q27. How do I say ‘Please send me the final version’?
Write: “최종본을 보내주시기 바랍니다” (choejongboneul bonaejusigi baramnida).
Q28. How do I say ‘It has been completed’ formally?
Use: “완료되었습니다” (wanryo doeeotseumnida).
Q29. How do I say ‘Thank you for your time’?
Say: “시간 내주셔서 감사합니다” (sigan nae jusyeoseo gamsahamnida).
Q30. How do I formally close a follow-up email?
Use this structure: “검토 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다. ABC팀 홍길동 드림” (geomto butak deurimnida. gamsahamnida. ABC tim Hong Gildong deurim).
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for educational purposes only. All Korean phrases and examples are designed to support language learning and cultural understanding. Readers should adjust usage based on workplace context and professional relationship.
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