Beyond Profit: Discussing Impact Investing in Korean
Hello! It’s your guide to leveling up your Korean, Maeil Hangeul!
Are you ready to dive into a conversation that’s shaping the future of business in Korea? Today, we’re moving beyond everyday chats and into the dynamic world of venture capital and startups. Specifically, we’ll be tackling a topic that’s on everyone’s lips in the Seoul business scene: Impact Investing.
Lately in Korea, there’s been a massive surge in interest around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). It’s no longer just about the bottom line; it’s about creating positive change. This is where “임팩트 투자” (Impact Investing) comes in, and knowing how to discuss it will make you sound not just fluent, but truly informed and professional. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your Business Toolkit
Here are the key terms you need to discuss impact investing like a pro.
- 한국어 표현: 사회적 가치 (sahoejeok gachi)
- 발음 [로마자]: sa-hoe-jeok ga-chi
- 영어 뜻: Social Value
- 상세 설명: This is the heart of impact investing. It refers to the positive contribution a company or project makes to society or the environment. It’s the “impact” part of the investment. While 수익성 (suikseong – profitability) is important, impact investors look for businesses that also generate high 사회적 가치.
-
한국어 표현: 지속가능성 (jisokganeungseong)
- 발음 [로마자]: ji-sok-ga-neung-seong
- 영어 뜻: Sustainability
-
상세 설명: This word is everywhere in Korean business today. It refers to a business model’s ability to operate long-term without depleting financial, ecological, or social resources. It’s a broader concept that encompasses both environmental protection and long-term business viability. When discussing a company’s future, its 지속가능성 is a key point of analysis.
-
한국어 표현: -는 것을 넘어 (neun geos-eul neomeo)
- 발음 [로마자]: -neun geot-eul neo-meo
- 영어 뜻: To go beyond (doing something)
-
상세 설명: This is a sophisticated grammatical pattern used to build a stronger argument. You attach it to a verb stem to say that something does more than just that one action. It’s perfect for explaining the dual purpose of impact investing. For example: “단순히 이익을 추구하는 것을 넘어 사회 문제 해결에 기여합니다.” (It goes beyond simply pursuing profit and contributes to solving social problems.)
-
한국어 표현: 일석이조 (ilseogijo)
- 발음 [로마자]: il-seok-i-jo
- 영어 뜻: To kill two birds with one stone (Literally: one stone, two birds)
- 상세 설명: This well-known idiom is frequently used in business contexts to describe an action that achieves two goals simultaneously. Impact investing is often described as 일석이조 because it aims for both financial returns and positive social impact. It’s a concise and powerful way to summarize the main benefit.
Example Dialogue: At a Startup Conference
Let’s see how these expressions work in a real conversation.
A: 최근에 ‘에코 프렌즈’라는 스타트업에 대한 기사 읽어봤어요? 폐플라스틱으로 신소재를 개발하는 곳인데, 투자 유치에 성공했더라고요.
(Have you read the article about the startup ‘Eco Friends’? They develop new materials from waste plastic and recently succeeded in attracting investment.)
B: 아, 네. 봤어요. 그 회사는 단순히 수익을 창출하는 것을 넘어, 환경 문제 해결이라는 뚜렷한 사회적 가치를 만들어내고 있잖아요.
(Ah, yes I have. That company goes beyond simply generating profit; it’s creating clear social value by solving environmental problems.)
A: 맞아요. 투자자들도 이제는 기업의 지속가능성을 매우 중요하게 보는 것 같아요. 재무적 성과와 사회적 기여를 동시에 잡을 수 있으니, 그야말로 일석이조의 투자죠.
(Exactly. It seems investors now consider a company’s sustainability to be very important. Since you can achieve both financial performance and social contribution, it’s a true kill-two-birds-with-one-stone investment.)
B: 동의해요. 이런 임팩트 투자가 한국 스타트업 생태계에 긍정적인 바람을 불어넣고 있는 것 같습니다.
(I agree. It seems this kind of impact investing is breathing new, positive life into the Korean startup ecosystem.)
Culture Tip & Trend Analysis
In Korea, the push for impact investing isn’t just a grassroots movement; it’s being driven from the top down. Major conglomerates like SK and Hanwha have launched massive funds and initiatives dedicated to supporting social ventures and ESG-compliant businesses.
This means that the vocabulary we learned today isn’t just for high-level boardroom meetings. You’ll hear “사회적 가치” and “지속가능성” mentioned in news reports, university lectures, and even casual conversations among young people who are increasingly conscious about where they work and what they consume.
When you use a phrase like, “이 프로젝트는 일석이조네요. 수익성도 좋고 사회적 가치도 높으니까요,” you’re not just showing off your Korean skills. You’re demonstrating an understanding of a core value that is currently reshaping Korean society and its economy. You’ll sound like an insider who truly gets what’s happening on the ground.
Let’s Practice!
Time to put your knowledge to the test.
- Fill in the blank:
A socially responsible company aims for more than just profit; it also prioritizes _________.
(사회적 책임을 다하는 기업은 이익뿐만 아니라 __________도 중요하게 생각한다.) -
Make a sentence: Think of a global company you admire. Using the grammar pattern -는 것을 넘어, write one sentence explaining how it creates value beyond its main product or service.
Great job today! You’ve added some powerful and relevant vocabulary to your professional Korean arsenal.
Now it’s your turn. Try using one of today’s expressions in the comments below! I’d love to see your sentences.
