Invest with Impact: Master ESG & CSR Talk in Korean
Hello! Welcome to Maeil Hangeul, your go-to source for upgrading your Korean skills!
Are you ready to elevate your conversations beyond daily chit-chat and dive into the topics shaping the modern world? Today, we’re tackling a subject that’s crucial in boardrooms and intellectual circles alike: Impact Investing (임팩트 투자).
Lately in Korea, just like globally, there’s been a huge surge in interest around ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance). Companies and investors are no longer just looking at the bottom line; they’re asking, “What is the real-world impact?” Mastering the vocabulary to discuss this topic will not only make you sound incredibly fluent but also allow you to engage in high-level, meaningful conversations about corporate ethics and the future of business. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions for Your ESG Toolkit
Here are the essential terms you need to discuss impact investing like a pro.
1. 사회적 책임 (Sahojeok Chaegim)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Sahojeok chaegim
- English Meaning: Social Responsibility
- Detailed Explanation: This is the cornerstone of corporate ethics discussions. It refers to a company’s duty to act in a way that benefits society. It’s often used in the full phrase ‘기업의 사회적 책임’ (gi-eobui sahoejeok chaegim), which means ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR). This concept is fundamental for evaluating a company’s non-financial value.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
In 사회적 (sahojeok), the final consonant ‘ㄱ’ (k) is pronounced clearly. However, when it’s followed by a particle starting with a vowel, like ‘사회적을‘ (sahojeog-eul), the ‘ㄱ’ sound links to the next syllable, becoming [sahojeogeul]. This linking rule, or 연음 (yeoneum), is key to sounding smooth and natural.
2. 지속가능성 (Jisokganeungseong)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jisokganeungseong
- English Meaning: Sustainability
- Detailed Explanation: A buzzword you absolutely cannot miss. It’s composed of three Sino-Korean parts: 지속 (jisok) meaning ‘continuation’, 가능 (ganeung) meaning ‘possibility’, and 성 (seong), a suffix that turns words into abstract nouns, like ‘-ness’ or ‘-ity’ in English. It’s used to talk about long-term environmental, social, and economic viability. You’ll often see it in the phrase ‘지속가능한 발전’ (jisokganeunghan baljeon) – sustainable development.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
This five-syllable word can be a mouthful! The key is the nasal assimilation in 가능성 [가능썽/ganeung-sseong]. The ‘ㅅ’ (s) in ‘성’ becomes a tensed sound, ‘ㅆ’ (ss), after the nasal consonant ‘ㅇ’ (ng). Practice saying it slowly first: 지-속-가-능-썽 (ji-sok-ga-neung-sseong).
3. ~을/를 기준으로 삼다 (~eul/reul gijuneuro samda)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: ~eul/reul gijun-euro samda
- English Meaning: To set/use ~ as a standard or criterion.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a sophisticated and formal grammatical pattern perfect for professional settings. ‘기준’ (gijun) means ‘standard’ or ‘criterion’, and ‘삼다’ (samda) means ‘to make something into something’ or ‘to regard as’. It implies a conscious, deliberate choice of a standard for evaluation. It’s a more formal and impactful way of saying ‘~을/를 기준으로 하다’ (~eul/reul gijuneuro hada).
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Pay attention to the smooth linking (연음/yeoneum) in 기준으로 [기주느로/gijuneuro]. The final consonant ‘ㄴ’ (n) of ‘기준’ flows directly into the ‘으’ (eu) vowel of ‘으로’, creating a seamless connection between the two words.
4. 재무적 성과 (Jaemujeok Seonggwa)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: Jaemujeok seonggwa
- English Meaning: Financial performance/returns
- Detailed Explanation: This term is crucial when contrasting impact investing with traditional investing. Impact investors aim for both 재무적 성과 and positive social/environmental outcomes. It’s the “profit” part of the “profit with purpose” equation.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The double consonant in 성과 [성과/seong-gwa] requires a tensed pronunciation. Unlike a regular ‘ㄱ’ (g), the ‘ㄲ’ in ‘과’ is pronounced without any puff of air, creating a sharper, more forceful sound. Think of it as starting the sound from the back of your throat with more tension.
Example Dialogue: At an Investment Firm
Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two investment analysts, Minjun (A) and Sora (B).
A (민준): 요즘 임팩트 투자에 대한 관심이 높아지고 있는데, 소라 씨는 투자 대상을 선정할 때 어떤 점을 가장 중요하게 보세요?
(Interest in impact investing is growing these days. Sora, what do you consider most important when selecting an investment target?)
B (소라): 물론 재무적 성과도 무시할 순 없지만, 저희는 기업의 사회적 책임과 장기적인 지속가능성을 핵심 기준으로 삼고 있습니다.
(Of course, we can’t ignore financial performance, but we use a company’s social responsibility and long-term sustainability as our core criteria.)
A (민준): 동의합니다. 사회적 가치를 창출하는 기업이 결국 더 안정적인 성장을 이룰 거라고 저도 믿습니다.
(I agree. I also believe that companies creating social value will ultimately achieve more stable growth.)
B (소라): 맞습니다. 그것이 바로 임팩트 투자의 핵심 철학이죠. 최근에 상장한 한 친환경 에너지 스타트업이 좋은 예시가 될 것 같네요.
(Exactly. That is the core philosophy of impact investing. A recently listed eco-friendly energy startup could be a great example.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In today’s Korea, ESG is not just a niche topic; it’s mainstream. Major conglomerates like Samsung, SK, and Hyundai regularly publish extensive ‘지속가능성 보고서’ (jisokganeungseong bogoseo – Sustainability Reports) to showcase their commitment.
For the Korean Z generation and millennials, a company’s ethical stance and 사회적 책임 are major factors in their purchasing decisions and even their career choices. Social ventures (소셜 벤처) and B-Corps are gaining immense popularity, especially in tech hubs like Pangyo.
Therefore, being able to discuss these topics using the correct terminology shows that you’re not just learning the language, but you’re also deeply attuned to the currents of modern Korean society and business culture. It’s a powerful way to demonstrate your professional and cultural fluency.
Wrap-up & Practice!
Today, we’ve learned four key expressions to confidently discuss corporate ethics and impact investing in Korean. You now have the tools to talk about 사회적 책임 (social responsibility), 지속가능성 (sustainability), and the balance with 재무적 성과 (financial performance).
Now, it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the blank:
우리 회사는 투자를 결정할 때, 환경 보호를 중요한 ___________으로 삼는다.
(When making investment decisions, our company uses environmental protection as an important ___________.)
(Answer: 기준) -
Make a sentence:
Try creating your own sentence using ‘지속가능성’ and ‘사회적 책임’. For example, “Sustainability and social responsibility are important for a company’s future.”
Share your answers and your own sentences in the comments below! We’d love to see how you use these powerful expressions.
