Bad ‘Warabal’? Let’s Talk Changing Jobs in Korea!
Hello! Welcome to [Daily Korean], where we upgrade your Korean skills!
Are you tired after a long day at work? Do you feel like you have no personal life? If so, today’s lesson is for you! We’re diving into one of the hottest topics in modern Korean society: 워라밸 (Warabal), or ‘Work-Life Balance.’
These days in Korea, especially among the younger generation, ‘Warabal’ isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a top priority when choosing a job. Today, we’ll learn essential Korean phrases to discuss your ‘Warabal’ and what to say when you’re considering a new job (이직) to find a better balance. Let’s get started!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are the key phrases to help you navigate conversations about work-life balance.
1. 워라밸이 좋다/나쁘다 (Warabaeri jota/nappeuda)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Wa-ra-bae-ri jo-ta / na-ppeu-da]
- English Meaning: The work-life balance is good/bad.
- Detailed Description: ‘워라밸’ is the Korean way of saying “Work-Life Balance.” It’s a direct Konglish adaptation and is used universally in both casual and professional settings. You can simply pair it with 좋다 (good) or 나쁘다 (bad) to describe your situation. It’s the most fundamental phrase in this topic!
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Notice how 워라밸이 is pronounced [워라배리/Wa-ra-bae-ri]? This is a super common Korean pronunciation rule called ‘linking’ or 연음 (yeoneum). When a syllable ends with a consonant (like ‘밸’ with ‘ㄹ’) and the next syllable starts with a vowel (like ‘이’), the consonant sound “links” or moves over to the next syllable. So, instead of a choppy
Warabal-i, it flows smoothly asWa-ra-bae-ri.
2. 야근이 잦다 (Yageuni jatda)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Ya-geu-ni jat-tta]
- English Meaning: To have frequent overtime work.
- Detailed Description: 야근 (yageun) means ‘overtime work’ or ‘working late,’ and 잦다 (jatda) is a useful adjective meaning ‘to be frequent.’ If you find yourself constantly working late, this is the perfect expression to use. It’s one of the biggest reasons people complain about bad ‘Warabal’.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The word 잦다 is pronounced [자따/jat-tta]. Why? It’s a two-step process. First, the final consonant ‘ㅈ’ (j) in ‘잦’ is pronounced as a ‘ㄷ’ (t) sound at the end of a syllable (this rule is called 음절의 끝소리 규칙). Then, when this ‘ㄷ’ sound meets the ‘ㄷ’ (d) in ‘다’, it becomes a tensed, strong ‘ㄸ’ (tt) sound (this is 된소리되기). It’s a bit tricky, but mastering this will make you sound much more natural!
3. 이직을 고민 중이다 (Ijigeul gomin jung-ida)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: [I-ji-geul go-min jung-i-da]
- English Meaning: I’m considering changing jobs. / I’m in the middle of thinking about a job change.
- Detailed Description: 이직 (ijik) specifically means changing jobs or moving to another company. 고민 중이다 (gomin jung-ida) means ‘to be in the middle of worrying/thinking about something.’ This phrase perfectly captures the state of seriously contemplating a career move. It’s more thoughtful than just saying “I want to quit.”
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The pronunciation here is quite straightforward. Just remember to pronounce 이직을 as [이직을/i-ji-geul] by linking the ‘ㄱ’ (g/k) sound to the next syllable. It’s that same 연음 (yeoneum) rule again!
4. 칼퇴하다 (Kaltoehada)
- Pronunciation [Romanization]: [Kal-toe-ha-da]
- English Meaning: To leave work right on time.
- Detailed Description: This is a fantastic slang term! It’s a combination of 칼 (kal), meaning “knife,” and 퇴근하다 (toegeunhada), meaning “to leave work.” It creates the image of “cutting” the workday off sharply at the exact finishing time. If your company culture allows for 칼퇴, you probably have a good ‘Warabal’! It’s a casual word, perfect for conversations with friends and close colleagues.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The pronunciation is as it’s written. The ‘퇴’ [toe] sound can be tricky for English speakers. It’s like saying “toe” but with your lips slightly more rounded. Practice saying it a few times: 칼. 퇴. 하다. (kal-toe-ha-da).
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two friends, Minjun and Sora.
A: 민준 (Minjun)
요즘 너무 피곤해 보여. 무슨 일 있어?
(Yojeum neomu pigonhae boyeo. Museun il isseo?)
You look so tired these days. Is everything okay?
B: 소라 (Sora)
응, 우리 회사는 워라밸이 너무 나빠. 거의 매일 야근이 잦아서 개인 시간이 하나도 없어.
(Eung, uri hoesaneun warabaeri neomu nappa. Geoui maeil yageuni jajaseo gaein sigani hanado eopseo.)
Yeah, the work-life balance at my company is so bad. I have frequent overtime almost every day, so I have no personal time at all.
A: 민준 (Minjun)
저런… 그래서 이직을 고민 중이구나? 우리 회사는 칼퇴 문화가 잘 되어 있는데.
(Jeoreon… Geuraeseo ijigeul gomin jung-iguna? Uri hoesaneun kaltoe munhwaga jal doeeo inneunde.)
Oh no… So that’s why you’re considering changing jobs? My company has a great culture of leaving on time.
B: 소라 (Sora)
정말? 너무 부럽다. 나도 빨리 좋은 곳으로 이직하고 싶어.
(Jeongmal? Neomu bureopda. Nado ppalli joeun goseuro ijikago sipeo.)
Really? I’m so jealous. I want to find a better place and change jobs soon, too.
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, the concept of ‘Warabal’ represents a major cultural shift. For older generations, long working hours and company dinners (회식/hoesik) were often seen as a sign of loyalty and hard work.
However, the Korean MZ generation (Millennials + Gen Z) today values personal happiness and fulfillment outside of the office. They are actively rejecting the old “work-is-life” culture.
- Look out for it in K-Dramas! You’ll often see characters in shows like Misaeng or My Liberation Notes struggling with demanding bosses and endless overtime. When a character proudly proclaims they’re going to 칼퇴, it’s a moment of victory!
- The New Standard: When looking for jobs, young Koreans now check company reviews specifically for comments on ‘Warabal’, ‘칼퇴 보장’ (guaranteed on-time departure), and flexible work options.
- Sound like a local: If you mention that good 워라밸 is important to you, your Korean friends and colleagues will immediately understand that you’re in tune with the modern Korean work culture.
Let’s Practice!
Time to check your understanding. Let’s see if you can use what you’ve learned!
1. Fill in the blank:
My friend wants to change jobs because his work-life balance is terrible.
제 친구는 ( )이/가 너무 안 좋아서 ( )을/를 하고 싶어 해요.
(Answer: 워라밸, 이직)
2. Your Turn!
What is the most important factor for you to have a good ‘Warabal’? Try to write a short sentence in Korean!
(Example: 저는 칼퇴가 가장 중요해요! – For me, leaving on time is the most important!)
Great job today! Understanding ‘Warabal’ is key to understanding modern Korean life.
Don’t forget to leave a comment below with your practice sentences! See you in the next lesson
