Master ESG Talk in Korean: Analyze Renewable Energy Reports Like a Pro!
Hello! Welcome to [Maeil Hangeul], here to upgrade your Korean skills!
Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s both professional and incredibly relevant: analyzing corporate reports on alternative energy. Sound difficult? Don’t worry! This is the kind of vocabulary that will take your Korean from casual conversation to professional discussion. Nowadays in Korea, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) is a huge topic. Companies are constantly talking about their commitment to sustainability, and knowing how to discuss it will make you sound incredibly fluent and knowledgeable. Let’s learn how to talk about corporate responsibility and renewable energy like a true insider!
Core Expressions You Need to Know
Here are some essential phrases you’ll find in every ESG report.
1. 재생 에너지 (Jaesaeng eneoji)
- Pronunciation [재생 에너지]: [jaesaeng eneoji]
- English Meaning: Renewable Energy
- Detailed Explanation: This is the core term for all sustainable energy sources like solar (태양광, taeyanggwang), wind (풍력, pungnyeok), and hydropower (수력, suryeok). It literally means “re-birth” or “re-generation” energy. You will see this word everywhere in business news and corporate websites.
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💡 Pronunciation Tip: The pronunciation is quite straightforward and follows the spelling. Just remember to pronounce each syllable clearly: 재 (jae) – 생 (saeng) – 에 (e) – 너 (neo) – 지 (ji).
2. ~을/를 확대하다 (~eul/reul hwakdaehada)
- Pronunciation [확때하다]: [hwakttaehada]
- English Meaning: To expand; to enlarge
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Detailed Explanation: This verb is crucial in a business context. It’s used when a company is increasing or scaling up something, like its market share, facilities, or in our case, its use of renewable energy. For nouns ending in a consonant, you use
을 확대하다, and for nouns ending in a vowel, you use를 확대하다.- Example: 재생 에너지 사용을 확대하다 (To expand the use of renewable energy).
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: Listen closely! The spelling is ‘hak-dae-ha-da’, but the actual pronunciation is closer to [hwakttaehada]. When a syllable ending in a stop consonant like ‘ㄱ’ (k) is followed by ‘ㄷ’ (d), the ‘ㄷ’ sound becomes a tensed sound, ‘ㄸ’ (tt). This is a very common rule called 된소리되기 (doensoridwegi), or ‘tensing’. So, instead of a soft ‘dae’, you pronounce it with a strong, sharp ‘ttae‘.
3. ~에 따르면 (~e ttarimyeon)
- Pronunciation [~에 따르묜]: [~e ttarimyeon]
- English Meaning: According to…
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Detailed Explanation: This is an essential phrase for citing information from a source, like a report, a news article, or a person. It adds credibility to your statement. You simply attach it to the noun that is your source.
- Example: 이 보고서에 따르면… (According to this report…).
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip: The pronunciation here is smooth and connected. Pay attention to the
ㄹsound in따르면. It’s a soft ‘r’ or ‘l’ sound that rolls into the next syllable. Practice saying [따르묜 / ttarimyeon] smoothly.
4. 목표를 달성하다 (Mokpyoreul dalseonghada)
- Pronunciation [목표를 달썽하다]: [mokpyoreul dalsseonghada]
- English Meaning: To achieve a goal
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Detailed Explanation: This phrase is the ultimate goal of any project or report!
목표 (mokpyo)means ‘goal’ or ‘target’, and달성하다 (dalseonghada)means ‘to achieve’. It’s a set phrase used very frequently in business and personal goal-setting. -
💡 Pronunciation Tip: Here’s another fun pronunciation rule! The spelling is ‘dal-seong-ha-da’, but it’s pronounced [dal-sseong-ha-da]. When a syllable ending in ‘ㄹ’ (l) is followed by ‘ㅅ’ (s), the ‘ㅅ’ often becomes the tensed sound ‘ㅆ’ (ss). This is another example of 된소리되기 (doensoridwegi). So, you pronounce it with a strong ‘sseong‘ sound, not a soft ‘seong’.
Example Dialogue
Let’s see how these expressions are used in a real conversation between two colleagues, Min-jun (A) and Ji-hye (B).
A (민준): 지혜 씨, 우리 회사 새로운 ESG 보고서 봤어요?
Jihye-ssi, uri hoesa saeroun ESG bogoseo bwasseoyo?
(Jihye, have you seen our company’s new ESG report?)
B (지혜): 네, 방금 읽었어요. 보고서에 따르면, 작년에 재생 에너지 사용을 정말 많이 확대했더라고요.
Ne, banggeum ilgeosseoyo. Bogoseoe ttareumyeon, jangnyeone jaesaeng eneoji sayongeul jeongmal mani hwakdaehaetdeoragoyo.
(Yes, I just read it. According to the report, they really expanded the use of renewable energy last year.)
A (민준): 와, 대단하네요! 그럼 2025년 목표를 달성한 건가요?
Wa, daedanhadaeyo! Geureom 2025nyeon mokpyoreul dalseonghan geongayo?
(Wow, that’s amazing! Does that mean they achieved the goal for 2025?)
B (지혜): 네, 계획보다 1년이나 빨리 달성했대요. 정말 자랑스러워요.
Ne, gyehoekboda illyeonina ppalli dalseonghaetdaeyo. Jeongmal jarangseureowoyo.
(Yes, they said they achieved it a year ahead of schedule. I’m so proud.)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, ESG is more than just a corporate trend; it’s a cultural shift. The MZ Generation (Millennials + Gen Z) are known as 가치소비자 (gachi sobija), or “value-conscious consumers.” They actively support companies that are transparent about their environmental impact and social contributions.
When a major company like Samsung or Hyundai announces they’ve achieved a renewable energy goal (“재생 에너지 목표를 달성했다”), it becomes major news. You’ll see headlines using these exact phrases.
Want to sound even more like an expert? Try using the term 지속가능한 발전 (jisokganeunghan baljeon), which means “sustainable development.” Mentioning this in a conversation about ESG will surely impress your Korean colleagues and friends!
Let’s Review and Practice!
Great job today! We learned four key expressions for understanding and discussing corporate ESG reports and renewable energy:
* 재생 에너지 (Jaesaeng eneoji): Renewable Energy
* ~을/를 확대하다 (~eul/reul hwakdaehada): To expand
* ~에 따르면 (~e ttarimyeon): According to…
* 목표를 달성하다 (Mokpyoreul dalseonghada): To achieve a goal
Now, let’s put your knowledge to the test!
1. Fill in the blank:
뉴스( ), 많은 한국 기업들이 재생 에너지 사용을 확대하고 있다.
( the news, many Korean companies are expanding their use of renewable energy.)
2. Make a sentence:
Use the phrases “우리 회사 (uri hoesa – our company)” and “목표를 달성하다 (mokpyoreul dalseonghada)” to create a simple sentence about achieving a goal.
Leave your answers in the comments below! We are excited to see what you come up with. Keep up the fantastic work
