Korean Dictionary
How to say "Negotiation" in Korean
“Negotiation” in Korean is 협상 (pronounced "hyeopsang").
협상
hyeopsang
Usage & Context
A discussion between parties to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. Negotiations in Korea often involve careful consideration of relationships and long-term partnerships. Patience and respect are key elements of successful negotiations.
Example Sentence
내일 공급업체와 협상이 있습니다.
I have a negotiation with the supplier tomorrow.
How to use 협상 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Negotiation” is 협상, romanized as hyeopsang.
Usage tip
Business Korean usually needs polite or formal endings, especially in emails, meetings, and customer situations.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 협상.
Pronunciation Guide
For 협상 (hyeopsang), 'hyeop' sounds like 'hyup' (similar to 'hiccup' but with a 'y' sound), and 'sang' is like 'song' but with an 'a' sound. The pronunciation is quite direct, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable.
More Example Sentences
Reporting on a failed labor negotiation.
노사 간의 협상이 결렬되었어요.
The negotiation between labor and management broke down.
Describing a successful business deal.
가격 협상 끝에 좋은 조건으로 계약했어요.
After price negotiations, we signed a contract under good terms.
Complimenting someone's negotiation skills.
그는 협상에 능한 사람이에요.
He is a person skilled in negotiation.
Cultural Context
In Korean business culture, 협상 (hyeopsang) often involves a strong emphasis on building and maintaining long-term relationships (관계, gwan-gye) and 'face' (체면, chemyeon). Direct confrontation is generally avoided, and patience is highly valued. Initial meetings might focus more on establishing trust and understanding each other's positions rather than immediate deal-making. Personal connections can play a significant role in successful outcomes.
Editorial note
We review business terms like 협상 for formality, so the example fits emails, meetings, or workplace conversations instead of casual speech.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
협상 테이블
negotiation table
협상 결렬
negotiation breakdown
협상에 나서다
to enter negotiations
Related Expressions
협상하다
hyeopsanghada
to negotiate
거래
georae
deal/transaction
계약
gyeyak
contract
합의
habi
agreement
More Business Words
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