Korean Dictionary
How to say "Reference" in Korean
“Reference” in Korean is 추천인 (pronounced "chucheonin").
추천인
chucheonin
Usage & Context
A person who can vouch for your qualifications and character. References are important in Korean hiring processes. They are typically previous employers or supervisors.
Example Sentence
추천인으로 전 상사를 제시했습니다.
I provided my former boss as a reference.
How to use 추천인 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Reference” is 추천인, romanized as chucheonin.
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 추천인.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'choo-chuhn-een' — three syllables. 'Choo' rhymes with 'chew,' 'chuhn' is a short 'chun,' and 'een' rhymes with 'seen.' Keep the flow smooth without pausing between syllables.
More Example Sentences
filling out a sign-up form with a referral code
추천인 정보를 입력해 주세요.
Please enter your referrer's information.
describing a job application process
이직할 때 추천인 연락처를 요청받았어요.
When I was changing jobs, they asked for a reference's contact info.
asking about a professional introduction
저를 추천해 주신 분이 누구세요?
Who is the person who referred me?
Cultural Context
추천인 covers two different Western concepts that Koreans blend: a job reference who vouches for you, and a referrer in sign-up/referral programs (banks, apps, gyms — 추천인 코드 입력 is everywhere). In Korean hiring, a 평판조회 (reputation check) with your 추천인 or even former coworkers you didn't list is common for senior or finance roles, and companies sometimes call around industry contacts without asking you first. For academic contexts, 추천서 (recommendation letter) is the related noun, especially for grad school or scholarships.
Editorial note
We review business terms like 추천인 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
추천인이 필요해요.
A reference is required.
추천인 코드 입력
Enter referrer code
저를 추천해 주세요.
Please refer me / put in a good word.
Related Expressions
추천서
chucheonseo
letter of recommendation
평판조회
pyeongpan-johoe
reputation / background check
추천하다
chucheonhada
to recommend / refer
인맥
inmaek
personal network / connections
More Business Words
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