Korean for Catering an Event: Business Deal Terms and Phrases
Learn intermediate Korean phrases to negotiate catering for corporate events, including quotes, contracts, and polite business language.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
When you arrange catering for a business event in Korean, the language shifts from market haggling to formal negotiation. You'll need terms for quotes, contracts, per-person pricing, and polite requests. This lesson teaches you how to discuss catering services with a vendor, focusing on business deals rather than casual market transactions. You'll practice key phrases and patterns to confidently handle arrangements for conferences, office parties, or client dinners.
By the end, you can…
- request a catering quote for a specific event size and date.
- negotiate per-person pricing and menu options politely.
- discuss contract terms and confirm details for an event.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
행사 케이터링 견적서를 받아볼 수 있을까요?
Could I receive a catering quote for the event?
haeng-sa ke-i-teo-ring gyeon-jeok-seo-reul ba-da-bol su is-seul-kka-yo?
Use this to request a formal quote from a catering company. 견적서 (gyeon-jeok-seo) means 'quotation document'.
1인당 가격은 얼마인가요?
What is the price per person?
il-in-dang ga-gyeok-eun eol-ma-in-ga-yo?
Essential for budgeting. 1인당 (il-in-dang) means 'per person'.
메뉴 옵션을 조정할 수 있을까요?
Can we adjust the menu options?
me-nyu op-syeon-eul jo-jeong-hal su is-seul-kka-yo?
Use when you need to customize the menu for dietary restrictions or budget.
계약서에 서명하기 전에 세부 사항을 확인하고 싶습니다.
I would like to confirm the details before signing the contract.
gye-yak-seo-e seo-myeong-ha-gi jeon-e se-bu sa-hang-eul hwak-in-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Formal phrase to review terms. 계약서 (gye-yak-seo) means 'contract'.
행사 날짜와 시간을 확정해 주시겠어요?
Could you confirm the event date and time?
haeng-sa nal-jja-wa si-gan-eul hwak-jeong-hae ju-si-get-eo-yo?
Polite request to finalize scheduling. 확정하다 (hwak-jeong-ha-da) means 'to confirm'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern '-ㄹ 수 있을까요?' is used to make polite requests or ask about possibilities. For example, '견적서를 받아볼 수 있을까요?' means 'Could I receive a quote?' It softens the request, making it appropriate for business. Similarly, '메뉴를 변경할 수 있을까요?' means 'Could we change the menu?' Use this pattern when you want to negotiate without sounding demanding.
When to use it
Use formal language (합쇼체) with catering vendors you don't know well, especially in initial meetings. For example, '계약 조건을 논의하고 싶습니다' (I would like to discuss the contract terms). If you have an existing relationship, you might use polite informal (해요체): '견적서 좀 보내주실 수 있어요?' (Could you send the quote?). Always use honorifics when addressing the vendor's representative.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
안녕하세요, 다음 달 회사 행사 케이터링을 문의드리고 싶습니다.
Hello, I'd like to inquire about catering for our company event next month.an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, da-eum dal hoe-sa haeng-sa ke-i-teo-ring-eul mun-ui-deu-ri-go sip-seum-ni-da.네, 행사 규모와 날짜를 알려주시면 견적서를 보내드리겠습니다.
Yes, if you let us know the event size and date, we'll send you a quote.ne, haeng-sa gyu-mo-wa nal-jja-reul al-lyeo-ju-si-myeon gyeon-jeok-seo-reul bo-nae-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.50명 정도이고, 1인당 예산은 3만 원입니다. 가능할까요?
It's about 50 people, and our budget is 30,000 won per person. Is that possible?o-sip-myeong jeong-do-i-go, il-in-dang ye-san-eun sam-man won-im-ni-da. ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?네, 가능합니다. 메뉴 옵션을 조정해 드릴 수 있습니다. 계약서는 언제 필요하신가요?
Yes, that's possible. We can adjust the menu options. When do you need the contract?ne, ga-neung-ham-ni-da. me-nyu op-syeon-eul jo-jeong-hae deu-ril su it-seum-ni-da. gye-yak-seo-neun eon-je pi-ryo-ha-sin-ga-yo?A little context goes a long way
In Korean business culture, initial meetings often involve indirect communication and relationship-building. It's common to exchange business cards and use formal titles. When negotiating, avoid direct refusals; instead, say '어려울 것 같습니다' (it seems difficult) to soften. Also, decisions may take time as vendors consult internally. Patience and polite persistence are key.
One thing to watch for
Using market-style bargaining phrases like '깎아 주세요' (please give me a discount) in a formal catering negotiation.
Try this instead: In business settings, use polite requests for adjustments: '예산에 맞춰 조정할 수 있을까요?' (Could you adjust it to fit our budget?). This maintains professionalism and respect.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask for a per-person price in Korean?
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1인당 가격은 얼마인가요?
This directly asks for the per-person price. Alternatively, you could say '1인당 비용이 어떻게 되나요?' which is equally polite.
2What phrase would you use to request a menu change politely?
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메뉴를 변경할 수 있을까요?
This uses the polite pattern '-ㄹ 수 있을까요?' to ask if a change is possible. You could also say '메뉴 조정이 가능한가요?' for a slightly more formal tone.
3How do you confirm the event date and time with the vendor?
Show a sample answer
행사 날짜와 시간을 확정해 주시겠어요?
This politely asks the vendor to confirm. Another option: '날짜와 시간을 다시 한번 확인해 주세요' (Please check the date and time again).
When negotiating catering in Korean, use formal language and polite request patterns like '-ㄹ 수 있을까요?' to discuss quotes, per-person pricing, and contract details. Avoid casual bargaining and focus on mutual agreement.
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