What does 사장님 (sajangnim) mean?
- 사장님sajangnim
Boss / shop owner
Polite: safe with most people
사장님 (sajangnim) means "boss" or "company president," with an honorific attached. Koreans also use it to politely address the owner of a shop, restaurant or small business.
Where it comes from
사장 is Sino-Korean for the head of a company, and 님 is an honorific suffix.
How to use 사장님
Employees call the head of their company 사장님. In a bigger company you will also hear other titles, like 부장님 (department head) or 대표님 (CEO).
In daily life, 사장님 is the polite, friendly way to call the owner at a restaurant, cafe or market stall. People use it even when they are not sure the person is the actual owner.
Avoid saying just 사장 without 님 when you speak to the person. On its own it is used to talk about the role, not to address someone.
Examples
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Asking for the bill at a restaurant
A coworker passing on a message
Saying goodbye to a market vendor
Other ways to say it
| Korean | Meaning | When |
|---|---|---|
| 사장 | company head | Used to talk about the role. |
| 대표님 | CEO / representative | Common title at startups and small firms. |
| 회장님 | chairman | Head of a large business group. |
Questions learners ask
Can I call a restaurant owner sajangnim?
Yes. It is one of the most common and polite ways to get the owner's or staff's attention at a restaurant.
Is sajangnim only for the CEO?
No. It can mean a company president, but in everyday life it is also a polite title for any business owner.