Vocab: Office Routine

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TL;DR 🦄

🏢 출근 is the act of showing up to work — one of the most common daily Korean verbs

💼 업무 = the work itself (tasks, duties); 회의 = the meetings that eat into that work time

⏰ 바쁘다 is what everyone says they are; 꼬박꼬박 is how the reliable ones actually do things

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🎧 Iru Helper Note — Head to the Korean Helper Widgets and type any sentence from this lesson to hear it at natural speed. 꼬박꼬박 is a fun one to hear — the repetition in the word matches its meaning of doing something consistently without fail. ⏰

🌈 The Big Picture

The Korean office day has its own vocabulary rhythm — and these five words map it almost perfectly. 출근 starts the day. 업무 fills it. 바쁘다 describes how everyone feels. 회의 interrupts it. And 꼬박꼬박 separates the reliable from the rest.

These words appear in everyday conversation, work chat messages, performance reviews, and casual venting about office life. Master them and you'll sound completely natural talking about any Korean workplace.

🎨 The Core Office Routine Family

1. 출근 — commuting to/arriving at work 🏢

The act of going to and showing up for work. 출근하다 = to go to work/commute. 출근 시간 = work start time/commute time. Opposite: 퇴근하다 = to leave work/go home.

2. 업무 — work tasks, duties, business 💼

The actual work itself — tasks, assignments, responsibilities. More specific than 일 (work in general). 업무를 처리하다 = to handle work tasks. 업무가 밀리다 = work piles up. 업무 시간 = working hours.

3. 바쁘다 — to be busy ⏰

The universal Korean office word. 요즘 많이 바빠요 = I've been very busy lately. Key grammar: 바빠서 = because I'm busy. 바쁜 하루 = a busy day.

4. 꼬박꼬박 — consistently without fail, every single time 📅

An adverb meaning to do something regularly without skipping or missing. 꼬박꼬박 출근하다 = to show up to work every single day without fail. 꼬박꼬박 제출하다 = to submit every time without fail. Positive connotation — reliable, diligent.

5. 회의 — meeting 📋

The work meeting. 회의를 하다 = to have a meeting. 회의가 있다 = there's a meeting. 회의를 잡다 = to schedule a meeting. 회의가 길어지다 = the meeting runs long.

🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence

오늘도 꼬박꼬박 출근했는데 업무가 너무 밀려 있어요.

I showed up to work again today without fail, but work has piled up so much. 🏢💼

— -는데 = but/and (contrast); 밀리다 = to pile up/fall behind

요즘 회의가 너무 많아서 업무를 제대로 못 하고 있어요.

These days there are so many meetings that I can't do my actual work properly. 📋💼

— -아/어서 causal; 제대로 = properly; 못 하고 있다 = am unable to do

출근 시간인데 너무 바빠서 밥도 못 먹었어요.

It's work hours but I'm so busy I haven't even eaten. ⏰🏢

— -인데 = it is (contrast); 밥도 못 먹다 = can't even eat

🧩 General Formation Rule

출근하다 → regular 하다: 출근해요 / 출근했어요 / 출근하는 시간 / 출근하면

업무를 처리하다 → regular: 처리해요 / 처리했어요 / 처리할 업무

바쁘다 → ㅂ-irregular adjective: 바빠요 / 바빴어요 / 바쁜 하루 / 바빠서 / 바쁠 때

꼬박꼬박 → adverb, no conjugation — placed before any verb

회의를 하다 → regular: 회의해요 / 회의했어요 / 회의할 때 / 회의가 있다

🚨 ㅂ-irregular: 바쁘다 drops ㅂ before vowel endings → 바쁘 + 아요 → 바빠요 (not 바쁘어요).

📚 Cross-check note

All vocabulary and conjugations cross-checked against korean.go.kr ✅

🪞 Synonym Alert

출근하다 ≈ 출퇴근하다 — 출퇴근 covers both commuting to and from work; 출근 = specifically going to work

업무 ≈ 일 — 일 is broader (any work/effort); 업무 = professional tasks/duties specifically

바쁘다 ≈ 정신없다 — 정신없다 = so hectic you're losing your mind (stronger, more chaotic than just "busy")

꼬박꼬박 ≈ 빠짐없이 — 빠짐없이 = without exception/skipping (more formal); 꼬박꼬박 = every single time (more everyday)

회의 ≈ 미팅 — 미팅 (from English) is used in trendy/startup environments; 회의 is the standard Korean word

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ 바빠요 → 바쁘어요 → ✅ 바빠요 — ㅂ-irregular: ㅂ drops, 아 attaches → 바빠요. Never 바쁘어요.

❌ 출근해요 (when you mean you commute) vs 출근해요 (when you mean you're currently at work) → ✅ Use context: 지금 출근 중이에요 = I'm currently commuting. 매일 9시에 출근해요 = I start work at 9 every day.

❌ 꼬박꼬박이에요 → ✅ 꼬박꼬박 해요 — 꼬박꼬박 is an adverb; it needs a verb after it.

❌ 업무가 있어요 (for having a meeting) → ✅ 회의가 있어요 — 업무 = work tasks; 회의 = meeting. Don't mix them up.

오늘도 꼬박꼬박 출근하고, 업무 열심히 하고, 회의도 잘 해봐요! 🏢💼 바빠도 파이팅! ⏰🔥

Try this exercise

Instructions: Fill in each blank with the correct word or form. Some blanks need conjugated forms of 바쁘다 (ㅂ-irregular!).

1. 매일 아침 9시에 ＿＿＿＿해요.

I go to work at 9 every morning. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근해요. 출근하다 = to go to work/start work.

2. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿가 많이 밀렸어요.

Today work piled up a lot. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무가 밀리다. 밀리다 = to pile up/fall behind.

3. 요즘 너무 ＿＿＿＿서 쉴 시간이 없어요.

These days I'm so busy I have no time to rest. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠서. ㅂ-irregular: 바쁘다 + -아서 = 바빠서. 쉴 시간 = time to rest.

4. 지각 없이 ＿＿＿＿ 출근했어요.

I showed up to work consistently without being late. ⏰🏢

Answer

꼬박꼬박 → 꼬박꼬박 출근했어요. 지각 없이 = without being late.

5. 오후에 중요한 ＿＿＿＿가 있어요.

There's an important meeting in the afternoon. 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의가 있어요. 오후에 = in the afternoon.

6. ＿＿＿＿ 시간이 너무 길어요. 지하철로 한 시간이나 걸려요.

Commute time is too long. It takes as long as an hour by subway. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근 시간. 지하철로 = by subway. -이나 = as long as/as much as.

7. ＿＿＿＿한 날에도 꼬박꼬박 운동해요.

Even on busy days I exercise without fail. ⏰📅

Answer

바쁜 → 바쁜 날에도. 바쁘다 modifier = 바쁜. -에도 = even on.

8. 이번 ＿＿＿＿는 언제 끝날 것 같아요?

When do you think this meeting will end? 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의는 언제 끝날 것 같아요? -(으)ㄹ 것 같다 = seems like it will.

9. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿를 다 처리하고 퇴근했어요.

Today I finished all my work tasks and left the office. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무를 다 처리하다. 처리하다 = to handle/process. 퇴근하다 = to leave work.

10. 보고서를 ＿＿＿＿ 제출해서 칭찬을 받았어요.

I consistently submitted reports without fail and received compliments. 📅

Answer

꼬박꼬박 → 꼬박꼬박 제출하다. 제출하다 = to submit. 칭찬을 받다 = to receive compliments.

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Vocabulary Box

출근하다 → to go to work, start work

출근 시간 → commute/start time

퇴근하다 → to leave work, go home

업무 → work tasks, duties

업무가 밀리다 → work piles up

바쁘다 → to be busy (ㅂ-irregular)

바빠요 → I'm busy (NOT 바쁘어요)

꼬박꼬박 → consistently, without fail

회의 → meeting

회의가 있다 → there's a meeting

제출하다 → to submit

지각 → being late (to work)

Memory tips 💡

출근 = 出勤 (exit + diligence) = going out to be diligent

꼬박꼬박 = sounds like ticking — regular as a clock ⏰

ㅂ-irregular: 바쁘 + 아요 = 바빠요 ✅ (not 바쁘어요 ❌)

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Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready! 🚀

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🎯 Practice Hub — Vocab: Office Routine

사무실 하루 시작! 🏢 This Practice Hub drills all five words — 출근, 업무, 바쁘다, 꼬박꼬박, 회의 — through five exercises covering the full Korean workday arc. From the morning commute to the end-of-day debrief, you'll have the vocabulary. 💼⏰

🔊 Audio reminder: Use the Korean Helper Widgets to hear any sentence. Pay special attention to 바빠요 vs 바쁘다 — the ㅂ-irregular sounds very natural once you've heard it spoken.

📝 Instructions: Fill in each blank with the correct word or form. Watch out for ㅂ-irregular conjugations of 바쁘다!

Exercise 1 — Morning Commute 🏢

A. 오늘 몇 시에 ＿＿＿＿해요?

What time do you go to work today? 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근해요? 몇 시에 = what time.

B. ＿＿＿＿ 시간에 지하철이 너무 복잡해요.

The subway is too crowded during commute time. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근 시간에. 복잡하다 = crowded, complicated.

C. 오늘 늦게 ＿＿＿＿했어요. 지각할 뻔했어요.

I went to work late today. I almost was late. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근했어요. -할 뻔했다 = almost did.

D. 날마다 ＿＿＿＿꼬박 ＿＿＿＿해요.

Every day I go to work consistently without fail. 📅🏢

Answer

꼬박 / 출근 → 꼬박꼬박 출근해요. 날마다 = every day.

E. 재택근무 말고 오늘은 ＿＿＿＿할 거예요.

Not working from home — today I'll go to the office. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근할 거예요. 재택근무 = working from home. -(으)ㄹ 거예요 = going to.

F. 비가 와도 ＿＿＿＿꼬박 ＿＿＿＿해요.

Even when it rains I consistently go to work. 📅🏢

Answer

꼬박 / 출근 → 꼬박꼬박 출근해요. -아도 = even when.

G. ＿＿＿＿하자마자 커피부터 마셔요.

As soon as I arrive at work I first drink coffee. 🏢☕

Answer

출근 → 출근하자마자. -자마자 = as soon as. 커피부터 = coffee first.

H. 오늘은 일찍 ＿＿＿＿해서 준비할 시간이 있어요.

Today I arrived at work early so I have time to prepare. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근해서. 일찍 = early. 준비할 시간 = time to prepare.

I. ＿＿＿＿ 기록이 좋아서 인사 고과에 도움이 됐어요.

My attendance record was good so it helped with performance review. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근 기록. 인사 고과 = performance review/appraisal. 도움이 되다 = to be helpful.

J. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿하면서 팟캐스트를 들었어요.

While commuting today I listened to a podcast. 🏢

Answer

출근 → 출근하면서. -면서 = while. 팟캐스트 = podcast.

📚

Vocabulary Box

출근 시간 → commute/work start time

복잡하다 → crowded, complicated

-할 뻔했다 → almost did

날마다 → every day

재택근무 → working from home

-자마자 → as soon as

일찍 → early

출근 기록 → attendance record

인사 고과 → performance review

팟캐스트 → podcast

Tip 💡 출근 ↔ 퇴근 = the two bookends of the Korean workday. 출근하다 = arrive/start work. 퇴근하다 = leave/finish work.

Exercise 2 — Work Tasks 💼

A. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿가 너무 많아요.

I have so much work today. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무가 너무 많아요.

B. 중요한 ＿＿＿＿를 먼저 처리해야 해요.

I need to handle important work tasks first. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무를 처리하다. 먼저 = first. 처리하다 = to handle/process.

C. ＿＿＿＿가 밀려서 야근을 했어요.

Work piled up so I worked overtime. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무가 밀려서. 밀리다 = to pile up. 야근 = working overtime/late.

D. 이 ＿＿＿＿는 마감이 언제예요?

When is the deadline for this task? 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무의 마감. 마감 = deadline. 언제예요? = when is it?

E. ＿＿＿＿ 중에 연락하지 마세요.

Please don't contact me during work hours. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무 중에. 업무 중 = during work/while working. 연락하다 = to contact.

F. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿를 다 끝냈어요!

I finished all my work tasks today! 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무를 다 끝냈어요. 다 = all. 끝내다 = to finish.

G. 팀장님이 ＿＿＿＿를 새로 맡겨줬어요.

The team leader assigned me new work tasks. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무를 맡기다 = to assign/entrust tasks. 새로 = newly. 맡겨줬어요 = assigned.

H. ＿＿＿＿가 많을 때는 우선순위를 정해야 해요.

When there's a lot of work, you need to set priorities. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무가 많을 때는. 우선순위 = priority. 정하다 = to decide/set.

I. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿가 어떻게 돼요? 도움이 필요하면 말해요.

How's the work going today? Tell me if you need help. 💼

Answer

업무 → 업무가 어떻게 돼요? 도움이 필요하다 = to need help.

J. ＿＿＿＿와 회의 사이에 잠깐 쉬었어요.

Between work tasks and the meeting I rested briefly. 💼📋

Answer

업무 → 업무와 회의 사이에. 사이에 = between. 잠깐 쉬다 = to rest briefly.

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Vocabulary Box

업무를 처리하다 → to handle work

업무가 밀리다 → work piles up

야근 → overtime/late work

마감 → deadline

업무 중 → while working

업무를 맡기다 → to assign tasks

우선순위 → priority

정하다 → to decide, set

사이에 → between

Tip 💡 업무 vs 일: 업무 = professional duties (office context). 일 = work broadly (any kind). In office contexts, 업무 is more natural than 일.

Exercise 3 — Busy Days ⏰

A. 요즘 정말 ＿＿＿＿서 연락을 못 했어요.

These days I've been so busy I couldn't get in touch. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠서. ㅂ-irregular: 바쁘다 + -아서 = 바빠서.

B. 오늘 너무 ＿＿＿＿서 밥을 못 먹었어요.

Today I was so busy I couldn't eat. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠서. 밥을 못 먹다 = couldn't eat.

C. ＿＿＿＿ 시간에도 잠깐 운동해요.

Even during busy times I exercise briefly. ⏰

Answer

바쁜 → 바쁜 시간에도. 바쁘다 modifier = 바쁜.

D. 이번 주가 너무 ＿＿＿＿서 주말이 기다려요.

This week has been so busy I'm looking forward to the weekend. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠서. 주말이 기다려지다 = the weekend is awaited/looked forward to.

E. ＿＿＿＿을 때는 실수를 조심해야 해요.

When busy, you need to be careful of mistakes. ⏰

Answer

바쁠 → 바쁠 때는. 바쁘다 + -(으)ㄹ 때 = when busy. 실수를 조심하다 = to be careful of mistakes.

F. 요즘 ＿＿＿＿가? 얼굴이 피곤해 보여요.

Have you been busy lately? You look tired. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠? (casual). 얼굴이 피곤해 보이다 = to look tired.

G. 아무리 ＿＿＿＿도 가족과의 시간은 중요해요.

No matter how busy, time with family is important. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠도. 아무리 -아/어도 = no matter how much. 가족과의 시간 = time with family.

H. ＿＿＿＿서 지금 전화를 못 받아요.

I'm busy so I can't answer the phone right now. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠서. 전화를 못 받다 = can't answer the phone.

I. 이렇게 ＿＿＿＿데 왜 회의가 또 있어요?

It's this busy and there's another meeting? ⏰📋

Answer

바쁜 → 바쁜데. 바쁘다 + -는데 = it's busy, but/and. 또 = again/another.

J. 아무리 ＿＿＿＿더라도 꼬박꼬박 ＿＿＿＿하는 게 중요해요.

No matter how busy, it's important to go to work consistently without fail. ⏰📅🏢

Answer

바쁘 / 출근 → 아무리 바쁘더라도 꼬박꼬박 출근하는 게 중요해요. -더라도 = even though. ✅

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Vocabulary Box

바빠요 → I'm busy (present)

바빠서 → because I'm busy

바쁜 → busy (modifier)

바쁠 때 → when busy

바빠도 → even if busy

아무리 -아/어도 → no matter how

실수를 조심하다 → to be careful of mistakes

전화를 못 받다 → can't answer the phone

-더라도 → even though

Tip 💡 ㅂ-irregular recap: 바쁘다 → 바빠요 (pres) / 바빴어요 (past) / 바쁜 (modifier) / 바빠서 (causal) / 바쁠 때 (when). ㅂ always drops before vowels.

Exercise 4 — Meeting Life 📋

A. 오늘 오전에 중요한 ＿＿＿＿가 있어요.

There's an important meeting this morning. 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의가 있어요. 오전에 = in the morning.

B. ＿＿＿＿가 너무 길어져서 다른 업무를 못 했어요.

The meeting ran too long so I couldn't do other work. 📋💼

Answer

회의 → 회의가 길어지다 = the meeting runs long. -아/어서 causal.

C. 다음 주에 팀 ＿＿＿＿를 잡으려고 해요.

I'm trying to schedule a team meeting next week. 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의를 잡다 = to schedule a meeting. -려고 하다 = trying to / planning to.

D. 오늘 ＿＿＿＿가 세 번이나 있어서 너무 ＿＿＿＿요.

There are as many as three meetings today so I'm so busy. 📋⏰

Answer

회의 / 바빠 → 회의가 세 번이나 있어서 너무 바빠요. -이나 = as many as. ㅂ-irregular: 바빠요.

E. ＿＿＿＿에서 좋은 아이디어가 나왔어요.

A good idea came out of the meeting. 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의에서. 에서 = from/at. 아이디어가 나오다 = an idea comes out.

F. 이번 ＿＿＿＿는 30분 안에 끝낼 거예요.

This meeting will be finished within 30 minutes. 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의는 30분 안에. 안에 = within. 끝내다 = to finish.

G. ＿＿＿＿가 없는 날은 업무에 집중하기 좋아요.

Days without meetings are good for focusing on work. 📋💼

Answer

회의 → 회의가 없는 날은. 집중하다 = to focus.

H. 온라인 ＿＿＿＿로 바뀌었어요.

It changed to an online meeting. 📋

Answer

회의 → 온라인 회의로. -로 바뀌다 = to change to. 온라인 = online.

I. ＿＿＿＿는 꼬박꼬박 참석하는 게 예의예요.

It's good manners to consistently attend every meeting. 📋📅

Answer

회의 → 회의는 꼬박꼬박 참석하는 게. 참석하다 = to attend. 예의 = manners, etiquette.

J. ＿＿＿＿가 너무 많으면 오히려 ＿＿＿＿를 못 해요.

If there are too many meetings you actually can't do the work. 📋💼

Answer

회의 / 업무 → 회의가 너무 많으면 오히려 업무를 못 해요. 오히려 = on the contrary/actually.

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Vocabulary Box

회의가 있다 → there's a meeting

회의가 길어지다 → meeting runs long

회의를 잡다 → to schedule a meeting

-이나 → as many as

안에 → within

집중하다 → to focus

참석하다 → to attend

예의 → manners, etiquette

오히려 → on the contrary, actually

Tip 💡 회의 doesn't just mean meeting — it means the situation you're in. 회의가 있다 (there's a meeting), 회의 중이다 (I'm in a meeting), 회의가 끝났다 (the meeting is over).

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. ❌ 바쁘어요 → ✅ ＿＿＿＿요

I'm busy. ⏰

Answer

바빠 → 바빠요. ㅂ-irregular: ㅂ drops, 아 attaches → 바빠요. ✅

B. ❌ 꼬박꼬박이에요 → ✅ 꼬박꼬박 ＿＿＿＿해요

I consistently attend. 📅

Answer

참석 → 꼬박꼬박 참석해요. 꼬박꼬박 is an adverb — it needs a verb. ✅

C. 매일 ＿＿＿＿꼬박 ＿＿＿＿하고 ＿＿＿＿를 처리해요.

Every day I consistently go to work and handle tasks. 📅🏢💼

Answer

꼬박 / 출근 / 업무 → 매일 꼬박꼬박 출근하고 업무를 처리해요. Three words in one sentence. ✅

D. ❌ 업무가 있어요 (meaning a meeting) → ✅ ＿＿＿＿가 있어요

There's a meeting. 📋

Answer

회의 → 회의가 있어요. 업무 = work tasks; 회의 = meeting. Don't mix them. ✅

E. 요즘 너무 ＿＿＿＿서 ＿＿＿＿도 제대로 못 하고 ＿＿＿＿도 늦게 해요.

These days I'm so busy I can't even do work properly and go to work late. ⏰💼🏢

Answer

바빠 / 업무 / 출근 → 바빠서 업무도 제대로 못 하고 출근도 늦게 해요. 제대로 = properly. ✅

F. 아무리 ＿＿＿＿도 ＿＿＿＿꼬박 ＿＿＿＿에 참석해요.

No matter how busy, I consistently attend every meeting. ⏰📅📋

Answer

바빠 / 꼬박 / 회의 → 아무리 바빠도 꼬박꼬박 회의에 참석해요. 아무리 -아도 = no matter how. ✅

G. ＿＿＿＿가 많으면 ＿＿＿＿가 밀리고 더 ＿＿＿＿요.

If there are many meetings, work piles up and you get busier. 📋💼⏰

Answer

회의 / 업무 / 바빠 → 회의가 많으면 업무가 밀리고 더 바빠요. ✅

H. 꼬박꼬박 ＿＿＿＿한 덕분에 인사 고과가 좋았어요.

Thanks to consistently going to work, my performance review was good. 📅🏢

Answer

출근 → 꼬박꼬박 출근한 덕분에. -한 덕분에 = thanks to having done. 인사 고과 = performance review. ✅

I. 오늘은 ＿＿＿＿도 많고 ＿＿＿＿도 많아서 너무 ＿＿＿＿요.

Today there's a lot of work and many meetings so I'm so busy. 💼📋⏰

Answer

업무 / 회의 / 바빠 → 업무도 많고 회의도 많아서 너무 바빠요. -도 많고 -도 많다 = both X and Y are a lot. ✅

J. 꼬박꼬박 ＿＿＿＿하고, ＿＿＿＿를 꾸준히 처리하고, ＿＿＿＿에도 열심히 — 그게 좋은 직원이에요.

Consistently going to work, diligently handling tasks, and doing your best in meetings — that's a good employee. 🏢💼📋

Answer

출근 / 업무 / 회의 → 꼬박꼬박 출근하고, 업무를 꾸준히 처리하고, 회의에도 열심히 — 그게 좋은 직원이에요. 직원 = employee. ✅

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Vocabulary Box — Pitfall Recap

❌ 바쁘어요 → ✅ 바빠요 (ㅂ-irregular)

❌ 꼬박꼬박이에요 → ✅ 꼬박꼬박 + verb

❌ 업무가 있어요 (meeting) → ✅ 회의가 있어요

✅ 업무 = work tasks; 회의 = meeting

✅ All five: 출근 → 업무 → 바쁘다 → 꼬박꼬박 → 회의 = one full workday

Tip 💡 ㅂ-irregular full table: 바빠요 / 바빴어요 / 바쁜 / 바빠서 / 바빠도 / 바쁠 때 / 바쁘더라도. One stem, many endings — master the pattern, not each form.

🎉 직장 생활 어휘 완성! 🏢 Now you have the words to describe a full Korean workday — from arriving (출근) to handling tasks (업무) to surviving meetings (회의), all while staying consistent (꼬박꼬박) even when crazy busy (바쁘다). 오늘도 파이팅! 💼⏰