After learning today's lesson, you will have mastered the polite Korean language in no time!
Korean people use different speech levels to show respect to the listener.
Depends on the people who you talk, how your relationship with the person, always should be aware of using Korean speech levels.
If you use them improperly, it can result in embarrassment or humiliation to the listener.
It is an important part of the Korean language and culture.
I will show you the different Korean speech levels today, so you can be sure you're using the right expression for the situation.
Let's learn the most common used Korean speech levels for today's lesson now!
Korean Greetings You Need to Know Before You Travel to South Korea · ▼
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3 General Types Of Korean speech level ▼
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| Korean Speech Levels |
(1) Honorific language - when you talk to elders, someone's social status is higher.
Example Sentence
연세가 어떻게 되세요?
How old are you?
Words of Korean honorific
Base form | Honorific | Meaning
할아버지 | 할아버님 | grandfather
할머니 | 할머님 | grandmother
아빠 / 아버지 | 아버님 | father
엄마 / 어머니 | 어머님 | mother
형 | 형님 | a male's older brother
누나 | 누님 | a male's older sister
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(2) Polite language - when you talk to strangers, when you are not familiar with the person.
Example Sentence
몇 살이에요?
How old are you?
Notice:
Elder person can ask "몇 살이에요?" to young person.
But young person would be better to use "나이가 어떻게 되세요?" asking elder person.
When the person is several years older than you, you should use "나이가 어떻게 되세요?( May I ask how old are you? ) " to ask the person age.
(3) Casual language - when you talk to friends, familiar people who are younger than you, or children.
Example Sentence
몇 살이야?
How old are you?
Korean Words of Casual and Polite
Casual | Polite | Meaning
고마워 | 고마워요 | Thanks
괜찮아 | 괜찮아요 | It's okay
미안해 | 미안해요 | Sorry
몰라 | 몰라요 | I don't know
추워 | 추워요 | It's cold
배고파 | 배고파요 | I'm hungry
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How to address people in Korean language
To build up relationships with other people in Korea society, learn how to address people when you meet people is very important.
씨: Mr. / Ms. ▲
씨 is the most common name marker in polite speech
씨 is added to the person's full name or just after the person’s name
Example:
이민호씨 (full name + 씨)
민호씨 (name +씨)
Notice:
이 씨 (X) We don't call someone like this, it's pretty rude.
How to add 아 / 야 after one’s name?
아 / 야 :
to same age close friends
to the person who is younger and close with you
If the name ends with final consonant, 아 is attached. ▲
Example Sentence:
석진아 점심 먹었어?
Seok-jin, did you have lunch?
If the name ends with a vowel, 야 is attached. ▲
Example
슈가야 지금 시간 있어?
Suga, do you have time now?
호칭 : the name or title you call / address someone
선배 : senior
후배 : junior
형 : elder brother, young male calls to old male
누나 : elder sister, young male calls to old female
오빠 : elder brother, young female calls to old male
언니 :elder sister, young female calls to old female
남동생 : someone’s younger brother
여동생 : someone's younger sister
Common questions from Korean learners
Many learners have asked to me the below questions on my Instagram.
I will explain more details here for you guys.
1. Is it better to use "polite language" to talk always?
Answer:
No, it depends on who you talk.
As we mentioned before, to decide which speech levels you want to use, it depends on your relationship with the person who you talk.
If you use polite way to talk with your close friend, your friend may feel you are really weird.
In Korea, we just use "casual language" to talk with close friends.
It also means we are close enough to use "casual language" to talk with each other.
2. Is it fine to use "casual language" to talk with people who are younger always?
Answer:
No, it depends on how your relationship with the person you talk.
If the person is not familiar with you, even his / her age is younger than you, it would be rude if you use "casual language" to talk to him / her.
Tips : To get closer with Korean friends
If you are not that sure your relationship with someone is close enough, it would be fine you can try to ask the person; shall we use "casual language" also known as "intimate speech" to talk with each other?
Examples of Korean honorific sentence
1. 괜찮으세요?
Are you okay?
2. 안녕히 주무세요.
Good night.
3. 많이 드세요.
Help yourself.
= Eat well.
= Feel free to eat whatever you want.
4. 들어가세요.
Bye.
Notice:
Koreans usually use "들어가세요" instead of saying "Bye." to someone who's going back home or going back to indoor from outside.
5. 먼저 가세요.
Please go first.
Examples of Korean polite language
Examples of Korean casual language
1. 나가.
Get out.
2. 됐어.
Forget it.
3. 사랑해.
Love you.
4. 쉬엄쉬엄해.
Take it easy.
5. 같이 할래?
Do you want to do it together?
Practice Quiz
Change the below sentences to honorific language
1. 쉬어. Take a rest.
2. 힘내! Cheer up!
3. 많이 먹어. Eat well.
4. 안녕. Hello.
5. 뭐해? What are you doing?
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6. 천천히 먹어. Take your time to eat.
7. 전화 왔어. The phone is ringing.
8. 듣고 있어. I'm listening.
9. 섭섭해. I'm disappointed.
10. 갈게. I'll go.
Answers
1. 쉬세요.
2. 힘내세요!
3. 많이 드세요.
4. 안녕하세요.
5. 뭐 하세요?
6. 천천히 먹어요.
7. 전화 왔어요.
8. 듣고 있어요.
9. 섭섭해요.
10. 갈게요.
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