존댓말(high) & 반말(low)

You should know that there are big features in our Korean language that are important.

Together, there are ‘존댓말’ and ‘반말.’ There are no English words here to precisely replace or translate them, since they reflect a concept that does not exist in English.

In Korea, 존댓말 or 반말 speech are used depending on age or the position to which the person belongs to. So, if you are a Korean learner or beginner, I recommend using the honorifics if possible. In the past, someone on my Instagram stated, “Koreans understand us even if foreigners use 반말.”

It is true that some people will understand that you are a foreigner, but how can we generalize a person’s personality? It is desirable to learn the culture of the country because it is a way to show respect and the willingness to understand cultural differences.

존댓말

Koreans use high/honorifics speech to show respect for someone. There are various styles in 존댓말. Let me briefly introduce a few of them. You don’t have to memorize them now. Here, ‘존’ means ‘respect’, and ‘댓’ means ‘to treat well’. When expressed in pure Korean, it can also be interpreted as a ‘raised speech’. So, I will express 존댓말 as ‘high’.

Each textbook has a different term for the speech style in Korean.

In some books, formal is expressed as “honorific” and casual is expressed as “informal.” You might even see some books using various expressions such as “formal and polite,” “formal and casual,” etc. Regardless of those, I will use simple expressions in this book.

Formal High 합니다

Informal High 해요

I will mainly use ‘informal high’. The reason is that it is most commonly used in everyday conversation. In reality, I do want you to learn using all levels of speech in everything; but if I do, it will be hard for you if you are at a beginner level.

반말 (low)

Personally, I used this expression because I think the word ‘low’ is right for 반말. Here, ‘반’ means ‘half.’ We usually use this with a friend who is really close to us or with co-workers. If you don’t know when you’re going to use it, I recommend that you ask the person that you’re engaging with for consent and then use it.

Formal Low 한다

Informal Low -해

Honorific pronouns

These are the words used to refer to yourself when you talk to someone older than you.

나 (I, me) -> 저

내가 (I) -> 제가

우리 (we, us) -> 저희

Honorific Nouns

말 (speaking) -> 말씀

생일 (birthday) -> 생신

집 (home) -> 댁

이름 (name) -> 성함 or 존함

밥 (meal) -> 진지, 식사

나이 (age) -> 연세

아이 (child) -> 자제분

Honorific Particles

이/가 or 은/는 -> 께서(는)

에게 -> 께

Honorific Verbs

먹다 (to eat), 마시다 (to drink) -> 드시다

묻다 (to ask) -> 여쭙다

보다 (to see, to meet) -> 뵙다

주다 (to give) -> 드리다

죽다 (to die) -> 돌아가시다

자다 (to sleep) -> 주무시다

있다 (to exist) -> 계시다

말하다 (to speak) -> 말씀하시다

님 (nim)

This suffix is used with people’s names and titles.

선생 -> 선생님 (teacher)

기사 -> 기사님 (driver)

신부 -> 신부님 (priest, father)

교수 -> 교수님 (professor)

사장 -> 사장님 (boss)

당신 (dang-sin)

You might hear this sometimes. It’s translated as “you” in English. However, we don’t often use 당신 in a conversation, except in certain situations because it may sound aggressive in regular conversations.

Therefore, it is recommended not to be used except for the following circumstances. Of course, even if you use 당신 to everyone, no one could blame you because you are a foreigner. However, learning a language with this in mind does not help your Korean development.

Exceptions:

1. You can use 당신 to address your husband or wife, and it’s a respectful expression to them. It also means ‘honey.’

2. When arguing with strangers: if you have traveled to or lived in Korea, you might have seen some people arguing in the street (I hope you didn’t get to watch it!).

I have sometimes watched people argue in the street (especially old people) and heard them say “당신 말 다했어? 싸워볼래?” = “Are you done talking? Do you want to fight?”

3. When writing a poem, lyrics: it is often used in song lyrics and poetry.

Therefore, what terms should you use to address people you know or even strangers instead of using 당신? To begin with, subjects or objects are mostly omitted a lot in Korean, so they would not be used frequently. In addition to that it just depends on who you are talking to.

I can’t tell you all the honorific terms here, so I hope you get to learn it slowly when you solve the example sentences later.

Korean speech levels

존댓말(High)

We have various forms.

-하다 (hada) speech style. It’s also called the ‘dictionary form’ or ‘base form.’ When you search for verbs or adjectives, you can find it!

It’s also used for 해라체.

Formal speech

1. 하소서체 (hasoseo-che)

Declarative form: stem + – 나이다

This is a style that was often used in the past. If you watch Korean historical dramas, you could hear this a lot. You would not hear this being used in daily conversation though.

알다 + – 나이다 : 당신의 종을 아나이다 . You know your servant.

Interrogative form: stem + – 나이까

하다 + – 나이까 : 제가 어떻게 하나이까? How can I do?

2. 하십시오체 (hasipsio-che)

This is the most commonly used and polite expression in formal situations. It is often used in broadcasting, business, and presentations. In fact, only this expression is used in the Korean military.

Declarative form: stem + – ㅂ니다

공부하다 + – ㅂ니다 = 저는 열심히 공부합니다. I study hard.

Interrogative form: stem + – ㅂ니까 ?

보다 + – ㅂ니까? = 그 영화를 봅니까? Are you watching that movie?

3. 하오체 (Haoche)

하오체 is used for people of the same level as you (e.g. same age friends or co-workers) or for people of a lower level than you. This is also widely used in historical dramas, so there is no current use of this either for you or Koreans.

Declarative form: stem + – 소 /- 오

알겠 + 소 = 알겠소 = I understood.

Interrogative form: stem + -소 / – 오 ?

불렀 + 소 = 지금 나를 불렀소? = Did you just call me?

4. 하게체 (hageche)

t is used for people of the same level as you or for people of a lower level than you. What makes ‘hageche’ different from ‘haoche’ is that ‘hageche’ is sometimes used in modern times. This speech is rarely used in generation MZ these days, however, it is used by older generations at work.

Declarative form: stem + – 네

그러하다 + – 네 = 그렇다네. Right.

Interrogative form: stem + – ㄴ / 는가 ?

지내다 + – ㄴ / 는가 ? = 잘 지냈는가? How have you been?

5. 해라체 (haerache)

This is also used as a formal expression that is mainly used for friends or people younger than you in everyday conversations. In particular, the ‘다’ form is mainly used in books. We think of this as 반말 ‘banmal’.

Declarative form: stem + ㄴ다 /- 는다

가다 + ㄴ 다 = 간다 = 학교에 매일 간다. I go to school every day.

Interrogative form: stem + – 냐 ?

하다 + – 냐 ? = 너 지금도 태권도하냐? Are you still practicing Taekwondo?

Informal speech

1. 해요체

This is a casual but high and polite expression. It’s used for people older than you, for people in higher ranks (e.g. a boss at work), or strangers. Even if they are younger than you, it is advisable to use honorifics unconditionally until the other person allows you to drop them.

Declarative form: stem + – 요

운동하다 + – 요 = 저 지금 운동해요. I am exercising now.

Interrogative form: stem + – 요?

일하다 + – 요 ? = 지금 일해요? Are you working now?

2. 해체 (haeche)

t is an informal form and is casual, which is used for people at the same level as you or lower than you. This is mainly used with your friends and relatives, or with people in lower positions than you.

Declarative form: stem + – 아 / 어 / 지

모으다 + 아 / 어 / 지 =

나 지금 귀한 돈들을 모아. I’m saving precious money now.

Interrogative form: stem + – 냐 / 니 ?

지내다 + 니/냐

요즘에는 어떻게 지내니?

How are you doing these days?

You don’t have to memorize these right away. You’ll learn it later.