There are several levels of politeness in Korean. The level you use is determined by the social position, age difference, and relationship between you and the person with whom you are speaking. The politeness level is signified by the endings attached to the verb stem. There are two levels of politeness, both of which are further subdivided.
|
Declarative |
Interrogative |
Imperative |
Propositive |
Exclamatory |
|
|
Formal High |
-ㅂ/습니다 |
-ㅂ/습니까 |
(으)십시오 |
(으)십시다 |
-는군요 (with action verbs) -군요 (with descriptive verbs) |
|
Neutral |
-네, -데 (으)ㄴ세 (with action verbs) - (으)이 (with descriptive verbs) |
-던가 - (으)니까, 는가 (with action verbs) - (으)ㄹ까, - (으)ㄴ가 (with descriptive verbs) |
-게 |
-세 |
-는구나 (with action verbs) -구나 (with descriptive verbs) |
|
Low |
-ㄴ/는다, (더)라 ( (with action verbs) -ㄴ니라, (으)리라, (으)마 (with descriptive verbs) |
-니,-느냐 |
-어 (아, 여)라 ( (with action verbs) -너라, 거라, (으)려므나, (으)렴 (with descriptive verbs) |
-자 |
-는구나 |
|
Informal High |
-어 (아, 여)요, 지요
|
-어 (아, 여)요, 지요 |
-어 (아, 여)요, 지요 |
-어 (아, 여)요, 지요, 는군요 (with action verbs) -군요 (with descriptive verbs) |
|
|
Informal Low |
-어 (아,여), -지 |
-어 (아,여), -지 |
-어 (아,여), -지 |
-어 (아,여), -지 |
-는군 (with action verbs) -군 (with descriptive verbs) |
Note: In the Informal styles, the difference between the Declarative, Interrogative, Imperative, and Propositive is made only with the help of intonation.
Formal Level
This level of speech is more ceremonial. It is usually used in formal situations or when the relationship between speaker and listener is not very close.
This form shows respect and reserve to the listener. It is used in formal situations. In addition, this style is used when you speak with a person for the first time.
이 책이 있습니까? "Do you have this book?"
한국어를 배웁니다. "I learn Korean."
차를 마십시다. "Let's drink tea."
This form is used when the speaker is relatively senior in age or higher in social position than the listener, who is lower in age and social status. However, the most important thing is to show respect to the listener despite the lower status.
내일 누가 오는가? "Who's coming tomorrow?"
지금 바로 집으로 오게. "Please come right home now."
This style is used by an older person or someone of a higher social position to speak to a younger listener. However, it can also be used between people of the same age when they have a close, intimate relationship. This style is used in newspapers as well.
밥 먹었니? "Have you eaten?"
아주 좋은 물건이 많구나! "There are a lot of very good things!"
Informal Level
This level is used in cases of intimate and close relationships, in informal conversations. It is used in everyday life. Informal High is more polite than Informal Low.
빨리 가세요. "Please come quickly."
같이 먹어요. "Let's eat together."
아들은 지금 자. "My son is sleeping now."
내 차로 가지. "Let's go in my car."
See Also: