Understand Korean speech levels from casual 반말 to formal 합쇼체, plus honorific vocabulary: 진지 (meal), 계시다 (to be), 주무시다 (to sleep). Know when and how to use each level.
Published by Seemile. Learning content is drawn from Seemile's curriculum and verified vocabulary datasets; learner-reported errors are reviewed and corrected.
해요체
Polite Informal
The everyday polite speech level. Safe to use with strangers, customers, and people older than you. Add 요 to soften 해체.
가다 (go)
가요
just add 요 — vowel stem
먹다 (eat)
먹어요
어요 — vowel harmony
하다 (do)
해요
하다 always → 해요
이다 (be)
이에요/예요
이에요 after consonant, 예요 after vowel
안녕하세요
Annyeonghaseyo
Hello (polite)
감사합니다 / 고마워요
Gamsahamnida / Gomawoyo
Thank you (formal / polite)
잠깐만요
Jamkkanmanyo
Just a moment, please
합쇼체 / 하십시오체
Formal Polite
Used in formal settings: news broadcasts, official presentations, business, military. Verbs end in -(스)ㅂ니다 (statement) or -(스)ㅂ니까? (question).
가다 (go)
갑니다 / 갑니까?
vowel stem + ㅂ니다
먹다 (eat)
먹습니다 / 먹습니까?
consonant stem + 습니다
하다 (do)
합니다 / 합니까?
하다 → 합니다
이다 (be)
입니다 / 입니까?
always 입니다
처음 뵙겠습니다
Cheoeum boepgesseumnida
Nice to meet you (formal)
잘 부탁드립니다
Jal butakdeurimnida
Please take care of me / I look forward to working with you
다음에 또 오십시오
Da-eume tto osipsio
Please come again (formal)
해체 / 반말
Casual (Banmal)
Used with close friends, younger people, or children. Drop 요 from 해요체. Never use with someone older unless they explicitly permit it.
가다 (go)
가
drop 요 from 가요
먹다 (eat)
먹어
drop 요 from 먹어요
하다 (do)
해
drop 요 from 해요
이다 (be)
이야/야
after consonant 이야, after vowel 야
어디 가?
Eodi ga?
Where are you going?
밥 먹었어?
Bap meogeosseo?
Did you eat?
나중에 봐
Najunge bwa
See you later
밥 (rice/meal)
진지
밥이에요
진지세요
집 (house)
댁
집이에요
댁이세요
나이 (age)
연세
나이예요
연세세요
이름 (name)
성함
이름이에요
성함이세요
말 (words/speech)
말씀
말이에요
말씀이세요
있다 (to exist)
계시다
있어요
계세요
먹다 (eat)
드시다/잡수시다
먹어요
드세요
자다 (sleep)
주무시다
자요
주무세요