Korean Honorifics Explained
Korean has one of the most elaborate honorific systems of any language. How you speak changes based on who you are talking to, who you are talking about, and even the social context. This is not optional politeness — it is built into the grammar itself. The good news is that you only need three of the seven speech levels for everyday life, and the patterns are consistent once you learn them.
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The Three Speech Levels You Need
합쇼체 (Hapshoche) — Formal Polite
This is the most formal level used in daily life. You hear it in news broadcasts, business presentations, military settings, and when addressing large groups.
- 감사합니다. (Gamsahamnida.) — Thank you.
- 안녕하십니까? (Annyeonghasimnikka?) — Hello? (formal)
- 저는 학생입니다. (Jeoneun haksaeng-imnida.) — I am a student.
The marker for this level is -합니다/-입니다 for statements and -합니까/-입니까 for questions.
해요체 (Haeyoche) — Informal Polite
This is the most useful speech level. It is polite without being stiff and works in the widest range of situations: with strangers, coworkers, older acquaintances, and in shops and restaurants.
- 감사해요. (Gamsahaeyo.) — Thank you.
- 안녕하세요? (Annyeonghaseyo?) — Hello?
- 밥 먹었어요? (Bap meogeosseoyo?) — Have you eaten?
The marker is simply adding -요 to the casual form. This one syllable transforms casual speech into polite speech.
If you only learn one speech level, make it 해요체. Adding -요 to the end of a sentence is the single most important politeness marker in Korean. It works with strangers, at shops, with older people, and in most social situations.
해체 (Haeche) — Casual
The casual level is used between close friends of the same age, with younger people, and with children. Using it with someone older or with a stranger is considered rude.
- 밥 먹었어? (Bap meogeosseo?) — Did you eat?
- 어디 가? (Eodi ga?) — Where are you going?
- 재미있어! (Jaemiisseo!) — That's fun!
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The Honorific Infix: -시- (si)
Beyond speech levels (which show respect to the listener), Korean has a separate system for honoring the subject of the sentence. The infix -시- is inserted into the verb when talking about someone deserving respect.
- 선생님이 오십니다. (Seonsaengnim-i osipnida.) — The teacher is coming. (오다 → 오시다)
- 할머니가 주무시어요. (Halmeoni-ga jumusyeoyo.) — Grandmother is sleeping.
Special Honorific Verbs
Some common verbs have entirely different honorific forms used when the subject is an elder or superior:
Age is the primary factor in Korean honorifics. One of the first questions Koreans ask new acquaintances is their age — not out of nosiness, but to establish the correct speech level. Even a one-year difference can determine who uses formal and who uses casual speech.
Practical Guidelines
- Stranger or older person: Use 해요체 (-요) as your default.
- Job interview, presentation, or ceremony: Use 합쇼체 (-습니다).
- Close friend same age: Use 해체 (casual) after you have established the relationship.
- Talking about an elder (even to a friend): Use -시- infix or honorific verbs.
- When in doubt: Go more formal. Koreans appreciate the effort and will tell you if you can relax.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many speech levels does Korean have?
Korean technically has seven speech levels, but only three are commonly used in modern daily life: 합쇼체 (hapshoche, formal polite), 해요체 (haeyoche, informal polite), and 해체 (haeche, casual). The informal polite 해요체 is the most versatile and the one you should learn first.
What is the -μ- honorific infix?
The infix -시- (si) is added to verb stems when the subject of the sentence is someone you want to honor. For example, 먹다 (meokda, to eat) becomes 먹으시다 when talking about an elder eating. This is separate from speech levels — it honors the person being talked about, not the person being talked to.
What is the difference between λ¨Ήλ€ and λμλ€?
먹다 (meokda) is the standard verb "to eat." 드시다 (deusida) is the honorific replacement verb used when an elder or superior is the one eating. Similarly, 자다 (jada, to sleep) becomes 주무시다 (jumusida), and 있다 (itda, to be/exist) becomes 계시다 (gyesida) in honorific speech.
Do young Koreans still follow the honorific system?
Yes, absolutely. The honorific system is deeply embedded in Korean culture and language. Young Koreans may use more casual speech among friends, but they consistently use polite and formal speech with elders, strangers, and in professional settings. Failing to use proper honorifics is considered very rude.
How do I know which speech level to use with someone?
The general rule: if someone is older, in a higher position, or a stranger, use 해요체 (polite). For very formal situations (business presentations, news), use 합쇼체. Use 해체 (casual) only with close friends of the same age or younger. When in doubt, always go more formal — it is better to sound overly polite than disrespectful.