Korean speech levels 높임법 / 존댓말·반말

nopimbeop / jondaenmal, banmal · from Korean

What are Korean speech levels?

Korean speech levels are verb endings that encode formality and politeness, from formal 하십시오체 to casual 해체 (banmal).

Traditionally six or seven levels exist, but everyday speech mainly uses formal polite (-습니다), informal polite (-요) and casual banmal. Choosing wrongly can sound rude or oddly distant, and switching to banmal is a meaningful social step. Honorific subject marking (-시-) is a separate layer.

Examples

감사합니다 gamsahamnida (formal); 고마워요 gomawoyo (polite); 고마워 gomawo (banmal); 반말 해도 돼요? banmal haedo dwaeyo? (may we speak casually?)

Kungfucius says: Korean has a grammatical ending for every level of friendship, and asking to switch is basically a proposal.