YUNOVA · Spoken Korean
Module 10: Korean speech levels
Korean honorific verbs and si
Key points
- -(으)시- is added to verbs to show respect to the subject.
- Some verbs have special honorific forms, such as 드시다 for eating.
- Honorifics show respect to the person being talked about.
Korean humble speech
Key points
- Humble forms lower yourself to show respect to the listener.
- 저 replaces 나 and 드리다 replaces 주다 when giving to an elder.
- Humble speech is common at work and with older people.
Banmal casual speech rules
Key points
- Banmal drops the polite -요 ending, as in 가 instead of 가요.
- Use it only with close friends, younger people or when invited to.
- Using banmal too early can sound rude.