Venturing into the vibrant realm of the Korean language, one may encounter a multitude of ways to express the seemingly simple concept of “you.” While the English language predominantly employs the singular and plural pronouns “you” and “y’all,” Korean boasts a diverse array of honorifics, each meticulously tailored to convey the speaker’s social standing, level of respect, and familiarity with the recipient. Navigating this intricate system can be a daunting task for the uninitiated, yet its mastery unlocks a deeper understanding of Korean culture and its emphasis on social hierarchy.
For casual interactions with friends, family, and peers of the same age, the intimate pronoun “너 (neo)” is commonly used. It implies a close, informal relationship and should be reserved for those with whom you share a comfortable level of familiarity. Moving up the formality ladder, “당신 (dangsin)” emerges as a versatile pronoun suitable for both polite and formal settings. When addressing someone older, in a position of authority, or with whom you wish to maintain a respectful distance, “당신” becomes the preferred choice. Its usage conveys a sense of deference and acknowledges the recipient’s seniority or status.
In addition to these basic pronouns, Korean offers a wide range of honorific suffixes that can be appended to nouns or names to indicate respect. The suffix “-님 (-nim)” is widely employed in formal settings to elevate the status of the person being addressed. For example, “선생님 (seonsaengnim)” translates to “teacher” and carries a connotation of respect and authority. Similarly, “-씨 (-ssi)” is commonly used when addressing someone in a professional or business context, conveying a sense of politeness and formality. As you delve deeper into the intricacies of Korean speech, you will discover a multitude of other honorific suffixes, each with its own unique nuances and applications.
Addressing Close Friends and Family
In Korean culture, the use of formal language is highly valued, especially when addressing elders or those in positions of authority. However, when interacting with close friends and family, a more relaxed and informal style of speech is appropriate. Here’s how to say “you” in these contexts:
| Relationship | Korean Phrase | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| Close Friend | 너/니 | You |
| Family Member (Younger) | 저기야 | You (informal for younger sibling or friend) |
| Family Member (Older) | 형/언니 | You (honorific for older brother/sister) |
**Note:**
- 너 (neo) is used when speaking to friends of the same age or close acquaintances.
- 니 (ni) is a shortened form of 너 and is considered more intimate.
- 저기야 (jeogiya) is used with younger siblings, cousins, or close friends who are younger than you.
- 형 (hyeong) and 언니 (eonni) are honorific terms used to address older brothers and sisters, respectively.
When choosing which phrase to use, it’s important to consider the context and the relationship you have with the person you’re addressing. By using the correct form of “you,” you can show respect and maintain a harmonious relationship with your close friends and family members.
Politely Addressing Strangers
In Korean culture, it is important to show respect, especially when addressing strangers. When speaking to an adult you do not know, use the honorific title “nim” after their surname. For example, if their surname is “Kim”, you would address them as “Kim-nim.
If you are a student or otherwise younger than the person you are addressing, you should also use the respectful title “sunbae-nim”.
When speaking to someone who is older or more senior than you, it is customary to use the formal title “seonsaengnim”. This title is used for teachers, professors, and other respected figures.
Politely Addressing Colleagues
In a professional setting, it is important to show respect to your colleagues, regardless of their age or position. When addressing a colleague, you should use their job title followed by “-ssi”. For example, if your colleague is a manager, you would address them as “Manager-ssi”.
If you are unsure of your colleague’s job title, you can use the general term “sunbae-nim” if they are older than you or “hoobae-nim” if they are younger than you.
Honorific Titles for Colleagues
| Honrorific Title | Meaning |
|---|---|
| -nim | Used for adults who are not close friends or family members. |
| -ssi | Used for colleagues and acquaintances. |
| -sunbae-nim | Used for colleagues who are older or more senior than you. |
| -hoobae-nim | Used for colleagues who are younger or less senior than you. |
Using “You” in Formal Settings
In formal settings, showing respect is paramount. When addressing someone you don’t know well or who is older or in a higher position than you, it’s essential to use the proper formal form of “you,” which is “당신 (dangshin).” This term conveys a respectful distance and is typically used in written communication, formal speeches, and interactions with strangers or acquaintances.
Addressing People by Their Title or Position
In formal settings, it’s common to address people by their title or position rather than their name. This shows respect for their role and authority. For example, you would address a manager as “과장님 (gwajangnim),” a teacher as “선생님 (seonsaengnim),” or a doctor as “의사님 (uisanim).” Using these titles demonstrates that you acknowledge their position and are treating them with the appropriate level of respect.
Using Honorific Verbs
Another way to show respect in formal settings is to use honorific verbs. These are special verb forms that are used when addressing someone of higher status. Honorific verbs often end in “-시- (si-)” or “-으시- (eusi-)” and are used in both speech and writing. For example, instead of saying “먹다 (meokda)” (to eat), you would say “드시다 (deusi-da)” (to eat) when speaking to someone in a formal setting.
| Informal Verb | Honorific Verb |
|---|---|
| 먹다 (meokda) | 드시다 (deusi-da) |
| 보다 (boda) | 보시다 (bosi-da) |
| 가다 (gada) | 가시다 (gasi-da) |
Informal Ways to Say “You” in Casual Conversations
When engaging in casual conversations with friends, family, or peers, Koreans employ a variety of informal ways to address each other. These expressions vary depending on the formality of the situation, the age of the speakers, and their relationship.
Here are a few of the most common informal ways to say “you” in Korean:
너 (neo)
- This is the most common way to address someone you are close to, such as a friend, family member, or peer of the same age or younger.
- It can be used in both casual and semi-formal settings.
- It is considered impolite to use 너 with someone older or of higher social status than you.
그대 (geudae)
- This is a slightly more formal way to address someone than 너.
- It is used in both casual and semi-formal settings, but it is more common in semi-formal settings.
- It can be used to address someone who is older or of higher social status than you, but it is not as formal as the formal way to say “you”, which is 당신 (dangsin).
니 (ni)
- This is a very informal way to address someone.
- It is used in casual conversations between close friends or family members.
- It is considered impolite to use 니 with someone who is older or of higher social status than you.
Name + 야 (ya)
- This is another informal way to address someone.
- It is formed by adding the suffix 야 to the person’s name.
- It is used in casual conversations between close friends or family members.
- It is considered impolite to use Name + 야 with someone who is older or of higher social status than you.
| Informal Way to Say “You” | Usage | Formality Level |
|---|---|---|
| 너 (neo) | Close friends, family members, peers | Casual |
| 그대 (geudae) | Slightly more formal than 너 | Semi-formal |
| 니 (ni) | Very informal | Casual |
| Name + 야 (ya) | Casual conversations between close friends or family members | Casual |
Gender-Neutral Ways to Address Someone
In Korean, there are various gender-neutral ways to address someone. These terms can be used in both formal and informal settings.
1. 당신 (Dangsin)
당신 (dangsin) is a formal way to address someone, regardless of their gender. It is often used in business settings or when speaking to someone who is older or in a position of authority.
2. 너 (Neo)
너 (neo) is an informal way to address someone who is close to you, such as a friend or family member. It should not be used when speaking to someone who is older or in a position of authority.
3. 그대 (Geudae)
그대 (geudae) is a poetic or literary way to address someone. It is often used in songs or poems.
4. 귀하 (Gwiha)
귀하 (gwiha) is a formal way to address someone in writing. It is often used in business letters or official documents.
5. Various Honorifics
In addition to these basic terms, there are also a number of honorifics that can be used to show respect to someone. These honorifics are typically added to the end of a person’s name.
| Title | Honorific |
|—|—|
| Mr. | -씨 (-ssi) |
| Ms. | -양 (-yang) |
| Mrs. | -님 (-nim) |
| Doctor | -박사 (-baksa) |
| Professor | -교수 (-gyosu) |
Using “You” in Requests and Invitations
When making a request or extending an invitation in Korean, there are a few key phrases you’ll need to know. Here are some common expressions to get you started:
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 제발 | Please (for polite requests) |
| 좀 | Please (for casual requests) |
| 할 수 있어요? | Can you…? |
| 하고 싶어요? | Would you like to…? |
Making Polite Requests
To make a polite request, use the phrase “제발,” followed by the verb you want the person to do. For example, “제발 문을 열어주세요” means “Please open the door.” You can also add the suffix “-세요” to the end of the verb to make it even more polite.
Making Casual Requests
For more casual requests, use the phrase “좀,” followed by the verb. For example, “좀 물 좀 주세요” means “Can you give me some water?” You can also drop the “-세요” suffix when using “좀.”
Extending Invitations
To extend an invitation, use the phrase “하고 싶어요,” followed by the activity you’re inviting the person to do. For example, “영화 보러 가고 싶어요?” means “Would you like to go see a movie?” You can also add the suffix “-아/어요” to the end of the verb to make it more polite.
Polite Ways to Address a Group of People
1. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
This is the most common way to greet a group of people in Korean. It is used in both formal and informal settings.
2. 여러분 안녕하세요 (yeoreobun annyeonghasayo)
This is a more formal way to greet a group of people. It is often used in business or academic settings.
3. 여러분 반갑습니다 (yeoreobun bangapseumnida)
This is a very formal way to greet a group of people. It is typically used when meeting someone for the first time.
4. 여러분 좋은 하루 보내세요 (yeoreobun joheun haru bonaeseyo)
This is a polite way to say goodbye to a group of people.
5. 여러분 건강하세요 (yeoreobun geonganghaseyo)
This is a polite way to wish a group of people well.
6. 여러분 안녕히 가세요 (yeoreobun annyonghi gaseyo)
This is a polite way to say goodbye to a group of people who are leaving.
7. Detailed Explanation of the Subsections
| Subsection | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 1. 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) | General greeting used in both formal and informal settings |
| 2. 여러분 안녕하세요 (yeoreobun annyeonghasayo) | More formal greeting used in business or academic settings |
| 3. 여러분 반갑습니다 (yeoreobun bangapseumnida) | Very formal greeting used when meeting someone for the first time |
| 4. 여러분 좋은 하루 보내세요 (yeoreobun joheun haru bonaeseyo) | Polite way to say goodbye to a group of people |
| 5. 여러분 건강하세요 (yeoreobun geonganghaseyo) | Polite way to wish a group of people well |
| 6. 여러분 안녕히 가세요 (yeoreobun annyonghi gaseyo) | Polite way to say goodbye to a group of people who are leaving |
Using “Your” to Refer to Someone’s Belongings
In English, we use the possessive pronoun “your” to refer to something that belongs to someone else when speaking directly to them. In Korean, there are two main ways to do this depending on the level of formality and the noun being modified:
| Formal | Informal |
|---|---|
| 당신의 | 너의 or 당신의 |
- 당신의 is the most formal way to say “your” and should be used in formal settings or when speaking to someone you don’t know well.
- 너의 is the informal way to say “your” and is used when speaking to friends, family, or people you’re close to.
- 당신의 can also be used in informal settings, but it is more polite than 너의 and should be used when you want to show respect to the person you’re speaking to.
Example Sentences
- 당신의 책은 무엇입니까? (What is your book?)
- 너의 차는 어디에 있습니까? (Where is your car?)
- 당신의 집은 어디에 있습니까? (Where is your house?)
Pronouncing “You” in Korean
Native Korean Pronunciation of “You”
The formal Korean word for “you” is 당신 (dangshin) or 너 (neo). When speaking to an elder, a superior, or someone you don’t know well, use 당신 (dangshin), which is pronounced with a “d” sound like in “day” and a soft “sh” sound like in “share.” For friends and people you are close to, use 너 (neo), which is pronounced similarly to the English word “no.”
Variations of “You”
There are several variations of “you” in Korean, depending on the context and the relationship between the speakers. Here are some common variations:
Formal vs. Informal
As mentioned earlier, 당신 (dangshin) is the formal way to say “you,” while 너 (neo) is the informal way. Use 당신 (dangshin) in formal settings or when speaking to someone you don’t know well. Use 너 (neo) when speaking to friends, family, or people you are close to.
Plural Forms
The plural form of “you” is 당신들 (dangshin-deul) or 너희 (neo-hui). 당신들 (dangshin-deul) is the formal plural form, while 너희 (neo-hui) is the informal plural form.
Polite Forms
In Korean, there are polite forms of “you” that are used to show respect. The most common polite form is 귀하 (gwiha), which is pronounced with a hard “g” sound like in “go” and a soft “h” sound like in “hue.”
Regional Variations
There are also regional variations of “you” in Korean. For example, in the southern dialect, the word 너희 (neo-hui) is often used as the informal singular form of “you” instead of 너 (neo).
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 당신 | dangshin | You (formal) |
| 너 | neo | You (informal) |
| 당신들 | dangshin-deul | You (formal plural) |
| 너희 | neo-hui | You (informal plural) |
| 귀하 | gwiha | You (polite) |
Using “You” as a Subject or Object
When “you” is used as a subject in a Korean sentence, it is represented by the pronoun “당신” (dangshin). This pronoun is formal and polite and is typically used when addressing someone who is older or in a position of authority.
When “you” is used as an object in a Korean sentence, it is represented by the pronoun “너” (neo) or “당신” (dangshin). “너” is informal and is used when addressing someone who is younger or close to you, while “당신” is formal and polite.
Using “당신” as a Subject or Object
When using “당신” as a subject, it is placed at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the verb. For example:
* 당신은 제 친구입니다. (Dangshin-un je chinguimnida.) – You are my friend.
* 당신은 선생님입니다. (Dangshin-un seonsaengnimnida.) – You are a teacher.
When using “당신” as an object, it is placed after the verb. For example:
* 저는 당신을 사랑합니다. (Jeoneun dangshin-eul saranghamnida.) – I love you.
* 저는 당신에게 말했습니다. (Jeoneun dangshin-ege malhaessseubnida.) – I told you.
Using “너” as an Object
When using “너” as an object, it is placed after the verb. For example:
* 저는 너를 사랑합니다. (Jeoneun neoreul saranghamnida.) – I love you.
* 저는 너에게 말했습니다. (Jeoneun neoege malhaessseubnida.) – I told you.
| Pronoun | Usage |
|—|—|
| 당신 | Formal and polite, used when addressing someone older or in a position of authority |
| 너 | Informal, used when addressing someone who is younger or close to you |
| 당신 | Formal and polite, used when addressing someone older or in a position of authority |
| 너 | Informal, used when addressing someone who is younger or close to you |
How to Say “You” in Korean
In Korean, there are several ways to say “you,” depending on the context and the level of formality desired. Here are the most common ways to address someone in Korean:
- 당신 (dangsin): This is the most formal way to say “you” and is typically used in written form or when addressing someone in a position of authority, such as a teacher or boss.
- 너 (neo): This is the informal way to say “you” and is typically used when speaking to friends, family, or people of a similar age or younger. It can also be used to address children.
- 자네 (jane): This is a slightly more formal way to say “you” and is often used when speaking to someone who is older or of a higher social status. It can also be used to address someone who you do not know well.
- 선생님 (seonsaengnim): This is a respectful way to address a teacher or professor.
- 님 (nim): This is a suffix that can be added to a person’s name to show respect. It is often used when addressing someone who is older or of a higher social status.
When choosing which way to say “you” in Korean, it is important to consider the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener. Using the wrong form of address can be considered rude or disrespectful.
People Also Ask About How to Say “You” in Korean
How do you say “you all” in Korean?
There are two ways to say “you all” in Korean: 모두 (modu) and 여러분 (yeoreobun). 모두 is more informal and is typically used when speaking to friends or family. 여러분 is more formal and is typically used when speaking to people of a higher social status or in a professional setting.
How do you say “you” in Korean to a stranger?
The most polite way to address a stranger in Korean is to use the formal form of address, 당신 (dangsin). You can also add the suffix 님 (nim) to their name to show respect.
What is the difference between 너 (neo) and 자네 (jane)?
너 (neo) is the informal way to say “you” and is typically used when speaking to friends, family, or people of a similar age or younger. 자네 (jane) is a slightly more formal way to say “you” and is often used when speaking to someone who is older or of a higher social status. It can also be used to address someone who you do not know well.
