Learn how Korean speech levels work — formal, polite, and casual. Understand when to use each level and avoid embarrassing mistakes in Korean conversation.
You can know 2,000 Korean words and still deeply offend someone by using the wrong speech level. In Korean culture, HOW you say something is as important as WHAT you say.
Quick answer: Korean grammar describes six speech levels, but everyday Korean mainly uses four: 합쇼체 (formal polite) for presentations, news and formal service; 해요체 (polite) for most daily talk with strangers, elders and colleagues; 해체 (반말) with close friends and younger people; and 해라체 (plain) in writing and with children. Beginners should start with 해요체.
Korean has a built-in system of formality called 존댓말 (jondaenmal — honorific speech) and 반말 (banmal — informal speech). Understanding this system is not optional. It is the key to actually communicating in Korean without causing awkward silence.
Korean grammar traditionally describes six speech levels (합쇼체/하십시오체, 하오체, 하게체, 해라체, 해요체 and 해체), but everyday modern Korean relies mainly on 합쇼체, 해요체, 해체 and the plain style 해라체. Here are the levels learners meet first, plus 하게체, which still appears in books and dramas:
The most formal level. Used in:
Example: 안녕하십니까? (Annyeonghasimnikka?) = Hello (very formal)
Ending patterns: -습니다 / -ㅂ니다 / -십시오
The most commonly used level in everyday life. Safe for:
Example: 안녕하세요. (Annyeonghaseyo.) = Hello (standard polite)
Ending patterns: -아요 / -어요 / -해요
This is the level beginners should learn first. When in doubt, use 해요체.
Used between close friends of the same age or speaking to someone younger. Also called 반말 (banmal).
Example: 안녕. (Annyeong.) = Hi / Bye (casual)
Ending patterns: -아 / -어 / -해 (drop the 요)
Rarely used in modern Korean. Found in older literature and sometimes used by elderly people speaking to younger adults.
The biggest mistake beginners make is either:
General rules:
How to invite banmal: Koreans often say: 말 놓아도 돼요 (mal no-a-do dwaeyo) = "You can drop the formality."
| Meaning | Formal (합쇼체) | Polite (해요체) | Casual (반말) |
|---|---|---|---|
| To eat | 먹습니다 | 먹어요 | 먹어 |
| To go | 갑니다 | 가요 | 가 |
| To be | 입니다 | 이에요/예요 | 이야/야 |
| To do | 합니다 | 해요 | 해 |
| Is there? | 있습니까? | 있어요? | 있어? |
Some Korean words change entirely depending on formality — not just endings:
| Concept | Regular | Honorific |
|---|---|---|
| Name | 이름 (ireum) | 성함 (seongham) |
| Age | 나이 (nai) | 연세 (yeonse) |
| Rice / Meal | 밥 (bap) | 진지 (jinji) |
| Sleep | 자다 (jada) | 주무시다 (jumusida) |
| Be / Exist | 있다 (itda) | 계시다 (gyesida) |
Using the wrong vocabulary here is a common mistake. Asking an elderly person 나이가 몇이에요? (informal age question) instead of 연세가 어떻게 되세요? is noticeably disrespectful.
This article is an overview of the speech levels themselves. For the grammar of honorific forms, such as the honorific marker -시- and special honorific verbs, see our guide to Korean honorifics and formality levels grammar.
In Korean, using someone's name alone is often inappropriate. Titles are preferred:
| Context | How to Address |
|---|---|
| Teacher | 선생님 (seonsaengnim) |
| Doctor | 의사 선생님 (uisa seonsaengnim) |
| Manager (work) | job title + 님, e.g. 팀장님 (timjangnim), 부장님 (bujangnim) |
| Older male friend | 오빠 (oppa) / 형 (hyeong) |
| Older female friend | 언니 (eonni) / 누나 (nuna) |
Note that 씨 (ssi) after a name is for equals or juniors; using it for your manager or an older person sounds rude.
The fourth everyday level, 해라체 (haera-che), is the plain style. It uses endings such as -다, -냐, -자 and -아라/-어라. It is the voice of books, newspapers, diaries and essays, and in speech it is used with children or very close friends. This table shows which level fits common situations:
| Situation | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Giving a presentation or speech | 합쇼체 | 발표를 시작하겠습니다. (I will begin the presentation.) |
| Ordering in a café | 해요체 | 아메리카노 한 잔 주세요. (One americano, please.) |
| Asking an older person's age | 해요체 + honorific words | 연세가 어떻게 되세요? (May I ask your age?) |
| Talking to a new colleague younger than you | 해요체 | 커피 마실래요? (Would you like a coffee?) |
| Chatting with a close friend your age | 해체 (반말) | 밥 먹었어? (Did you eat?) |
| Writing a diary or essay | 해라체 | 오늘은 비가 왔다. (It rained today.) |
| Talking to a small child | 해체 or 해라체 | 이리 와. / 이리 와라. (Come here.) |
For beginners: learn 해요체 endings perfectly. They are:
Once you have 해요체 solid, 반말 is easy — you simply remove the 요 from the end (with a few exceptions, such as 이에요/예요 becoming 이야/야).
Klovers lessons introduce 해요체 early and bring in speech levels with real conversation practice. Understanding these levels is not just grammar — it is the social intelligence that makes you actually welcome in Korean conversations. You can practise them with a teacher in a free trial class.
Grammar references describe six: 하십시오체 (합쇼체), 하오체, 하게체, 해라체, 해요체 and 해체. In daily life most people use 합쇼체, 해요체, 해체 and 해라체, while 하오체 and 하게체 are rare.
Start with 해요체. It is polite without being stiff, and it is safe with strangers, shop staff, teachers and older people.
존댓말 is polite speech, such as 합쇼체 and 해요체. 반말 is casual speech, mainly 해체, used with close friends of the same age, younger people and children.
It can be. Adults usually keep using 해요체 with younger adults they do not know well, and switch to 반말 only after agreeing to, for example with 말 놓아도 돼요.