Speech Levels
Korean has several speech levels that reflect social hierarchy and formality.
Formal Polite (-습니다/습니까)
Used in formal settings, public speaking, news broadcasts.
Statement form: Verb stem + 습니다
가다 → 갑니다
먹다 → 먹습니다
Question form: Verb stem + 습니까
가다 → 갑니까?
먹다 → 먹습니까?
Informal Polite (-아/어요)
Standard polite form for everyday conversation.
Statement/Question form: Verb stem + 아/어요
가다 → 가요
먹다 → 먹어요
Casual/Intimate (-아/어)
Used with close friends, younger siblings, or children.
Statement/Question form: Verb stem + 아/어
가다 → 가
먹다 → 먹어
Honorific Suffix (-시-)
Added to show respect to the subject of the sentence.
Form: Verb stem + 시 + other endings
가다 → 가시다 → 가세요 (please go)
먹다 → 먹시다 → 드세요 (please eat - note: special honorific verb used)
Last modified: 02 March 2025