In Korean language, there are different levels of politeness, ranging from informal to formal. The polite level is an important aspect of Korean culture and communication, especially in formal settings such as business meetings, interviews, and social events. Knowing the proper use of polite words in Korean is crucial in establishing respect, building relationships, and avoiding misunderstandings.
There are two main forms of Korean language – the polite form and the informal form. The polite form is used when addressing someone who is older or of higher social status, or when speaking in a formal situation, such as at work or in public. The informal form, on the other hand, is used when speaking to friends, family members, or those who are younger or of lower social status.
Using the polite form is an important way to show respect in Korean culture. Polite words often have different verb endings and different sentence structures from their informal counterparts. It is important to learn these differences and use them appropriately to avoid causing offense or confusion.
Polite Words in Korean: Examples and Usage
Hello/Goodbye – 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo)
The most common way to greet someone in Korean is by saying “안녕하세요” (annyeonghaseyo). This phrase is used to say hello and goodbye, and it is considered polite to use it when addressing someone you do not know very well or when meeting someone for the first time.
Example sentences:
안녕하세요. 저는 에이미입니다. (annyeonghaseyo. jeoneun eimieyimnida.) – Hello, my name is Amy.
안녕히 계세요. (annyeonghi gyeseyo.) – Goodbye (when the person you are speaking to is staying).
Thank you – 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida)
Saying “감사합니다” (gamsahamnida) is a polite way to express gratitude in Korean. This phrase can be used in a variety of situations, such as when someone does you a favor, when you receive a gift, or when someone compliments you.
Example sentences:
감사합니다. 도움이 많이 되었어요. (gamsahamnida. doumi manhi doe-eosseoyo.) – Thank you. You’ve been a big help.
감사합니다. 예쁘게 꾸며 주셨네요. (gamsahamnida. yeppeuge kkumyeo jusyeosseonneyo.) – Thank you. You decorated it beautifully.
Excuse me – 실례합니다 (sillyehamnida)
When you want to get someone’s attention or apologize for something, you can use the phrase “실례합니다” (sillyehamnida). This phrase is commonly used in formal situations, such as in a business meeting or when speaking to someone older or of higher social status.
Example sentences:
실례합니다. 질문이 있어요. (sillyehamnida. jilmun-i isseoyo.) – Excuse me. I have a question.
실례합니다. 저기요. (sillyehamnida. jeogiyo.) – Excuse me. (when trying to get someone’s attention)
I’m sorry – 미안합니다 (mianhamnida)
To apologize for something, you can say “미안합니다” (mianhamnida) in Korean. This phrase is commonly used
in both formal and informal situations, but in more formal settings, it may be more appropriate to use a more elaborate phrase such as “죄송합니다” (joesonghamnida).
Example sentences:
미안합니다. 제가 늦었어요. (mianhamnida. jega neujeosseoyo.) – I’m sorry. I’m late.
죄송합니다. 이런 일이 일어나서 죄송해요. (joesonghamnida. ireon iri ireonaseo joesonghaeyo.) – I apologize. I’m sorry this happened.
Please – 부탁합니다 (butakhamnida)
When making a request, it is polite to use the phrase “부탁합니다” (butakhamnida) in Korean. This phrase is similar to “please” in English and is used to ask for someone’s help or assistance.
Example sentences:
부탁합니다. 도와주세요. (butakhamnida. dowajuseyo.) – Please. Can you help me?
부탁합니다. 이렇게 해주세요. (butakhamnida. ireohge haejuseyo.) – Please. Do it this way.
Nice to meet you – 처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgesseumnida)
When meeting someone for the first time, it is polite to say “처음 뵙겠습니다” (cheoeum boepgesseumnida) in Korean. This phrase means “Nice to meet you” and is commonly used in formal settings.
Example sentences:
처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 한나라고 해요. (cheoeum boepgesseumnida. jeoneun hannarago haeyo.) – Nice to meet you. My name is Hanna.
처음 뵙겠습니다. 저는 이 회사의 대표입니다. (cheoeum boepgesseumnida. jeoneun i hoesaui daepyoimnida.) – Nice to meet you. I am the representative of this company.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Korean language has a rich system of polite words and expressions that are used to show respect, gratitude, and formality in communication. Understanding and using these words appropriately is an important part of Korean culture and communication, especially in formal settings. The examples given above are just a few of the many polite words and phrases used in Korean, but they provide a good starting point for beginners to learn and practice. With time and practice, beginners can become more proficient in using polite Korean language, which will enhance their communication skills and relationships with others.
Below are korean categories of polite words
GREETINGS
here are some common Korean greetings:
안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) – Hello (formal)
안녕 (annyeong) – Hello (informal)
안녕히 계세요 (annyeonghi gyeseyo) – Goodbye (when someone is staying)
안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) – Goodbye (when someone is leaving)
죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) – I’m sorry (formal)
미안해 (mianhae) – I’m sorry (informal)
고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) – Thank you (formal)
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) – Thank you (formal)
네 (ne) – Yes
아니요 (aniyo) – No
잘 지내셨어요? (jal jinaesyeosseoyo?) – How have you been? (formal)
잘 지냈어? (jal jinaesseo?) – How have you been? (informal)
처음 뵙겠습니다 (cheoeum boepgesseumnida) – Nice to meet you (formal)
만나서 반갑습니다 (mannaseo bangapseumnida) – Nice to meet you (informal)
축하합니다 (chukhahamnida) – Congratulations (formal)
축하해 (chukhae) – Congratulations (informal)
EXPRESSION OF GRATITUDE
here are some common expressions of gratitude in Korean:
감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) – Thank you
정말 감사합니다 (jeongmal gamsahamnida) – Thank you very much
고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) – Thanks
대단히 감사합니다 (daedanhi gamsahamnida) – Thank you very much (formal)
너무 감사합니다 (neomu gamsahamnida) – Thank you so much
정말 고맙습니다 (jeongmal gomapseumnida) – Thank you very much
매우 감사합니다 (maeu gamsahamnida) – Thank you very much (formal)
진심으로 감사합니다 (jinsimeuro gamsahamnida) – Thank you from the bottom of my heart
정말로 감사합니다 (jeongmallo gamsahamnida) – Thank you very much (formal)
고마워요 (gomawoyo) – Thank you (informal)
APOLOGIES
죄송합니다 (joesonghamnida) – I’m sorry
미안합니다 (mianhamnida) – I’m sorry
죄 regret 송 apologize 함 to be 하다 – I apologize
사과합니다 (sagwahamnida) – I apologize
대단히 죄송합니다 (daedanhi joesonghamnida) – I’m deeply sorry
정말로 죄송합니다 (jeongmallo joesonghamnida) – I’m really sorry
진심으로 사과드립니다 (jinsimeuro sagwadeurimnida) – I sincerely apologize
부디 용서해주세요 (budi yongseohaejuseyo) – Please forgive me
잘못했습니다 (jalmot haessseumnida) – I was wrong
제 잘못입니다 (je jalmosimnida) – It’s my fault
POLITE REQUESTS
부탁합니다. (Butakhamnida) – Please.
잠시만요. (Jamsimanyo) – Excuse me for a moment.
조금만 기다려 주세요. (Jogeumman gidaryeo juseyo) – Please wait for a moment.
이쪽으로 와 주세요. (Ijjogeuro wa juseyo) – Please come this way.
도와주세요. (Dowajuseyo) – Please help me.
좀 더 자세히 설명해 주세요. (Jom deo jasehi seolmyeonghae juseyo) – Please explain in more detail.
괜찮으시다면 저에게 도움을 주실 수 있나요? (Gwaenchaneusidamyeon jeoege doumeul jushil su innayo?) – If it’s not too much trouble, could you help me?
제가 잘 못했는데, 어떻게 하면 좋을까요? (Jega jal moshaneunde, eotteohge hamyeon joh-eulkka?) – I made a mistake, what should I do?
죄송하지만 이것 좀 가져다 주실래요? (Joesonghajiman igeos jom gajyeoda jushillaeyo?) – I’m sorry, but could you please bring me that?
물 좀 주실래요? (Mul jom jusillaeyo?) – Could you please give me some water
POLITE REFUSALS
Here are some common Korean expressions of polite refusal:
죄송합니다. 하지 못할 것 같습니다. (Joesonghamnida. Hajimothal geot gatseumnida.) – I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can do it.
죄송합니다. 그럴 수 없습니다. (Joesonghamnida. Geureol su eopsseumnida.) – I’m sorry, but it’s not possible.
제가 원하는 대로 해야겠습니다. (Jega wonhaneun daero haeyagesseumnida.) – I should do it the way I want to.
다음에 꼭 도와드리겠습니다. (Daeume gok dowadeurigesumnida.) – I’ll definitely help you next time.
불가능한 일이에요. (Bulga-neung-han il-i-e-yo.) – It’s an impossible task.
안될 것 같아요. (Andoel geot gatayo.) – I don’t think it will work.
죄송합니다. 제가 해낼 자신이 없습니다. (Joesonghamnida. Jega haenael jasin-i eopseumnida.) – I’m sorry, but I don’t have confidence that I can do it.
이번에는 안 도와드릴게요. (Ibeoneun an dowadeurilgeyo.) – I can’t help you this time.
EXPRESSIONS OF AGREEMENTS
네 (ne) – Yes
그렇습니다 (geureoseumnida) – That’s right/That’s correct
맞습니다 (masseumnida) – That’s right/That’s correct
그래요 (geuraeyo) – That’s right/That’s correct
그렇군요 (geureogunyo) – I see/That’s right
그런데요 (geureondeyo) – Well/But still
그러죠 (geureojyo) – That’s right/Isn’t it?
알겠습니다 (algetseumnida) – I understand
고맙습니다 (gomapseumnida) – Thank you
정말요 (jeongmallyo) – Really?
좋아요 (johayo) – That’s good/That’s great
괜찮아요 (gwaenchanayo) – That’s fine/That’s okay
그만큼 (geumankkeum) – That much/That many
이해합니다 (ihaehamnida) – I understand
그저 그래요 (geujeo geuraeyo) – It’s just so/It’s just like that.
FAREWELLS
안녕히 가세요 (annyeonghi gaseyo) – “Go in peace”
잘 가세요 (jal gaseyo) – “Go well”
다음에 뵙겠습니다 (da-eum-e boepgesseumnida) – “I will see you next time”
건강하시고 잘 다녀오세요 (geonganghasigo jal danyeoseyo) – “Take care of yourself and come back well”
이제 떠나겠습니다 (ije tteonagesseumnida) – “I will leave now”
조심해서 가세요 (josimhaeseo gaseyo) – “Go carefully”
안녕 (annyeong) – “Goodbye”
또 봅시다 (tto bopsida) – “Let’s meet again”
무사히 돌아오세요 (musahi doraojaseyo) – “Come back safely”
이만 물러가겠습니다 (iman mulleogagesseumnida) – “I will step back now”
These expressions can be used in a variety of contexts, such as saying goodbye to friends, family members, or coworkers.
BLESSINGS
here are some common Korean expressions of blessings along with their English translations:
건강하세요 (geon-gang-ha-se-yo) – “Stay healthy”
행복하세요 (haeng-bok-ha-se-yo) – “Be happy”
길 잘 가세요 (gil-jal-ga-se-yo) – “Have a safe journey”
항상 행운이 따르길 바래요 (hang-sang haeng-un-i tta-reu-gil ba-rae-yo) – “I hope good luck always follows you”
축복합니다 (chuk-bok-ham-ni-da) – “I bless you”
하느님의 축복이 함께하길 바랍니다 (ha-neu-nim-ui chuk-bok-i ham-kke-ha-gil ba-rap-ni-da) – “May God’s blessings be with you”
모든 일이 잘 되길 바랍니다 (mo-deun il-i jal doe-gil ba-rap-ni-da) – “I hope everything goes well for you”
늘 건강하시고 행복하세요 (neul geon-gang-ha-shi-go haeng-bok-ha-se-yo) – “Always stay healthy and happy”
자신과 주변 모두에게 축복이 가득하기를 바랍니다 (ja-sin-gwa ju-byeon mo-du-e-ge chuk-bok-i ga-deuk-ha-gi-reul ba-rap-ni-da) – “I hope blessings overflow for you and those around you”
앞날에 행복만 가득하길 기원합니다 (ap-nal-e haeng-bok-man ga-deuk-ha-gil gi-won-ham-ni-da) – “I wish you only happiness in the future”
Originally posted 2023-07-18 00:29:37.