This is very important when you're learning Korean language. It's one of the basics too. You have to/must speak in formal/honorific when you're talking to an elder person(teacher, senior, grandparents/parents, ministers) or someone you just met or to show politeness.

Formal
Sentences that ends with
1. 이에요 (i-e-yo)
2. 예요 (ye-yo)
3. 요(yo)
4. 입니다 (ibnida)
5. 있습니다 (issseubnida)
6. 입니까 (ibnikka)
7. 이겠습니다 (igessseubnida)
8. 이겠어요 (igess-eoyo)
9. 하세요 (haseyo)

In formal form, suffix -님(nim) to address someone.

아버지(abeoji) → 아버님(abeo-nim) (father)
어머니(eomeoni) → 어머님(eomeo-nim) (mother)
형(hyung) → 형님(hyung-nim) (brother)
선생님 (seonsaengnim) (teacher)

-씨(ssi) is added to a person name, in formal form. Usually with one's full name or the given name without the first name. But attaching -씨 to first name/surname, is quite rude.

Example:
장근석씨(jang-geunseogssi) - Mr. Jang Keun Suk or
근석씨(geunseogssi) - Mr Keun Suk

Pronouns 
I/my/myself
Formal:  저(jeo),제(je)
Informal: 나 (na), 내(nae), 난(nan)

You/yours
Formal:  당신(dangsin)
Informal: 너(neo), 네(ne), 넌(neon)

Usually informal, 반말(banmal) is spoken to family members or close friends only.
Informal
1. 이다 (i-da)
2. 이겠다 (igessda)
3. 이냐 (i-nya)
4. 였다 (yeossda)
5. 이겠느냐 (igessneunya)
6. 야 (ya)

Example:
The following sentences are informal first, then follow by formal form. 

Mr. Jang Keun Suk is so cool/handsome.
장근석씨 너무 멋있다(jang-geunseogssi neomu meos-issda)
장근석씨 너무 멋있어요(jang-geunseogssi neomu meos-iss-eoyo)

It rained today.
오늘은 비가 왔어(oneul-eun biga wass-eo)
오늘은 비가 왔어요(oneul-eun biga wass-eoyo)

I want to watch drama.
드라마 보고싶다(deulama bogosipda)
드라마 보고싶어요(deulama bogosip-eoyo)

My head hurts! 
머리 너무 아파!(meoli neomu apa!)
머리 너무 아파요!(meoli neomu apayo!)

I don't have class yesterday.
어제 수업이 없다(eoje sueob-i eobsda)
어제 수업이 없어요(eoje sueob-i eobs-eoyo)

My name is Victoria.
내 이름은 Victoria 이다(nae ileum-eun Victoria ida)
제 이름은 Victoria 있습니다(je ileum-eun Victoria issseubnida)

What is this?
이게 뭐야 ? (ige mwoya)
이게 뭐 예요? (ige mwo e-yo)

Don't go home.
집에 가지마(jib-e gajima)
집에 가지마요(jib-e gajimayo)

Please give me a cup of coffee. 
커피 한잔 줘(keopi hanjan jwo)
커피 한잔 주세요(keopi hanjan juseyo)

Had your dinner?
저녁 먹었어?  (jeonyeog meog-eoss-eo)
저녁 먹었어요? (jeonyeog meog-eoss-eoyo)

I know/Okay/Got it
알았어 (ar-ass-eo)
알았어요 (ar-ass-eoyo) (formal)
알겠습니다 (algessseubnida) (formal)

Where are you now? 
지금 어디 냐? (jigeum eodi nya?)
지금 어디예요? (jigeum eodi-e-yo?)

I'm reading a book.
책이 읽고있어 (chaeg-i ilg-go iss-eo)
책이 읽고있어요 (chaeg-i ilg-go iss-eoyo)

Sorry
미안해 (mianhae)
미안해요 (mianhaeyo)

I'm busy.
나 바빠(na bappa)
저는 바빠요(jeoneun bappayo)

Labels: Hangul

Saturday 27 October 2012 | 1 comment[s] | back to top