How do Koreans react to foreigners speaking Korean?
They seem to find it amusing that foreigners are so interested in their language / culture. Another very common reaction is that they would thank me for learning Korean. Most of my friends or even people in shops / on the streets always tell me that they are thankful that I find their language and culture beautiful.
When can you speak informally in Korean?
If you are addressing someone that is considered less than you in status, importance, age, etc. (e.g. an older brother speaking to his younger sibling) then the informal noun and verb form is used.
How Do You Talk to an older person in Korean?
Use kinship terms, even to address someone who is not family:
- 언니 (eonni, “older sister”), used by females to address a slightly elder female.
- 누나 (nuna, “older sister”), used by males to address a slightly elder female.
- 오빠 (oppa, “older brother”), used by females to address a slightly elder male.
What does speaking casually in Korean mean?
Casual is usually used for those younger than you. But remember that formal polite is very very formal and formal impolite and casual are the most used.
What does Banmal mean in Korean?
Banmal is informal or familiar speech, and the literal word can be translated as: “half” and “word/speech.” It’s half-speak, or jondae cut in half.
What is Jondaemal?
Jondaemal is polite speech or formal speech (Jondae means “honorific,” while “mal” is the suffix for “speech”). Banmal is informal or familiar speech, and the literal word can be translated as “half” and “speech”.
Does age matter in Korean?
Why is Korean Age Important? Age in Korea is very important in Korean culture. Even the way you refer to your friends is based on their age; if they are a year older than you, they might be your 누나 (nuna) or 언니 (eonni), if they are younger, they will be your 동생 (dongsaeng).
How do you talk to your partner in Korean?
Most couples speak in informal speech (반말) with each other, especially once a certain level of familiarity is reached between them. Using formal speech (존댓말) suggests that two people still don’t know each other well enough to communicate informally, so they keep using 존댓말 to show respect to the other person.
What are the different types of Korean speech?
Five of these Korean speech levels ( 하소서체, 합쇼체, 하오체, 하게체, and 해라체) are categorized as formal speech ( 격식체 ). This is the type of language that’s used in newspapers or essays in school. Two of these levels ( 해요체 and 해체) are categorized as informal speech ( 비격식체 ).
What is “해체” in Korean?
해체 is informal, casual speech with no added degree of respect or politeness. It’s the speech level people refer to by “ 반말 ” (low form) and what Korean people use when they speak casually to each other. It’s used between close friends and family, by adults to speak to children or minors]
How do Korean women communicate with their husbands?
This in turn translates to the fact that elder Korean women are supposed to maintain formalities with their husbands. Most couples speak in informal speech (반말) with each other, especially once a certain level of familiarity is reached between them.