How to Say You in Korean

Embark on a linguistic adventure and delve into the nuances of the Korean language. Embellish your vocabulary with an indispensable phrase that will bridge communication barriers and foster meaningful connections. Discover how to express “you” in Korean, unlocking a door to engaging conversations and authentic cultural exchange.

In Korean, there are two primary ways to say “you”: “당신” (dangsin) and “너” (neo). “당신” is the formal way to address someone, conveying respect and politeness. It is commonly used in formal settings, such as business meetings, academic lectures, or interactions with elders. “너” is the informal way to address someone, denoting closeness and familiarity. It is typically used among friends, family members, or individuals of the same age and social status.

Understanding the context and social dynamics is crucial when choosing between “당신” and “너.” Using “너” in a formal setting can be perceived as disrespectful, while using “당신” in an informal setting may create an unnecessary distance. Therefore, it is essential to consider the situation and the relationship between the speakers to ensure appropriate usage. Additionally, combining “당신” or “너” with honorifics, such as “-님” (-nim) or “-씨” (-ssi), further conveys respect and politeness. By mastering these nuances, you will navigate Korean conversations with confidence and cultural sensitivity.

Basic Pronunciation in Hangul

Vowels

Hangul’s vowel system is incredibly straightforward, with only 10 basic vowel sounds. The table below outlines the vowel sounds and their corresponding Hangul characters:

Character	Sound	English Example
ㅏ	ah	father
ㅑ	yah	yard
ㅓ	eo	urn
ㅕ	yeo	yes
ㅗ	oh	home
ㅛ	yoh	yolk
ㅜ	oo	boot
ㅠ	yoo	view
ㅡ	eu	fur
ㅣ	ee	beat

Consonants

Hangul’s consonant system consists of 14 basic consonant sounds, which can combine to form complex consonant clusters. The table below outlines the basic consonants and their corresponding Hangul characters:

Character	Sound	English Example
ㄱ	g	garden
ㄴ	n	nose
ㄷ	d	door
ㄹ	r	run
ㅁ	m	mouth
ㅂ	b	book
ㅅ	s	sun
ㅇ	ng	sing
ㅈ	j	jam
ㅊ	ch	cheese
ㅋ	k	key
ㅌ	t	table
ㅍ	p	pizza
ㅎ	h	hat

Expressing “You” in Formal Situations

In formal settings, it is essential to use the correct word for “you” to convey respect and politeness. The following table outlines the various ways to say “you” in Korean in formal situations:

Situation	Korean Phrase	English Translation
When addressing someone of higher status (e.g., teacher, boss, elderly person)	귀하	You (Mr./Ms. Last Name)
When addressing someone in a business context	어른	You (Mr./Ms. Last Name)
When addressing a group of people	여러분	You all
When addressing someone with whom you have a close relationship but still wish to show respect	당신	You (First Name)

When using the phrase “귀하,” it is customary to follow it with the person’s last name and the appropriate honorific (e.g., “귀하께서,” meaning “Mr./Ms. Last Name”). “어른” is also used with the person’s last name and honorific, but it is typically reserved for formal business settings.

It is important to note that these formal phrases are not commonly used in everyday conversations among friends or family members. In such informal settings, the less formal “너” or “당신” is typically used, depending on the level of intimacy and closeness.

Using “Ne” for Informal Contexts

When speaking to close friends, family members, or people of a younger age, using “ne” is an appropriate way to refer to yourself. It is typically used in casual and informal settings.

The pronunciation of “ne” can vary depending on the region and dialect. It can be pronounced as “neh” or “nay” in different parts of Korea.

Here are some examples of how “ne” is used in informal contexts:

English	Korean (Informal)
I	네 (ne)
Me	나 (na)
My	제 (je)
Mine	제거 (jegeo)

It’s important to note that “ne” should only be used in informal settings. In formal or respectful contexts, it is more appropriate to use “jeon” (저는) or “jo” (조) to refer to oneself.

Polite Forms with the Ending “-si”

The polite form of “you” in Korean is “당신 (dangsin),” but it’s considered somewhat formal and distant. A more commonly used and friendlier option is to add the ending “-si” to a person’s name. When “si” is added to a name, it becomes a respectful and polite way to address someone.

How to Use “-si”

To use the “-si” ending, follow these steps:

Drop the last consonant from the person’s last name.
Add “-si” to the modified last name.

Example

Let’s say you want to address someone named “Kim Ji-hoon.” Here’s how you would form the polite form using “-si”:

Name	Polite Form
Kim Ji-hoon	Kim Ji-hun-si

Note that the “n” is dropped from “hoon” before adding “-si.”

Using the Plural “You”

To address multiple people as “you” in Korean, you can use the following forms:

당신들 (dang-shin-deul): This is the formal and respectful way to address a group of people. It is typically used in business settings or when speaking to strangers.
너희 (neo-hee): This is the informal way to address a group of close friends or family members. It should not be used in formal or professional settings.
여러분 (yeo-reo-bun): This is a slightly more formal way to address a group of people than “너희”. It can be used in both formal and informal settings.

Formal	Informal
당신들 (dang-shin-deul)	너희 (neo-hee)
여러분 (yeo-reo-bun)	–

When using the plural “you” in Korean, it is important to consider the context and the relationship between the speaker and the listener(s). The appropriate form will vary depending on the situation.

For example, if you are speaking to a group of business colleagues, you would use the formal “당신들 (dang-shin-deul)”. However, if you are speaking to a group of close friends, you could use the informal “너희 (neo-hee)”.

Addressing Elderly Individuals

In Korean culture, it is considered respectful to use honorifics when addressing elderly individuals. Here are some tips for using honorifics correctly:

1. Use the honorific suffix “-nim”: This suffix is added to the person’s name or title, such as “Park-nim” or “Professor Kim-nim.”

2. Avoid using first names: In general, it is not appropriate to use the first name of an elderly person unless they have given you permission to do so.

3. Use formal language: When speaking to an elderly person, use polite and respectful language. This includes avoiding slang and using proper grammar.

4. Maintain a respectful distance: When standing or sitting with an elderly person, maintain a respectful distance. Do not touch them without their permission.

5. Be patient and understanding: Elderly people may take longer to respond or may not be as physically mobile as younger people. Be patient and understanding with them.

Specific Honorifics for Elderly Individuals

Relationship	Honorific
Grandfather	Hal-abeo-nim
Grandmother	Hal-meoni-nim
Uncle (older than father)	Samchon-nim
Aunt (older than mother)	Imo-nim
Father-in-law	Appa-nim
Mother-in-law	Eomeoni-nim

Familiar Form for Close Friends

When speaking to close friends or family members, Koreans often use a more casual and familiar form of the word “you.” This form is 너 (neo).

When to use 너 (neo)

너 is typically used when speaking to someone you are very close to, such as a close friend, family member, or significant other. It is important to note that 너 is considered an informal form of address and should not be used when speaking to someone you do not know well or who is in a position of authority.

Examples of using 너

Here are some examples of how to use 너 in a sentence:

Korean	English
너는 무슨 생각이야?	What do you think?
너 집에 갈래?	Do you want to go to your house?
너랑 같이 영화 보러 갈래?	Would you like to watch a movie together?

Addressing a Group of People

When addressing a group of people, there are several factors to consider, such as the formality of the occasion, the age and social status of the audience, and the size of the group. Here are some general guidelines:

Plural forms of “you”

The informal plural form of “you” is “너희” (neh-hee) and is typically used when addressing close friends or family members. The formal plural form of “you” is “당신들” (dang-shin-deul) and is used in more formal settings, such as business meetings or when speaking to strangers.

Use of honorifics

In Korean, it is customary to use honorifics when addressing people who are older or of higher social status. The most common honorific is “-님” (-nim), which is added to the end of a person’s name. For example, if you are speaking to a teacher, you would say “선생님” (sun-saeng-nim).

Addressing a group with a mixture of ages and social statuses

When addressing a group with a mixture of ages and social statuses, it is best to use the most formal form of address. This will ensure that you do not offend anyone by using an informal form with someone who you should be addressing more formally.

Using the imperative form

When giving instructions to a group of people, it is common to use the imperative form of the verb. The imperative form is created by dropping the final vowel of the verb stem and adding “-라” (-ra). For example, the imperative form of the verb “하다” (ha-da) is “하라” (ha-ra).

Honorific Forms in Respectful Situations

In Korean, there are a variety of honorific forms that are used to show respect to elders, superiors, and strangers. These forms are used in both written and spoken language, and they can be added to nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

The most common honorific form is “-님” (-nim), which is used after the name of a person who is older or superior to you. For example, if you are speaking to your boss, you would say “김 사장님” (Kim Boss-nim).

There are also a number of other honorific forms that can be used in different situations. For example, “-께서” (-kkeseo) is used when referring to someone who is highly respected, such as a teacher or a doctor. “-께” (-kke) is used when speaking to someone who is slightly older or superior to you, such as a coworker or a neighbor.

Additional Honorific Forms

In addition to the honorific forms listed above, there are a number of other forms that can be used in specific situations.

When Referring to Family Members

Relationship	Honorific Form
Father	아버지 (-abeoji)
Mother	어머니 (-eomeoni)
Older brother	오빠 (-oppa)
Older sister	언니 (-eonni)
Younger brother	동생 (-dongsaeng)

When Addressing Strangers

When addressing strangers, it is important to use the appropriate honorific form. The most common forms are “-씨” (-ssi) and “-님” (-nim). “-씨” is used when speaking to someone who is of the same age or slightly younger than you. “-님” is used when speaking to someone who is older or superior to you.

How to Say “You” in Korean

Intonation and Conversational Nuances

The intonation and context of a conversation can greatly affect the meaning of “you” in Korean. Here are some important nuances to keep in mind:

1. Politeness: The level of politeness used depends on the relationship between the speaker and the listener. Formality is indicated by using the title “님 (-nim)” after the person’s name or position in the sentence.

2. Humility: Speakers often use humble expressions to downplay their own importance or show respect to others. This can be achieved by using the humble honorific “저 (-eo)” for “I” or “우리 (-uri)” for “we.”

3. Gender: Korean has gendered language, so the choice of “you” depends on the gender of the person being addressed.

4. Age: Age is another important factor in Korean language. Using the appropriate title based on the listener’s age is considered respectful and polite.

5. Familiarity: The level of familiarity between the speaker and the listener also influences the choice of “you.” Close friends and family members use more informal language, while strangers and superiors require a more formal approach.

6. Location: The region of Korea where the conversation is taking place can also affect the choice of “you,” as different regions have their own unique dialects and expressions.

7. Tone of Voice: The tone of voice can convey additional meaning. A raised tone can indicate surprise or excitement, while a lowered tone may convey sadness or hesitation.

8. Body Language: Nonverbal cues, such as body language and eye contact, can also provide context to the meaning of “you.” Maintaining comfortable eye contact and using respectful body language show respect for the other person.

9. Context: The overall context of the conversation is crucial in interpreting the meaning of “you.” The setting, purpose, and relationship between the speakers all contribute to the nuance of the language used.

10. Table of Common Pronunciations:

Form	Pronunciation
당신 (dangsin)	Formal, polite
너 (neo)	Informal, close friends
너희 (neohi)	Informal, plural friends
저희 (jeohui)	Humble, “we”
존경하는 (jonkyeonghaneun)	尊敬する “you”

In Korean, the word for “you” is “당신” (dangsin). This word is used in both formal and informal settings.

When speaking to someone who is older or of a higher social status than you, it is important to use the formal form of “당신”, which is “당신님” (dangsin-nim). This word shows respect for the person you are speaking to.

When speaking to someone who is younger or of a lower social status than you, you can use the informal form of “당신”, which is “너” (neo). This word is more casual and friendly.