Korean Speech Levels: 반말 vs 존댓말 Explained
Korean changes the end of every sentence depending on who you are talking to. Learn the three speech levels you actually need, when to use 반말 and 존댓말, and how 시 makes a sentence respectful.
Beginner8 min readTap any Korean word to see it explained
The short answer
Korean changes the end of the sentence to match who you are talking to. Learn the polite 요 form first: it works with almost everyone. Save 반말 (casual) for close friends, and 습니다 (formal) for announcements and set phrases.
In English, you sound polite by adding words like “please” or “would you mind.” In Korean, the verb ending itself carries the politeness, so every single sentence makes a choice. Tap the endings below to see how the same verb changes.
The three levels you will actually hear
| Level | Who it’s for | to eat | to go | thank you |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Formal (합쇼체) | news, speeches, service | 먹습니다 | 갑니다 | 감사합니다 |
| Polite (해요체) | most people, most of the time | 먹어요 | 가요 | 고마워요 |
| Casual (반말) | close friends, younger people | 먹어 | 가 | 고마워 |
The first two together are called 존댓말 (respectful speech). The good news: the polite and casual forms are almost the same. Take the casual form and add 요.
1. Polite 요: your default
This is the level textbooks teach first and the one you should use with anyone you don’t know well: shop staff, coworkers, a friend’s parents, people online.
Same ending for questions and answers. Your voice goes up for a question.
2. 반말: drop the 요
Between close friends, siblings, and when talking to children, Koreans drop 요. Notice that 저 (humble “I”) becomes 나, and 이에요/예요 (“am, is”) becomes 이야/야.
A classic way to say hi to a friend. It is less about food and more like "how are you?"
3. 습니다: formal and set phrases
The formal level ends in 습니다 after a consonant and ㅂ니다 after a vowel. You will hear it from newsreaders, flight attendants and in presentations. Questions end in 습니까/ㅂ니까.
A formal greeting you can use at a first meeting, even if you switch to 요 afterwards.
Some phrases are almost always formal, even in casual-ish situations: 감사합니다 (thank you), 죄송합니다 (I’m sorry), 수고하셨습니다 (thanks for your hard work).
Bonus: 시 shows respect to the person doing it
Speech level is about the listener. Korean has a second tool for respecting the person you are talking about: add 시 to the verb. In the polite form, 시 + 어요 becomes 세요.
세요 also makes a polite request: 주세요 (please give), 들어오세요 (come in).
A few verbs swap for a different word entirely: 먹다 → 드시다 (eat), 자다 → 주무시다 (sleep), 있다 → 계시다 (be somewhere). You never use these about yourself.
Which one should I use?
- Not sure? Use the polite 요 form. Nobody is offended by it.
- Talking to someone older or senior, add 시 when they are the one doing something.
- Close friend your age who already uses 반말 with you? Match them.
- Giving a presentation or writing a formal email? Use 습니다.
Hear it in songs
Most K-pop lyrics are in 반말, because a song talks to someone close. Open a song in Hanbok Lyrics and tap a line: the breakdown explains every ending. For how the rest of the sentence fits together, see Korean sentence structure.
Check yourself
Quick check · 1 of 4You are ordering at a café. Which is best?
Coffee, please.
Questions learners ask
What is the difference between 반말 and 존댓말?
반말 is casual speech for close friends, younger people and family. 존댓말 is respectful speech for everyone else. The difference is mostly at the end of the sentence: 먹어 (casual) vs 먹어요 (polite).
Which Korean speech level should I learn first?
The polite 요 form (해요체), like 먹어요 and 가요. It is safe with almost anyone you meet, from shop staff to new friends to coworkers.
When do Koreans use 습니다?
In formal settings: news broadcasts, announcements, presentations, the military and customer service. In everyday talk it sounds stiff, except in set phrases like 감사합니다.
Is it rude to use 반말 with a stranger?
Usually, yes. Use 반말 only after the other person suggests it, or with children and close friends your age. In dramas, 말 놓을까요? ("Shall we speak casually?") is the moment two characters get closer.