🎭 The Art of Korean Speech Levels: Speaking Like a Local

The “Outfit” Analogy

Imagine your words are like clothes. In English, you wear pretty much the same “outfit” whether talking to your friend or your teacher. But in Korean, you change your verbal outfit depending on who you’re talking to!

• Formal suit 🎩 → Formal polite (하십시오체)
• Nice casual 👔 → Informal polite (해요체)
• Pajamas at home 🏠 → Casual form (해체)
• Diary/storybook voice 📖 → Plain form (해라체)

Let’s explore each outfit!

1. Formal Polite: 하십시오체 (Hasipsio-che) 🎩

What Is It?

This is your fanciest suit. You wear it when you want to show maximum respect. Think of it as talking to a king, a news anchor on TV, or giving a big presentation.

When To Use It?

• Job interviews
• News broadcasts
• Military settings
• Formal announcements
• Speaking to customers (business)

How It Works

Sentences end with -습니다 (statements) or -습니까? (questions).

Examples:

The Secret Pattern

• Action verbs → -ㅂ니다 / -습니다
• Questions → -ㅂ니까? / -습니까?

🎯 Remember: This sounds stiff between friends. It’s like wearing a tuxedo to a playground!

2. Informal Polite: 해요체 (Haeyo-che) 👔

What Is It?

This is your nice casual outfit—polite but friendly. It’s the most useful speech level! You can use it almost anywhere without offending anyone.

When To Use It?

• Daily conversations
• Talking to strangers
• Coworkers
• Older people you’re friendly with
• Shopping, restaurants, anywhere public

How It Works

Sentences end with -아요 / -어요 / -해요.

Examples:

The Magic Rule

• Verb stem ends in ㅏ or ㅗ → add 아요
• Everything else → add 어요
• 하다 verbs → become 해요

🌟 Pro Tip: When in doubt, use 해요체! It’s safe and friendly.

3. Choosing the Right Speech Level 🎯

The Quick Decision Tree

graph TD
    A[Who are you talking to?] --> B{Formal setting?}
    B -->|Yes| C[Use 하십시오체 🎩]
    B -->|No| D{Older or stranger?}
    D -->|Yes| E[Use 해요체 👔]
    D -->|No| F{Close friend or younger?}
    F -->|Yes| G[Use 해체 👕]
    F -->|No| E

Quick Reference Table

Key Factors to Consider

1. Age — Older = more formal
2. Social status — Boss, teacher = more formal
3. Relationship — Closer = less formal
4. Setting — Public/business = more formal

4. Plain Form: 해라체 (Haera-che) 📖

What Is It?

This is storybook voice. It’s not rude—it’s neutral. You find it in books, newspapers, and diaries. It’s also used when adults talk to young children or for commands in recipes.

When To Use It?

• Writing stories or novels
• News articles
• Diaries
• Cookbooks (instructions)
• Speaking to very young children

How It Works

Examples in Sentences:

📚 Fun Fact: If you read Korean webtoons or novels, you’ll see 해라체 everywhere!

5. Casual Form: 해체 (Hae-che) 👕

What Is It?

This is your pajama language—totally relaxed, no formality. Only use it with close friends, siblings, or people younger than you who you’re comfortable with.

When To Use It?

• Best friends
• Siblings
• Close classmates
• People clearly younger who you’re close with
• Text messages with friends

How It Works

Just drop the 요 from 해요체!

Common Casual Expressions

⚠️ Warning: Using 해체 with the wrong person is like showing up in pajamas to a wedding. Very awkward!

6. Switching Speech Levels 🔄

Why Would You Switch?

Sometimes your relationship with someone changes, or the situation calls for a different “outfit.”

Common Switching Scenarios

1. Getting Closer to Someone

• First meeting: 해요체 → Becomes friends → 해체
• “Let’s speak casually!” = 반말 하자! or 말 놓아요!

2. Formal to Informal Within Conversation

• Start formal (하십시오체) in meeting → relax to (해요체) as it gets friendly

3. Expressing Emotion

• Normally polite → Suddenly shocked/angry → slip to casual

Real Conversation Example

A: 처음 뵙겠습니다. (Nice to meet you - 하십시오체)
B: 네, 반갑습니다. (Nice to meet you too - 하십시오체)

[After becoming friends]

A: 우리 말 놓을까요? (Shall we speak casually? - 해요체)
B: 네, 좋아요! (Yes, sounds good! - 해요체)

[Now as friends]

A: 뭐 해? (What are you doing? - 해체)
B: 밥 먹어. 너는? (Eating. You? - 해체)

The “Speech Level Dance” 💃

Summary: Your Speech Level Wardrobe 👗

graph TD
    A[Korean Speech Levels] --> B[하십시오체 🎩<br/>Super Formal]
    A --> C[해요체 👔<br/>Polite & Friendly]
    A --> D[해라체 📖<br/>Writing/Neutral]
    A --> E[해체 👕<br/>Casual/Close]

    B --> F[갑니다]
    C --> G[가요]
    D --> H[간다]
    E --> I[가]

🎯 Key Takeaways

1. 하십시오체 = Maximum respect (news, interviews, military)
2. 해요체 = Safe default for most situations
3. 해라체 = Written Korean, stories, instructions
4. 해체 = Close friends and younger people only
5. Switching = Natural as relationships change

🌟 Golden Rule: When in doubt, be more polite. Koreans appreciate the effort!

Practice Makes Perfect!

Try saying “I’m going home” in all four levels:

You did it! You now understand the heart of Korean politeness. 🎉