Korean Speech Level
Korean Speech Level
Korean Speech Level
As politeness and formality are very prevalent in Korean culture, it is important to understand the different levels of speech and getting a good understanding of what level someone is using.
The deferential speech level is used for public and/or formal communication settings, such as broadcasting, public speech, business-related meetings, conference presentations, and so forth. The deferential speech level has four different endings for each sentence type:
(declarative), (interrogative), (imperative), (propositive)
There are seven speech levels; Hasoseo-che (하소서체), Hasipsio-che (하십시오체), Haoche (하오체), Hageche(하게체), Haerache (해라체), Haeyoche(해요체) and Haeche(해체).
Each level shows a different level of formality and politeness to the audience. Koreans show respect to the person they talk to or about by choosing the appropriate speech level. In general, there are two main levels of politeness split into 존댓말 (jondaemal), which is the polite form and 반말 (banmal), which is the more casual form.
This is a very respectful, polite form of formal speech.
It is commonly used in public speeches, broadcasts, business, and the service industry to speak to customers. It is used to speak to strangers, elders, anyone higher in social rank. It can also be used to speak to people of lower rank when you want to show them respect.
People use these when they are unsure about which level of social status or politeness to use.
Haeyo-che (해요체)
This is the most common polite way of speech. Foreigners are usually urged to learn this form of speech because it is simple and has the proper politeness for everyday situations. People use this level to address strangers and the elderly. This is still fairly high in the politeness level but it’s not the most formal level.
Haoche (하오체)
It is used to address people that are in a lower or the same social position. It still maintains a moderate degree of respect. It should not be used when speaking to those ranked above us.
In modern times, it is spoken only among some people of older generations and not used much in real life. You can find this style almost only in historical Korean dramas.
Hageche (하게체)
This is a relatively outdated style of formal speech. It implies the speaker treats the audience with respect.
It is used to speak to people who are the same rank or lower by some older people, like a director of a company speaking to lower-ranking employees, a mentor passing down advice to a mentee, between adult male friends or in some novels.
Used to address friends or family that you are comfortable around and those much younger than you.
Haera-che (해라체)
This is a more conversational style. It is more along the lines of formally impolite. It is used with those who are of the same or lower rank with no added degree of respect. But it is not considered disrespectful to use this form in the proper situation. For example, in a conversation between close friends or between adults and children. We can often see this form in the dictionary, textbooks, newspapers, and indirect quotations like “he said that…”
When it used in spoken language, it is to casually describe the present state such as “나 간다 now I am going” and to show exclamations like “아, 슬프다 Ah, it’s sad.”
Hae-che (해체):
This is the informal, casual speech with no added levels of formality or politeness. Therefore, it is used among close friends and family. It is also used to address children. This level of speech is only used with extremely familiar people. This level is described as “intimate” in English.
As politeness and formality are very prevalent in Korean culture, it is important to understand the different levels of speech and getting a good understanding of what level someone is using.
The deferential speech level is used for public and/or formal communication settings, such as broadcasting, public speech, business-related meetings, conference presentations, and so forth. The deferential speech level has four different endings for each sentence type:
(declarative), (interrogative), (imperative), (propositive)
There are seven speech levels; Hasoseo-che (하소서체), Hasipsio-che (하십시오체), Haoche (하오체), Hageche(하게체), Haerache (해라체), Haeyoche(해요체) and Haeche(해체).
Each level shows a different level of formality and politeness to the audience. Koreans show respect to the person they talk to or about by choosing the appropriate speech level. In general, there are two main levels of politeness split into 존댓말 (jondaemal), which is the polite form and 반말 (banmal), which is the more casual form.
High Formality and Politeness
Hasoseo-che (하소서체)
Hasoseo-che (하소서체) is the highest and extremely formal speech level to show the utmost respect for the person you are addressing. It was used when addressing a king, queen, high official, or other members of the royal family in the past. Additionally, historical dramas or religious texts use this level. People do not commonly use Hasoseo-che and the information is mainly for reference.
Hasipsio-che (하십시오체)
This is a very respectful, polite form of formal speech. It is commonly used in public speeches, broadcasts, business, and the service industry to speak to customers. It is used to speak to strangers, elders, anyone higher in social rank. It can also be used to speak to people of lower rank when you want to show them respect.
Middle Level of Formality and Politeness
People use these when they are unsure about which level of social status or politeness to use.Haeyo-che (해요체)
This is the most common polite way of speech. Foreigners are usually urged to learn this form of speech because it is simple and has the proper politeness for everyday situations. People use this level to address strangers and the elderly. This is still fairly high in the politeness level but it’s not the most formal level.
Haoche (하오체)
It is used to address people that are in a lower or the same social position. It still maintains a moderate degree of respect. It should not be used when speaking to those ranked above us.
In modern times, it is spoken only among some people of older generations and not used much in real life. You can find this style almost only in historical Korean dramas.
Hageche (하게체)
This is a relatively outdated style of formal speech. It implies the speaker treats the audience with respect.
It is used to speak to people who are the same rank or lower by some older people, like a director of a company speaking to lower-ranking employees, a mentor passing down advice to a mentee, between adult male friends or in some novels.
Low Levels – Family, Friends, those close with you
Used to address friends or family that you are comfortable around and those much younger than you.Haera-che (해라체)
This is a more conversational style. It is more along the lines of formally impolite. It is used with those who are of the same or lower rank with no added degree of respect. But it is not considered disrespectful to use this form in the proper situation. For example, in a conversation between close friends or between adults and children. We can often see this form in the dictionary, textbooks, newspapers, and indirect quotations like “he said that…”
When it used in spoken language, it is to casually describe the present state such as “나 간다 now I am going” and to show exclamations like “아, 슬프다 Ah, it’s sad.”
Hae-che (해체):
This is the informal, casual speech with no added levels of formality or politeness. Therefore, it is used among close friends and family. It is also used to address children. This level of speech is only used with extremely familiar people. This level is described as “intimate” in English.