The Many Different Ways of Saying “You”
Knowing how to say “you” when addressing someone in Korean was one of the most complicated things I had to learn over here. There are many variables that affect what you would say and how you would say it.
On paper basic Korean is very straightforward and easy to learn. However, there are many elements to the language that make it quite difficult for foreigners to master. First of all, there is nopin-mal 높임말 or honorific expressions that is used in the language. There are a few different forms of it. But that’s not what’s difficult. The complicated part is the rules that govern which to use, when and how to use them.
As a general rule the most basic honorific form is used with most everyone except with good friends or people who are younger than you…generally. Depending on the situation you may have to use it with those who are younger as well.
When speaking to someone in nopin-mal you would address them by their relational or familial title, such as halmoni meaning “grandmother” even if you are not related to them or by their occupational title attaching a nim after it (halmo-nim). Depending on the situation you may also address people by name but must attach a si (pronounced “she”) after them as well. The si is like a “miss,” “missus,” “mister” or “miz.”
In many ways not using nopin-mal is easier but that is not the case when differentiating the Korean terms for “you.” For friends or younger people you could use neo (pronounced “noh”) or ni (pronounced “nee”). Ne also means “you” but the word that means “me,” nae, is pronounced the same way. So it can be tough to know who they are referring to.
The other way of saying “you” is dangsin pronounced “dhang-shin.” Now this is even trickier. It is generally used by couples to refer to one another when in both a heated argument or in an intimate loving moment. In addition, it also refers to the object in the third person, in other words “him” or “her.”
Told you it was complicated. But there you are. If you follow these rules you’re already ahead of many expats who’ve been for years.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Why Many Koreans Can't Ride a Bike
Can you ride a Bike?
Another more pertinent reason could be everything is paved over in the cities. Motorists go anywhere and do not obey traffic laws making it very dangerous for cyclists. Honestly, if I didn’t live near a park I wouldn’t allow children to bike around either.
I can still remember the first time I rode a bike. I got on my older sister’s electric blue two-wheeler with the banana seat and accompanying Harley Davidson handle bars. It was the iconic image of a father teaching his child to ride a bike. He held on to the back of the seat while I found my equilibrium. After a few wobbly tries, off I went in my faded cut-off jean shorts. One of my sweetest childhood memories.
I was quite surprised when my very quiet colleague invited me to go scuba diving. Although a very nice girl, she would say very little at work and even less outside of it. But a group of scuba diving instructors certified with PADI she was diving with were having a promotion for foreigners for a mere 20,000 won.
Although we asked all the foreigners in the office, it seems that many people from Asian countries don’t know how to swim. Come to think of it, lots of Koreans don’t know how to bike either.
The first time I heard that I was quite shocked. There are a few kids I remember who never learned to swim back in Canada but there wasn’t anyone I knew who couldn’t bike.
One of the reasons Koreans don’t learn to bicycle is that financially it is considered superfluous. While in the west we consider it a rite of passage and a staple of childhood, Korean children grew up moving themselves around on their own power. They would play games learned from their parents and are passed on from generation to generation.
As adults you will see young Koreans continue to play a less active version of these games, most will consist of guessing or singing games. These games are especially popular with the college crowd. When going out in a small or larger drinking party, people will sit around a table and slap or wave their hands as they sing in unison. It would be comparable to the type of games we’d play at camp.
Although we asked all the foreigners in the office, it seems that many people from Asian countries don’t know how to swim. Come to think of it, lots of Koreans don’t know how to bike either.
The first time I heard that I was quite shocked. There are a few kids I remember who never learned to swim back in Canada but there wasn’t anyone I knew who couldn’t bike.
One of the reasons Koreans don’t learn to bicycle is that financially it is considered superfluous. While in the west we consider it a rite of passage and a staple of childhood, Korean children grew up moving themselves around on their own power. They would play games learned from their parents and are passed on from generation to generation.
As adults you will see young Koreans continue to play a less active version of these games, most will consist of guessing or singing games. These games are especially popular with the college crowd. When going out in a small or larger drinking party, people will sit around a table and slap or wave their hands as they sing in unison. It would be comparable to the type of games we’d play at camp.
Another more pertinent reason could be everything is paved over in the cities. Motorists go anywhere and do not obey traffic laws making it very dangerous for cyclists. Honestly, if I didn’t live near a park I wouldn’t allow children to bike around either.
I can still remember the first time I rode a bike. I got on my older sister’s electric blue two-wheeler with the banana seat and accompanying Harley Davidson handle bars. It was the iconic image of a father teaching his child to ride a bike. He held on to the back of the seat while I found my equilibrium. After a few wobbly tries, off I went in my faded cut-off jean shorts. One of my sweetest childhood memories.
I'm Princess
“I’m Princess”
As part of a new exercise programme and tourism promotional campaign, every month these prisoners in the Philippines are given a new song and dance to learn. This month the chosen song and routine is from a Korean girl band called ‘Wondergirls.’ They put out this catchy single called, “Nobody” which topped the Korean and Asian music charts.
As part of a new exercise programme and tourism promotional campaign, every month these prisoners in the Philippines are given a new song and dance to learn. This month the chosen song and routine is from a Korean girl band called ‘Wondergirls.’ They put out this catchy single called, “Nobody” which topped the Korean and Asian music charts.
Among the transgenders, I like “Princess” best. But my favourite dancers are the back dancers all in their bright orange jumpsuits dancing in unison. And notice how serious they look.
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