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.
About Me
- Paula
- Grew up in Montreal, Canada. Lived in Sri Lanka for a year as a reporter. Travelled all over South East Asia for a few years. Now working as a travel writer for the Korean Tourism Organization.
Beopju-sa
Buddhist Temple
Subscribe To
Posts
Comments
I am assuming that you are in South Korea. I am curious about how the S. Koreans view the North Koreans. Are they disconnected from them, only sharing the name Korea or is there some communication between the two, like Mexico and New Mexico. There are Mexicans in New Mexico and New Mexicans in Mexico but it really has no significance on views since the name is arbitrary. I know that with N and S Korea there are families divided by the countries, so there would be more significance than the example I gave- but how much? Please Forgive my ignorance.
ReplyDeleteSorry for late reply stickfire. Been away for a looong while.
ReplyDeleteTo your question, most S.Koreans consider N.Koreans as kin or brothers. Really, one people separated by a tyrannical government. So, Korea is meaningful as the name of a whole Korea. There is no real animosity towards the people. The real disdain is for the leader Kim Jong Il. Of course, there is a sense that N.Koreans are less educated and enlightened. So, the view is that N.Koreans are like the pitiful impoverished cousin living in a harsh landscape.