Korean honorifics builder
Korean has two speech levels you actually need as a visitor: 존댓말 (jondaemal) — polite form, ending in -습니다 / -세요 / -시-, used for strangers, elders, formal contexts. 반말 (banmal) — casual form, ending in -어 / -지 / -(ㄴ/는)다, used with peers, younger, family. As a visitor, you're generally safe using 존댓말 everywhere — and many locals will use 반말 with you (treat it as friendly, not rude). This tool gives you the right ending for each scenario.
Honorific scenario chooser
What this solves
Most visitors either over-formal (sounding stiff) or pick a verbal they're not sure about. The "right" form depends on age, social distance, and the situation. This tool shows you the 존댓말 sentence + the pronunciation + the cultural context, plus when 반말 is acceptable.
존댓말 endings
-습니다 / -ㅂ니다: formal declarative. "감사합니다." (thank you). -세요 / -시-: polite imperative/respectful. "주세요" (please give me). -습니다까-: polite question. "얼마예요?" is mid-formal.
반말 endings
-어 / -아: casual declarative. "고마워" (thanks, casual). -지: soft casual. -다: written/casual statement. Don't use 반말 as a foreigner unless explicitly told.
Age rule
Default: older = 존댓말, same age = either, younger = 반말. Within 1-2 years of age, the older one is usually the 존댓말 speaker. This is how the language structures social hierarchy.
Foreigner bonus
Koreans often use 반말 with foreigners regardless of age — it's friendly, not rude. If someone uses 반말 with you, don't read it as disrespect. Smile back, mirror if comfortable.
How to read the result
- Sentence in Korean script.
- Romaji pronunciation for reading.
- Form = 존댓말 or 반말.
- Note = cultural context.
Limitations
- Real speech varies by region and individual style; this tool covers the most common pattern.
- Body language (bowing, two-handed giving) is as important as the verbal form.
- Some service workers use 반말 to sound friendly; don't mirror unless invited.
- The middle-formal endings (-요) work in most situations and are safe to default to.
FAQ
What if I'm unsure?
Default to -요 endings (안녕하세요, 감사해요, 주세요). Polite without being stiff.
Is 존댓말 cold?
Not at all — it's the respectful default. 반말 is intimate.
Can I just use English?
In major districts, yes. Outside tourist zones, learning 5 phrases pays dividends.
How do I pronounce 잘 먹겠습니다?
"jal meok-ge-sseum-nida" — 'I'll eat well' (pre-meal). Standard polite thanks for the food.