How 반말 Works - Casual/Informal Language in Korean [TalkToMeInKorean]

[@2park_]

This guy is the most logical & clear-minded l Korean man I have ever seen my life... Great video !!

[@talktomeinkorean]

Thanks a lot!!! :)

[@LV24VL]

You don't need to learn the casual language(반말) Because you can talk to your close friends or family with casual language. But 99.99% Korean are not your friends. So if you want to learn Korean, you'd better to focus on the formal language. Believe me, I'm Korean. I mostly(over 90%) use formal language too.

[@LV24VL]

***** Yeap :)

[@pinkyfloyd5122]

I like to learn formal then find out the slang later lol

[@ChoboUnjeon]

아는 사이에 또래들끼리는 반말을 써도 되지 않나요?

[@tc0336]

Yah, whats the point of trying to shove casual AND formal Korean words in your brain when you can just learn formal. ( lol )

[@HomoSiliconiens]

Taehun Lee 아는 사이 또는 같은 나이, 어린 사람에게도 기본적인 존댓말을 써야합니다. 자기보다 어리다고 상대방이 허락하지 않을 때 반말 쓰면 상대방으로부터 외면받을 수도 있습니다.

[@AranEnglish]

What a great, informative video! I am Korean, but I still watched it and enjoyed it!

[@rameshlimbu170]

Ho really

[@Hannah-sp3zu]

헉 아란쌤 왜 여기계세요 ㅋㅋㅋ아란쌤 영상 잘 보고있어용 ㅎㅎ

[@Lexie9311]

I'm so proud of myself. I already knew most of these tips

[@HyunwooSun]

Alexis Wright That's awesome! :)

[@kockgunner]

Same, after watching Korean dramas, it's pretty intuitive.

[@cha1chi]

You explained it great but it still gave me a headache trying to process all the rules

[@SweedRaver]

1:22 I have such a hard time reading hand written hangul :(

[@SweedRaver]

Yes I have been looking into that book. I will perhaps buy it if I start focusing more on Korean studies :) Unfortunately right now I am in my master's program so I am a bit short of time, so I am currently just trying to squeeze in some information here and there whenever the opportunity occurs. :P

[@UczuciaTM]

gotta practice. that's what i do. just figure out the common ways you see certain letters being written, and just observe them as you see more native handwriting. That's how i am getting better at reading korean handwriting.

[@salinastraightedge]

@크리스 What does it say at 3:36?

[@salinastraightedge]

@크리스 Thank you! :)

[@melissat9120]

@@SweedRaver I know your comment is old, but learning the proper stroke order realllly helps^^

[@rokidaul]

such an useful video, which is covering almost all my questions regarding using 반말. thank you very much!!!

[@talktomeinkorean]

+Rauka Daulet Thank you!

[@nae_on]

Indeed this was really useful altho i still need to a little practice to make my english more perfect so i can understand ALL the words...

[@ethanproctor6695]

@@nae_on In that case, it's *although.

[@nae_on]

@@ethanproctor6695 Oh, yeah, sorry. Didn't realize I got a typo ^^

[@aglowkeys]

Very clarifying. Some things are pretty obvious, like not using 존댓말 when talking to yourself or to your pet, but there were some very useful tips in the video. Thank you, Hyunwoo!

[@HyunwooSun]

Drake Shik Thank you!!

[@MyJooniverse]

Very interesting and well explained. Thank you very much.

[@talktomeinkorean]

Thanks a lot!!

[@filipaalexandra93]

ohh~ the sudden fear of being impolite without meaning it tho ^^"

[@jintonic9969]

+Elizabeth D " 존댓말은 항상 안전*하다고 생각해요 " sorry for correction if you minded

[@yeonsung30ryeo]

Thanks. This is awesome. I've been forever wondering about formal sentences that use 나는 instead of 저는.

[@43rgwerg]

i cant tell if my eyes are shit or not but is his hair blue?

[@HyunwooSun]

TallDalton Haha. I don't have blue hair. It's just the lighting in this video :D

[@43rgwerg]

*bows before my computer monitor* Oh thanks... I got a reply! FROM Hyunwoo!!

[@HyunwooSun]

TallDalton I remember seeing many of your comments during our Live Q&A sessions before! :D

[@43rgwerg]

THAT'S EVEN BETTER THAN THE INITIAL REPLY!!! LMAO have I been missing more q&a's or they don't happen anymore?

[@harrisonhatton6985]

lol

[@berinterpreter]

Great teacher who speaks in a very comprehensible way.I understand everything he says, although English is not my mother tongue!ttmik, you rock, and I learn a lot with you!!감사합니다!

[@nasreenosman]

Really great video, I knew some of these beforehand but having it summed up in one video and with many examples is super helpful! 감사합니다

[@YunQy]

I have a (funny) story about this...Indonesia have so many Kpop fans who not learning Korean...I'm learning Korean in TTMIK and 한국문화원...one day, there was an Korea-Indonesia film festival and the guest was Lee GwangSoo...and also Korean Ambasador...when Korean Ambasador-nim gave a speech, he started with "안녕하세요" of course me and my friend who learning Korean replied it with "안녕하세요" too...and the others who not learning Korean replied with..."안녕!" with a cheerfull tone!! I laughed really hard inside my mind!! hope that Korean ambasador-nim didn't angry ^^

[@tc0336]

Wow I got so lost in your comment, I really need to study Korean more lol

[@Naruto-bp6hm]

I know this is an old comment but koreans are perfectly aware that formalities in their own language are confusing af to foreigners who don't speak/know it well so they are more lenient on those kinds of people. Even for native speakers the level of formalities can be confusing.

[@aaishwaryajambhale6660]

Waaa....m an indian even we have to look out for our language while talking to olders but no as complicated as Korean language....but your tips are great

[@vespa2223]

I realize that most of your students are much younger than I (59), and that is why most of the videos (yours and most others) all talk about polite forms to those older. This was helpful for me. Obviously, most everyone I talk to is younger than I. However, at my neighborhood market, the people who own and run it are Korean, and are kind enough to let me attempt my Korean "skills" with them. I have never used 반말 with them, but I considered it because I am much older. Now I know I made the right choice in not doing so. Thank you.

[@just_janice_247]

I know this video is 9 years old but I needed this information today and I am so glad that the staff at TTMIK made it and it is still here to help me. I recognize that I will not ever use 반말 but I think is important (and my teacher does too) to know how it works. I think every language probably has these nuances/rules etc about how you speak to others based on your relationship to them. Even in the US which is pretty relaxed about language, you speak differently to others depending on the situation. Anyway Thanks TTMIK 😄💖

[@HolyTerraMissionary]

As someone who has been studying for a little while now, this was a really useful video to clear up anything I was unsure about on the subject. Thank you Hyunwoo!

[@nobs7446]

Meanwhile the formal language here in America...” Yes Sir/ No Sir, Yes ma’am / No ma’am “ 😅

[@lorelaiespinoza1499]

Yesss thess are factsss 😅 Americans aren’t really polite

[@kitookido9573]

@@lorelaiespinoza1499 MOA????

[@lorelaiespinoza1499]

@@kitookido9573 Yess MOA

[@Naruto-bp6hm]

theres mr/ms/mrs too

[@Karlzz279]

You (obviously) talk so fast in korean oml , when you start talking English it's slower hahaha, I really enjoyed it! This was so clear and well explained! :)

[@blair7497]

Very useful! Korean culture might be a little confusing for foreigners to understand but the way you explain things makes them easier to understand! Keep up the good work!

[@MizukiAsiaddict]

Wow, that was really instructive and clear, thank you! Dramas do make it seem a lot easier haha. Ever found yourself in a situation in which you reluctantly accepted the other person to use banmal with you ?

[@HyunwooSun]

Chan Rin Thanks! And yes, I have personally been in a few situations where I didn't feel comfortable being spoken to in banmal by the other person but still had no option. And it's actually fairly common :)

[@inspiredcreator.T_official]

Fantastic video! Now we just need a core called “formal speech levels : how does polite speech work?” We all really need to know and learn specifically how politeness levels work and what is the list of honourifics in Korea. WE NEED TO KNOW!!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🥺🥺🥺 (starving for this knowledge🤤🤤🤤)

[@emmacravingmysugarush3108]

This was so interesting and exceptionally well explained! Thank you! I understand the use of formal and informal language so much better now. I'd never even thought of most of those scenarios.

[@hunni5713]

Very helpful video, currently learning Korean and was a bit confused about this so thank you for clearing this up :)

[@talktomeinkorean]

Thank you!

[@lilyl4992]

I always wondered why people say "나는" and/or "내가" when using polite language. Now I know. Thanks!

[@jess0219]

Thank you for the video! This is the best, most clear, and most thorough explanation that I have heard. It was very helpful!

[@alliahrose2878]

He is one of the most great and effective teacher I ever known. My respect to him is really up there. Thank you for this wonderful even though it's confusing but still interesting facts. Thank you!

[@MrsHitsujiChan]

That was super helpful, Thank you so much. Very clear and relevant e.g. with all the explanations of online comments.

[@bibibibilulu4607]

I love your teaching!..It always resolve my confusion. Not only Korean, BUT ALSO helps my English...I really enjoy your speaking tone and clear explanation!! I seldom leave comments on youtude, but i did it now! =D

[@LearningLanguagesLL]

I knew almost everything, except when you have to use 존댓말 when you are in a lower rank in the family even if you are older. This video was really interesting. Thank you ^_^ 정말 고마워요

[@Jess31697]

This is the scariest part of learning Korean. 😨

[@Naruto-bp6hm]

dont worry too much, koreans are perfectly aware that formalities in their own language are confusing af to foreigners who don't speak/know it well so they are more lenient on those kinds of people. Even for native speakers the level of formalities can be confusing.

[@tinhope5415]

Wow. This is so clear and accurate than google. I usually use 반말 because I am copying phrases from korean idols. I somehow get this all before watching but I just need some confirmation and good thing I found this. 감사합니다 ^^.

[@sunh.1576]

외국인 친구에게 제일 설명하기 어려웠던 부분인데 알기 쉽게 설명해 주셔서 감사합니다.

[@dreamer_deer]

If you're wondering which speech style to first learn, I suggest Jondaetmal speech style as it's appropriate for all occasions and for everyone.

[@eelivia]

That's very interesting! I roughly know about banmal from watching dramas and some Korean celebrities also made it clear that when they date, they like to use formal speech with their partner. Very respectful :)

[@hyungtaecf]

i loved this explanation! its very complete! i`m living in korea for almost 3 years, but i still had doubts about some situations... thank you a lot!

[@dianad9146]

SeokJin-ah... oh my lord

[@janrupertalfeche8959]

This video pretty much confirmed my suspicions on how formal/informal language is utilized~ There's nuances of this in Philippine culture, but it's slightly more obvious in Tagalog than it is in, say, Bisaya/Cebuano :)) Thanks so much for the help :D

[@GomKumaBear]

I will have to bookmark this one. Great examples and some I was aware of before

[@berrypunch1895]

Perfect information, thank you for going so in-depth. :) TTMIK's seriously the best!

[@emmecee6273]

This helped me understand the cultural significance of casual/informal tone for a show I am watching XD, thanks!

[@liliancuahutle9707]

This is so helpful, I was wondering why Koreans usually say "나/내가 ---- 요." but now is all clear. 감사합니다...

[@patrss]

Now I understand a lot better! Thank you for this awesome video!

[@tc0336]

Yaaaay! Finally got to order some of your books!! Cant wait to get them in the mail!! ( FYI probably the first time I've ever been excited to receive a book in my life 😂 )ㅎㅎㅎ

[@danielholowaty2648]

This is the same in Hungary, but not so strict.. Like to your boss , Would you like to take a seat?: Szeretne leülni? If you ask it to your friend or somebody you know well its like: Le akarsz ülni? It is a little bit rude if you don't ask it like that...

[@리규-p9i]

It is so well explained.. Its so helpful to me. Thank you so much for this video

[@selohcin]

Wow! This video answered so many questions! Thank you Hyunwoo!

[@sakshi_gauro]

It's interesting how casual conversation is similar to Nepali. Mainly the marriage one.

[@minna1428]

Thank youu!! You make it so easy to understand! I've always wondered about this! I will practise talking more now when I'm sure when to use which :)

[@KHR327fan]

The grammatical structure for 발말 and 존댓말 is different as well so if you are new, don't just think that dropping the 요, 입니다 or other forms of 입나다 is correct. Addressing someone and how casual your speech be really comes down to what your relationship is and how casual you guys are. For instance, I have a Korean friend. His name is 민혁. He is okay with me calling him 민혁아 or 민혁오빠 or even just 민혁 but I still talk in 존댓말 with him. Another example is when I'm doing my Korean lessons. I personally like to learn everything in 반말 and conjugate it to 존댓말 on my own because that's easier for me. I sometimes do learn the 존댓말 first just so I get the verb endings right, for example, 안녕 must go with the ending of 하세요. Later on, for things like introducing yourself, there are many conjugations. For me, I usually introduce myself to my juniors with endings such as 이다 or just 다. If they ask what my name is, I just answer 정은해. In school, I can introduce mself formally with endings of 이에요 or 입니다, both of which are 존댓말.

[@danielarodriguez1336]

I'm practicing korean with a korean person on internet. We ask each other our age and we noticed we were born on the same year. He said "let's talk 반말". So, that brought me to the video, so thanks to explain it! =)

[@Frasenius9]

항상처럼 도움이 많이 됐습니다. 고맙습니다!

[@barebear1635]

as expected.. videos by TTMIK are really helpful!

[@LalaRoxanne]

Thank You for this video!! Many of my questions were answered, thank you!!

[@Oomsham]

I sometimes observe Koreans switching between both formal and informal language with the same person and in the same discussion. Does this have something to do with specific sentence structures (outside of things like 알겠습니다 / 네 갈게요) or does it involve them having TWO different social relationships with each other at different periods in time? For example, they are really close at work, different ages, friends outside of work, and have the same social rank in the workplace. They will switch between formal and informal language in the same conversation, it seems. I may be completely wrong, though lol.

[@wolf-bass]

늘 그랬듯 유익합니다~~ 고맙습니다!^^

[@CharleneJee1000]

Thanks for the video!! Very informative and even though I knew some of this, I definitely learnt more about the language! 감사합니다!

[@leelandluver]

Thanks so much! This was really helpful. :)

[@reelee8738]

this is so so useful~~thank you so much for this clear explanation :D

[@musezeke7462]

Yes! Thanks for the new video, it made my day!

[@HyunwooSun]

Zeke Fraire Thanks a lot for watching!! :)

[@janellakim4101]

감사합니다!! I already knew quite a bit from watching drama's knowing to talk politely to your elders, but you covered some things I was wondering about.. Thankyou so much I really appreciate your videos. TTMIK 재미있어요! ^^

[@STS3official]

Hey, I love your lessons! Always so clear ;) And your English is awesome! God bless you ;)

[@dprlive3401]

Thank you so much I have Korean friends they always say use 반말 and then I keep using formal formal 😟

[@milktea2323]

아 이제 이해해요. 왜 사람들이 존댓말으로 말하면 나는을 말했는지 궁금했어요. 선생님 설명해주셔서 감사합니다.

[@mariefabian6923]

감사합니다 thank you so much for the great explanation

[@pumasixtysix]

Thank you so much!! The video explained a lot and helped me to understand everything better! :)

[@CONNIE0219]

Very useful video!!!!! thank you so much!

[@marieblueangel]

Awesome video! These tips will be really easy to remember. Thanks :)

[@Jess31697]

This may have been answered in a video, but I know there is more than two ways to say things like "sorry" or "thank you"- when is it appropriate to use these alternative terms. For example, I learned 'thank you' as '고마워요' in 반말 and '감사합니다' in 존댓말, but what about '고맙습니다', '감사해요'.... Or with 'sorry' when to use '미안합니다' or '죄송해요' vs. '미안해요' or '죄송합니다'.

[@emilyahn6381]

Here's the answer. * 반말 : 고마워. / 미안해( Not 죄송해) * 존댓말 (Jondaemal has 'yo' or '~mnida' ) 고마워요 or 고맙습니다(more formal than 고마워요) 감사해요 or 감사합니다 (more formal than 감사해요) 미안해요 /죄송해요 or 죄송합니다(more formal than 죄송해요)

[@2NE1231]

It would be very epic if someone says '앉으세요' to a pet lol. Anyway thank you for the great video. Keep up the good work ^^

[@seantwentyfour471]

Here's where I get confused... Example: I'm 47 year old male. I am introduced to a 30 year old male at a picnic/bar/restaurant/gathering. This younger male does the same thing I do (career/college/etc...). but has many more years experience. Who is the actual senior/junior? Do I bow a little deeper based on experience or do they based on age? Anyone?... Anyone?... And please feel free to use ban-mal with me.

[@won1853]

Whatever your profession is, I'd say age usually comes first, especially if it's a 17-year difference. It's considered rude to disrespect someone that much older than you. Doesn't matter if the younger person is in a socially higher position because 17 years is too big a gap. However, the older person should probably still respect the younger guy for his experience, and it can be really awkward if you ask him "Can I use 반말 to you?" The younger person should bring up the subject first and give you permission. Until then, both parties should continue to use 존댓말.

[@seantwentyfour471]

Thank you so very much, your answer really helps me.

[@stzu07rel]

Evenstar I honestly feel like it really depends. If Sean is trying to get a job recommendation or the person he is speaking to is really influential in his field, he would do well to consider him his senior, even if normally social circumstances don't dictate that. There's a saying in the military "You do what your rank can handle."

[@useruseruseruseruseruesr]

외국인 친구한테 반말을 사용하는 경우에 대해 설명할때 어려웠는데, 잘 설명해놓으신것같네요 ㅎㅎ

[@Pokephosgene]

I generally prioritize formal speech in any language I learn (useful for contact with staff, authorities, or strangers on the street), and I guess I'll do the same with Korean.

[@aniecovlogz]

This was an awesome video! Cleared things up for me! I like how you explained things. :)

[@talktomeinkorean]

+Stephanie Alexander Robles Thank you very much! :)

[@lolli-kpop4985]

Hyunwoo 어빠, thank you so much for such a useful video. Seriously without TTMIK, I wouldn't have bothered myself to learn Korean because it would have been so hard. 감사합니다

[@BrettCWX]

오빠* :)

[@lolli-kpop4985]

나예요 만세예요 Thanks ;)

[@Cazolim]

Good that I don't find it difficult because it basically works in the same way in my language - I noticed one exception: in my language, if both people speaking are adults, they will use the same politeness level to each other. But still the older (or more important) person has to come up with this.

[@mycahfrancis]

I finally reached Level 3 Lesson 27 and this video just goes perfectly with it.☺

[@HelloThankYou]

I had to give a presentation in my class using 격식체. I find this the hardest to use since I rarely have to use it in daily life (except for saying "감사합니다"). I still mix up 존댓말 and 반말 but even some of my Korean friends started with 반말 with me without explicit permission or discussion of lowering our language.

[@AYRYZIGER]

Great video as usual. Nothing beats TTMIK. A question: Does this also apply to fluent foreign speakers of Korean? Can a Korean person feel the same awkwardness in using 반말 or get 반말 used with him/her in certain contexts? Thank you.

[@MTheKing09]

Super useful! Thank you!

[@alimclaughlin1506]

I have been looking for something to explain this to me for so long! I'm glad I found it! 검사합니다!

[@Cat-wo1dn]

omg was that all taken in one shot? haha must have done a lot of talking omg

[@kikithedisneyfan5607]

I have a question, So words ending in 니다 습니다 했어/했어요 니까 입니다 Are all of these polite speech? :) if I missed any please let me know. 😊😊

[@Shadowthevampire]

Thank yiu for adding that part about facebook Iv'e been wondering that fir ages but not found any info. But hiw abiut theese: 1Do you also use panmal when writeing song lyrics? I usually don't see yo or imida in kpop songs for instance. 2. If I were to write a sign something like "Candy is aweaome" or idk something. And A) hang it in my own room or b) hang it in a public place what kind of speech would I write it in? Also do you use panmal in group chats like on a twitch live stream or discord? Or do you have to change depending in who answers in the group chat? How about 1 on 1 convos over text messages?

[@yun7065]

Hahaha I see what you did there *Hey fellow ARMYs* Go to 4:40, 3rd and last name says 석진 오빠. Romanization: Seokjin oppa 💜ㅋㅋㅋ

[@mjvdiary2043]

thank you so much for this video.. very helpful to learn more^^

[@douarmaria2535]

thank you for the tips and i agree with xiongnan park the way you explain things is clear and and logical

[@karonaC]

Great contents! 잘 봤습니다^^

[@DwLee-rw7dh]

Undoubtedly, we have to use 존댓말. 존댓말 also has a mean that "I respect you as a human".

[@soffer]

Awesome video!!! In my experience people forgive you if you accidentally use 반말. I think it's better to focus on 반말 and slang because the person you talk to the most is yourself and the best way to learn Korean is to think in it (ie, damn I'm late to work! etc). My accent and Korean is not that great and it's very apparent I'm learning. But the better you are I'm sure the more they'll expect. 내가 한국말 조금 밖에 못해서 나보다 나이 많은 사람한테 실수로 반말 쓰면, 그 분의 기분이 안 나빠져... 혹은 나빠지고 나 누치 없어요 ㅎㅎㅎ

[@Someone111ify]

+soffer Then I guess you don't speak my country's language would be enough. Plus, I can't even understand why the foreigners like you try to learn it.

[@iloveseattle123]

the family marriage bit is still fuzzy for me but most of it makes sense

[@ЕвгенийЧереда-я8е]

Ну вот теперь все и прояснилось. Спасибо!

[@shadoAlamoudi]

i love how he laguhed when he mentioned animals or pets lol

[@derpyhooves7349]

What if Im talking to a fellow competitor in some sport like Starcraft 2 and I am significantly worse than the other person, but also older than him/her, what do I use? Panmal because I am older or jundenmal because the other person is higher in rank than me?

[@emilyahn6381]

It's natural to use panmal to him/her. ( because you are older than him/her & doesn't really matter your game rank.)

[@jackie.s2569]

I have a Korean penpal and he is in my age ( we are both going to high school )and he didn't asked if he can use the informal form lol. And I have an another question : When I write 이에요/ 예요 can I drob then 요 and write as example 집 에 이에 ?

[@ibts6519]

Ah thank you so much! I was wondering a writing blog posts etc. Is there a possibility of making a short video going into a little more detail about it? :D

[@EvilDude1]

When it comes to being a foreigner, are Koreans naturally considered higher in social status regardless of age because they are actually citizens, or are we treated just the same? Just something I'm curious about.

[@김채연-m5d]

+xXTheEvilDudeXx The nationality does not make any difference. We do not consider the nationality to figure out the social status. What`s important are the age, the seniority and the official position in a group

[@ssuperfly1359]

Even I older than the person who higher in social statued, most people do not use 반말 to the person

[@violinfire24]

TTMIK 감사합니다!!

[@peachsized]

Great video! It helped a lot. Thank you! ~~ ♡