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EP 06. How to address each other

Let’s learn how to address each other in different situations in Korean.

EP 06. ARMY-ya: https://weverse.io/bts/media/2-6474732

How to Address Each Other in Korean: Different Situations and Contexts

Korean culture places a strong emphasis on hierarchy and relationships. How you address someone depends on their age, social status, and your relationship with them. Here’s a breakdown of common ways to address people in various situations:

1. General Polite Titles

  • 씨 (ssi): A polite suffix used after a person’s full name or first name.
    • Example: 김민수 씨 (Kim Min-su ssi) – “Mr./Ms. Kim Min-su.”
    • Use it for colleagues, acquaintances, or people of similar status.

2. Formal Titles for Work or Professional Settings

  • 선생님 (seonsaengnim): “Teacher” or a respectful term for professionals like doctors or mentors.
    • Example: 김 선생님 (Kim seonsaengnim) – “Teacher Kim.”
  • 대표님 (daepyonim): Used for company CEOs or presidents.
    • Example: 박 대표님 (Park daepyonim) – “President Park.”
  • 사장님 (sajangnim): Refers to a business owner or boss.
    • Example: 이 사장님 (Lee sajangnim) – “Boss Lee.”

3. Family-Like Terms for Close Relationships

  • 형 (hyung): Older brother (used by males).
  • 누나 (nuna): Older sister (used by males).
  • 오빠 (oppa): Older brother (used by females).
  • 언니 (eonni): Older sister (used by females).
    • These terms are also used affectionately for close friends.

4. Casual Titles Among Friends or Peers

  • 이름 only: For close friends, just use the person’s first name.
    • Example: 민지야 (Minji-ya) – “Minji” (informal, add 야 or 아 for familiarity).
  • 친구야 (chingu-ya): “Friend,” used casually among friends.

5. Respectful Titles for Strangers or Elders

  • 아저씨 (ajeossi): Used for middle-aged men.
  • 아줌마 (ajumma): Used for middle-aged women (though some prefer 아주머니 [ajumeoni] as it sounds softer).
  • 할아버지 (harabeoji): Grandfather or a much older man.
  • 할머니 (halmeoni): Grandmother or a much older woman.

6. Romantic or Affectionate Terms

  • 여보 (yeobo): “Honey,” used between married couples.
  • 자기야 (jagiya): “Darling,” used in romantic relationships.
  • 애인 (aein): “Lover,” a formal term for boyfriend or girlfriend.

Example Conversations:

  1. Professional Setting:
    • Person A: 김 선생님, 안녕하세요? (Kim seonsaengnim, annyeonghaseyo?) – “Hello, Teacher Kim.”
    • Person B: 네, 안녕하세요. (Ne, annyeonghaseyo.) – “Yes, hello.”
  2. With Friends:
    • Person A: 민지야, 잘 지냈어? (Minji-ya, jal jinaesseo?) – “Minji, how have you been?”
    • Person B: 응, 잘 지냈어. (Eung, jal jinaesseo.) – “Yes, I’ve been good.”
  3. In Family Context:
    • Person A (Female): 오빠, 뭐 해? (Oppa, mwo hae?) – “Oppa, what are you doing?”
    • Person B: 그냥 쉬고 있어. (Geunyang swigo isseo.) – “Just relaxing.”

Quick Tips:

  • Always match the title to the relationship and setting.
  • When in doubt, use polite forms like 씨 or 님 to show respect.
  • Practice using these titles naturally in sentences to get comfortable with them.

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