Tag: korean honorifics
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Honorifics in Korean (존댓말 vs 반말, 압존법)
Korean politeness isn’t only about –요 / –습니다 or age. It’s a layered system that combines: A. Three ways Koreans show politeness 1) Raising the other person’s actions Use honorific predicates (often with –시–) when the respected person is the subject. 2) Raising things related to the other person Honorific nouns/titles for their family, belongings,…
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How Koreans Talk About Age – Expressions, Titles, and Cultural Norms
In Korean culture, age isn’t just a number — it determines how people address each other, what language form they use, and the hierarchy in social settings. From the first introduction to close friendships, age influences it all. 1. Asking and Telling Age In casual speech, you can drop “살”:스물이에요. — I’m 20. 2. Talking…