Common Polite Expressions - Korean Honorifics in K-Dramas


Korean honorifics (존댓말) show respect based on age, status, and social distance—exactly the dynamics you see in K-dramas. This quick guide explains the most common polite endings so you can recognize them on screen and use them naturally in real life.

Why Honorifics Matter in K-Dramas

  • Culture & hierarchy: Speech changes with relationships (boss ↔ employee, teacher ↔ student, senior ↔ junior).
  • Character insight: Shifts between polite and casual speech often signal closeness, conflict, or power.
  • Real-life usage: You’ll need these endings in everyday Korean from cafés to offices.

1) –요: Everyday Polite Ending

Soft, friendly, and the most common polite tone.

  • 맞아요. — That’s right.
  • 괜찮아요. — It’s okay.
  • 먹어요. — (Please) eat / I’m eating.
  • 알겠어요. — Got it / I understand.

2) –세요: Polite Request / Command

Use to ask someone to do something politely; also used with “있다/계시다” for honorific presence.

  • 앉으세요. — Please sit.
  • 기다리세요. — Please wait.
  • 들어오세요. — Please come in.
  • 조심하세요. — Be careful.

3) –ㅂ니다/–습니다: Formal / Deferential

Heard in news, military, announcements, and formal workplace settings.

  • 감사합니다. — Thank you.
  • 지금 회의를 시작하겠습니다. — We will begin the meeting now.
  • 보고 드리겠습니다. — I will report (to you).

4) –주시겠어요?: Extra-Polite Request

Level up your courtesy (great with strangers, staff, formal situations).

  • 문 좀 열어주시겠어요? — Could you open the door, please?
  • 다시 설명해 주시겠어요? — Could you explain that again?

5) –(으)ㄹ게요: Promise / Intent (Speaker-focused)

Used to promise your action or decide on the spot with consideration for the listener.

  • 곧 전화할게요. — I’ll call soon.
  • 지금 갈게요. — I’ll head there now.

Pronunciation & Tone Tips

  1. Intonation: Keep –요 endings gentle and slightly rising; –ㅂ니다/–습니다 flatter and firm.
  2. Linking: In fast speech, vowels link (e.g., 하세요 → “하세요”).
  3. Smile with –세요: It naturally softens requests and matches K-drama delivery.

Quick Reference

Ending Use Example (KR) Meaning
–요 Everyday polite 좋아요. It’s good / I like it.
–세요 Polite request/command 기다리세요. Please wait.
–ㅂ니다/–습니다 Formal/deferential 감사합니다. Thank you.
–주시겠어요? Extra-polite request 도와주시겠어요? Could you help me?
–(으)ㄹ게요 Promise/intent 확인할게요. I’ll check.

Mini Practice

Choose the best ending to sound polite:

  1. “Please sit.” → 앉아__? (세요 / 요)
  2. “I’ll call you later.” → 나중에 전화__? (할게요 / 해요)
  3. “Could you open the window?” → 창문 좀 열어__? (주시겠어요 / 주세요)
Answer Key

1) 앉으세요. 2) 전화할게요. 3) 열어주시겠어요?

Final Words

Honorifics are the backbone of polite Korean—and the heartbeat of K-drama dialogue. Master these endings to understand relationships, power, and emotion on screen and in real life.
Next time, we’ll learn common love-confession lines in K-dramas—from gentle “좋아해요” to heartfelt promises.
Aloha—speak with respect, connect with heart. 🌺

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