Honorifics vs. Casual Speech in Korean: 존댓말 and 반말

One of the most important parts of learning Korean is understanding how politeness works in everyday speech. In Korean culture, language changes depending on who you are talking to—this is the difference between 존댓말 (jondaetmal), or honorific speech, and 반말 (banmal), or casual speech. If you watch K-dramas, you’ll notice characters constantly switching between the two, showing their relationships and social distance.

What Is 존댓말?

존댓말 is the polite form of Korean. You use it when speaking to strangers, elders, teachers, bosses, or anyone you want to show respect to. It often ends with -요 or -ㅂ니다.

• 안녕하세요. — Hello.
• 감사합니다. — Thank you.
• 식사하셨어요? — Did you eat? (polite)

What Is 반말?

반말 is the casual form, used with close friends, younger people, or family members. It drops the polite endings and sounds more relaxed.

• 안녕. — Hi.
• 고마워. — Thanks.
• 밥 먹었어? — Did you eat? (casual)

Switching Between the Two

In K-dramas, a shift from 존댓말 to 반말 often shows that characters are becoming closer, more intimate, or sometimes disrespectful. For example:

• First meeting: 처음 뵙겠습니다. — Nice to meet you. (formal)
• After becoming friends: 반가워! — Nice to meet you! (casual)

Switching the other way—from 반말 to 존댓말—can also happen to show seriousness, anger, or sudden distance.

Cultural Importance

Politeness is deeply tied to Korean culture, where age and social hierarchy matter a lot. Using 존댓말 shows humility and respect, while 반말 expresses closeness and familiarity. Knowing when to use each form is just as important as correct grammar.

Practice Tip

When in doubt, start with 존댓말. If someone invites you to use 반말, you’ll hear them say: 우리 반말해도 돼. (*We can speak casually.*)

Final Words

Korean isn’t just about words—it’s about relationships. Understanding the difference between 존댓말 and 반말 helps you navigate Korean culture and connect with people on a deeper level.
Next time, we’ll explore food expressions in K-dramas—from “치맥” nights to the famous line “라면 먹고 갈래?”
Aloha to words that show respect and closeness—안녕하세요 vs. 안녕. 🌸