Speech levels (brief map)
해요체 vs 합니다체 vs intimate vs plain.
Goals
Pick 해요 / 합니다 / 반말 / plain contexts.
Steps
- Default 해요체 as learner.
- News = 합니다 density.
- Banmal only with consent.
Common mistakes
- Level mixing in one utterance.
Study rhythm: Skim “Speech levels (brief map)” for structure, then re-read aloud. Fifteen-minute sessions usually beat one long cram when you are learning Korean from scratch.
Hands-on: Write three new sentences (do not copy the examples) using this pattern. When you learn Korean, forcing fresh sentences shows gaps early.
Listening: Pair this lesson with any short clip whose Korean subtitles reuse the same grammar. Notice endings in interviews versus narrators — the same rule may sound softer or stiffer.
Particles & patience: If vocabulary is easy but sentences feel wrong, slow down on markers. Revisit the core explanation above before adding more flashcards.
Examples & practice: mini conversation
Read across: English meaning → Korean sentence → romanization (Konglish-style pronunciation guide, not official MR).
| Speaker | English | Korean | Romanization |
|---|---|---|---|
| 신입사원 | Should I email the director 합니다 or 해요? | 이사님께 메일 어떻게 써요? 합니다? 해요? | isanim-kke meil eotteoke sseoyo? hamnida? haeyo? |
| 선배 | Outside—합니다체; Slack to us—해요. | 밖으로 나가면 합니다. 우리끼린 해요. | bak-euro nagamyeon hamnida. urikkirin haeyo. |
| 신입사원 | Cafeteria auntie got 반말—do I banmal back? | 식당 아주머니가 반말인데요… | sikdang ajumeoniga banmal-indeyo… |
| 선배 | Never escalate—stick to 요 unless they’re real friends. | 요가 기본이에요. 친구 아니면. | yo-ga gibon-ieyo. chingu animyeon. |
| 신입사원 | Documentary VO uses plain 다—just listening. | 다체는 다큐멘터리에서만 들을게요. | dache-neun dakyumenteorieseo-man deureulgeyo. |
| 선배 | Good—your headache is normal. 해요로 가요. | 해요로 가요. 머리 아파도. | haeyo-ro gayo. meori apado. |