korean honorifics

What to Call People in Korean: 씨, 님, 선배, 언니 and 오빠

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Koreans rarely call people “you.” Instead, they use 씨 or 님 after a name, job titles, 선배 for seniors, and family words like 언니 and 오빠, even for friends. Which one you choose depends on age, gender, and how close you are. Level: Beginner · TOPIK 1-2 Getting this right is one of the fastest … Read more

How to Say “You” in Korean: Why 너 Can Sound Rude

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너 means “you,” but Koreans only say it to close friends who are the same age or younger. With anyone else, it sounds rude. Most of the time, Koreans don’t say “you” at all. They use the person’s name, a title, or nothing. Level: Beginner · TOPIK 1-2 In English, “you” works for everyone: your … Read more