Culture
Korean Speech Levels and Age: What Learners Should Know
Understand how age, familiarity, and social context influence Korean speech levels without overcomplicating your first conversations.
Korean speech changes with the relationship between speakers. Age matters, but it is only one part of the situation.
Start with polite Korean
For learners, polite -요 speech is the safest everyday starting point. It sounds respectful without feeling extremely formal.
You can use it with new people, teachers, shop staff, and most adults you do not know closely.
When casual speech is used
Casual speech, often called 반말, is common between close friends, family members, and people who have agreed to speak casually.
Do not switch only because someone is younger. Relationship and mutual comfort matter too.
A practical rule
Use polite speech when you are unsure. Listen to how the other person speaks, and let them suggest changing speech levels when the relationship becomes closer.