Korean technically has 7 speech levels. In practice, you only need 4. The other 3 are archaic (used in historical dramas or when talking to royalty). Focus on these 4 and you'll cover 99% of real life.
The 4 essential speech levels
1. 합쇼체 (Formal polite) — ~ㅂ니다/~ㅂ니까감사합니다 / 안녕하십니까Used at: news, military, presentations, first meetings with elders. Most formal everyday level.
2. 해요체 (Casual polite) — ~요감사해요 / 안녕하세요Used at: daily conversations, shops, work (among peers), strangers. YOUR DEFAULT LEVEL.
3. 해체/반말 (Casual) — no ending고마워 / 안녕Used at: close friends same age, younger people, children, pets. Only after permission!
4. 해라체 (Plain) — ~다/~냐고맙다 / 먹어라Used at: writing, diaries, news quotes, talking down (parents to kids)
Textbook밥을 먹었습니까?bap-eul meog-eot-seup-ni-kka?Have you eaten? (formal)
Real밥 먹었어요? / 밥 먹었어?bap meog-eoss-eo-yo? / bap meog-eoss-eo?Have you eaten? (polite / casual)🏷️ Daily conversation
Same meaning, 3 different levels. 먹었습니까 = formal (news anchor). 먹었어요 = polite (daily default). 먹었어 = casual (friends only). Most foreigners should live in 해요체 (먹었어요) and only use 반말 (먹었어) when explicitly invited to.
해요체 (~요) is your best friend. It's polite enough for almost every situation but casual enough to not sound robotic. When in doubt: add 요 to the end. 이거요 (this please), 여기요 (excuse me), 맞아요 (that's right). 요 is the magic politeness particle.
Quick Quiz