Korean Dictionary
How to say “Honorific speech” in Korean
존댓말
Jondaenmal
IntermediateCulture
Usage & Context
The formal, respectful speech level in Korean used with elders, strangers, and social superiors. Contrasted with 반말 (banmal, informal speech) used with close friends or younger people. Using the appropriate speech level is crucial for social harmony. Mastering this distinction is key to Korean language fluency.
Example Sentence
처음 만나는 사람에게는 존댓말을 써야 해요.
You should use honorific speech with people you're meeting for the first time.
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