Korean Letters: Hangul 한글

FIVE: Levels of Speech

Sa Korean, very important yung respect. We all know that.

Mayroon sila 7 levels of speech.

At ayon sa nabasa ko sa internet, apat doon ay hindi na masyadong ginagamit...

Ang 해라체, 하오체, 하게체 at 하소서체.

해라체 (general level): Usually seen in the dictionary. Ginagamit din sya when writing an article at hindi mo alam kung sino yung readers mo (ie, 나쁘다, 놀다).

하오체 (condescending respect level): No longer used in Korea except in historical dramas. Ginagamit daw 'to para magmukha o magtunog kang mas importante kasya sa kausap mo. Verbs usually end in 하오 and 하시오.

하게체 (old friend's level): A caring relationship but not intimate like family or love. It could be used by (old) friends, or a mentor passing down wisdom to a mentee.

The 하소서체. The highest speech level and used when Korea was ruled by Kings and Queens. Since hindi naman na ruled by King and Queens ang Korea, hindi na ito nagagamit. Except siguro when talking to God.

So yung natitirang tatlong level, mas gamit sila sa daily life ng Koreans. And as language-learners, doon tayo mas dapat na magtuon ng pansin.

Mayroon silang formal, polite (familiar-polite) at informal.

합쇼체 or 전뎃말 (formal): Used when you're speaking to or about a senior, someone important or someone you've never met. Usually ends with -합니다.

해요체 or 전뎃말 (polite): Used when speaking to or about someone you are friendly with, or  when in a non-business setting.

해체 or 반말 (informal): Used when speaking to or about someone who is your junior, a very close friend, sibling, significant other, or someone you wanted to insult by showing the highest form of disrespect.

To or about, nagbabago kasi talaga depende kung sino ang kausap at kung sino yung tinutukoy mo.