How to say YOU in Korean

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by KookiesAndCream2002

by KookiesAndCream2002

Koreans don't usually use "you" in daily conversations. They address each other either by their work posision or by their role in the family.

If you are talking to an older woman who is not related to you you call her "아주머니" (Ajumeoni). This word is a more respectful way of saying "아주마" (Ajumma). But it is not wrong to say "아주마" (Ajumma).

In some cases like when asking "Who are you?" Koreans use "you" here. But mostly don't. You can say:

1. 누구세요? = Nu-gu-se-yo? = Who are you? (but here there is no "you" in the sentence.

2 . 당신 누구세요? = Dang-sin nu-gu-se-yo? = Who are you (Here the "당신" (dangsin) means "you".)

These two ways of saying "Who are you?" are formal, but there are also other INFORMAL ways of saying "Who are you?" Like for example: 너는 누구야? = Neo-neun nu-gu-ya?

An example on how you address your co-worker by their position is for example: you are talking to your boss.

Boss: 주형씨, 내가 전에 전화 했어요.

You: 사장님이 전화 했어요?

Which translates to:

Boss: Ms. Juhyung, I called you earlier.

You: Did you call me?

Notice that the marked words do not mean the same, but are used in the same way.

사장님이 = Sa-jang-nim-i = Boss

Here the word "you" is used as 사장님이.

And notice also that the boss here didn't use "you" in his sentence, but it still made sense.