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Speech Levels in Depth

Formal, polite and plain

Formal polite: -(스)ㅂ니다 / -(스)ㅂ니까

For business, announcements, the military.

📊 Speech levels (먹다 to eat)
Level Statement Question
formal 먹습니다 먹습니까
polite 먹어요 먹어요?
plain 먹는다 먹니
💬 Examples
갑니다 / 갑니까?
gamnida / gamnikka?
(I) go / Do (you) go? (formal)
📝 Formal statement / question
먹습니다.
meokseumnida.
(I) eat. (formal)
📝 Consonant stem → -습니다
Informal polite -요 is the daily default

Friendly but respectful.

💬 Examples
어디 가요?
eodi gayo?
Where are you going?
📝 Everyday polite
잘 지내요?
jal jinaeyo?
How are you doing?
📝 Polite -요
Plain style (반말) for close friends

Drop -요; use the casual endings.

💬 Examples
어디 가?
eodi ga?
Where (are you) going?
📝 반말 (casual) — no -요
밥 먹었어?
bap meogeosseo?
Did (you) eat?
📝 Casual past