A lot of people ask me, what is the difference between the standard polite form and the deferential polite form in Korean?\u00a0 The answer to that is that the deferential polite form uses a higher level of politeness than the standard polite form.\u00a0 While both the standard and the deferential forms are polite, you would use them in slightly different situations.<\/p>\n
For example, you’d use the standard polite form with a co-worker you’ve known for a long time.\u00a0 Co-workers who have worked with each other ten years or longer still use the polite form at work, because it’s more professional that way.\u00a0 Outside of work people tend to drop the standard polite form and replace it with the casual form.<\/p>\n
You’d probably use the deferential polite form with your boss.\u00a0 Since Korean society is run on showing respect to those in authority, you want to use the utmost polite speech, which happens to be the deferential polite form.\u00a0 Out of politeness the boss would probably use the standard polite form to his subordinates, but it really depends on the boss.\u00a0 Some bosses may drop the polite forms altogether and use the casual form instead.\u00a0 However, that doesn’t mean you<\/em> can use the casual form with your boss.<\/p>\n Usually the ending for the standard polite form ends in yo (\uc694<\/strong>).\u00a0 For example the verb ‘to go’ in the standard polite form would be kayo (\uac00\uc694<\/strong>).\u00a0 The deferential polite form endings end in minda (\u3142\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/strong>).\u00a0 So the verb ‘to go’ in the deferential form would be (\uac11\ub2c8\ub2e4<\/strong>).<\/p>\n The general rule of thumb is that the\u00a0more intimately you know someone, the more appropriate it is to use the standard polite form.\u00a0 Sometimes a stranger may say to you, malsum jom nachuseyo (\ub9d0\uc500 \uc880 \ub0ae\ucd94\uc138\uc694<\/strong>).\u00a0 This means, ‘lower your speech level.’\u00a0 It’s just another way of someone giving you permission to use the standard polite form.\u00a0 If you’re still confused about when to use the polite forms, just practice on a case by case basis and see how it goes!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A lot of people ask me, what is the difference between the standard polite form and the deferential polite form in Korean?\u00a0 The answer to that is that the deferential polite form uses a higher level of politeness than the standard polite form.\u00a0 While both the standard and the deferential forms are polite, you would…<\/p>\n