The Korean Writing SystemSyllablesNounsPredicatesFormal and Informal SpeechPre-Final and Final EndingsSpeech LevelAdding ㅓ or ㅏ to a predicate stemWords with 받침Adding 으 to predicates stemsThe Deferential Speech LevelThe Intimate Speech LevelThe Polite Speech LevelThe Plain Speech LevelThe Honorific Ending 시Irregular PredicatesParticlesThe Subject Particle 가 and 이The object particle 를 and 을The Topic Particle 는 and 은Forming a Sentence이다 and 아니다있다 and 없다NegationPast TensePredicates as ModifiersDeterminersBound NounsExpressing desire with 고 싶다NumbersCountersQuestionsThe Particle 에The Plural Particle 들The Possessive Particle 의The Particle 에서The Particle 도The Particle 부터The Particle 까지The Particle 만

Formal and Informal Speech

The Korean languages exhibits grammatical structures and sets of words which define who is the more senior person during communication. We introduce two categories in which Korean speech may be categorized under.

Informal Speech

is a type of speech used in one of two cases.
• When two people are very close or their relationship does not clearly define who is the senior.
• Used when talking down to a younger or inferior person.

Formal Speech

is a form used in referring to a person or thing in order to convey respect.
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