Korean word

반말

Pronunciation

Romanizationpanmal

Meaning

  • nouninformal speech

Example

어른 앞에서는 반말을 쓰지 마세요.eo reun a pe seo neun pan ma reul sseu ji ma se yo

Please don't use informal speech in front of adults.

Illustration for 반말 (informal speech)

More examples

친구들끼리는 반말로 편하게 얘기해요.chin gu deul kki ri neun pan mal lo pyeon ha ge yae gi hae yo

Friends speak casually to each other.

Core concept

Speech used among close people when polite endings and titles are set aside.

Common phrases

  • 반말로 대화하다pan mal lo tae hwa ha da

    converse informally

  • 반말을 주고받다pan ma reul chu go bat tta

    speak informally to each other

Similar words

존댓말chondaenmal: Courteous speech used to treat the listener with respect.
높임말nopimmal: Speech forms chosen to honor the listener or another respected person.

Definition in Korean

친한 사람들끼리 격식을 생략하고 평상시 말씨로 상대에게 말을 거는 방식으로, 종종 경칭이나 요·습니다체를 쓰지 않는다.chin han sa ram deul kki ri kyeok ssi geul saeng nya ka go pyeong sang si mal ssi ro sang dae e ge ma reul keo neun pang si geu ro chong jong kyeong ching i na yo seum ni da che reul sseu ji an neun da

Word origin

The word 반말 (banmal, "informal speech") is formed from 반 (ban, "half") and 말 (mal, "speech"), contrasting with more formal speech.

Usage tips

  • A friendly relationship does not always make this level suitable, since using it with an older or higher-ranking person can sound disrespectful.

Opposites

Related words

  • 반말하다panmalhadaspeak informallyverb
  • 반말체panmalcheinformal speech stylenoun

Word lists with this word