Korean word

존댓말

Pronunciation

Romanizationchondaenmal

Meaning

  • nounpolite language

Example

처음 보는 사람에게는 존댓말을 해요.cheo eum po neun sa ra me ge neun chon daen ma reul hae yo

I use polite language with people I meet for the first time.

Illustration for 존댓말 (polite language)

More examples

친한 사이에서도 상황에 따라 존댓말을 쓰기도 해요.chin han sa i e seo do sang hwang e tta ra chon daen ma reul sseu gi do hae yo

Even among close friends, I sometimes use polite language depending on the situation.

Core concept

Language that marks a speaker's respect for the listener through a courteous way of speaking.

Common phrases

  • 존댓말을 가르치다chon daen ma reul ka reu chi da

    teach polite language

  • 존댓말을 습득하다chon daen ma reul seup tteu ka da

    learn polite language

  • 존댓말을 쓰다chon daen ma reul sseu da

    use polite language

Similar words

높임말nopimmal: A way of speaking that honors the person being addressed with respectful forms.
해요체haeyoche: An everyday polite style that sounds friendly while keeping a polite ending.
합니다체hamnidache: A serious formal style marked by a highly formal sentence ending.
반말panmal: Familiar casual speech that does not use formal or polite endings.

Definition in Korean

상대에게 예의를 갖추어 하는 말투나 표현을 가리키는 명사.sang dae e ge ye ui reul kat chu eo ha neun mal tu na pyo hyeo neul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

The word combines a Sino-Korean element meaning respect with 말 (mal, "speech"), forming a term for respectful speech.

Usage tips

  • The appropriate level can change when the same speaker talks to a close friend, a stranger, or someone senior, making social relationships important in everyday Korean.

Opposites

Related words

  • 존댓말교육chondaenmalgyoyukpolite language educationnoun

Word lists with this word