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Gongsik vs Bigongsik vs Banmal: When to Use Each?

공식 (gong-sik, gongsik) · 비공식 (bi-gong-sik, bigongsik) · 반말 (ban-mal, banmal)

공식 (gongsik), 비공식 (bigongsik), and 반말 (banmal) differ by formality: official contexts, unofficial contexts, and speech level (formal vs informal).

Comparison of Korean words 공식, 비공식, and 반말 usage and formality

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

공식(gong-sik, gongsik)

Gongsik means something used in official situations following set rules or procedures.

When to use

official events, official documents, formal presentations

The nuance

Use 공식 mainly in official events, documents, presentations, and formal situations.

비공식(bi-gong-sik, bigongsik)

Bigongsik is used in informal, unofficial, or casual personal settings.

When to use

friendly gatherings, informal meetings, casual settings

The nuance

Use 비공식 in friendly gatherings, informal meetings, and situations without formality.

반말(ban-mal, banmal)

Banmal is an informal speech level used with close friends or younger people.

When to use

talking with friends, family conversations, talking to younger people

The nuance

Use 반말 with friends, family, or younger people; avoid in formal settings.

Real-world examples

  • 이것은 공식 문서입니다.

    i-geos-eun gong-sik mun-seo-ip-ni-da., i geos eun gong sik mun seo ip ni da.

    Official documents require the word 공식.

  • 이것은 비공식 문서입니다.

    i-geos-eun bi-gong-sik mun-seo-ip-ni-da., i geos eun bi gong sik mun seo ip ni da.

    Use 비공식 to describe non-official documents.

  • 이것은 반말 문서입니다.

    i-geos-eun ban-mal mun-seo-ip-ni-da., i geos eun ban mal mun seo ip ni da.

    반말 refers to speech style, not document type.

  • 회의는 공식적으로 진행됩니다.

    hoe-ui-neun gong-sik-jeok-eu-ro jin-haeng-doep-ni-da., hoe ui neun gong sik jeok eu ro jin haeng doep ni da.

    Official meetings require 공식적으로.

  • 회의는 비공식적으로 진행됩니다.

    hoe-ui-neun bi-gong-sik-jeok-eu-ro jin-haeng-doep-ni-da., hoe ui neun bi gong sik jeok eu ro jin haeng doep ni da.

    Informal meetings proceed 비공식적으로.

  • 회의는 반말로 진행됩니다.

    hoe-ui-neun ban-mal-ro jin-haeng-doep-ni-da., hoe ui neun ban mal ro jin haeng doep ni da.

    Using 반말 in meetings is usually inappropriate.

  • 친구에게 반말로 말해요.

    chin-gu-e-ge ban-mal-ro mal-hae-yo., chin gu e ge ban mal ro mal hae yo.

    Using 반말 with friends is natural.

  • 친구에게 공식으로 말해요.

    chin-gu-e-ge gong-sik-eu-ro mal-hae-yo., chin gu e ge gong sik eu ro mal hae yo.

    Speaking officially to friends is unnatural.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word fits best for an official document?

    공식적인 문서에 가장 적합한 단어는?(gong-sik-jeok-inmun-seo-ega-jangjeok-hap-handan-eo-neun?, gongsikjeokinmunseoegajangjeokhaphandaneoneun?)

  2. Which speech style is mainly used when talking with friends?

    친구와 대화할 때 주로 사용하는 말투는?(chin-gu-wadae-hwa-halttaeju-rosa-yong-ha-neunmal-tu-neun?, chinguwadaehwahalttaejurosayonghaneunmaltuneun?)

  3. Which word suits an informal gathering?

    격식 없는 모임에서 적합한 표현은?(gyeok-sikeop-neunmo-im-e-seojeok-hap-hanpyo-hyeon-eun?, gyeoksikeopneunmoimeseojeokhaphanpyohyeoneun?)

More comparisons to explore

View all word comparisons →