표준어 (pyo-jun-eo, pyojuneo) · 방언 (bang-eon, bangeon) · 신조어 (sin-jo-eo, sinjoeo)
표준어 is the official, nationwide standard language; 방언 refers to regional dialects; 신조어 are newly coined words in Korean.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
The officially recognized standard language used nationwide in Korea
When to use
official documents, news broadcasting, school classes, public institution announcements
The nuance
표준어 is used in education, media, official documents, follows standard grammar and pronunciation with minimal regional influence.
Distinct words or speech styles used only in specific regions
When to use
local resident conversations, traditional events, informal gatherings, regional cultural expression
The nuance
방언 is naturally used among local residents, differing from 표준어 and sometimes hard to understand by outsiders.
Newly created words or expressions recently coined
When to use
internet chatting, social media posts, young generation conversations, pop culture expressions
The nuance
신조어 are mainly created by younger generations or on the internet, used more in casual speech or social media than official documents.
이 문서는 반드시 표준어로 작성해야 합니다.
i mun-seo-neun ban-deu-si pyo-jun-eo-ro jak-seong-hae-ya hap-ni-da., i mun seo neun ban deu si pyo jun eo ro jak seong hae ya hap ni da.
Official documents require use of 표준어.
그 친구는 서울 사투리를 사용해서 알아듣기 어려웠다.
geu chin-gu-neun seo-ul sa-tu-ri-reul sa-yong-hae-seo al-a-deut-gi eo-ryeo-woss-da., geu chin gu neun seo ul sa tu ri reul sa yong hae seo al a deut gi eo ryeo woss da.
Seoul is a standard language area; '서울 사투리' is incorrect. Use '서울말' or '표준어' instead.
부산 방언은 '~데이'가 자주 쓰여요.
bu-san bang-eon-eun '~de-i'ga ja-ju sseu-yeo-yo., bu san bang eon eun '~de i'ga ja ju sseu yeo yo.
This is a typical dialect expression from Busan, so it's 방언.
학교에서 신조어를 공식 문서에 쓰면 안 됩니다.
hak-gyo-e-seo sin-jo-eo-reul gong-sik mun-seo-e sseu-myeon an doep-ni-da., hak gyo e seo sin jo eo reul gong sik mun seo e sseu myeon an doep ni da.
신조어 are inappropriate for official documents, suited for informal contexts.
요즘 젊은이들은 신조어를 많이 사용해요.
yo-jeum jeom-eun-i-deul-eun sin-jo-eo-reul man-i sa-yong-hae-yo., yo jeum jeom eun i deul eun sin jo eo reul man i sa yong hae yo.
Young people mainly use 신조어.
전국 어디서나 방언을 쓰는 것이 표준어입니다.
jeon-guk eo-di-seo-na bang-eon-eul sseu-neun geos-i pyo-jun-eo-ip-ni-da., jeon guk eo di seo na bang eon eul sseu neun geos i pyo jun eo ip ni da.
방언 is region-specific, not nationwide like 표준어.
뉴스 방송에서는 표준어를 사용합니다.
nyu-seu bang-song-e-seo-neun pyo-jun-eo-reul sa-yong-hap-ni-da., nyu seu bang song e seo neun pyo jun eo reul sa yong hap ni da.
News broadcasts use 표준어 as an official medium.
친구들과 만날 때는 방언 대신 표준어만 써야 해요.
chin-gu-deul-gwa man-nal ttae-neun bang-eon dae-sin pyo-jun-eo-man sseo-ya hae-yo., chin gu deul gwa man nal ttae neun bang eon dae sin pyo jun eo man sseo ya hae yo.
In informal chats with friends, using 방언 is natural and correct.
Which speech style is best for official documents?
Which is naturally used in Busan?
Which words are mainly used on the internet and SNS?
Which speech style is mainly used among local residents in informal gatherings?
