존댓말 (jon-daes-mal, jondaesmal) · 높임말 (nop-im-mal, nopimmal) · 경어 (gyeong-eo, gyeongeo)
존댓말, 높임말, and 경어 all involve respectful language, but 존댓말 refers to polite speech style, 높임말 to honorific vocabulary, and 경어 to the entire system of honorifics.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A polite speech style used to show respect to the listener.
When to use
everyday conversation, customer service, talking to strangers
The nuance
A polite speech style with respectful sentence endings, mainly used directly toward the listener.
Honorific vocabulary or expressions that elevate the subject or object.
When to use
referring to elders, mentioning listener's family, talking about superiors at work
The nuance
Using honorific suffixes or special vocabulary to elevate the subject or object.
The entire system of honorific language, including 존댓말 and 높임말.
When to use
official documents, business meetings, formal speeches
The nuance
Includes all rules and expressions that show respect to the listener and third parties, covering both 존댓말 and 높임말.
할아버지께 존댓말을 써야 해요.
hal-a-beo-ji-kke jon-daes-mal-eul sseo-ya hae-yo., hal a beo ji kke jon daes mal eul sseo ya hae yo.
존댓말 is a polite speech style used toward the listener, so it is correct to use it with grandfather.
할아버지께 높임말을 써야 해요.
hal-a-beo-ji-kke nop-im-mal-eul sseo-ya hae-yo., hal a beo ji kke nop im mal eul sseo ya hae yo.
높임말 elevates the subject or object through vocabulary, so it is correct to use it for grandfather.
할아버지께 경어를 써야 해요.
hal-a-beo-ji-kke gyeong-eo-reul sseo-ya hae-yo., hal a beo ji kke gyeong eo reul sseo ya hae yo.
경어 includes both 존댓말 and 높임말, so using 경어 with grandfather is correct.
친구에게 존댓말을 써야 해요.
chin-gu-e-ge jon-daes-mal-eul sseo-ya hae-yo., chin gu e ge jon daes mal eul sseo ya hae yo.
Typically, 반말 is used with friends, so 존댓말 is not required.
친구에게 높임말을 써야 해요.
chin-gu-e-ge nop-im-mal-eul sseo-ya hae-yo., chin gu e ge nop im mal eul sseo ya hae yo.
높임말 is used for elders or superiors, so it is inappropriate for friends.
친구에게 경어를 써야 해요.
chin-gu-e-ge gyeong-eo-reul sseo-ya hae-yo., chin gu e ge gyeong eo reul sseo ya hae yo.
경어 is for polite and formal contexts, not usually used among friends.
직장 상사에게 존댓말을 사용해야 합니다.
jik-jang sang-sa-e-ge jon-daes-mal-eul sa-yong-hae-ya hap-ni-da., jik jang sang sa e ge jon daes mal eul sa yong hae ya hap ni da.
You should use 존댓말, a polite speech style, with your boss.
직장 상사에게 높임말을 사용해야 합니다.
jik-jang sang-sa-e-ge nop-im-mal-eul sa-yong-hae-ya hap-ni-da., jik jang sang sa e ge nop im mal eul sa yong hae ya hap ni da.
You should use 높임말 vocabulary to show respect to your boss.
What do you mainly use when talking with friends?
What do you mainly use to respectfully speak about elders?
Which term includes both 존댓말 and 높임말?
