격식체 (gyeok-sik-che, gyeoksikche) · 문어체 (mun-eo-che, muneoche) · 공문체 (gong-mun-che, gongmunche)
Gyeoksikche (격식체) refers to polite and formal speech and writing; Muneoche (문어체) is a grammatical, standardized written style; Gongmunche (공문체) is a formal written style specialized for official government or institutional documents.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A polite and formal style used in both spoken and written language
When to use
formal speeches, business emails, school reports
The nuance
Gyeoksikche is used in formal situations, speeches, or documents, employing polite and honorific language rather than casual speech.
A grammatical and standardized written style, mainly used in writing, distinct from everyday spoken language
When to use
newspaper articles, academic papers, literary works
The nuance
Muneoche is mainly used in newspapers, books, and academic papers, with grammatically complete and formal sentence structures.
A highly formal and standardized style used specifically in official documents by government or public institutions
When to use
government official documents, administrative reports, legal documents
The nuance
Gongmunche is used in official documents and administrative papers, following concise, clear, and legally precise sentence structures.
회의에서 격식체를 사용해야 한다.
hoe-ui-e-seo gyeok-sik-che-reul sa-yong-hae-ya han-da., hoe ui e seo gyeok sik che reul sa yong hae ya han da.
Gyeoksikche uses honorifics in formal settings, so it's appropriate.
신문 기사에 격식체를 쓰는 것은 어색하다.
sin-mun gi-sa-e gyeok-sik-che-reul sseu-neun geos-eun eo-saek-ha-da., sin mun gi sa e gyeok sik che reul sseu neun geos eun eo saek ha da.
Newspaper articles use Muneoche, so Gyeoksikche is inappropriate.
공문체는 일상 대화에 적합하다.
gong-mun-che-neun il-sang dae-hwa-e jeok-hap-ha-da., gong mun che neun il sang dae hwa e jeok hap ha da.
Gongmunche is for official documents only, not casual talk.
논문 작성 시 문어체를 사용하는 것이 맞다.
non-mun jak-seong si mun-eo-che-reul sa-yong-ha-neun geos-i maj-da., non mun jak seong si mun eo che reul sa yong ha neun geos i maj da.
Academic papers are typical contexts for Muneoche.
공문체는 비즈니스 이메일에 적합하다.
gong-mun-che-neun bi-jeu-ni-seu i-me-il-e jeok-hap-ha-da., gong mun che neun bi jeu ni seu i me il e jeok hap ha da.
Business emails use Gyeoksikche; Gongmunche is too rigid.
문어체는 구어체와 다르게 정형화된 문장 구조를 가진다.
mun-eo-che-neun gu-eo-che-wa da-reu-ge jeong-hyeong-hwa-doen mun-jang gu-jo-reul ga-jin-da., mun eo che neun gu eo che wa da reu ge jeong hyeong hwa doen mun jang gu jo reul ga jin da.
Muneoche features standardized grammar and sentence structure.
격식체는 주로 구어에서만 사용된다.
gyeok-sik-che-neun ju-ro gu-eo-e-seo-man sa-yong-doen-da., gyeok sik che neun ju ro gu eo e seo man sa yong doen da.
Gyeoksikche is used formally in both speech and writing.
공문체는 법률 문서 작성에 적합하다.
gong-mun-che-neun beop-ryul mun-seo jak-seong-e jeok-hap-ha-da., gong mun che neun beop ryul mun seo jak seong e jeok hap ha da.
Gongmunche fits official documents with legal effect.
Which style is best for official document writing?
Which style suits newspaper articles?
Which style is mainly used in business emails?
