반말(ban-mal, banmal)
Informal speech used with friends or younger people
When to use
among friends, within family, to younger people or juniors
The nuance
Banmal is used with close friends or younger people and is inappropriate in formal situations.
Banmal vs Jondaetmal: Differences and Usage of Korean Speech Levels
반말 (ban-mal, banmal) · 존댓말 (jon-daes-mal, jondaesmal)
Banmal is informal and friendly speech, while jondaetmal is polite and formal, chosen based on context and relationship.
Word-by-word breakdown
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
존댓말(jon-daes-mal, jondaesmal)
Polite speech expressing respect and formality toward the listener
When to use
meeting strangers, work superiors, formal situations
The nuance
Jondaetmal is used in formal, respectful situations like meeting strangers or addressing elders and superiors.
Real-world examples
너 오늘 뭐 해?
neo o-neul mwo hae?, neo o neul mwo hae?
Appropriate banmal for speaking to a friend.
너 오늘 뭐 하세요?
neo o-neul mwo ha-se-yo?, neo o neul mwo ha se yo?
‘너’ is informal but ‘하세요’ is formal, causing mismatch; use a formal subject instead.
선생님, 오늘 수업이 몇 시에 시작합니까?
seon-saeng-nim, o-neul su-eop-i myeoch si-e si-jak-hap-ni-kka?, seon saeng nim, o neul su eop i myeoch si e si jak hap ni kka?
Uses polite and honorific speech to ask respectfully.
선생님, 오늘 수업 몇 시에 시작해?
seon-saeng-nim, o-neul su-eop myeoch si-e si-jak-hae?, seon saeng nim, o neul su eop myeoch si e si jak hae?
Using banmal with a teacher is disrespectful.
우리 가족끼리는 반말을 쓴다.
u-ri ga-jok-kki-ri-neun ban-mal-eul sseun-da., u ri ga jok kki ri neun ban mal eul sseun da.
Banmal is natural among family members.
처음 만난 사람한테 반말을 쓰면 안 된다.
cheo-eum man-nan sa-ram-han-te ban-mal-eul sseu-myeon an doen-da., cheo eum man nan sa ram han te ban mal eul sseu myeon an doen da.
Jondaetmal is required when meeting someone for the first time.
나이가 많은 사람에게 존댓말을 쓰는 것이 예의다.
na-i-ga man-eun sa-ram-e-ge jon-daes-mal-eul sseu-neun geos-i ye-ui-da., na i ga man eun sa ram e ge jon daes mal eul sseu neun geos i ye ui da.
Jondaetmal is necessary for older people.
친구에게 존댓말을 쓰면 거리가 느껴진다.
chin-gu-e-ge jon-daes-mal-eul sseu-myeon geo-ri-ga neu-kkyeo-jin-da., chin gu e ge jon daes mal eul sseu myeon geo ri ga neu kkyeo jin da.
Banmal feels natural among friends; jondaetmal sounds distant.
Quick quiz
Which speech level should you use with friends?
친구에게 어떤 말투를 써야 하나요?(chin-gu-e-geeo-tteonmal-tu-reulsseo-yaha-na-yo?, chinguegeeotteonmaltureulsseoyahanayo?)What speech level is appropriate with someone you just met?
처음 만난 사람에게 적절한 말투는?(cheo-eumman-nansa-ram-e-gejeok-jeol-hanmal-tu-neun?, cheoeummannansaramegejeokjeolhanmaltuneun?)Which speech level do you use with older people?
나이가 많은 사람에게 쓰는 말투는?(na-i-gaman-eunsa-ram-e-gesseu-neunmal-tu-neun?, naigamaneunsaramegesseuneunmaltuneun?)Which speech level is natural within family?
가족끼리 자연스러운 말투는?(ga-jok-kki-rija-yeon-seu-reo-unmal-tu-neun?, gajokkkirijayeonseureounmaltuneun?)
More comparisons to explore
- 존댓말 vs 반말 vs 하오체: Korean Speech Style Comparison
- Banmal vs Najchummal vs Pyeonmal: Nuances of Familiarity and Respect
- 경어 vs 반말: The Boundary Between Respect and Familiarity
- Gongsik vs Bigongsik vs Banmal: When to Use Each?
- 존댓말 vs 높임말 vs 경어: When to Use Each?
- Moon-eo vs Geul vs Chaek-mal: Differences in Writing Style and Expression
- 겠습니다 vs 을게요 vs 을 거예요
- 유행어 vs 신조어 vs 줄임말: When to Use Each?