similar split · similar, honorific
Speak vs Speak (honorific) in Korean
Want to sound polite in Korean? Use these when you talk to elders or bosses 👇 🔴 말하다 [malhada] - Speak (plain)
How these words work together
In Korean, there are different ways to say 'speak' depending on the level of politeness. '말하다' is the standard way to say 'speak' used in casual or neutral situations. '말씀하다' is the honorific form, used to show respect when speaking about someone of higher status or older age. Understanding when to use these forms helps you communicate politely in Korean.
Words in this chart
| Korean | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 말하다 | malhada | Speak |
| 말씀하다 | malsseumhada | Speak (honorific) |
Example sentences
친구와 이야기할 때는 말해요.
I speak when talking with my friend.
선생님께 말씀하세요.
Please speak to the teacher (honorific).
할머니가 천천히 말씀하셨어요.
Grandmother spoke slowly (honorific).
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