Question
Updated on
18 Aug 2017
- English (US)
-
Japanese
-
Korean
Question about Korean
Is saying 당신 to someone rude in Korea?
Is saying 당신 to someone rude in Korea?
Answers
When you "disagree" with an answer
The owner of it will not be notified.
Only the user who asked this question will see who disagreed with this answer.
Read more comments
- English (US)
- Filipino
- English (US)
- English (US)
- Filipino
- English (US)
Oh so if I was talking to a stranger or elder I say 당신 and if I was talking to a friend I say 너?
- English (US)
- Filipino
- Korean
It can be rude in many cases, particularly when you talk to seniors.
- English (US)
- Filipino
I forgot its formal yet it can be rude at times 😅 I'm sorry
- English (US)
- English (US)
- English (US)
- Filipino
Yeah, but if they have status you have to call them with, for example; 선생님 (teacher) 아줌마 (middle aged woman) 아저씨 (middle aged man) and many more if you want to address them directly
Deleted user
Many study books say English 'you' is '당신' in Korean.
But this is a big mistake.
I do not think this big mistake is due to editor's carelessness.
This mistake is due to Korean language's character.
English 'you' covers almost all cases, but there is no word exactly equivalent to English 'you' in Korean.
너 is close to 'you' but 너 can be used to friends or familiar younger people than the speaker. 너 is informal or casual.
There is no word equivalent to 'you' which can be used to older people or higher ranker than the speaker.
Koreans use hearer's position, not 당신 to imply 'you' when the speaker says to older people or higher ranker, or unfamiliar younger people.
Ex)
Are you tired, dad? => 아빠 피곤하세요?
There is no saying 'you' (in Korean), is just position 아빠. (There is no saying 당신.)
The Korean language has many words to imply 'you' (in Korean) instead of '당신': 선생님, 부장님, 사장님, 어르신, 이모, 언니, 학생, 젊은이, 기사님.
당신(You) is used only between spouses(wife & husband), otherwise, they(Not spouses) usually use 당신 when they are angry. It is ironic that 당신 is used both in soft situations (Between spouses or wife & husband) and stomy situations (Between arguing people), but it is real and true.
당신 can be impolite(informal) sometimes even though 당신 is formal.
(From Astrophil's answer):
We(They) usually add 씨 after his/her name and/or 님 after a position.
Maria => 마리아씨 Or 마리아님
Bongwoo => 봉우씨 Or 봉우님
To a teacher: 선생님
To a professor: 교수님
And we(they) usually say 선생님 to a stranger who looks older than the speaker. It doesn't have to do with a teacher.
그대 is like, an old and (very) formal word, not used in life. It has been used in a poem, lyrics... etc.
자네 is used when older person calls younger person "자네". 자네 is 하게체 style, which means familiar style.
- Korean
당신 is used in literature usually. We dont use when we speak, to mean 'you' usually. In speaking we use 당신 when we're angry with someone you don't know well. But also it is used when wife and husband call each other. I'm 25 year old now but I've never used the word 당신. But my parents are using it to call each other sometimes with soft voice.
[News] Hey you! The one learning a language!
Do you know how to improve your language skills❓ All you have to do is have your writing corrected by a native speaker!
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
With HiNative, you can have your writing corrected by native speakers for free ✍️✨.
Sign up
Related questions
-
Do Koreans say you're welcome?
answerYes they do
-
Is it considered rude if you talk to a stranger in Korea?
answerNo it's not. But one thing, if someone who you want to talk to can't speak English or other language you are using, they could be embarrased....
-
Would it be right to say 우리나라 while referring to Korea if you're a foreigner?
answerNo 우리나라 is referring the country of the speaker
-
Is it rude to randomly talk to an Korean person in Korean?
answerto stranger? in public? i heard that in US, people talk to anyone in public. in KR, you can't. it's strange thing. you need reason for talk
-
Does 한국 mean Korea in Korean?
answeryes
-
Is it considered rude to say you to people in Korea? If yes what should I say instead
answerbetween friends, we often use 너, but with other, we rarely use 너 or 당신. let me know what situation you confront then I'll let you know
-
Is it obvious for Korean when non-Korean talking or writing something in Korea?
answerYes, I am working with many non-Korean people and it is pretty obvious for me when someone speaks in Korean.
-
Is it rude in Korea to make an eye contact while you are talking with someone?
answerMaking an eye contact is polite as it shows them you're listening. Don't try to stare at them though;)
-
does Korean people speak a little English?
answer한국 사람들은 영어를 조금 할 줄 아나요?
-
Is it rude to say 바보 in Korea? or is it a joking thing or word to them?
answer바보 is a cute way to say "you are an idiot".
Recommended Questions
- 1〜15まで、韓国語にしていただけませんでしょうか。お手数ですが、宜しくお願いします。 ↓ここから 1.ジェリーがトムの餌を食べてしまった 2.ジェリーを誘引するideaが浮かばない 3.ジ...
- “감사하겠습니다”and “감사드리겠습니다” 무슨 차이가 있어요?
- How do you say “me too” in korean? Is it 나두 ?
- How do I add music to my kakaotalk profile?
- Guys, can anyone explain what does "D-Day" mean in Korean slang? I've heard it in so many differe...
Topic Questions
- I think both are correct, but which is better? 1. You can eat eggs raw in Japan. 2. You can eat...
- Can I say both as below? >I wasn't expecting it to be this crowded. >I wasn't expecting it be...
- Are there any differences between these two examples? 1. Our mailbox is outside. 2. Our mailbox i...
- Hello there. What do natives call "mire" Please? I know they don't use "mire" But something else ...
- Is this Natural when i say i can learn anything ? cause i can learn nothing doesn’t sound Natur...
Newest Questions
- I think both are correct, but which is better? 1. You can eat eggs raw in Japan. 2. You can eat...
- What is considered a gun? Is a rifle a gun? Is a pistol a gun?
- What does "don't hurt yourself" mean in this case?↓ A: I've been thinking... B: Don't hurt your...
- Does this sound natural? Without a clear plan, they were just drifting along, making few progress.
- "Neither in my case". what does it mean? "I remember a girl. I called her dead cow. She didn't ...
Previous question/ Next question
What’s this symbol?
The Language Level symbol shows a user's proficiency in the languages they're interested in. Setting your Language Level helps other users provide you with answers that aren't too complex or too simple.
-
Beginner
Has difficulty understanding even short answers in this language.
-
Beginner-Intermediate
Can ask simple questions and can understand simple answers.
-
Intermediate
Can ask all types of general questions and can understand longer answers.
-
Advanced
Can understand long, complex answers.
Sign up for premium, and you can play other user's audio/video answers.
What are gifts?
Show your appreciation in a way that likes and stamps can't.
By sending a gift to someone, they will be more likely to answer your questions again!
If you post a question after sending a gift to someone, your question will be displayed in a special section on that person’s feed.
Tired of searching? HiNative can help you find that answer you're looking for.
