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Korean speech levels show how a speaker addresses a listener. Honorifics can also show respect toward a person being discussed. These systems work together, but they are not the same thing. Age, familiarity, social roles, and the setting all influence the choice.
This beginner lesson focuses on three useful speech styles, everyday greetings, goodbyes, and introducing yourself by name. You do not need to master every honorific form before you start speaking.
Three useful speech styles
Korean has more speech levels than these three. We will start with the styles you are likely to hear in daily conversation and form