How do you speak casually in Korean? In this lesson, you’ll learn vocabulary about speech styles and relationships, along with common pronouns and sentence endings used in 반말. Read the examples below, then use the PDF and video to keep practicing.
Vocabulary
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 반말 | casual speech |
| 존댓말 | polite speech |
| 말을 놓다 | switch to casual speech |
| 아이 | child |
| 후배 | someone who joined a school or organization after you |
| 동갑 | someone the same age as you |
| 친언니 | one’s own older sister (female speaker) |
| 친오빠 | one’s own older brother (female speaker) |
| 친누나 | one’s own older sister (male speaker) |
| 친형 | one’s own older brother (male speaker) |
Here, 친- identifies a sibling related to you by blood, rather than an older friend you call 언니, 오빠, 누나, or 형.
Grammar: 반말
When to Use Casual Korean
반말 is commonly used between close friends who are comfortable speaking casually, in some family relationships, and by adults speaking to young children. Being the same age does not automatically mean you should use it. With someone you have just met, start with polite speech and check that they are comfortable before switching.
Pronouns and Short Answers
| Polite form | Casual form |
|---|---|
| 저 | 나 |
| 제가 | 내가 |
| 제 / 저의 + noun | 내 / 나의 + noun |
| 저희 | 우리 |
| 네 | 응 / 어 |
| 아니요 | 아니 |
너 means “you,” 네가 marks “you” as the subject, and 네 / 너의 means “your.” Use these only when your relationship allows it. Even when speaking casually, an older sibling is usually addressed as 언니, 오빠, 누나, or 형 rather than 너.
Addressing Someone by Name
When addressing a close friend or a younger person by name, use 아 after a name ending in a consonant and 야 after a name ending in a vowel: 정민아, 민지야.
When referring to someone in familiar conversation, 이 can be added after a name ending in a consonant, as in 정민이.
Common Casual Endings
| Polite form | Casual form |
|---|---|
| -이에요 / -예요 | -이야 / -야 |
| -아/어요 | -아/어 |
| -았/었어요 | -았/었어 |
| -(으)ㄹ 거예요 | -(으)ㄹ 거야 |
| -(으)세요 (a request or instruction) | -아/어 |
| -지 마세요 | -지 마 |
These are common changes from everyday polite speech to casual speech. Some expressions also require changes to pronouns or vocabulary, so simply removing 요 does not always work.
Example Sentences
이거 커피예요. → 이거 커피야.
This is coffee.
더워요. → 더워.
It’s hot.
더웠어요. → 더웠어.
It was hot.
갈 거예요. → 갈 거야.
I’m going to go.
가세요. → 가.
Please go. → Go.
가지 마세요. → 가지 마.
Please don’t go. → Don’t go.
Each pair shows a polite form followed by a casual form. The level of politeness changes, while the basic message stays the same.
Download the Practice PDF
Want to practice these expressions? Download the casual Korean worksheet for vocabulary, sentence practice, and conversations. Change polite sentences into casual speech, then answer the speaking questions using 반말.
Watch the Video Lesson
Watch the lesson alongside this post, then come back to the vocabulary and example sentences whenever you need a quick review.
