English shows respect mostly through word choice and tone — “yeah” versus “yes, certainly.” Korean builds respect directly into its grammar. The verb ending itself changes depending on how formal the situation is, which means you can’t really learn “a verb” in Korean without also learning which ending fits which context. Here are the three levels you’ll actually encounter.

How the audio works: tap the speaker button on any example and your device’s built-in Korean voice will say it out loud — no app or download needed.
Level 1

반말 (Banmal) — Casual Speech

Used with close friends, younger people, or children — never with strangers or anyone older than you unless they’ve explicitly told you it’s okay.

ga
Go (casual — said to a close friend)
Level 2

해요체 (Haeyo-che) — Everyday Polite

The default polite level for daily life — shopkeepers, coworkers, new acquaintances, tourists. This is the level worth learning first and using most as a beginner.

gayo
Go (polite — safe in almost any situation)
Level 3

합니다체 (Hamnida-che) — Formal Speech

Used in news broadcasts, formal presentations, military contexts, and first meetings in a business setting. It sounds crisp and a little distant — appropriate for the occasion, but not how friends talk.

gamnida
Go (formal — boardrooms, announcements, first impressions)
A group of friends laughing and embracing each other outdoors

Banmal is reserved for genuine closeness — it’s a sign of trust, not just informality.

Which One Should You Actually Learn First?

해요체 (haeyo-che). It’s polite enough to never cause offence, natural enough that you won’t sound stiff, and it’s what most textbooks and apps teach as the default for exactly that reason. Learn this level solidly first, then layer in formal 합니다체 for professional contexts and casual 반말 once you have real relationships where it’s appropriate.

Speech Levels Are the Backbone of Korean Politeness

Once these three levels feel intuitive, honorific verbs and forms of address make a lot more sense. Here’s the step-by-step system we recommend for building on this.

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