Saying You In Hangul: A Simple Guide To Korean Pronouns

By Taurean JakubowskiJul 13, 2025

Learning Korean can feel like a fun adventure, yet there are some parts that make you pause. One such area, a bit tricky for many, involves how you address someone. In English, we have "you," a word that works for almost everyone. In Korean, it's quite different, you know, and this can be a real puzzle for new learners.

That is to say, getting "you in hangul" right is a key step to sounding natural and polite. It shows respect, which is a big part of Korean communication. It’s not just about knowing the words, but also knowing when to use them, or even when to avoid them entirely, which is often the case, actually.

This guide will help you sort out the various ways to say "you" in Korean. We will look at common words and the situations where they fit best, or frankly, where they don't fit at all. By the end, you should feel much more confident in talking to people in Korean, or so we hope.

The Concept of "You" in Korean
Common Ways to Say "You"
Honorifics and Politeness Levels
Avoiding "You" Altogether
Practical Examples and Scenarios
Frequently Asked Questions

The Concept of "You" in Korean

The idea of a direct "you" pronoun in Korean is, in a way, not as straightforward as in English. Korean culture places a lot of importance on hierarchy and respect, which shapes how people address each other. This means you often don't use a direct "you" word, especially with strangers or older people, or so it seems.

Instead, people use other ways to show who they are talking to. This could involve using a person's name, their job title, or a family term. It's a system that, frankly, can take some getting used to for English speakers. It's just a different way of thinking about interaction.

For instance, in a conversation, if you are talking to a store owner, you would typically call them "사장님" (sajangnim), which means "boss" or "owner." You would not use a direct "you" word. This is a common practice, you know, and shows proper manners.

Understanding this cultural side of things helps you grasp why finding a single "you in hangul" equivalent is not so simple. It’s about fitting into the social structure, which is quite important, actually. This is a fundamental aspect of the language.

Common Ways to Say "You"

당신 (dangsin)

The word 당신 (dangsin) is one of the first words many people learn for "you." However, its use is quite limited and, frankly, can be a bit risky if you are not sure. It is not a general "you" like in English, you see.

Typically, 당신 (dangsin) is used between married couples, showing a deep level of closeness and familiarity. It can also appear in very formal settings, like in public speeches, but even then, it's rare to address individuals directly with it, more or less.

There are times when 당신 (dangsin) can sound quite rude or even confrontational, particularly if used with someone you don't know well or someone older than you. It might come across as challenging, or perhaps a bit too direct, so be careful with it.

You will also see 당신 (dangsin) in songs or poems, where it carries a poetic or slightly dramatic feel. But for everyday talk, especially with new people, it's generally best to avoid it, as a matter of fact. It is just not the common choice.

너 (neo)

The word 너 (neo) is the informal way to say "you." This is for people who are younger than you or very close friends, you know, people you are comfortable with. It shows a relaxed and casual connection.

You can use 너 (neo) with siblings, classmates your age, or friends you have known for a long time. It's like saying "you" to someone you'd joke around with, or so it seems. This word feels very natural in those settings.

Using 너 (neo) with someone older or someone you don't know well is considered impolite. It can make you seem disrespectful, which is something you definitely want to avoid. It is a sign of being too casual, you see.

So, when you are talking to someone your age or younger, and you have a friendly bond, 너 (neo) is a good choice. Otherwise, it's better to pick another option, or so I hear, to maintain proper social etiquette.

그대 (geudae)

그대 (geudae) is another word for "you," but it has a very romantic or poetic feel. You will hear it a lot in K-pop songs, especially ballads, or in older dramas. It carries a sense of longing or deep affection, you know.

It is not used in everyday conversations to address someone directly. If you were to use 그대 (geudae) in a normal chat, it would sound very strange, almost like you are singing to them. It is simply not for casual talk, apparently.

Think of 그대 (geudae) as a word reserved for artistic expression or very intimate, heartfelt moments, perhaps in a love letter. It is a beautiful word, but its place is truly specific, more or less, in the language.

So, while it means "you," you should not try to use 그대 (geudae) when talking to a friend or a shopkeeper. It just does not fit the situation, as a matter of fact. It is for a different kind of communication.

Addressing by Name or Title

This is, arguably, the most common and safest way to address someone in Korean without using a direct "you." People often use a person's name followed by an appropriate title, you know, like "Minjun-ssi" or "Seo-yeon-nim."

If you know someone's job title, using it is a very polite way to address them. For example, a teacher is "선생님" (seonsaengnim), a manager is "부장님" (bujangnim), or a company president is "사장님" (sajangnim). This is very common, basically.

Even if you don't know their specific job title, adding "님" (nim) to their name is a generally respectful approach. For instance, if someone's name is Jisoo, you could say "지수님" (Jisoo-nim). This works in many situations, you see.

For people who are roughly your age or younger, adding "씨" (ssi) after their name is common. So, "지민씨" (Jimin-ssi) is a polite way to address someone named Jimin. This is a good go-to, actually, when you are unsure.

Using family terms is also very common, even for people who are not related by blood. For example, an older sister is "언니" (eonni) for females or "누나" (nuna) for males. An older brother is "오빠" (oppa) for females or "형" (hyeong) for males. This is very much a part of daily life, you know.

If you are talking to someone who seems older than you, calling them "아저씨" (ajeossi) for an older man or "아주머니" (ajumeoni) for an older woman is typical. These are like saying "mister" or "madam," more or less. They are widely used.

For younger people, you might use "학생" (haksaeng) for a student, or just their name if you know it and they are quite young. This avoids any awkwardness, you see, and keeps things smooth.

So, instead of looking for "you in hangul," think about what their role is, their age compared to yours, or just use their name with a proper suffix. This is the most natural path, as a matter of fact, for polite interaction.

여기요 (yeogiyo) and 저기요 (jeogiyo)

These two phrases are not direct translations of "you," but they are used to get someone's attention, similar to how you might say "excuse me" or "over here" in English. They are very practical, you know.

여기요 (yeogiyo) literally means "over here" or "here you are." You would use it to call a waiter in a restaurant, for example, or to get the attention of someone close by. It is a direct way to signal you need something, basically.

저기요 (jeogiyo) means "over there" or "excuse me." This one is for getting the attention of someone a bit further away, or when you want to politely interrupt someone. It is a bit softer than 여기요 (yeogiyo), perhaps, in its approach.

Both are good for starting a conversation with a stranger when you do not know their name or title. You might say "저기요" (jeogiyo) to ask for directions, for instance. It is a very common opening, you see.

These phrases help you talk to people without needing to use a specific "you" word. They are a helpful tool in many daily situations, you know, and are widely accepted. They get the job done quite well.

Honorifics and Politeness Levels

Korean speech has different levels of politeness, which change how verbs end and which words you choose. These levels affect how you address people, even when you are not using a direct "you." It is a big part of the language, basically.

There is a formal polite style, an informal polite style, and a casual style. The choice depends on who you are talking to, their age, their social standing, and how close you are to them. It is quite a nuanced system, you see.

For instance, when you use a person's name with "님" (nim) or a title like "선생님" (seonsaengnim), you would usually pair it with a polite verb ending. This shows respect, you know, and is expected in many interactions.

If you are using 너 (neo) with a close friend, you would use a casual verb ending. This matches the informal nature of the pronoun. It just fits better, you see, with the relaxed tone.

Understanding these politeness levels helps you pick the right way to talk, even if you are not saying "you in hangul" directly. It is all about showing the right amount of deference, or so it seems, in your speech.

Avoiding "You" Altogether

Perhaps the most natural way to handle "you in hangul" is to avoid using a specific word for it whenever possible. This is what native speakers often do, you know, and it sounds the most natural.

In many sentences, the subject of the action is clear from the context. For example, if you ask "밥 먹었어요?" (bap meogeosseoyo?), which means "Did you eat rice?", the "you" is understood. You don't need a specific pronoun, you see.

This is a common feature in many Asian languages. It relies on the listener knowing who the speaker is talking about based on the situation. It saves words, actually, and makes conversation flow more smoothly.

So, when you are forming sentences, think about whether you truly need a "you" word. Often, you can just leave it out, and the meaning will still be clear. This is a good habit to get into, basically, for sounding like a native speaker.

It might feel strange at first, especially if you are used to always having a subject in English sentences. But with practice, it becomes second nature, you know, and you will find it quite efficient.

Practical Examples and Scenarios

Let's look at some everyday situations to see how these ideas play out. This will help you get a better feel for when to use what, or rather, what to avoid. It is about applying the rules, you see.

Imagine you are at a coffee shop, and you want to ask the barista, "Are you busy?" Instead of trying to find a direct "you," you could say "바쁘세요?" (bappeuseyo?), which just means "Are busy?" The polite ending implies you are asking them. This is common, you know.

If you are talking to a close friend named Jihoon, and you want to ask, "What are you doing?" you could say "지훈아, 뭐 해?" (Jihoona, mwo hae?). Here, "지훈아" (Jihoona) is the informal way to call his name, and the "you" is understood. It is quite natural, actually.

When you are in a shop and want to ask a salesperson, "Do you have this in a smaller size?" you might say "작은 사이즈 있어요?" (jageun saijeu isseoyo?). Again, no direct "you" is needed. The question is clear, you know, by its context.

If you need to get the attention of someone across the room, perhaps in a library, "저기요" (jeogiyo) is the perfect choice. You are not saying "you," but you are signaling that you want to talk to them. It works very well, basically.

In a formal meeting, if you need to address Mr. Kim, the director, you would say "김 이사님" (Kim Isanim). Then, you would use formal polite language for your questions or statements. This is the respectful way, you see, to conduct business.

If you are talking to your grandmother, you would never use 너 (neo) or 당신 (dangsin). Instead, you would use "할머니" (halmeoni), which means grandmother. This shows love and respect, you know, and is expected.

So, the trick is to think about the relationship and the situation first. Then, choose a name, a title, or just let the context do the work. This is the most effective approach, as a matter of fact, for speaking Korean well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people have about saying "you in hangul," or rather, about addressing people in Korean. These come up quite often, you know, for new learners.

Q: Is there really no single word for "you" in Korean that works for everyone?

A: Not really, no. Unlike English, Korean does not have one universal word for "you" that you can use in all situations. Using a direct "you" word can often be impolite or too informal, especially with strangers or those older than you. It's just not how the language typically works, you see.

Q: What is the most common way to address someone if I don't know their name?

A: If you do not know someone's name, using a title like "선생님" (seonsaengnim) for a teacher, "사장님" (sajangnim) for a business owner, or "아저씨" (ajeossi) for an older man and "아주머니" (ajumeoni) for an older woman is common. For getting attention, "저기요" (jeogiyo) or "여기요" (yeogiyo) are very useful. It is about using context, you know, to pick the right term.

Q: Can I use "너" (neo) with my new Korean friend?

A: You can use "너" (neo) with a new Korean friend if they are roughly your age or younger, and you both agree to be informal with each other. It is best to wait until you have established a comfortable, casual relationship. Sometimes, it is safer to start with their name plus "씨" (ssi) and let them suggest using "너" (neo) first, you know, to be sure. Learn more about Korean politeness levels on our site, and link to this page understanding Korean pronouns.

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