For autodidact students of Korean, "you" is one of the most socially complex words in the language. 너 (neo) is informal — used with close friends, children, and those younger. 당신 (dangsin) is formal but sounds stiff or distant between acquaintances — its most natural uses are in formal writing, song lyrics, and between spouses. 씨 (ssi) attached to someone's name is the most natural polite "you" equivalent in speech: 지수 씨 (Jisu-ssi). In practice, Koreans often avoid second-person pronouns entirely by using names or titles instead.
Key Takeaways: - 너 (neo): you — informal; 네가 (nega) / 너를 (neoreul): subject / object forms - 당신 (dangsin): you — formal/written; also used between married couples - 씨 (ssi): honorific title attached to name — the natural polite "you" in speech - 선생님 (seonsaengnim): teacher — used to address teachers instead of "you" - 네 (ne) / 너의 (neoui): your — informal - In most polite speech, use the person's name + 씨 rather than any "you" pronoun
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15.1 너는 (neoneun) you-TOPIC 어디에 (eodie) where-TO 가? (ga) going-INF
15.2 당신을 (dangshineul) you-OBJ 사랑합니다 (saranghamnida) love-FORMAL
15.3 지수 씨는 (Jisu ssineun) Jisu-ssi-TOPIC 오늘 (oneul) today 시간 (sigan) time 있어요 (isseoyo) have-POLITE?
15.4 너 (neo) you 밥 (bap) rice 먹었어 (meogeosseo) ate-INF?
15.5 선생님께서는 (seonsaengnimkkeseoneun) teacher-HON-TOPIC 어디 (eodi) where 계세요 (gyeseyo) are-HON?
15.6 네 (ne) your 꿈은 (kkumeun) dream-TOPIC 뭐야 (mwoya) what-is-INF?
15.7 민준 씨가 (Minjun ssiga) Minjun-ssi-SUBJ 말씀하셨어요 (malsseumsyeosseoyo) said-HON-POLITE
15.8 너한테 (neohante) to-you-INF 할 (hal) do 말이 (mari) word-SUBJ 있어 (isseo) have-INF
15.9 당신은 (dangshineun) you-TOPIC 나의 (naui) my 전부예요 (jeonbuyeyo) everything-am-POLITE
15.10 지수 씨 (Jisu ssi) Jisu-ssi 혹시 (hoksi) by-chance 커피 (keopi) coffee 좋아하세요 (joahaseyo) like-HON-POLITE?
15.11 너도 (neodo) you-also 그렇게 (geureoke) like-that 생각해 (saenggakhae) think-INF?
15.12 선생님 (seonsaengnim) teacher 덕분에 (deokbune) thanks-to 합격했어요 (hapgyeokhasseoyo) passed-POLITE
15.13 당신과 (dangshingwa) you-WITH 함께 (hamkke) together 있고 (itgo) be-CONJ 싶어요 (sipeoyo) want-POLITE
15.14 너 (neo) you 정말 (jeongmal) really 대단하다 (daedanhada) amazing-are-INF
15.15 민서 씨는 (Minseo ssineun) Minseo-ssi-TOPIC 뭐 (mwo) what 드실래요 (deusillaeyo) will-eat-HON-POLITE?
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15.1 너는 어디에 가? "Where are you going?" (informal) 15.2 당신을 사랑합니다. "I love you." (formal) 15.3 지수 씨는 오늘 시간 있어요? "Do you have time today, Jisu?" (polite) 15.4 너 밥 먹었어? "Did you eat?" (informal) 15.5 선생님께서는 어디 계세요? "Where are you, teacher?" (honorific) 15.6 네 꿈은 뭐야? "What is your dream?" (informal) 15.7 민준 씨가 말씀하셨어요. "Minjun-ssi said so." (polite) 15.8 너한테 할 말이 있어. "I have something to say to you." (informal) 15.9 당신은 나의 전부예요. "You are my everything." (formal/lyrical) 15.10 지수 씨, 혹시 커피 좋아하세요? "Jisu, do you happen to like coffee?" (polite) 15.11 너도 그렇게 생각해? "Do you think so too?" (informal) 15.12 선생님 덕분에 합격했어요. "I passed thanks to you, teacher." (polite) 15.13 당신과 함께 있고 싶어요. "I want to be together with you." (formal/lyrical) 15.14 너 정말 대단하다. "You are really amazing." (informal) 15.15 민서 씨는 뭐 드실래요? "What will you have, Minseo?" (polite)
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15.1 너는 어디에 가? 15.2 당신을 사랑합니다. 15.3 지수 씨는 오늘 시간 있어요? 15.4 너 밥 먹었어? 15.5 선생님께서는 어디 계세요? 15.6 네 꿈은 뭐야? 15.7 민준 씨가 말씀하셨어요. 15.8 너한테 할 말이 있어. 15.9 당신은 나의 전부예요. 15.10 지수 씨, 혹시 커피 좋아하세요? 15.11 너도 그렇게 생각해? 15.12 선생님 덕분에 합격했어요. 15.13 당신과 함께 있고 싶어요. 15.14 너 정말 대단하다. 15.15 민서 씨는 뭐 드실래요?
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너 — informal you: Use with 반말 (banmal, plain speech): 너는 어디 가? (where are you going?). Possessive: 네 (ne) — your. Subject: 네가 (nega) — you [subject]. Note: 네가 sounds identical to 내가 (I-subject) in many Korean dialects; context always clarifies.
당신 — formal you: Sounds unnatural in ordinary conversation — use names instead. Natural in: love songs (당신을 사랑해요), formal letters, and speech between spouses (당신 오늘 피곤해요? — Are you tired today, dear?).
씨 (ssi) — the practical polite "you": Attach to first name, last name, or full name: 지수 씨, 김 씨, 김지수 씨. Never to one's own name. The closest equivalent to a polite second-person pronoun in daily Korean speech.
Titles as "you": The most respectful approach is to address people by their title: 선생님 (teacher), 사장님 (company director), 과장님 (section chief), 어머님 (mother, honorific). Using the title rather than any pronoun is the highest register.
혹시 (hoksi) — "by any chance / perhaps": A softener placed before a question to make it less direct. 혹시 시간 있어요? (Do you happen to have time?) is gentler than 시간 있어요? Extremely common in polite Korean requests.
Common Mistakes: - Using 당신 in ordinary polite conversation — it sounds cold or confrontational unless between spouses or in formal writing. Use name + 씨 instead. - Confusing 네가 (you-subject, informal) with 내가 (I-subject, informal) in speech.
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The avoidance of second-person pronouns is one of Korean's most distinctive social features. Saying "you" directly in Korean conversation can sound blunt or even rude. Instead, using someone's name with 씨, their professional title, or their relational title (언니 — older sister, 오빠 — older brother, 선배 — senior) is the norm. Learning Korean means learning to address people without saying "you" — which is, in a sense, learning to see people as they want to be seen: as a teacher, a colleague, a friend, a senior, not as an anonymous "you."
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한용운 (Han Yong-un), 《님의 침묵》— The Silence of Love, 1926
당신은 갔습니다, 아아 사랑하는 나의 님은 갔습니다.
F-A: Interlinear — 당신은 (dangshineun) you-TOPIC 갔습니다 (gasseumnida) went-FORMAL，아아 (aa) ah，사랑하는 (saranghaneun) beloved 나의 (naui) my 님은 (nimeun) beloved-TOPIC 갔습니다 (gasseumnida) went-FORMAL
F-B: Translation — "You have gone, ah, my beloved has gone."
F-C: Original — 당신은 갔습니다, 아아 사랑하는 나의 님은 갔습니다.
F-D: Notes — 당신 in Han Yong-un's most celebrated line: the formal "you" of love poetry, the "you" that cannot be replaced by a name because it has become everything. 님 (nim) — beloved/master — is the archaic term for a cherished person. The poem is simultaneously a love poem and a poem about Korean independence under Japanese occupation: 당신 is at once the beloved and the nation.
F-E: Commentary — 당신 is the "you" of longing and formal devotion. In everyday Korean you avoid it; in poetry you reach for it when the beloved has become too large for a name.
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A series of polite approaches between strangers — the full range of "you" forms in context.
15.16 [카페에서 / kape-eseo / at the café]
15.17 민준: 저기요 (jeogiyo) excuse-me，혹시 (hoksi) by-chance 이 (i) this 자리 (jari) seat 비어 (bieo) empty-CONJ 있나요 (innayo) is-POLITE?
15.18 수진: 네 (ne) yes，앉으세요 (anjeuseyo) please-sit-POLITE
15.19 민준: 감사합니다 (gamsahamnida) thank-you-FORMAL。혹시 (hoksi) by-chance 수진 씨 (Sujin ssi) Sujin-ssi 아니세요 (aniseyo) aren't-POLITE?
15.20 수진: 어，맞아요 (majayo) that's-right-POLITE。민준 씨 (Minjun ssi) Minjun-ssi?
15.21 민준: 네 (ne) yes！이렇게 (ireoke) like-this 만나다니 (mannandani) to-meet-EXCL 반가워요 (bangawoyo) pleased-POLITE！
15.22 수진: 저도 (jeodo) I-also 반가워요 (bangawoyo) pleased-POLITE。민준 씨는 (Minjun ssineun) Minjun-ssi-TOPIC 여기 (yeogi) here 자주 (jaju) often 오세요 (oseyo) come-HON?
15.23 민준: 네，당신— (ne，dangsin) yes，you— 아，수진 씨는요 (Sujin ssineunyo) Sujin-ssi-TOPIC?
15.24 수진: [웃으며 / useumyeo / laughing] 거의 (geoui) almost 매일 (maeil) every-day 와요 (wayo) come-POLITE。이 집 (i jip) this-place 커피가 (keopi-ga) coffee-SUBJ 정말 (jeongmal) really 맛있어요 (massisseoyo) delicious-POLITE
15.25 민준: 저도 (jeodo) I-also 그렇게 (geureoke) like-that 생각해요 (saenggakhaeyo) think-POLITE。수진 씨는 (Sujin ssineun) Sujin-ssi-TOPIC 무슨 (museun) what 일 (il) work 하세요 (haseyo) do-HON?
15.26 수진: 저는 (jeoneun) I-TOPIC 디자이너예요 (dijaineo-yeyo) designer-am-POLITE。민준 씨는요 (Minjun ssineunyo) Minjun-ssi-TOPIC?
15.27 민준: 저는 (jeoneun) I-TOPIC 음악가예요 (eumakga-yeyo) musician-am-POLITE。피아노를 (piano-reul) piano-OBJ 가르쳐요 (gareuchyeoyo) teach-POLITE
15.28 수진: 오，멋있어요 (meossisseoyo) cool-POLITE！제가 (jega) I-SUBJ 피아노를 (piano-reul) piano-OBJ 배우고 (baeugO) learn-CONJ 싶었는데 (sipeotnneunde) wanted-but-POLITE
15.29 민준: 진짜요 (jinjjayo) really-POLITE？수진 씨가 (Sujin ssiga) Sujin-ssi-SUBJ 원하시면 (wonhasimyeon) if-want-HON 제가 (jega) I-SUBJ 가르쳐 (gareuchyeo) teach-CONJ 드릴 수 (deuril su) can-HON 있어요 (isseoyo) have-POLITE
15.30 수진: 정말요 (jeongmalyo) really-POLITE？감사해요 (gamsahaeyo) thank-you-POLITE，민준 씨！
15.16 [카페에서] "[At the café]" 15.17 「저기요, 혹시 이 자리 비어 있나요?」 "'Excuse me, is this seat free by any chance?'" 15.18 「네, 앉으세요.」 "'Yes, please sit down.'" 15.19 「감사합니다. 혹시 수진 씨 아니세요?」 "'Thank you. Aren't you Sujin?'" 15.20 「어, 맞아요. 민준 씨?」 "'Oh, that's right. Minjun?'" 15.21 「네! 이렇게 만나다니 반가워요!」 "'Yes! How wonderful to meet like this!'" 15.22 「저도 반가워요. 민준 씨는 여기 자주 오세요?」 "'Pleased to meet you too. Do you come here often, Minjun?'" 15.23 「네, 당신— 아, 수진 씨는요?」 "'Yes, you— ah, and you, Sujin?'" 15.24 「[웃으며] 거의 매일 와요. 이 집 커피가 정말 맛있어요.」 "'[laughing] Almost every day. The coffee here is really delicious.'" 15.25 「저도 그렇게 생각해요. 수진 씨는 무슨 일 하세요?」 "'I think so too. What work do you do, Sujin?'" 15.26 「저는 디자이너예요. 민준 씨는요?」 "'I'm a designer. And you, Minjun?'" 15.27 「저는 음악가예요. 피아노를 가르쳐요.」 "'I'm a musician. I teach piano.'" 15.28 「오, 멋있어요! 제가 피아노를 배우고 싶었는데.」 "'Oh, how cool! I've been wanting to learn piano.'" 15.29 「진짜요? 수진 씨가 원하시면 제가 가르쳐 드릴 수 있어요.」 "'Really? If you'd like, I can teach you.'" 15.30 「정말요? 감사해요, 민준 씨!」 "'Really? Thank you, Minjun!'"
15.16 [카페에서] 15.17 「저기요, 혹시 이 자리 비어 있나요?」 15.18 「네, 앉으세요.」 15.19 「감사합니다. 혹시 수진 씨 아니세요?」 15.20 「어, 맞아요. 민준 씨?」 15.21 「네! 이렇게 만나다니 반가워요!」 15.22 「저도 반가워요. 민준 씨는 여기 자주 오세요?」 15.23 「네, 당신— 아, 수진 씨는요?」 15.24 「[웃으며] 거의 매일 와요. 이 집 커피가 정말 맛있어요.」 15.25 「저도 그렇게 생각해요. 수진 씨는 무슨 일 하세요?」 15.26 「저는 디자이너예요. 민준 씨는요?」 15.27 「저는 음악가예요. 피아노를 가르쳐요.」 15.28 「오, 멋있어요! 제가 피아노를 배우고 싶었는데.」 15.29 「진짜요? 수진 씨가 원하시면 제가 가르쳐 드릴 수 있어요.」 15.30 「정말요? 감사해요, 민준 씨!」
-다니 (dani) — exclamatory connective: 이렇게 만나다니! (To think we'd meet like this!). Verb + 다니 expresses surprise or strong emotion about the realisation that something happened: 네가 오다니 (to think you came!), 이런 일이 있다니 (to think such a thing happened!).
-고 싶었는데 (go sipeotnneunde) — "I wanted to but...": 배우고 싶었는데 (I wanted to learn, but...). The 는데 ending creates a suspended, open sentence — something was wanted but circumstances prevented it, leaving the door open for the listener to respond. One of Korean's most useful conversational connectors.
가르쳐 드리다 (gareuchyeo deurida) — "teach [for you]": 드리다 is the humble form of 주다 (give) — used when the action benefits someone of higher or equal status. 가르쳐 주다 (teach someone, neutral) vs 가르쳐 드리다 (teach someone, polite/humble). The choice encodes respect.
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너 (neo) — IPA: /nʌ/ — Alveolar nasal + open-mid back unrounded /ʌ/. The ㅓ (eo) vowel is critical: it is not /ɔ/ (English "caught") and not /ɛ/ (English "bed") — it sits further back than both.
씨 (ssi) — IPA: /s͈i/ — The ㅆ is a tensed (fortis) consonant: /s͈/. Korean has three consonant series: aspirated (ㅅ /s/), lax, and tensed (ㅆ /s͈/). 씨 with tensed /s͈/ sounds more clipped than 시 with plain /s/.
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