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Korean Honorifics Checker

See common verbs in 반말, 해요체 and 합니다체 — and when to use each.

Quick answer

What are the Korean speech levels (존댓말 vs 반말)?

Korean changes verb endings by how polite you need to be. 반말 is casual (close friends), 해요체 is everyday polite (the safe default), and 합니다체 is formal (business, strangers). The same verb 가다 becomes 가 / 가요 / 갑니다. Shadola's free checker shows common verbs in all three levels with audio so you pick the right one.

반말Casual
Close friends, younger people, family
해요체Polite
Everyday polite — the safe default
합니다체Formal
Business, presentations, strangers
가다to go
먹다to eat
하다to do
보다to see / watch
오다to come
있다to be / have
좋다to be good
마시다to drink
읽다to read
감사하다to thank
알다to know
만나다to meet

Tip: when unsure, use 해요체 (polite). It's appropriate in almost every everyday situation.

Free — common verbs in all three levels, with audio and a usage guide.Pro — conjugate any verb, check a full sentence, and drill honorific endings.
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