Korean
language , like the Japanese , has a complex system of honorifics in the form
of a short word , placed on the end of names or pronouns, that indicates the
relative ages and social status of the speakers .
The
correct use of this “honorifics” is very important for Koreans , and the
wrong honorific may cause offence .
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Some of the most used honorifics are:
Ssi ( 씨 ) - is it very commonly used . You will hear it a
lot. It is used amongst people of approximately equal speech level (this including age and status).
It is attached at the end of the full name, or simply after
the first name, if the speaker is more familiar with someone. Don’t append it to surname only , cause it
could sound quite rude, as it indicates the speaker considers himself to
be of a higher social status than the person referred to.
Gun/Yang ( Gun 군) is used rarely on very formal
occasions, such as weddings, to address a male only. Yang (양)
is the female equivalent of 군. Both are used in a similar
way to Ssi, succeeding name of a person .
Seonsaeng (선생) – it is directly translated
as "teacher", but it
has much more formality and is
used to show respect to the one
you address .
Gwiha (귀하) used mostly in formal letters, usually by a company to a client. ( so it is rare to hear it around )
Gakha (각하) is used only in extremely
formal occasions, usually when addressing presidents and monarchs.
Seonbae (선배 ) is used to address
senior colleagues or mentor figures . Used in a company for senior employees, or in schools for
those in higher classes. May be used as both an honorific and a title .
Hubae (후배) is
used to refer to juniors. However, the term is not normally addressed to them
directly, and is mainly used in the third person.
More useful words are - Mr. - "Ajeossi" ( middle aged
man ) , Miss . -
"Agasse" ( unmarried women , young lady ) , Mrs - " Ajuma" (
married women , older women )
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