目錄
In Korean dramas, you often hear expressions such as “뭐 해?” “밥 먹었어?” and “같이 가자.” In Chinese, these are often grouped together under the general label “banmal.” But when you actually try to speak Korean, a problem quickly appears: can you really make a natural banmal sentence simply by removing 「요」 from the end?
The answer is not that simple. 「먹어요 → 먹어」 does work, but 「학생이에요」 becomes 「학생이야」, and if you want to change 「같이 갑시다」 into a casual “Let’s go together” between friends, you would normally say 「같이 가자」. Also, sentences without 「요」 do not all belong to the same grammatical speech level. 「먹어」 belongs to the everyday conversational 「해체」, while 「먹어라」, 「뭐 하냐?」, and 「같이 가자」 belong to 「해라체」.
In everyday Korean, 「반말」 is better understood as a broad concept referring to speech that does not use honorific treatment toward the listener, or that places the listener in a close or lower position. In grammatical analysis, however, forms still need to be divided into speech levels such as 「해체」 and 「해라체」. The National Institute of Korean Language also defines 「해체」 as an informal speech level that does not elevate the listener, while 「해라체」 is a more formal low speech level, so the two cannot simply be treated as identical.
What Is Korean 「반말」? Everyday Banmal Is Not Exactly the Same as Grammatical 「해체」
In everyday conversation, 「반말」 is usually contrasted with 「존댓말」. When meeting someone for the first time, you might say 「뭐 해요?」, but after becoming closer, that may change to 「뭐 해?」. Similarly, 「괜찮아요」 may become 「괜찮아」. These forms, which are very common in conversations between friends, mainly belong grammatically to 「해체」.
However, the range of 「반말」 is broader than 「해체」. Korean dictionaries explain 「반말」 in two ways: one refers to 「해체」 used in close relationships without especially elevating or lowering the listener, while the other broadly refers to speaking to someone as if they were a junior or younger person. (SLDict)
Therefore, all of the following sentences lack 「요」, but they cannot all be analyzed as the same speech level.
| Example | Grammatical Speech Level | Function | General Nuance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 뭐 해? | 해체 | Question | Everyday, close |
| 괜찮아. | 해체 | Statement | Everyday, close |
| 빨리 가. | 해체 | Request / command | Close, but can sound direct |
| 뭐 하니? | 해라체 | Question | Close, often toward younger people |
| 뭐 하냐? | 해라체 | Question | More direct |
| 빨리 가라. | 해라체 | Command | Clearly stronger |
| 같이 가자. | 해라체 | Suggestion | Let’s do it together |
The National Institute of Korean Language also clearly explains that 「-어」 belongs to 「해체」. In contrast, within 「해라체」, declaratives commonly use 「-다」, questions use forms such as 「-니」 and 「-냐」, commands use 「-아라／-어라」, and joint suggestions use 「-자」.
What Is the Difference Between 「해체」 and 「해라체」? 「해라체」 Does Not Mean “Command Style”
The name 「해라체」 easily makes learners think only of forms such as 「먹어라」 and 「가라」, leading them to interpret it as a “command speech level.” In reality, 「해라체」 is an entire listener-treatment system, not just a command form.
For example:
- 간다.：I’m going. / Goes.
- 가니?：Are you going?
- 가냐?：Are you going?
- 가라.：Go.
- 가자.：Let’s go.
All of these forms can appear within 「해라체」, but they have different sentence functions. 「가라」 is indeed a command, while 「가자」 is a joint suggestion, and 「가니?」 and 「가냐?」 are questions.
By comparison, 「해체」 is informal and does not elevate the listener, making it extremely common in conversations between friends. A form such as 「먹어」 can even express a statement, question, command, or suggestion depending on intonation and context. The National Institute of Korean Language also explains that 「-어」 can function as a declarative, interrogative, imperative, or propositive ending.
- Example: 나 지금 집에 있어.
Romanization: na ji-geum jib-e i-sseo.
Translation: I’m at home right now.
「있어」 is a declarative form in 「해체」 and is extremely common in text messages between friends. - Example: 지금 집에 있어?
Romanization: ji-geum jib-e i-sseo?
Translation: Are you at home right now?
The form is still 「있어」, but the sentence becomes a question through interrogative intonation. - Example: 조금만 기다려.
Romanization: jo-geum-man gi-da-ryeo.
Translation: Wait just a little.
This is also 「해체」, but here it functions as a request toward someone close.
What Are Common Korean 「반말」 Sentence Endings? Comparing 「-아/어, -야/이야, -니, -냐, -자」
These endings are often taught together in lessons on banmal, but they perform completely different grammatical jobs. 「-아/어」 mainly belongs to everyday 「해체」; noun predicates use 「-야／-이야」; 「-니」 and 「-냐」 are 「해라체」 question endings; and 「-자」 is a 「해라체」 joint suggestion ending.
| Form | Grammatical Classification | Main Function | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| -아/어 | 해체 | Statements, questions, requests, etc. | 먹어、괜찮아 |
| -야/이야 | 해체 | Noun predicate | 친구야、학생이야 |
| -니 | 해라체 | Question | 괜찮니? |
| -냐 | 해라체 | Question | 뭐 하냐? |
| -자 | 해라체 | Joint suggestion | 같이 가자 |
| -아라/어라 | 해라체 | Command | 먹어라、가라 |
How Is Korean 「-아/어」 Used? The Most Common Banmal Ending in Conversations Between Friends
「-아/어」 is the banmal form most worth learning first. It attaches directly to verb or adjective stems, and its conjugation rules are basically the same as 「-아요／어요」, except that the final 「요」 is not added.
Therefore:
- 먹어요 → 먹어
- 가요 → 가
- 좋아요 → 좋아
- 괜찮아요 → 괜찮아
- 해요 → 해
- 있어요 → 있어
However, “remove 요” should only be treated as a shortcut for understanding certain 「해요체 → 해체」 conversions. It cannot be used as a universal rule for turning all polite Korean into banmal.
「-아/어」 Usage ①｜Stating Facts and Conditions
- Example: 나 지금 집에 있어.
Romanization: na ji-geum jib-e i-sseo.
Translation: I’m at home right now.
「있어요」 becomes 「있어」 when changed into a close speech level. - Example: 오늘 진짜 바빠.
Romanization: o-neul jin-jja ba-ppa.
Translation: I’m really busy today.
The adjective 「바쁘다」 conjugates to 「바빠」 to directly describe the current condition. - Example: 이거 정말 좋아.
Romanization: i-geo jeong-mal jo-a.
Translation: This is really good.
「좋아」 is a very common short evaluation in conversations between people who are close.
「-아/어」 Usage ②｜Forming Questions Directly Through Intonation
One feature of 「해체」 is that the form itself may remain unchanged, with sentence-final intonation distinguishing a statement from a question.
- Example: 지금 뭐 해?
Romanization: ji-geum mwo hae?
Translation: What are you doing right now?
The form 「해」 is the same as in a declarative sentence, but rising sentence-final intonation turns it into a question. - Example: 밥 먹었어?
Romanization: bap meo-geo-sseo?
Translation: Have you eaten?
「먹었어」 can also simply mean “ate,” and it is the question mark and intonation that make it interrogative. - Example: 괜찮아?
Romanization: gwaen-chan-a?
Translation: Are you okay?
Among people who are close, this is commonly used to ask about someone’s physical condition, emotions, or current situation.
「-아/어」 Usage ③｜Making Simple Requests to Someone Close
「-아/어」 can also directly tell someone to do something, so banmal is not automatically non-commanding just because it sounds soft. The same 「기다려」 can sound caring or quite forceful depending on intonation.
- Example: 조금만 기다려.
Romanization: jo-geum-man gi-da-ryeo.
Translation: Wait just a little.
Natural between people who are close, but using it directly with a stranger can sound impolite. - Example: 천천히 먹어.
Romanization: cheon-cheon-hi meo-geo.
Translation: Eat slowly.
Between family members or friends, this can sound caring. - Example: 이것 좀 봐.
Romanization: i-geot jom bwa.
Translation: Take a look at this.
「좀」 can slightly soften the request, but it does not change the underlying banmal relationship setting.
How Do Korean Noun-Predicate Banmal Forms 「-야／-이야」 Work? Don’t Confuse Them With Name-Calling 「-아／-야」
There are two sets of forms that look very similar but have completely different functions.
The first is the noun-predicate 「-야／-이야」, meaning “is…”
- Noun without final consonant: N＋야
- Noun with final consonant: N＋이야
For example:
- 친구야：is a friend
- 의사야：is a doctor
- 학생이야：is a student
- 책이야：is a book
The National Institute of Korean Language also analyzes the 「-야」 in 「거야」 as a 「해체」 sentence-ending form corresponding to the polite 「거예요」.
How to Use Noun-Predicate 「-야／-이야」
- Example: 이 사람은 내 친구야.
Romanization: i sa-ram-eun nae chin-gu-ya.
Translation: This person is my friend.
「친구」 has no final consonant, so it takes 「-야」. - Example: 저 사람은 대학생이야.
Romanization: jeo sa-ram-eun dae-hak-saeng-i-ya.
Translation: That person is a university student.
「대학생」 has a final consonant, so it takes 「-이야」. - Example: 내일이 시험이야.
Romanization: nae-il-i si-heom-i-ya.
Translation: The exam is tomorrow.
「시험」 has a final consonant, so the noun predicate becomes 「시험이야」.
「-아／-야」 After a Name Is a Vocative, Not “Is…”
When directly calling the name of someone close, Korean uses a different vocative pattern:
- Name ending in a final consonant: Name＋아
- Name without a final consonant: Name＋야
For example:
- 지훈아：Jihun!
- 민석아：Minseok!
- 민지야：Minji!
- 수아야：Sua!
Therefore:
- 「민지야」 may mean “Minji!” as a direct form of address.
- 「학생이야」 means “is a student.”
The two uses of 「야」 look the same, but their grammatical functions are completely different.
- Example: 민지야, 여기 앉아.
Romanization: min-ji-ya, yeo-gi an-ja.
Translation: Minji, sit here.
Here, 「-야」 directly calls Minji’s name and is not a noun predicate. - Example: 지훈아, 밥 먹었어?
Romanization: ji-hun-a, bap meo-geo-sseo?
Translation: Jihun, have you eaten?
「지훈」 ends in a final consonant, so the vocative takes 「-아」.
Vocative 「-아／-야」 is highly sensitive to relationships. Even if the grammar is correct, you cannot automatically use it with someone you have just met simply because you know their name.
What Is the Difference Between Korean 「-니」 and 「-냐」? Comparing the Nuance of Two 「해라체」 Question Endings
「-니」 Usage｜Often Carries a More Caring, Confirming, or Familiar Nuance
「-니」 often appears when family members speak to children, teachers speak to students, older people speak to younger people, or between people who are already close. In many situations, it can sound softer than 「-냐」 and is frequently used when showing concern, but this is only a general tendency in actual usage. It does not mean that 「-니」 itself is polite speech.
Grammatically, 「-니」 still belongs to 「해라체」 and does not elevate the listener.
- Example: 오늘 바쁘니?
Romanization: o-neul ba-ppeu-ni?
Translation: Are you busy today?
It can carry a caring or confirming tone. - Example: 밥은 먹었니?
Romanization: bab-eun meo-geo-nni?
Translation: Have you eaten?
Very common in relationships such as older-to-younger or among family members. - Example: 요즘 잘 지내니?
Romanization: yo-jeum jal ji-nae-ni?
Translation: Have you been doing well lately?
Well suited to caring questions in familiar relationships, but not appropriate when speaking directly to an older person you have just met.
「-냐」 Usage｜A More Direct 「해라체」 Question Ending
「-냐」 is also an interrogative ending in 「해라체」, but in actual conversation it usually sounds more direct than 「-니」. It is frequently heard in Korean dramas during joking between friends, sibling relationships, superior-to-subordinate speech, or emotionally charged questioning.
This does not mean that 「-냐」 itself is profanity. Between very close people, 「뭐 하냐?」 can be completely ordinary conversation. But if used with a coworker you have just met, it can easily sound as though you are suddenly lowering the relationship too much.
- Example: 지금 뭐 하냐?
Romanization: ji-geum mwo ha-nya?
Translation: What are you doing right now?
Natural between people who are close, but overly direct when the relationship is not close enough. - Example: 너 오늘 학교 가냐?
Romanization: neo o-neul hak-gyo ga-nya?
Translation: Are you going to school today?
Whether this is appropriate depends on the relationship between the speakers. - Example: 왜 아직 안 자냐?
Romanization: wae a-jik an ja-nya?
Translation: Why are you still awake?
It can sound like affectionate concern or criticism depending on intonation.
What Is the Difference Between 「-니」 and 「-냐」? Don’t Memorize Them as the “Gentle Version” and the “Angry Version”
Reducing 「-니」 to “gentle” and 「-냐」 to “angry” is too simplistic. Both are 「해라체」 question endings, and neither elevates the listener. Their actual nuance also depends on age, relationship, intonation, region, and individual speech habits.
A useful initial comparison is:
| Comparison | -니 | -냐 |
|---|---|---|
| Grammatical classification | 해라체 question | 해라체 question |
| Common impression | More often caring or confirming | More easily sounds direct or questioning |
| Suitable for strangers | Usually no | Usually no |
| Suitable for a boss | No | No |
| Common drama situations | Family, older-to-younger | Joking between close people, hierarchy, questioning |
For example:
- 괜찮니?：Are you okay?
- 괜찮냐?：Are you okay?
The English translation is almost identical, but the character relationship and vocal delivery can be very different. If the relationship has not been established, 「괜찮아요?」 is the safest choice.
How Is Korean 「-자」 Used? It Means “Let’s Do It Together,” Not “You Do It”
「-자」 attaches to a verb stem and belongs to the joint-suggestion function of 「해라체」. It means that the speaker and listener will perform an action together.
- 가다 → 가자
- 먹다 → 먹자
- 공부하다 → 공부하자
- 쉬다 → 쉬자
The key point of 「-자」 is shared participation. Therefore, 「같이 가자」 means “Let’s go together,” while 「밥 먹자」 means “Let’s eat.”
- Example: 주말에 같이 밥 먹자.
Romanization: ju-mal-e ga-chi bap meok-ja.
Translation: Let’s eat together this weekend.
The speaker is included in the action of eating. - Example: 오늘은 일찍 자자.
Romanization: o-neul-eun il-jjik ja-ja.
Translation: Let’s go to bed early today.
Suitable between people who live together or jointly arrange their schedules. - Example: 다음 주에 다시 이야기하자.
Romanization: da-eum ju-e da-si i-ya-gi-ha-ja.
Translation: Let’s talk again next week.
Both parties agree to postpone the discussion.
「문 닫자」 and 「문 닫아」 Mean Different Things
「-자」 is not simply a softer way to give a command.
- 문 닫자.：Let’s close the door.
- 문 닫아.：Close the door.
- 문 닫아 줘.：Please close the door for me.
- 문 닫아 주세요.：Please close the door.
If you genuinely want only the other person to perform the action, 「-자」 is usually not used.
Is Korean 「반말」 Really Just Removing 「요」? Which Forms Can and Cannot Be Changed That Way?
Some 「해요체」 forms can indeed be understood by simply removing 「요」:
- 먹어요 → 먹어
- 좋아요 → 좋아
- 괜찮아요 → 괜찮아
- 해요 → 해
- 있어요 → 있어
But the following cannot be changed mechanically.
Noun Sentences Must Be Re-Conjugated
- 학생이에요 → 학생이야
- 친구예요 → 친구야
You cannot write:
❌ 학생이에
❌ 친구예
Joint Suggestions Must Change According to Their Intended Ending
- 같이 갑시다 → 같이 가자
- 같이 먹읍시다 → 같이 먹자
You cannot write:
❌ 갑시
❌ 먹읍시
Questions Do Not Have Only One Banmal Form
Depending on the relationship and nuance, “Are you going?” can appear as:
- 가?
- 가니?
- 가냐?
All three lack 「요」, but they do not belong to exactly the same speech level or carry the same nuance.
Can Korean 「반말」 Keep the Honorific Marker 「-시-」? Banmal Toward the Listener Does Not Mean Removing All Respect
This is another important point for understanding 「반말」. Korean listener honorification and subject honorification toward someone mentioned in the sentence are separate systems.
Even when speaking banmal to the listener, you can still use 「-시-」 or honorific verbs for a person who should be respected within the sentence.
For example:
- 할머니 주무셔?
Is Grandma sleeping?
「주무시다」 is the honorific verb corresponding to 「자다」 and expresses respect toward the grandmother. The sentence-final 「-어」 form 「주무셔?」, however, does not elevate the person listening to the sentence.
- Example: 할아버지 아직 주무셔?
Romanization: ha-ra-beo-ji a-jik ju-mu-syeo?
Translation: Is Grandpa still sleeping?
The honorific verb 「주무시다」 is used for Grandpa, while the speaker still maintains a banmal relationship with the listener. - Example: 선생님 오셨어?
Romanization: seon-saeng-nim o-syeo-sseo?
Translation: Has the teacher arrived?
「오셨어」 contains the subject honorific 「-시-」, but the sentence ending is still 「해체」.
This also shows that 「반말」 does not mean removing every honorific element from the sentence. It mainly concerns how the speaker treats the person currently listening.
What Does 「말 놓다」 Mean? When Do Koreans Start Using Banmal?
「말 놓다」 literally looks like “putting speech down,” but in actual usage it means changing from a more polite way of speaking into banmal. Even when two people are the same age, they do not necessarily use banmal from the first sentence after meeting. In real interaction, people often first confirm age or relationship, or one person may suggest 「말 놓을까요?」 or 「우리 말 놓자」.
- Example: 우리 동갑인데 말 놓을까요?
Romanization: u-ri dong-gap-in-de mal no-eul-kka-yo?
Translation: Since we’re the same age, shall we switch to banmal?
The speaker first asks politely whether they should change speech level, making the relationship shift clear to both sides. - Example: 이제 편하게 말해도 돼.
Romanization: i-je pyeon-ha-ge mal-hae-do dwae.
Translation: You can speak more casually now.
After switching into banmal, this can be used to indicate that the previous distance no longer needs to be maintained. - Example: 그럼 우리 말 놓자.
Romanization: geu-reom u-ri mal no-ja.
Translation: Then let’s switch to banmal.
「놓자」 itself uses the joint-suggestion ending 「-자」.
Complete Comparison of Korean 「반말」, 「해요체」, and 「해라체」
Both 「해요체」 and 「해체」 are informal speech levels. The difference is that the former elevates the listener, while the latter does not. 「해라체」 is a formal low speech level.
| Comparison | 해요체 | 해체 | 해라체 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevates listener | Yes | No | No |
| Formality | Informal | Informal | Formal |
| Common forms | 먹어요、괜찮아요 | 먹어、괜찮아 | 먹는다、먹니、먹냐、먹어라、먹자 |
| Conversation between friends | Possible, but with some distance | Extremely common | Some forms appear |
| First meeting | Usually safe | Usually too soon | Usually inappropriate |
| With a boss | Common | Generally avoided | Generally avoided |
| Main impression | Polite and natural | Close, everyday | Narrative, direct questions, commands, joint suggestions, etc. |
▌「해라체」 Is Not More Intimate Than 「해체」
Both 「뭐 해?」 and 「뭐 하냐?」 can occur between people who are very close, but it is incorrect to interpret 「하냐」 as more intimate than 「해」.
「뭐 해?」 is a neutral, everyday question among people who are close. 「뭐 하냐?」 adds the more direct quality of 「해라체」. The actual effect still depends on the relationship and intonation.
▌Using 「해요체」 Does Not Necessarily Mean the Relationship Is Distant
Coworkers, neighbors, and friends who first met as adults may continue using 「해요체」 even after knowing each other for years. Switching to banmal is not the only way to measure closeness.
Therefore, both “close relationship = must use 반말” and “not close = must use 존댓말” are oversimplifications. Speech level is only one part of how relationships are expressed.
How Do You Interpret the Nuance of 「반말」 in Korean Dramas? Don’t Look Only at Whether 「요」 Is Present
Korean dramas use sentence endings to make character relationships immediately audible. When the same pair of characters changes from 「괜찮아요?」 to 「괜찮아?」, you can usually hear the shift in distance. If someone who normally says 「뭐 해?」 suddenly says 「뭐 하냐?」, the change may signal joking, confrontation, or increased emotion.
Situation ①｜Friends Confirming Weekend Plans
A：토요일에 시간 있어?
to-yo-il-e si-gan i-sseo?
Are you free on Saturday?
B：응, 있어. 같이 영화 보자.
eung, i-sseo. ga-chi yeong-hwa bo-ja.
Yeah, I am. Let’s watch a movie together.
📌 Grammar Point: 「있어?」 is an everyday 「해체」 question, while 「보자」 is a joint suggestion in 「해라체」. Although both appear in the same conversation between friends, their grammatical classifications are not the same.
Situation ②｜Family Members Asking How Someone Has Been
A：요즘 많이 바쁘니?
yo-jeum man-i ba-ppeu-ni?
Have you been very busy lately?
B：응, 조금 바빠. 이번 주만 지나면 괜찮아.
eung, jo-geum ba-ppa. i-beon ju-man ji-na-myeon gwaen-chan-a.
Yeah, a little. I’ll be okay once this week is over.
📌 Grammar Point: 「바쁘니?」 uses a 「해라체」 question ending but can appear naturally in a caring family context. The following 「바빠」 and 「괜찮아」 return to everyday 「해체」.
Situation ③｜A More Direct Question Between Close Friends
A：너 어제 왜 연락 안 했냐?
neo eo-je wae yeol-lak an haet-nya?
Why didn’t you contact me yesterday?
B：미안해. 너무 늦게 끝났어.
mi-an-hae. neo-mu neut-ge kkeut-na-sseo.
Sorry. I finished too late.
📌 Grammar Point: 「했냐?」 sounds more direct than the ordinary 「했어?」. It can work naturally between close friends, but with a coworker you have just met, it can easily become an inappropriate interrogative tone.
Cultural Notes:
- 「반말」 does not mean that you can automatically use it simply because the other person is younger. Age does affect Korean speech levels, but first meetings between adults, workplace relationships, and formal settings are also influenced by position, familiarity, and personal preference.
- 「말 놓다」 itself is one way Koreans negotiate linguistic distance. When the relationship is still unclear, maintaining 「해요체」 first and switching only after both sides explicitly agree is usually safer than making the decision yourself.
- Banmal and subject honorification can coexist. In 「선생님 오셨어?」, the teacher is respected through 「-시-」, while the listener receives banmal through the 「-어?」 ending. This shows that Korean honorifics cannot simply be divided into whole sentences that “have honorifics” or “do not have honorifics.”
How Should Korean 「반말」 Be Compared With Japanese Plain Style?
Korean 「반말」 and Japanese plain style both vary according to the relationship between speaker and listener, age, and context. Functionally, 「뭐 해?」 and 「何してる？」 are indeed very similar between friends. However, 「반말」 is an everyday Korean concept describing listener treatment and interpersonal interaction, and the most common form in actual conversation is the informal non-honorific 「해체」. Japanese plain style, by contrast, is a sentence style opposed to the 「です／ます」 style. The National Institute of Korean Language explains 「해체」 as an informal speech level that does not elevate the listener and can broadly be used with people who might otherwise receive 「해라체」 or 「하게체」.
Japanese also requires distinguishing between plain style and plain form. Plain style refers to the overall speaking style of the sentence, while plain form refers to the forms of verbs, adjectives, or noun predicates used within sentences. Even when the overall sentence uses 「です／ます」, plain forms can still appear in noun-modifying clauses or before other grammar structures. Teaching materials from the Japan Foundation also treat polite style and plain style as two speaking styles selected according to interpersonal relationships and situation, so plain style cannot simply be interpreted as impolite Japanese.
◆ Similar Expression ①: Japanese Plain-Style Questions
Japanese plain-style questions usually do not use 「ですか／ますか」 and instead use plain forms with rising intonation. Korean 「해체」 also frequently uses endings such as 「-아／-어」 directly to form questions, so short questions between friends show many similarities.
- Example: 今、何してる？
Kana: いま、なにしてる？
Translation: What are you doing right now?
Corresponds to Korean 「지금 뭐 해?」. 「してる」 is a conversational contraction of 「している」 and, like Korean 「해?」, commonly appears between people who are close. - Example: 今日、何食べる？
Kana: きょう、なにたべる？
Translation: What are you going to eat today?
Corresponds to Korean 「오늘 뭐 먹어?」. Japanese directly uses the plain verb form 「食べる」 with rising intonation, while Korean uses the 「해체」 form 「먹어」 of 「먹다」. - Example: 明日も来る？
Kana: あしたもくる？
Translation: Are you coming tomorrow too?
Corresponds to Korean 「내일도 와?」. Neither sentence adds a polite sentence ending, and whether it sounds natural depends on the relationship between the speakers.
◆ Similar Expression ②: Japanese 「Noun / な-Adjective＋？」
In Japanese, affirmative plain-style noun and な-adjective predicates normally end in 「だ」, as in 「学生だ」 and 「大丈夫だ」. However, in everyday questions, 「だ」 is often omitted, leaving only the noun or な-adjective stem with interrogative intonation. Korean instead uses forms such as 「이야／야」 or 「-아／-어」 depending on predicate type.
- Example: 大丈夫？
Kana: だいじょうぶ？
Translation: Are you okay?
Corresponds to Korean 「괜찮아?」. Japanese omits 「だ」 and leaves only 「大丈夫」, while Korean uses the 「해체」 form 「괜찮아」 of the adjective 「괜찮다」. - Example: 明日、暇？
Kana: あした、ひま？
Translation: Are you free tomorrow?
Corresponds to Korean 「내일 한가해?」. In Japanese, 「暇だ」 commonly becomes simply 「暇？」 in casual questions between friends. Saying 「暇だ？」 can more easily sound masculine, directly confirmatory, or somewhat judgmental. - Example: あの人、学生？
Kana: あのひと、がくせい？
Translation: Is that person a student?
Corresponds to Korean 「저 사람 학생이야?」. Japanese noun questions can omit 「だ」, while Korean retains the banmal copular form 「이야」. Although the English meaning is the same, the predicate structures differ.
◆ Similar Expression ③: Japanese Volitional Form 「〜よう」
The Japanese volitional can express the speaker’s intention and can also suggest doing something together with the listener. When used as a joint suggestion, it is close to Korean 「-자」. In traditional grammatical classification, Korean 「-자」 belongs to the propositive function of 「해라체」, but it is also widely used in modern everyday banmal.
- Example: 一緒に行こう。
Kana: いっしょにいこう。
Translation: Let’s go together.
Corresponds to Korean 「같이 가자」. Japanese uses the volitional 「行こう」 of 「行く」, while Korean attaches 「-자」 to the verb stem 「가-」. - Example: 少し休もう。
Kana: すこしやすもう。
Translation: Let’s rest a little.
Corresponds to Korean 「좀 쉬자」. Both sentences place the speaker and listener inside the same action and are suitable for conversations between people who are close or of similar status. - Example: あとで話そう。
Kana: あとではなそう。
Translation: Let’s talk later.
Corresponds to Korean 「나중에 이야기하자」. This type of suggestion is not a command but an invitation for both people to accept an arrangement to talk later.
◆ Core Differences Between Korean 「반말」 and Japanese Plain Style:
Korean 「반말」 first concerns whether the listener is being elevated and whether the relationship permits the use of endings without 「요」. Everyday banmal mainly uses 「해체」, but actual conversations also include other non-honorific endings such as 「-자」 and 「-아라／-어라」, so 「반말」 cannot be equated with one single ending. Japanese plain style, meanwhile, is a sentence style opposed to polite style and appears not only in conversations between friends but also in diaries, novels, news writing, and explanatory prose. Plain forms are even broader and do not only appear at sentence endings. Even when speaking politely to a superior, plain forms may appear inside noun-modifying clauses or grammar constructions.
Both languages can also separate listener treatment from respect toward the person being discussed. A Korean banmal sentence can retain 「-시-」 or an honorific verb. For example, when speaking to a friend, 「선생님은 벌써 가셨어?」 uses the 「-어?」 ending without elevating the listener, while 「가셨어」 still respects the teacher. Japanese can similarly use respectful language inside plain style, as in 「先生はもうお帰りになった？」 when speaking to a friend. Therefore, using banmal or plain style does not mean that respect toward a third person must disappear. What needs to be judged is the listener relationship, the person being discussed, and the situation.
When you first start speaking Korean, the most practical approach is to become comfortable with 「해체」 forms in 「-아/어」, such as 「뭐 해?」「괜찮아?」「알겠어」「기다려」. Then add 「-야／-이야」 for noun sentences and 「-자」 for joint invitations. As for 「-니」「-냐」「-아라／-어라」, you need to consider not only their grammatical function but also the relationship between the characters. They should not be copied into every close relationship simply because you hear them frequently in Korean dramas.
FAQ
In everyday usage, 「반말」 usually refers to ways of speaking that do not use listener honorifics such as 「요」 or 「습니다」. More broadly, it can also refer to speech that lowers the listener as if speaking to someone younger or junior.
In grammatical analysis, however, 「반말」 cannot be equated with one single speech level, because forms commonly described as banmal in daily life may include both 「해체」 and some 「해라체」 forms.
Not exactly. 「해체」 is a grammatical listener-treatment speech level and belongs to the informal non-honorific style. 「반말」 is a broader everyday label.
「먹어」 and 「괜찮아」 are typical 「해체」 forms. However, 「뭐 하냐?」 and 「가자」 belong to 「해라체」 and may still be broadly described as banmal in everyday conversation.
Only for some forms.
「먹어요→먹어」 and 「좋아요→좋아」 can be understood directly that way, but 「학생이에요」 must become 「학생이야」, while 「갑시다」 changes to 「가자」 when turned into a casual joint suggestion between friends. Therefore, “remove 요” cannot be treated as a complete conjugation rule.
No. 「-아/어」 is a sentence ending in 「해체」 and can express statements, questions, commands, or joint suggestions depending on context.
For example, 「먹어」 can mean “Eat,” while 「먹어?」 can mean “Are you eating?” The actual function must be interpreted through intonation and context.
In broad everyday usage, both can be regarded as non-honorific forms. In precise grammatical classification, however, both are interrogative endings in 「해라체」, not 「해체」.
It should not be treated as an absolute rule. 「-니」 does often sound more caring or confirmatory in many situations, while 「-냐」 more easily sounds direct, but relationship, intonation, age, and speaking habits all affect the actual result.
Neither ending elevates the listener, so neither is appropriate as a basic question form toward strangers or superiors.
Because 「해라체」 is not a “command speech level.” It is an entire listener-treatment system. 「-자」 performs the joint-suggestion function within it, meaning “Let’s…”
For example, 「가자」 means “Let’s go,” and 「먹자」 means “Let’s eat,” with the speaker included in the action.
It can mean either, depending on sentence position.
In 「이 사람은 내 친구야」, 「친구야」 means “is my friend.” When someone directly calls out 「친구야!」, it may instead be a form of address. Name forms such as 「민지야」 and 「지훈아」 are vocatives and follow a separate 「-아／-야」 pattern.
Use 「-아」 when the name ends in a final consonant and 「-야」 when it does not.
For example, 「지훈아」「민석아」 end in final consonants, while 「민지야」「수아야」 do not. These are vocative forms and are grammatically different from noun predicates such as 「학생이야」「친구야」.
Not necessarily. Even if two adults are the same age, they often begin with 「해요체」 when first meeting. Later, they may confirm whether to switch through expressions such as 「말 놓을까요?」.
Actual usage depends on age, situation, organizational culture, and both speakers’ habits. Being the same age does not automatically mean switching to banmal.
No. Many coworkers continue using 「해요체」 even after working together for years. Polite Korean can become part of an established interaction style rather than simply signaling distance.
Therefore, “still using 요 = not close” is not a valid rule.
Yes. Using banmal toward the listener and respecting the subject inside the sentence are separate matters.
For example, in 「선생님 오셨어?」, 「-시-」 elevates the teacher, while 「-어?」 shows that the speaker is using banmal toward the listener. Korean honorifics cannot be judged only by whether the sentence ends in 「요」.
You can use it in a very close relationship, but it is not the best basic template for “What are you doing?”
The more neutral question among people who are close is 「뭐 해?」. 「뭐 하냐?」 carries a more direct quality and is also strongly affected by character personality and intonation.
Not necessarily, because 「같이 가요」 itself can function as a suggestion or statement depending on intonation.
If you clearly mean “Let’s go together,” then 「같이 가자」 is very natural between friends. But if you simply mean “go together,” the actual sentence form still depends on context and cannot be converted through a one-to-one sentence-ending replacement.
TOPIK does not classify 「반말」 as one fixed grammar level. Basic forms such as 「-아/어」 and 「-야/이야」 are introduced relatively early, while fully understanding the listener-treatment system of 「해체／해라체／해요체」, vocatives, and relationship-based usage requires more advanced pragmatic understanding of Korean.
In actual use, what matters more than test level is checking three things: who you are speaking to, whether both sides have agreed to use banmal, and whether the sentence is functioning as a statement, question, command, or joint suggestion.