Easy Korean Level 4 - Unit 5: "당신" and "you" / 당신

In English, the word "you" is used constantly, regardless of who you are talking to. However, in Korean, directly translating "you" and using it in conversations can cause awkwardness or even sound rude.

In this lesson, we will talk about the word 당신 (dang-sin) and how to properly say "you" in Korean.

What is 당신?

The dictionary translation for "you" is 당신. However, its usage is very restricted. You should only use 당신 in the following situations:

1. Between married couples: Husbands and wives often call each other 당신 (meaning "dear" or "honey").
2. When you are angry: If you are fighting with someone you don't know well and want to be confrontational, you might say "당신이 뭔데?" (Who do you think you are?).
3. In songs, poetry, and literature: It's used as a romantic or poetic "you".
4. When addressing an anonymous reader/listener: In advertisements, documentaries, or speeches.

If you say "당신은 한국 사람입니까?" to a stranger, it sounds quite confrontational or very unnatural!

How to say "you" properly

So, what should you do instead?

1. Drop the pronoun completely. Korean is a pro-drop language. If the context is clear, just omit "you." - 밥 먹었어요? (Did [you] eat?) - 어디 가요? (Where are [you] going?)

2. Use the person's name + title. This is the most common way to address someone. - -씨 (Mr./Ms.): 수진 씨, 언제 올 거예요? (Sujin, when are [you] coming?) - Job Titles: 선생님 (Teacher), 사장님 (CEO/Boss), 기사님 (Driver). - 선생님, 이거 어떻게 해요? (Teacher, how do [you/I] do this?)

3. Use kinship terms. Even if you aren't related, Koreans use family terms affectionately. - 누나/언니 (older sister), 형/오빠 (older brother), 아줌마 (middle-aged woman), 아저씨 (middle-aged man).

4. Use 너 (neo) with close friends. In casual, informal speech (반말) with close friends or people younger than you, you can use 너. - 너 오늘 바빠? (Are you busy today?)