Polite or Casual? When and How to Use It
In Korean, how you talk depends on who you’re talking to. Kids learning Korean get a fun challenge: learning to speak both politely and casually! These different ways of speaking are part of what makes Korean special.
Understanding Speech Levels
Korean has formal and informal speech levels. For example:
- 안녕하세요 (annyeonghaseyo) = Hello (polite)
- 안녕 (annyeong) = Hi (casual)
Kids use casual speech with friends, but polite words with teachers, parents, and new people.
Learning Through Play
Speech Switch Game
Create cards with phrases in both polite and casual forms. Kids take turns reading one and switching it to the other style.
Roleplay Café
Act out a pretend café where kids must use polite forms to order food—then try the same game with friends using casual forms!
With Dinolingo, kids aged 2–14 learn how to speak politely or casually with fun examples in stories, games, and videos. They can repeat phrases aloud and hear the difference in tone and structure.
Available on web, iOS, and Android, Dinolingo helps learners speak with confidence—and kindness!
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