존경합니다
jongyeonghamnida
In Korean, 'I respect you' is expressed as 존경합니다 (jongyeonghamnida).
존경합니다 is used to express respect toward another person. In Korean, the object 'you' is often omitted when it is clear from the context who is being respected.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the noun 존경 (respect) and the verb 하다 (to do) in its formal polite form.
Which one should you use?
While 존경합니다 is formal, 존경해요 is the polite-informal version used in everyday polite conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This form uses the –습니다 ending, making it highly formal and suitable for professional settings or speaking to someone of much higher social status.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is conjugated in the present tense. To say 'I respected you' (past tense), you would say 존경했습니다.
How do you pronounce it?
jongyeonghamnida
Did you know?
- Even if you use 존경합니다, you must avoid using the word 'you' (너 or 당신) to address the person, as using a direct pronoun can actually sound disrespectful.
- Using 존경합니다 toward a peer or a subordinate can sound sarcastic or overly dramatic, as the word is traditionally reserved for those with significantly higher status or great achievement.
- The root noun 존경 is composed of two Hanja characters meaning 'to honor' and 'to look up to', reflecting a vertical social structure where respect is viewed as looking upward.
Examples in context
- 선생님을 진심으로 존경합니다.seonsaengnim-eul jinsimeuro jongyeonghamnida.I sincerely respect you, teacher.
- 당신의 열정을 존경합니다.dangsin-ui yeoljeong-eul jongyeonghamnida.I respect your passion.
- 그분의 신념을 존경합니다.geubun-ui sinnyeom-eul jongyeonghamnida.I respect his convictions.
Example conversation
Subin tells her mentor Hyunwoo how much she admires him.
- 수빈 Su-bin현우 님, 정말 존경합니다.hyeonu nim, jeongmal jongyeonghamnida.Hyunwoo, I really respect you.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo그렇게 말씀해 주시니 감사합니다.geureoke malsseumhae jusini gamsahamnida.Thank you for saying that.
- 수빈 Su-bin많은 것을 배웠어요.manheun geoseul baewosseoyo.I have learned a lot from you.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo저도 수빈 씨를 응원합니다.jeodo subin ssireul eungwonhamnida.I am rooting for you too, Subin.
