Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| -씨 | -ssi | [ɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| -님 | -nim | |
| 미스터 | miseuteo | [misʰɯtʰʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
In Korean, titles like "Mr." are typically expressed as suffixes attached to a name rather than as a separate word before it. The transliterated 미스터 is primarily used in specific contexts like media or when referring to Westerners, rather than as a standard way to address Korean men.
Which one should you use?
-씨 is a standard suffix for addressing someone, whereas -님 is a more respectful and formal version often used in professional settings or to show higher social status. The word 미스터 is a dated transliteration of the English word "mister."
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -씨 is attached directly to a person's full name or given name to mean 'Mr.', 'Ms.', or 'Mx.'. The honorific term 선생님 can be translated as teacher or professor and is used to politely address male professionals like doctors or lawyers.
How do you pronounce it?
-ssi
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use -씨 with only a surname (e.g., Kim-ssi), which can sound condescending or rude in Korean. It is best used with a full name or a given name.
Did you know?
- The suffix -씨 is actually derived from the Hanja character 氏, which historically refers to a person's clan or surname.
- The term 선생님 is often used to address complete strangers on the street to be polite, regardless of whether they are actually teachers.
- The suffix -님 is so versatile that it can be attached to job titles or even corporate departments to turn them into a respectful way to address a group.
Examples in context
- 회장님, 시간 내주셔서 감사합니다.Mr. President, thank you for your time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mr.” translations and entries -씨, 미스터, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries -씨, 미스터, CC BY-SA 4.0.
