니다
nida
니다 (nida) is a formal sentence ending in Korean used to show respect to the listener.
This ending is used to complete formal declarative sentences.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
This is the highest level of formal politeness and is commonly heard in news broadcasts, military settings and business presentations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The ending 니다 is attached to a verb stem to form declarative sentences. In the same formal register, the question form is expressed using -습니까?
How do you pronounce it?
nida
Did you know?
- The 니다 style is so distinct that it is often used by fictional characters in Korean dramas who are robots, AI, or extremely rigid perfectionists to signal their lack of human warmth.
- Using 니다 when speaking to a child or a pet is a common way for Korean adults to play a 'role-play' game, pretending the child is a formal superior.
- While it is a polite ending, using 니다 with close friends or family can actually make you sound strangely distant or even sarcastic, as if you are treating them like strangers in a business meeting.
Examples in context
- 안녕하세요, Nida님.Hello, Nida.
- Nida님은 어디서 왔어요?Where are you from, Nida?
- 저는 Nida님과 함께 일하고 있어요.I work with Nida.
