당신
dangsinequal, polite
The Korean word for "you" is 당신 (dangsin), used between equals, while 너 (neo) is for close friends and younger people. North Koreans also address people as 동무 (dongmu), meaning comrade or friend.
Meaning: second person pronoun (pronoun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 당신 | dangsin | equal, polite |
| 너 | neo | casual, close or younger |
| 동무 | dongmu | comrade, North Korea |
Koreans often avoid "you" altogether and use a name with a title, such as 선생님 (seonsaengnim) for a teacher. Using 당신 to a stranger can sound too direct.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korea 동무 is an ordinary form of address between people, and it is used to mean both "friend" and "comrade". In the South the word is dated and now sounds like a northern term.
How does it change in a sentence?
Korean drops pronouns whenever the meaning is clear. A sentence like 사랑해요 needs no word for "you" at all.
Did you know?
- In Korean, 당신 (dangsin) is also how some married couples address each other.
Examples in context
- 당신은 어디서 왔습니까?dangsineun eodiseo watseumnikka?Where are you from?
- 너도 같이 가자.neodo gachi gaja.You come along too.
- 동무, 이리 오시오.dongmu, iri osio.Comrade, come here.
Example conversation
Cheol-ho asks a new friend, Dong-su, a question on the street.
- Cheol-ho동무, 어디로 갑니까?dongmu, eodiro gamnikka?Friend, where are you going?
- Dong-su도서관에 갑니다.doseogwane gamnida.I am going to the library.
- Cheol-ho나도 같이 가겠습니다.nado gachi gagetseumnida.I will go with you.
