Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 당신 | dangsin | [ta̠ŋɕʰin] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 너 | neo | [nʌ̹] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 네 | ne | [ni] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ne̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
|
| 자네 | jane | [t͡ɕa̠ne̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 그대 | geudae | [kɯdɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [kɯde̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
formal, literary, poetic |
| 동무 | dongmu | [to̞ŋmu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | North Korea |
The words in this group function as subject pronouns to address the person being spoken to. Adding the honorific suffix 님 after a person's name or title shows great respect and using 씨 after a person's name is a common way to show respect.
Which one should you use?
너 is strictly used with people of equal or lower social status, such as close friends or younger people. 자네 is a way for an older person of higher status to address a younger person of relatively high status, such as a teacher to a student or a boss to a subordinate. 그대 is a highly stylized, romantic or literary way to say 'you' and is rarely used in daily conversation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When addressing friends, peers or individuals younger than you, it is common to use 너 in informal settings. 그대 is used in formal, literary or poetic contexts. While 당신 directly translates to 'you,' it is considered quite formal and can sound distant or even rude in some situations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
동무 is a form used in North Korea.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 네 is the possessive form of the informal 너 (you), meaning 'your'. The plural form 'you all' is created by adding the suffix 희 to the informal 너, resulting in 너희.
How do you pronounce it?
dangsin
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 당신 to be polite to strangers, but in many contexts, it can actually sound confrontational or overly intimate.
Did you know?
- Because Korean culture places such high importance on social hierarchy, people often avoid using any direct word for 'you' entirely, opting to use the listener's title or name instead.
- The word 당신 is a Sino-Korean term that literally means 'aforementioned body'.
- The word 동무, used in North Korea for 'you' or 'comrade', carries a political weight that makes it rare and culturally distinct from the terms used in South Korea.
Examples in context
- 너 없인 못 살아.I can't live without you.This sentence uses 너.Tatoeba #6820076 by yesjustryan, translation #237738 by CK
- 난 네 뒤에 있어.I'm behind you.This sentence uses 네.Tatoeba #11156750 by Eunhee, translation #6626911 by Schuager
- 너희 둘 다 맞다.Both of you are right.Tatoeba #11597096 by cherryband, translation #2507034 by CK
- 홍길동씨Mr./Ms. Hong Gildong (Respectful)
- 안녕, 너 어디 갔어?Hi, where did you go?
- 당신은 내 전부예요.You are my everything.
- 506 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is having a polite, slightly formal disagreement in a cafe.
- 지은 Ji-eun당신, 대체 무슨 말을 하는 거예요?dangsin, daeche museun mareul haneun geoyeyo?You, what on earth are you saying?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo미안해요, 제가 너무 감정적이었어요.mianhaeyo, jega neomu gamjeongjeogieosseoyo.I'm sorry, I was too emotional.
- 지은 Ji-eun당신을 믿었는데 정말 실망했어요.dangsineul mienneunde jeongmal silmanghaesseoyo.I trusted you, and I am really disappointed.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다시는 그런 일 없게 할게요.dasineun geureon il eopge halgeyo.I will make sure that never happens again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “you” translations and entries 당신, 너, 네, 자네, 그대, 동무, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 너, 네, 당신, 자네, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
