When to use formal vs informal in spoken Korean (나는 vs 저는)
안녕하세요 여러분 !!
I understand when to use informal/formal in other languages (french and spanish) because it is simpler, but for Korean informal/formal along with honorifics confuse me. Can someone please explain if I were to introduce myself, when would I use 나는 vs 저는?

Thank you in advance! 감사합니다 !!

Question

When to use formal vs informal in spoken Korean (나는 vs 저는)
안녕하세요 여러분 !!
I understand when to use informal/formal in other languages (french and spanish) because it is simpler, but for Korean informal/formal along with honorifics confuse me. Can someone please explain if I were to introduce myself, when would I use 나는 vs 저는?

Thank you in advance! 감사합니다 !!

Answer

thank you! I understand it better now :)

Answer

If you meet someone for the first time or usually if the person is older that you, we use formal language (called 존댓말). When you know the person is same age (like in your school classes) then we use 반말 (informal). In Korea the ages are really important, which is a bit stupid in my opinion. 
When you introduce yourself we usually speak 존댓말 because most of cases would be that you meet the person for the first time! 
I hope it helps you!

Answers · 2

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