B1 · Intermediate Chapter 17

Respectful Speech and Basic Quotes

4 Total Rules
41 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of respectful Korean speech and indirect communication with ease.

  • Elevate your subject particles to show deep cultural respect.
  • Identify objects and introduce people using natural quoting patterns.
  • Relay messages and gossip accurately using indirect speech.
Speak with respect, share with confidence.

What You'll Learn

Ready to level up your Korean and sound truly natural? This chapter is your secret weapon for navigating conversations with respect and confidence. You’ll dive deep into two essential honorific particles: 께서 (the polite version of 이/가) and 께 (the respectful alternative to 한테). Mastering these isn't just about grammar; it's about showing deep respect to elders, teachers, or your boss – a fundamental part of Korean culture that will instantly make your speech more authentic and appreciated. But we're not stopping there! You’ll also unlock the power of indirect speech. First, with (이)라고 하다, you’ll learn how to smoothly introduce yourself, politely state someone’s role, or name objects in a natural, conversational way. Imagine confidently introducing a new colleague to your Korean friends! Then, we tackle ㄴ/는다고 하다, which lets you report what others have said, thought, or even gossiped about – perfect for sharing stories or recounting advice. By the end, you won't just know the rules; you'll be able to speak with an intermediate fluency that honors Korean customs and makes your interactions richer and more meaningful. Let's make your Korean sound effortlessly polite and expressive!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use honorific particles to address elders and superiors.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Accurately report what others have said in formal contexts.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Ready to elevate your Korean grammar and speak with genuine respect and confidence? Welcome to a pivotal B1 chapter that unlocks the nuances of polite and indirect communication. In Korean culture, showing deference is paramount, and mastering honorifics isn't just about grammar rules; it's about connecting authentically. This chapter introduces you to essential particles like 께서, the polite form of 이/가, and 께, the respectful alternative to 한테/에게. These are your secret weapons for addressing elders, teachers, or superiors, instantly making your speech more natural and appreciated. Beyond honorifics, you'll dive into indirect speech, starting with (이)라고 하다 for smooth introductions and naming, then moving to ㄴ/는다고 하다 to report what others have said or thought. By the end, you won't just understand these concepts; you'll be able to wield them, transforming your Korean into a more sophisticated and culturally aware form of expression. This is a crucial step in achieving true intermediate fluency.

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces four powerful tools to refine your Korean grammar at the B1 level. First up are the honorific particles. 께서 is the honorific subject particle, replacing 이/가 when the subject of your sentence is someone deserving of respect, like an elder, a teacher, or a superior. For example, instead of "선생님이 오셨어요" (The teacher came), you'd say "선생님께서 오셨어요" (The teacher came, *respectfully*). Similarly, 께 is the honorific dative particle, replacing 한테/에게 when the indirect object of your sentence is someone you want to show respect to. So, you'd say "할머니께 편지를 썼어요" (I wrote a letter to grandmother, *respectfully*), rather than "할머니한테 편지를 썼어요."
Next, we explore ways to quote and report speech. (이)라고 하다 is a versatile expression used for quoting nouns or introducing names. You attach -이라고 하다 if the noun ends in a consonant (like 선생님이라고 하다 – to be called a teacher) and -라고 하다 if it ends in a vowel (like 김민수라고 하다 – to be called Kim Minsu). This is perfect for introductions: "저는 제임스라고 합니다" (My name is James). Lastly, ㄴ/는다고 하다 is your go-to for reporting what someone else *said* or *thought* (indirect speech) for verbs and adjectives. The form changes based on the type of word and tense. For present tense action verbs, use -는다고 하다 (e.g., "친구가 내일 온다고 했어요" – My friend said they would come tomorrow). For present tense descriptive verbs/adjectives, use -다고 하다 (e.g., "날씨가 춥다고 합니다" – They say the weather is cold). For past tense, it's -았/었다고 하다 (e.g., "선생님이 숙제를 다 했다고 하셨어요" – The teacher said they had finished the homework). Mastering these allows you to share information gracefully.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "할머니가 오셨어요."
✓ Correct: "할머니께서 오셨어요."
*Explanation:* When referring to an elder or someone deserving of high respect as the subject of a sentence, you must use the honorific subject particle 께서 instead of the standard 이/가.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "사장님에게 보고서를 제출했어요."
✓ Correct: "사장님께 보고서를 제출했어요."
*Explanation:* For the indirect object (the recipient of an action) who is a superior or deserves respect, the honorific dative particle 께 should be used instead of 한테 or 에게.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "이것은 카메라라고 합니다."
✓ Correct: "이것은 카메라라고 합니다."
*Explanation:* When using (이)라고 하다 to state what something is called, if the noun ends in a vowel, you attach -라고 하다. If it ends in a consonant, you attach -이라고 하다. In this case, "카메라" ends in a vowel.

Real Conversations

A

A

안녕하세요, 이분은 누구라고 하세요? (Hello, what is this person called?)
B

B

안녕하세요! 이분은 김 선생님이라고 하십니다. 제 한국어 선생님이세요. (Hello! This person is called Teacher Kim. She is my Korean teacher.)
A

A

어머니께서 뭐라고 하셨어요? (What did your mother say?)
B

B

어머니께서 날씨가 많이 춥다고 하셨어요. 따뜻하게 입으래요. (My mother said the weather is very cold. She told me to dress warmly.)
A

A

할아버지께 생신 선물을 드렸어요? (Did you give a birthday present to grandfather?)
B

B

네, 어제 할아버지께 직접 드렸어요. 할아버지께서 정말 좋아하셨어요. (Yes, I gave it to grandfather directly yesterday. Grandfather really liked it.)

Quick FAQ

Q

Can I use 께서 for my friends or younger siblings?

No, 께서 is strictly for individuals you need to show high respect to, such as elders, teachers, or superiors. Using it for friends or younger people would sound unnatural or even sarcastic.

Q

What's the main difference between 한테 and 께?

Both mean "to" or "from" (in some contexts), but 께 is the honorific form used when the recipient of the action is someone you respect. 한테 is used for people of equal or lower status, or informally.

Q

How do I use (이)라고 하다 to introduce myself in a formal setting?

You would say "저는 [Your Name]이라고 합니다." For example, "저는 이민준이라고 합니다." The -습니다/ㅂ니다 ending makes it formal.

Q

Does ㄴ/는다고 하다 change based on politeness levels?

Yes, the 하다 part of ㄴ/는다고 하다 will change according to the politeness level you're using. For example, "한다고 해요" (polite), "한다고 합니다" (formal polite), "한다고 해" (informal). The reported part (ㄴ/는다고) remains the same.

Cultural Context

Mastering honorifics like 께서 and 께, alongside indirect speech, is foundational for navigating Korean social dynamics. In a culture deeply rooted in hierarchy and respect for elders and authority, using these forms correctly is not just good Korean grammar; it's a sign of good manners and cultural understanding. Failing to use honorifics when appropriate can be perceived as rude or disrespectful, while using them correctly instantly builds rapport. Indirect speech (ㄴ/는다고 하다, (이)라고 하다) also plays a role in softening statements or relaying information without being overly direct, which can be a valuable communication strategy in many situations. It demonstrates a level of social awareness that will make your interactions richer and more meaningful.

Key Examples (8)

1

`할머니께서` 공원에 가세요.

Grandmother is going to the park.

Honorific Subjects: 께서 (the polite version of 이/가)
2

`선생님께서` 숙제를 내주셨어요.

The teacher gave us homework.

Honorific Subjects: 께서 (the polite version of 이/가)
3

I wrote a letter to my grandmother.

I wrote a letter to my grandmother.

Honorific Particle 'To' (께)
4

I sent the report to the CEO.

I sent the report to the CEO.

Honorific Particle 'To' (께)
5

제 이름은 `지민이라고 해요`.

My name is Jimin.

Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)
6

이 음식은 `비빔밥이라고 합니다`.

This food is called Bibimbap.

Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)
7

민수는 오늘 바쁘다고 해요.

Minsu says he is busy today.

Saying 'He Said That...': Indirect Speech (ㄴ/는다고 하다)
8

제니가 한국에 간다고 했어요.

Jennie said she is going to Korea.

Saying 'He Said That...': Indirect Speech (ㄴ/는다고 하다)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Check the verb

Always check if the verb is honorific.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Honorific Subjects: 께서 (the polite version of 이/가)
💡

Verb Pairing

Always pair 께 with honorific verbs like 드리다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Honorific Particle 'To' (께)
💡

Check the last letter

Always look at the last letter of the noun. Consonant = -이라고, Vowel = -라고.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)
💡

Subject Change

Always remember to change 'I' to 'he/she' when reporting.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'He Said That...': Indirect Speech (ㄴ/는다고 하다)

Key Vocabulary (5)

선생님 (seonsaengnim) teacher 말씀하시다 (malsseumhasida) to speak (honorific) 이름 (ireum) name 드리다 (deurida) to give (honorific) 전하다 (jeonhada) to relay/convey

Real-World Preview

graduation-cap

Meeting the Professor

Review Summary

  • Noun + 께서
  • Noun + 께
  • Noun + (이)라고 하다
  • Verb + ㄴ/는다고 하다

Common Mistakes

You must use the honorific subject particle 께서 when the subject is a superior.

Wrong: 선생님이가 오셨어요.
Correct: 선생님께서 오셨어요.

Use 께 and the honorific verb 드리다 for superiors.

Wrong: 사장님한테 서류를 줬어요.
Correct: 사장님께 서류를 드렸어요.

Remember to use polite endings when reporting speech in formal settings.

Wrong: 그는 간다고 말했다.
Correct: 그가 간다고 했습니다.

Next Steps

You are doing incredible work. Keep practicing these honorifics and you will sound like a native in no time!

Practice introducing family members to a mock-teacher.

Continue to: Relaying Complex Messages and Rumors

Quick Practice (10)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

민수가 먹는다고 했다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 먹는다고 하셨어요.
Honorifics needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'He Said That...': Indirect Speech (ㄴ/는다고 하다)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

의사이라고 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: All are correct
The original had an extra '이'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 예쁘다고 했어요.
Adjectives don't take -는.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Saying 'He Said That...': Indirect Speech (ㄴ/는다고 하다)

Fill in the correct particle.

이것은 사과___ 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 라고
사과 ends in a vowel.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 학생이라고 해요
학생 ends in a consonant.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)

Fill in the blank.

그는 ___라고 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님
Must be a noun.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)

Fill in the correct particle.

선생님___ 선물을 드려요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 께
Teacher is a superior.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Honorific Particle 'To' (께)

Fill in the particle

선생님___ 오십니다.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 께서
Teacher is a superior.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Honorific Subjects: 께서 (the polite version of 이/가)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 드려요
Correct particle and verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Honorific Particle 'To' (께)

Identify the usage.

What does '이것은 김치라고 해요' mean?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: This is Kimchi.
It reports the name.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Introductions & Quoting Nouns (이/라고 하다)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, absolutely.
No, 께 is for superiors. Use 한테 for friends.
The sentence will sound unnatural. Always use 드리다.
You add '이' only when the noun ends in a consonant to make it easier to pronounce.
No, this is for nouns. For verbs, use -다고 하다.
Usually no, it's for reporting others. Use it for yourself only if you are quoting your own past statement.
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Relaying Complex Messages and Rumors
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