-요
"-yo (polite ending)"
Korean word for -yo (polite ending)
🙇Honorifics
Korean honorific expressions and politeness levels
Pronunciation Guide
-요[yo]
English Translation
-yo (polite ending)
Meaning & Usage
The most common polite sentence ending in Korean (해요체 / haeyo-che). Added to verbs and adjectives to show politeness. It's the middle level of formality — more polite than casual speech (반말) but softer than formal speech (-습니다).
Learning Tips
- 💡This is a common beginner-level word. Practice using it in daily conversations!
- 💡Particles are essential in Korean. They attach to nouns to show grammatical relationships.
- 💡Korean honorific expressions and politeness levels
Difficulty:Beginner (TOPIK 1-2)
Example Sentences
Beginner
You say "-요" to a teacher.
Intermediate
You should use "-요" when meeting someone for the first time.
Advanced
"-요" is an essential expression for showing politeness in Korea.
Master
Understanding the nuance of "-요" helps balance formality and familiarity appropriately.
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