Politeness in Depth · Lesson 5 of 6

What to Call People

Korean barely says “you” — learn the names, titles, and warm terms that take its place.

11 min

Here's something that surprises every learner: Korean barely uses the word “you.” Saying 당신 to a stranger sounds cold or even confrontational. So what do Koreans say instead? Names, titles, and warm relationship words.

Avoid 당신

당신 (“you”) shows up in song lyrics, ads, and between spouses — but pointed at a stranger it feels wrong. To get someone's attention, you already have the perfect tool: 저기요 (from Course 2). To refer to them, use a name or title.

~씨 and ~님

민수 씨

Minsu ssi

Minsu (Mr./Ms.)

~씨 attaches to a name — friendly-polite among peers and coworkers. Use the given name + 씨 once you know someone.

선생님 · 사장님 · 손님

seonsaengnim · sajangnim · sonnim

teacher · boss/owner · customer

~님 is the respectful suffix. 선생님 also politely addresses any adult you respect.

팁

A handy real-world tip: in shops and restaurants you can call the owner 사장님 and a taxi driver 기사님. Titles + 님 are warm, safe, and everywhere. (Skip ~씨 for someone clearly senior — use a title instead.)

The warm kinship terms

Koreans use family words for non-family all the time — they signal closeness and warmth. Worth recognizing even before you use them:

오빠oppaa woman's older malebrother / close older guy

언니eonnia woman's older femalesister / close older woman

형hyeonga man's older malebrother / close older guy

누나nunaa man's older femalesister / close older woman

And for friendly middle-aged strangers — a shop's owner, a market vendor — you'll hear 이모 (auntie), 아주머니/아줌마 (ma'am), and 아저씨 (sir). Warmth, built right into the words.

Try it

You want to call the restaurant owner over. What's a warm, safe option?Show answer

저기요! or 사장님! — both work; 사장님 (owner + 님) is especially friendly.

Why shouldn't you call a stranger 당신?Show answer

It sounds cold or confrontational. Use 저기요 to get attention, and names or titles to refer to people.

What you just learned

Avoid 당신 for strangers; use 저기요 plus names and titles.
~씨 (peers, with a name) and ~님 (respectful: 선생님, 사장님, 손님).
Kinship terms — 오빠/언니/형/누나, 이모/아저씨 — carry warmth.

Quick check

Did it stick?

Three quick questions — instant answers, no grades, no pressure.

1.Why avoid calling a stranger 당신?

2.The respectful suffix in 선생님 and 사장님 is…

3.오빠, 언니, 형, 누나 are…

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Want the why behind the words?

The reading path explains the culture and logic that make Korean click — a perfect companion to these lessons.

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