Korean is the official language of both South Korea and North Korea and is also spoken by millions in overseas Korean communities worldwide. With over 75 million native speakers, it is one of the most widely spoken languages in East Asia. The language is part of the Koreanic language family, and while its origins are debated, it has distinct features that set it apart from neighboring languages like Chinese and Japanese.
A defining characteristic of Korean is its complex system of honorifics and speech levels. Depending on the social context, speakers choose different verb endings and vocabulary to show respect to their interlocutors. For example, the way you speak to a close friend may be entirely different from how you address a teacher or a senior colleague. Understanding these speech levels is crucial for effective communication in Korean society.
