Culture and context
Korean language and culture are inseparable. The Korean language encodes social relationships directly into its grammar through speech levels — there's literally no way to speak Korean without signalling your relationship to the person you're addressing. Understanding Korean culture isn't just about avoiding faux pas; it's about understanding how the language itself works.
Hierarchy and respect
Korean society is hierarchical. Age, seniority, and social position determine how people interact, including the language they use with each other. This isn't about formality for its own sake — it's the social fabric of Korean life. Understanding hierarchy helps you navigate relationships and choose appropriate speech levels:
- How you speak (speech levels)
- How you behave (showing deference)
- How you're addressed
Age matters
One of the first questions Koreans ask is age, to determine the appropriate speech level:
- Older person: Use formal/polite language
- Same age: Can use casual language after agreement
- Younger person: They should use polite language with you
Titles and names
- Use titles: 선생님 (seonsaengnim, teacher), 사장님 (sajangnim, boss)
- Add 씨 (ssi) after names for polite address
- Avoid using just first names with strangers
Speech levels
Korean has multiple speech levels built directly into verb conjugations. Choosing the right level isn't optional — every sentence you speak declares your perceived relationship with the listener. Using the wrong level can be offensive (too casual with superiors) or strange (too formal with friends):
| Level | When to use |
|---|---|
| Formal (합니다) | Business, presentations, strangers |
| Polite (해요) | Everyday situations, most contexts |
| Casual (해) | Close friends of same age, younger people |
When in doubt, use polite (해요) level.
Bowing
Like Japan, Korea has a bowing culture. The depth and duration of your bow communicates respect and the nature of the relationship. As a foreigner, you're not expected to bow perfectly, but making an effort shows respect:
- Light bow (15°): Casual greeting
- Standard bow (30°): Business greeting
- Deep bow (45°+): Apology or deep respect
Dining culture
Dining in Korea is deeply social. Meals are often shared from common dishes, and drinking culture is central to business and social relationships. The customs around who pours drinks, who starts eating, and how you receive a glass all reflect the hierarchical nature of Korean society.
At the table
- Wait for elders to start eating
- Don't pour your own drink; others pour for you
- Hold soju glass with two hands when receiving
- Turn away from elders when drinking
Drinking culture
- 건배 (geonbae) — Cheers
- Refusing drinks can be awkward; take a small sip
- 회식 (hoesik) — Company dinners are important
Business culture
Korean business culture combines elements of Confucian hierarchy with intense work ethic. Relationships matter — trust is built through shared meals and after-work socialising, not just contracts. Understanding nunchi (reading the room) is essential for navigating Korean business environments.
- Business cards: Present and receive with both hands
- 눈치 (nunchi) — Reading the room; social awareness
- Indirect communication is common
- Building relationships (관계, gwangye) takes time
Holidays
| Holiday | When |
|---|---|
| 설날 (Seollal) | Lunar New Year |
| 추석 (Chuseok) | Autumn harvest |
| 광복절 | August 15 (Liberation Day) |
| 한글날 | October 9 (Hangul Day) |
K-culture
Korean pop culture is a great learning resource:
- K-drama: Natural conversation practice
- K-pop: Vocabulary through lyrics
- Korean YouTube: Comprehensible input