How to Say You in Korean
Learn how to say you in Korean. '너' (neo) is casual, '당신' (dangsin) is formal, but Koreans often avoid 'you' entirely. Pronunciation guide and key usage rules.
Published · 2 min read · Free · No sign-up
Quick answer
The casual word for 'you' in Korean is '너' (neo, nuh), used only with close friends and people younger than you. The formal word '당신' (dangsin, dang-SHIN) exists but is rarely used in everyday speech — Koreans usually replace 'you' with the person's name plus a title, or drop it entirely.
너
/nuh/ — Korean
How to Say You in Korean
Saying “you” in Korean is trickier than in English. There is a word for it, but using it directly can sound rude. Understanding why Koreans avoid “you” is the key to sounding natural.
The Casual Phrase
너 — pronounced nuh
This is the everyday “you” — but only for close friends, siblings, or people younger than you. Among adults who aren’t close, it would sound too blunt.
Copy the Phrase
The casual Korean word for “you” is 너 (nuh). The formal word is 당신 (dang-SHIN), though it is rarely used in normal conversation.
Why Koreans Avoid ‘You’
In English, “you” is neutral and used constantly. In Korean, pointing the word “you” directly at someone — especially someone older or a stranger — can feel cold or confrontational. Korean culture emphasizes hierarchy and respect, so people sidestep “you” in three main ways:
- Use the name + a title: 민지 씨 (Minji-ssi) or 민지야 (Minji-ya, casual).
- Use a role or relationship term: 선생님 (teacher), 사장님 (boss), 오빠 (older brother, used by women).
- Drop it entirely: Since context usually makes the subject clear, the word for “you” is often simply left out.
Forms of ‘You’
| Korean | Romanization | Pronunciation | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 너 | neo | nuh | Casual — close friends, younger people |
| 너는 / 넌 | neoneun / neon | nuh-neun / nuhn | ”You” as the topic of a sentence |
| 네가 / 니가 | nega / niga | NEH-ga / NEE-ga | ”You” as the subject (doing the action) |
| 당신 | dangsin | dang-SHIN | Formal/distant; couples, poetry, ads |
| 자네 | jane | JA-neh | Older men addressing a younger adult man |
| 그대 | geudae | geu-DEH | Poetic/literary “you” (songs, poems) |
Note: in speech, 네가 is often pronounced 니가 (NEE-ga) to avoid confusion with 내가 (nae-ga, “I”).
Respectful Alternatives to ‘You’
| Korean | Romanization | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 선생님 | seonsaengnim | Teacher / sir (very respectful) |
| 사장님 | sajangnim | Boss / shop owner |
| 아저씨 | ajeossi | Mister (middle-aged man) |
| 아주머니 / 아줌마 | ajumeoni / ajumma | Ma’am (middle-aged woman) |
| [이름] 씨 | [name]-ssi | Mr./Ms. [name] (polite, peers) |
Pronunciation Tips
- 너 (neo) is one quick syllable: “nuh”. The Korean vowel ㅓ (eo) sounds like the “u” in “fun”, not like the English “o”.
- 당신 (dangsin): “dang” (rhymes with “song”) + “shin”. The “s” before “i” softens toward an “sh” sound.
- Korean has flat, even stress — resist the urge to stress one syllable hard the way English does.
Cultural Notes
For learners, the safest habit is to avoid 너 and 당신 with anyone you don’t know well, and instead learn the person’s name and the right title. Calling a stranger 당신 can even start an argument in Korean — it is the tone people slip into when they are angry. Mastering when not to say “you” is one of the clearest signs of cultural fluency in Korean.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say you in Korean?
Casually, 'you' is '너' (neo, nuh), used with close friends or younger people. The formal '당신' (dangsin, dang-SHIN) exists but is uncommon in normal conversation. In practice, Koreans usually address people by their name plus a title, or simply omit 'you' altogether because it is understood from context.
How do you pronounce 너 and 당신?
'너' (neo) is pronounced 'nuh' — a single short syllable with the 'eo' vowel sounding like the 'u' in 'fun'. '당신' (dangsin) is dang-SHIN, with 'dang' rhyming with 'song' and 'shin' like the English word 'shin'. Keep both syllables fairly even.
Why do Koreans avoid saying 'you'?
Directly calling someone 'you' can sound blunt or even rude in Korean, especially to elders or strangers. Instead, Koreans use the person's name with a title (like 'Minji-ssi'), a role (like 'teacher' or 'manager'), or family/age terms (like 'oppa' or 'unni'). Often the subject is just dropped because context makes it clear.
Is 당신 (dangsin) rude in Korean?
'당신' can sound distant or even confrontational when used directly with a stranger, so it is risky in casual speech. However, it is normal in specific contexts: between married couples (an affectionate 'dear'), in song lyrics and poetry, in written ads addressing the reader, and in formal questionnaires.
How do you say 'you' politely to someone older in Korean?
You generally do not use a 'you' word for elders. Instead, address them by title — '선생님' (seonsaengnim, teacher/sir), '사장님' (sajangnim, boss), or a family term like '아저씨' (ajeossi, mister) or '아주머니' (ajumeoni, ma'am). Using their name plus '-님' or '-씨' is also respectful.