반말 (-아/어, -니/-냐?, -자, -(으)렴)Banmal (-a/eo, -ni/-nya?, -ja)
Intermediate 3 · #35Lesson 11: 컴퓨터와 인터넷 – Computers and the Internet

반말 (-아/어, -니/-냐?, -자) – Intimate / Informal Speech Style (Banmal)

Meaning: Intimate/casual speech used with close friends or younger people

Conjugation & Pattern

  • General statement / question / command: V/A + -아/어 (drop 요) | Noun: N + (이)야
  • Intimate question: V/A + -니? / -(으)냐? | N + (이)니? / (이)냐?
  • Propositive (Let's): V + -자 (e.g., 같이 가자!)
  • Command: V + -아/어라, -(으)렴 | Prohibition: V + -지 마(라)

Detailed Usage

The intimate/casual speech level (반말) used among same-age peers, close friends, or by elders speaking to children/younger relatives. Pronouns and vocatives also shift: 저 -> 나, 저희 -> 우리, 씨 -> 아/야, and 너 (you).

Example Sentences

  1. 1

    민수야, 어제 왜 우리 집에 안 왔어?

    Minsuya, eoje wae uri jibe an wasseo?

    Minsu, why didn't you come to my house yesterday?

  2. 2

    배고픈데 우리 지금 같이 밥 먹으러 가자.

    Baegopeunde uri jigeum gati bap meogeureo gaja.

    I'm hungry, let's go eat together right now.

  3. 3

    이번 주말에 시간 있니? 나랑 영화 보러 갈래?

    Ibeon jumare sigan inni? narang yeonghwa boreo gallae?

    Do you have time this weekend? Do you want to go see a movie with me?

Important Notes

Never use 반말 with strangers or elders without mutual agreement ('말을 놓다'). Note that the plain form ('-ㄴ/는다, -다') is also the standard style for TOPIK II essays, newspapers, and diaries.

Grammar Topics