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Korean Grammar Patterns
압존법
Meaning
Suppressed honorifics
How to use it
압존법 suppresses honorifics toward your own superior when speaking to someone even higher. Traditionally, to your grandfather you say 아버지가 왔습니다 (no 시) because father ranks below grandfather. Modern usage increasingly tolerates the 시, but it is still expected within the family and military.
Only applies within in-group hierarchy (family, company).,Outside listeners do not trigger 압존법.
Examples
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 할아버지, 아버지가 왔습니다. harabeoji, abeojiga watsseumnida. | Grandfather, Father has come. (no 시 toward father) |
| 사장님, 김 과장이 보고했습니다. sajangnim, gim gwajangi bogohaetsseumnida. | President, Manager Kim reported. (Kim lowered before president) |
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