Haeyo Korean › Guides

Korean guides

Short guides that answer one real question about Korean grammar, daily life in Korea, studying in Seoul, or raising children here — written by Haeyo Korean, a Korean school in Seoul.

• Korean -ㅂ니다 vs -아요: which ending to use, and where you hear eachSpeak with -아요/어요 almost always. Keep -(스)ㅂ니다 for formal moments, a self-introduction to a group or a presentation, and recognise it in announcements.5 November 2026
• When can I use 반말 in Korean? Casual speech, and who it is safe withUse 반말 only with close friends about your age, younger people you know well, and family, and only after they invite it. With everyone else, keep -아요/어요.4 November 2026
• Korean -아서/어서 vs -(으)니까 — which "because" to use, with one testBoth mean because. Use -(으)니까 when a suggestion, request or order follows; use -아서/어서 when you only report what happened, and in thanks and apologies.3 November 2026
• Korean daycare notebook (알림장): how to read it and write a replyThe 알림장 tells you how your child ate, slept and felt, and what to bring. Reply in two short lines: a thank-you and one fact about your child.2 November 2026
• Korean for exchange students: your first week in SeoulThe Korean an exchange student needs in the first week in Seoul: greeting staff, buying things, the transport card, a self-introduction and asking for help.2 November 2026
• Korean particles 은/는 vs 이/가 — the difference, with examples은/는 marks what a sentence is about or sets up a contrast; 이/가 marks new information and the answer to "who" or "what". Rules and examples.2 November 2026
• When to use 요 in Korean — the polite ending, and when to leave it offAdd 요 to the end of a sentence whenever you speak to someone you do not know well, someone older, or staff. Leave it off only with close friends and children.2 November 2026