Language/Korean/Culture/Korean-Etiquette

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Korean Culture → Korean Culture and Customs → Korean Etiquette

Korean etiquette is an integral part of Korean culture. It reflects the Confucian values that prioritize respect for hierarchy, family, and community. In this lesson, you will learn about bowing, showing respect, and other important cultural norms in Korea.

Take some time to dive into these other pages after completing this lesson: Korean Pottery & Korean Paper Crafts.

Bowing

Bowing is a common way of showing respect in Korea. We bow to greet people, as a sign of gratitude, and to apologize. There are different levels of bowing, depending on the situation and the status of the person you are bowing to. Here are some examples of how to bow in different situations:

Bow Type	Korean	English
Greeting Bow	절하다 (jeolhada)	A slight nod of the head and shoulders
Formal Bow	경례하다 (gyeongryehada)	A 30-degree bow, with the hands on the sides or in front of the body
Respectful Bow	인사하다 (insahada)	A 45-degree bow, with the hands clasped in front of the body
Deep Bow	최면하다 (choemyeonhada)	A 90-degree bow, with the hands on the sides or on the floor

It is important to note that bowing is not just a physical gesture, but also a way of showing respect and sincerity. When you bow, maintain eye contact and show a genuine attitude of respect.

Showing Respect

Respect is a core value in Korean culture. It is shown through our actions, words, and attitudes. Here are some ways to show respect in Korean culture:

Use honorifics: In Korean, there are different levels of politeness and formality, depending on the relationship between the speaker and the listener. Using honorifics (존댓말 jon-daet-mal) is a way to show respect and humility.
Offer food and drinks: When you have guests, it is customary to offer them food and drinks as a sign of hospitality and respect.
Use two hands: When you hand something to someone, or receive something from someone, use both hands as a sign of respect.
Use titles: In Korean, titles are used to address people of higher rank, age, or social status. For example, calling someone 선생님 (seonsaengnim) is a sign of respect for a teacher.

Other Important Cultural Norms

Along with bowing and showing respect, there are other cultural norms in Korean society that are important to know:

Removing shoes: In many Korean homes and traditional settings, shoes are not worn inside. Instead, they are placed outside the entrance or in a designated area inside.
Sitting position: In Korean culture, sitting cross-legged is considered impolite. Instead, sit with your legs bent to one side or both legs flat on the ground.
Gift-giving: In Korean culture, gift-giving is a way to show appreciation and respect. When visiting someone's home, bringing a small gift such as fruit, flowers or snacks is a common practice.
Age hierarchy: In Korean culture, age plays an important role in social interactions. Elders are shown great respect, and younger people are expected to use polite language and honorifics when speaking with them.

By understanding these cultural norms, you will be able to navigate social situations in Korea with confidence and respect.

Sources

Table of Contents - Korean Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Korean Alphabets

Greetings and Introductions

Korean Culture and Customs

Sentence Building

Daily Routine

Korean Pop Culture

Describing People and Things

Food and Drinks

Korean Traditions

Verb Tenses

Travel and Sightseeing

Korean Arts and Crafts

Conjunctions and Connectors

Health and Body

Korean Nature

Videos

Korean Etiquette and Manners - YouTube

12 Wacky Things Korean Culture - YouTube

Korean culture - How to be loved / Korean etiquette - YouTube

South Korean Business Culture – Top 5 Tips - YouTube

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