나는
na-neun · literally “I (plain)”
Situation: Introducing yourself in a job interview: 'I'm Sophie, and I studied Korean education.'
✕ What AI tells you
Writes 나는 소피예요. 나는 한국어교육을 공부했어요, mixing plain 'I' with polite endings.
Why it fails: 나 is the plain 'I' for friends and juniors. With polite endings it sounds mismatched, and in front of an interviewer, boss or elder it comes across as not knowing your place. The humble 'I' is 저.
✓ What Koreans actually say
Whenever you speak with 요 or -습니다, use 저 (저는, 제가, 제). Use 나 (나는, 내가, 내) only in casual speech.
저는 소피라고 합니다.
jeo-neun so-pi-ra-go ham-ni-da
Formal self-introduction — interviews, first meetings
제가 하겠습니다.
je-ga ha-get-seum-ni-da
'I'll do it' to a boss — note 제가, not 내가
나는 괜찮아.
na-neun gwaen-cha-na
Casual, with a friend
Cultural nuance, in depth
Korean expresses respect not only by raising the listener but by lowering yourself. 저 is the humble 'I', and it comes with its own forms: 저는 (I), 제가 (I, as subject) and 제 (my). AI tools often keep 나 because it's the dictionary default, then add 요 at the end, producing a sentence that's half casual and half polite. The same logic gives 저희 ('we, humbly') for your team or family.
- #pronouns
- #honorifics
- #interview
More on workplace & hierarchy
- Workplace & Hierarchyv0.3
고마워요
go-ma-wo-yo · “Thanks”
AI gets it wrong:고마워요 is warm and polite between equals or toward someone younger, but to a superior it can sound a little casual, as if you're thanking a peer. 감사합니다 is the expected form upward.Say instead:도와주셔서 정말 감사합니다.See why → - Workplace & Hierarchyv0.1
김 씨
gim ssi · “Mr./Ms. Kim”
AI gets it wrong:씨 is polite only between equals or toward juniors. Surname + 씨 alone can even sound like you're addressing a laborer or a stranger you look down on. Superiors are called by their job title.Say instead:김 팀장님, 회의 자료 보내 드렸습니다.See why → - Workplace & Hierarchyv0.2
먹으세요
meo-geu-se-yo · “Please eat”
AI gets it wrong:For a handful of everyday verbs, Korean uses a completely different word for respected people. 먹으세요 to an elder sounds like a grammar exercise and can come across as impolite.Say instead:할머니, 맛있게 드세요.See why →