English to Korean Formal vs Polite — Emails, Chats, and Phrases That Sound Right
Searches for "english to korean formal" and "english to korean polite" are usually from people writing to a boss, client, professor, or new coworker. The wrong tone can make you sound either too stiff or strangely casual. Use this quick guide to pick the right level before you hit send.
Why Tone Decides Whether Your Korean Sounds Professional
- Korean shifts formality by verb endings, not just vocabulary. The same English sentence has multiple correct Korean outputs.
- Tone is interpreted as intent. 격식체 signals respect and distance; 존댓말 signals warmth and respect; 반말 signals intimacy. Mixing them confuses readers.
- Algorithms often guess incorrectly. Write the English draft, pick the correct tone, and translate with the homepage tool so the tone is chosen up front.
The Two Tones You Actually Need (for Work and School)
Polite Korean (존댓말)
- Everyday professional tone; warm but respectful
- Ends with "-요" (e.g., 부탁드려요)
- Good for coworkers, customers, and anyone you don't know well
Extra Formal Korean (격식체)
- Executive tone; crisp and serious
- Ends with "-습니다 / -합니다" (e.g., 부탁드립니다)
- Good for executives, VIP clients, professors, formal letters
Ready-to-Use English → Korean Lines
| Situation | Polite Korean | Extra Formal Korean |
|---|---|---|
| "Thank you for your help." | 도와주셔서 감사해요. | 도와주셔서 감사합니다. |
| "I attached the file." | 파일을 첨부했어요. | 파일을 첨부했습니다. |
| "Please review and let me know." | 검토해 보시고 알려주세요. | 검토해 주시고 알려주시기 바랍니다. |
| "May I call you tomorrow?" | 내일 전화드려도 될까요? | 내일 전화드려도 되겠습니까? |
Copy these into our translator at translateenglishtokorean.com and toggle "Polite" vs "Formal" to adapt any other line in seconds.
Quick Decision Rules (60-Second Checklist)
1) New coworker or customer support? → Start Polite.
2) CEO, investor, professor, government? → Start Extra Formal.
3) Unsure? → Send Polite first. If they reply with 격식체, mirror it.
4) Sensitive topics (performance review, apology, deadline push)? → Lean Extra Formal first.
5) Switching context mid-thread (moving from small talk to contract terms)? → Step up to Extra Formal for the business portion.
Short Templates You Can Personalize
Work check-in (Polite)
안녕하세요. 공유드린 자료 확인하셨을까요? 추가로 필요한 것이 있으면 알려주세요.
Work check-in (Extra Formal)
안녕하십니까. 공유드린 자료 검토해 주셨는지요. 추가 요청 사항이 있으시면 말씀해 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
Deadline nudge (Polite)
합의한 일정에 맞춰 진행 중인지 확인드려요. 도움이 필요하시면 말씀해주세요.
Deadline nudge (Extra Formal)
합의된 일정에 맞춰 진행되고 있는지 확인드립니다. 지원이 필요하시면 알려주시면 즉시 대응하겠습니다.
Phrases to Avoid in Business Korean
- "당신" as a direct "you" (sounds aggressive); use the person's name + 님 or omit the subject.
- Tattoo-style poetic endings like "~해라" in work mail — keep them for art, not clients.
- Casual 반말 ("알겠어", "해줄래?") unless you're messaging a close teammate who already uses it with you.
Subject Lines and Closers That Fit Each Tone
- Polite subject: 자료 확인 부탁드려요 / 일정 관련 문의드립니다
- Extra Formal subject: 일정 재확인 요청드립니다 / 제안서 송부드립니다
- Polite closer: 감사합니다. 편하실 때 회신 부탁드려요.
- Extra Formal closer: 검토 후 회신 부탁드립니다. 감사합니다.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
1) Mixing endings in one email (e.g., "-요" in paragraph one, "-습니다" in paragraph two). Pick one tone and stay consistent.
2) Translating "you" literally as 당신. Drop the subject or address with 이름+님 (e.g., 민수님).
3) Over-polishing casual chat. If a teammate chats in 존댓말, match it; if they switch to 반말, you can stay polite until invited to match.
4) Using machine-literal business verbs like "컨펌" everywhere. Choose natural verbs: 확인하다, 검토하다, 전달드리다.
Small Talk vs. Work Talk: How to Shift Smoothly
- Start: 안녕하세요. 잘 지내시죠? (Polite opener)
- Shift: 그럼 본론으로 넘어가서, 이번 일정에 대해 논의드리고 싶습니다. (Formal shift)
- Close: 확인해 주시면 감사하겠습니다. 편하실 때 회신 부탁드립니다. (Neutral, safe for both tones)
If You Get a Reply in a Different Tone
- They reply in 격식체 → Mirror it immediately.
- They reply in casual → Stay in 존댓말 unless you already have a close relationship.
- They reply in mixed tone → Default to polite; avoid sounding stiffer than necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
- **Is Extra Formal always safer?** No. It can feel cold in startup or creative teams. Use it for hierarchy-sensitive contexts.
- **Should I add honorifics to company names?** Add 님 to people, not companies. Use 귀사/당사 for company references in Extra Formal contexts.
- **Can I use emojis?** In polite chat with peers, light emojis are fine. Avoid them in Extra Formal threads.
Internal Guides to Dive Deeper
- Honorific levels overview: [/honorifics](/honorifics)
- Tattoo tone (poetic, not business): [/tattoo-translation](/tattoo-translation)
- Fan letters (always polite or formal): [/fan-letter-translation](/fan-letter-translation)
- Name spellings for signatures: [/name-translation](/name-translation)
Translate It Safely Now
Draft in English, then use the tone selector on the homepage translator to choose "Polite" or "Formal" before sending. You will get English to Korean output that matches the relationship, not just the words—faster than guessing and safer for workplace credibility.