Beginner • • 18 min read

Korean Culture and Etiquette: Essential Guide to Korean Manners

Learn essential Korean cultural norms and etiquette. Master proper manners for social interactions, dining, gift-giving, and showing respect in Korean society.

Social Etiquette

Greetings and Bowing

인사 - Greeting/Bow
어른께 인사 - Greeting elders
90도 인사 - Formal bow
45도 인사 - Semi-formal bow
가벼운 인사 - Casual bow

Age and Hierarchy

나이가 어떻게 되세요? - How old are you? (polite)
저보다 연세가 많으세요 - You're older than me (respectful)
선배님 - Senior/Superior
후배 - Junior
동갑 - Same age

Social Etiquette Practice

1. What's the most formal type of bow?

2. How do you politely ask someone's age?

3. What's the term for people of the same age?

Dining Etiquette

Table Manners

  1. Wait for elders to start eating
  2. Hold bowl with one hand
  3. Use spoon for rice and soup
  4. Use chopsticks for side dishes
  5. Don’t leave chopsticks in rice

Common Phrases

잘 먹겠습니다 - I will eat well (before eating)
잘 먹었습니다 - I ate well (after eating)
더 드세요 - Please eat more
맛있게 드세요 - Enjoy your meal
저는 이제 그만 먹겠습니다 - I'm finished eating

Gift-Giving Culture

Gift Occasions

설날 - Lunar New Year
추석 - Harvest Festival
생일 - Birthday
집들이 - Housewarming
승진 - Promotion
결혼식 - Wedding

Gift Etiquette

  1. Give and receive with both hands
  2. Wrap gifts properly
  3. Avoid certain numbers (4)
  4. Consider age and status
  5. Express gratitude appropriately

Gift-Giving Practice

1. How should you give a gift in Korea?

2. Which number should be avoided in gifts?

3. Name two major gift-giving occasions:

Home Etiquette

Visiting Homes

실례합니다 - Excuse me (entering)
들어가도 될까요? - May I come in?
신발을 벗으세요 - Please remove your shoes
편하게 계세요 - Make yourself comfortable
선물 준비했어요 - I brought a gift

House Rules

  1. Remove shoes before entering
  2. Bring a small gift
  3. Offer to help in kitchen
  4. Compliment the home
  5. Thank the host properly

Public Behavior

Public Transportation

  1. Offer seats to elderly
  2. Keep voice down
  3. Don’t eat or drink
  4. Give way to exiting passengers
  5. Stand on correct side of escalator

Public Spaces

죄송합니다 - Sorry (formal)
실례합니다 - Excuse me
지나갈게요 - I'll pass through
잠시만요 - Just a moment
양해해 주세요 - Please understand

Public Behavior Practice

1. What should you do on public transport?

2. How do you say 'excuse me' when passing?

Business Culture

Office Etiquette

  1. Arrive early
  2. Dress conservatively
  3. Show respect to seniors
  4. Use proper titles
  5. Follow hierarchy

Business Meetings

회의실 - Meeting room
발표 - Presentation
의견 - Opinion
동의 - Agreement
보고 - Report

Traditional Customs

Traditional Events

세배 - New Year's bow
차례 - Ancestral memorial
돌잔치 - First birthday
백일 - 100th day celebration
회갑 - 60th birthday

Cultural Activities

한복 입기 - Wearing hanbok
다도 - Tea ceremony
서예 - Calligraphy
사물놀이 - Traditional music
민속놀이 - Folk games

Traditional Customs Practice

1. What is '세배'?

2. What celebration happens on the 100th day?

3. What is the traditional Korean dress called?

Common Mistakes

Cultural Faux Pas

  1. Using one hand for giving/receiving
  2. Pointing with finger
  3. Writing names in red
  4. Starting to eat before elders
  5. Wearing shoes indoors

Misunderstandings

  1. Age hierarchy importance
  2. Indirect communication style
  3. Group harmony emphasis
  4. Gift-giving expectations
  5. Respect for elders

Next Steps

To improve your cultural understanding:

  1. Observe native behaviors
  2. Ask questions respectfully
  3. Learn from mistakes
  4. Practice proper etiquette
  5. Study cultural context

Remember: Korean culture values respect, harmony, and proper etiquette. Being mindful of these customs will help you navigate social situations successfully.