하오체
Used when the speaker wants to speak in a slightly polite way to someone of similar or lower status (e.g., age, position), or when they don't know each other well.
Summary
Equivalent
Honorific style (Semi-formal/Polite)
Example
The movie was more interesting than I thought. How was it for you, Yeoyang?
영화가 생각보다 재미있었소. 여양 씨는 어땠소?
Grammar rules
- While common in historical dramas, it's mostly used today in written signs (e.g., 'Do not pull'), public notices, or by some older generations.
- Often used in imperative signs like 'Push' (미시오) or 'Pull' (당기시오).
이곳에 주차하지 마시오. (Do not park here.)
Patterns
V/A (Verbs/Adjectives)
현재 (Present) · -오/소
N (Nouns)
현재 (Present) · (이)오
Example sentences
The movie was more interesting than I thought. How was it for you, Yeoyang?
영화가 생각보다 재미있었소. 여양 씨는 어땠소?
I'm from Seoul. Where are you from?
나는 서울 사람이오. 당신은 어디에서 왔소?
Access restricted to authorized personnel only, so please be careful.
관계자 외 출입 금지이오니 주의하시오.
Conversation
A: The weather is truly lovely today!
오늘 날씨가 참 좋구려!
B: You're right. Since the weather is nice, let's go for a walk.
그렇소. 날씨가 좋으니 산책이라도 합시다.
Practice
Fill in the blank
Convert the plain style to '하오체'.
Asking where someone is going.
Telling someone not to forget.