예사높임

From 예사 (yesa, “ordinary, common”) +‎ 높임 (nopim, “honorific exaltation”).

• (SK Standard/Seoul) IPA^(key): [ˈje̞(ː)sʰa̠no̞pʰim]
• Phonetic hangul: [예(ː)사노핌]
  • Though still prescribed in Standard Korean, most speakers in both Koreas no longer distinguish vowel length.

예사높임 • (yesanopim)

1. (grammar) authoritarian, 4th speech level in Korean.

예사높임 (yesanopim) is used to acknowledge respect for the addressee while also emphasizing one's own status. For this reason, it is also called the "formal-lateral" speech level in English.

In the modern Seoul standard, 예사높임 is rarely used in speech by those of middle age and below, having been replaced by 두루높임 (durunopim). However, it is very common in the imperative form in official written language, such as examination questions or safety guidelines, as well as in historical fiction.

In the modern North Korean standard, 예사높임 is the conventional formal polite speech level for adult men even in normal conversation, whereas women tend to use the relatively more deferential 두루높임.

In the Gyeongsang and southern Jeolla dialects of South Korea and in the Hamgyong dialect of North Korea, 예사높임 is still widely used by both sexes, especially by middle-aged and older speakers whose speech is less influenced by the standard language.

Korean words inflected in this speech level are characterized by the suffix -오 (-o) in the indicative mood. In the imperative mood, it is always used with the honorific —시— (-si-), together characterized by the suffix —시오 (-sio). E.g.:

• 하오 (hao): (non-honorific) "does"
• 하시오 (hasio): (honorific) "please do"
• 하였소 (hayeotso): (non-honorific) "did"

• 하오체 (haoche)

(Other speech levels)

• 매우높임 (mae'unopim)
• 아주높임 (ajunopim)
• 두루높임 (durunopim)
• 예사낮춤 (yesanatchum)
• 아주낮춤 (ajunatchum)
• 두루낮춤 (durunatchum)