Key Facts
- Hangul: 너; Revised Romanization: neo
- Part of speech: pronoun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: casual "you" for close friends and younger people; rude to elders
- Subject form: 네가, not 너가
How Do You Say You in Korean?
너 is the plain word for "you". Use it with a friend you speak casually with, a younger sibling or a child. With a teacher, a boss or an older stranger it turns blunt, because it points straight at the listener with no softening.
Korean has several other ways to address someone, and each carries a different distance. 당신 appears between spouses or in writing, and it is not a polite way to say "you" to a stranger. 선생님 doubles as a respectful way to say "you". 자기 is intimate and belongs to couples. The table near the end of this page sets them side by side.
How Is 너 Pronounced?
너 is one syllable: n plus the vowel ㅓ, written "eo" in Revised Romanization. That "eo" is a single open vowel, close to the "u" in English "bun", and it does not contain an "o" sound. The subject form 네가 is often pronounced like 니가 in everyday speech, which is why you will see both on screens and in song lyrics.
Example Sentences with 너
너는 어디에 살아?
Neoneun eodie sara?
Where do you live?
너는 means "as for you". The sentence ends in the casual style, which matches the casual 너.
너도 같이 갈래?
Neodo gachi gallae?
Do you want to go along too?
도 adds "too", so 너도 is "you too". It is a typical friendly invitation between peers.
너한테 줄 선물이 있어.
Neohante jul seonmuri isseo.
I have a gift for you.
한테 marks the receiver, so 너한테 is "to you". The gift sentence shows 너 as a recipient, not as the subject.
Common Forms with 너
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 너는 | as for you (topic) |
| 네가 | you (subject) |
| 너도 | you too |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: 너 with an elder, a boss or a stranger, even when the grammar is perfect.
Correct: a title such as 선생님, or leave the pronoun out. Korean often drops "you" altogether.
Wrong (in writing): 너가 as the subject form.
Correct: 네가, often pronounced like 니가. 너가 is very common in casual speech, so it is casual rather than wrong when you hear it, but standard written Korean uses 네가.
너 Compared with 당신, 선생님 and 자기
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 너 | you (casual) | Close friends and younger people |
| 당신 | you (spouses, writing) | Used between spouses or in formal writing; can sound confrontational |
| 선생님 | teacher / respectful you | A common respectful way to address someone |
| 자기 | honey / you (intimate) | Used between lovers |
Where Does the Word Come From?
너 is native Korean, with no hanja form.
Two Friends Choosing a Birthday Present
Two close friends are shopping for a birthday gift. They already use casual speech with each other, so 너 fits their relationship. The pronoun helps them compare their opinions.
Jisu
나는 이게 좋아. 너는?
Naneun ige joa. Neoneun?
I like this one. What about you?
Minho
나도 좋아. 네가 살 거야?
Nado joa. Nega sal geoya?
I like it too. Are you going to buy it?
Jisu
응. 너도 같이 고를래?
Eung. Neodo gachi goreullae?
Yes. Do you want to help choose it too?
Minho
좋아. 같이 고르자.
Joa. Gachi goreuja.
Sure. Let’s choose it together.
너는? is a complete conversational turn here: the previous sentence supplies “which one do you like?” The second speaker uses 네가 for the subject of buying. The final turn has no word for “you” because the invitation is already clear. Korean does not need a pronoun in every line where English uses one.
How Do Particles Change 너?
Particles are short markers attached after a noun or pronoun. 너를 marks “you” as the object, while 너한테 marks “to you”. 너랑 means “with you” in casual conversation. These forms keep 너 intact. 네가 is the special subject form, and 네 is the shortened possessive form meaning “your”.
Compare 네 with 내, “my”. They are different words even though their vowels can sound very close in everyday Seoul speech. A message about 네 이름 is about “your name”; 내 이름 is “my name”. Follow who is speaking and whose name is being discussed rather than relying on an English spelling of the sound.
너밖에 없다 literally means “there is nobody except you”. Depending on the scene, it can express affection or say that the listener is the only person available to help. The phrase itself does not prove that the speakers are romantic partners. 너도나도 means “everyone” or “one and all”, literally combining “you too” and “me too”; it is a set expression rather than a way to address a crowd.
Where Will You Hear 너, and What Should You Copy?
너 is common in dialogue between close friends, family members and romantic partners. Songs can address an imagined listener with 너. An argument can also use it sharply. Before copying a line from a drama, notice who is speaking, how well the people know each other and whether the conversation is affectionate or hostile.
A younger age alone does not establish a casual relationship with an adult stranger. With a new coworker or shop employee, start with polite endings and leave “you” out when possible. A name plus 씨 can work between adults in suitable relationships; a job title is often more appropriate at work.
For example, when asking a teacher a question, address them as 선생님 and then ask the question. You do not need to find a polite pronoun to insert into the same position as English “you”. Adding 요 to a sentence containing 너 does not by itself make 너 a respectful choice.
Nearby Pronouns and Forms
| Korean | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| 나 | I / me | The casual partner to 너. |
| 저 | I / me, humble | Common when introducing yourself politely. |
| 네 | your | Possessive form associated with 너. |
| 너희 | you, plural | Casual address to more than one listener. |
The pronouns lesson explains the wider set, including why titles and omitted subjects are so common.
Quick Self-Test
- Two close friends already speak casually. Can one use 너는? for “What about you?”
- What is the standard subject form of 너?
- Does a polite 요 ending make 너 suitable for addressing a new boss?
Show answers
- Yes, when the earlier conversation supplies the missing question.
- 네가.
- No. Use the person's title or leave the pronoun out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "you" in Korean?
Say 너 (neo) to a close friend, a child or someone younger. It is the plain, casual word for "you". With elders and strangers it sounds rude, so use a respectful alternative such as 선생님 or leave the pronoun out.
Is 너 rude?
Not among close friends or when you speak to someone younger. It is rude to elders. The same word that sounds friendly in one conversation can sound confrontational in another, so the listener decides.
What is the subject form of 너?
The standard subject form is 네가, often pronounced like 니가. You will also hear 너가 in casual speech, but it is non-standard, so write 네가. The topic form 너는 and the "too" form 너도 are regular.
How is 당신 different from 너?
당신 is used between spouses or in formal writing, and it can sound confrontational when aimed at a stranger. 너 is casual. Neither is a safe way to address a stranger.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: Korean pronouns vocabulary groups 너 with the other pronouns.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Compare with the page for teacher, also a respectful "you".
- Next in the list: the page for we in Korean.
- Practice: add 너 to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
Now you know you in Korean has a casual form, 너, and several safer replacements for everyone else.