Letter writing in Korean follows specific conventions for structure, greetings, and closings. The level of formality varies depending on the relationship between writer and recipient.
Letter Structure
Standard Korean letter format:
- Date (날짜)
- Recipient's name and title (받는 사람)
- Opening greeting (인사말)
- Body (본문)
- Closing remarks (맺음말)
- Closing greeting (끝인사)
- Sender's name and signature (보내는 사람)
Opening Greetings
Very Formal Letters
Traditional formal greetings:
- 근하 (Most respectfully)
- 삼가 (Humbly/Respectfully)
- 앞서 (Before others)
Full opening phrases:
- 삼가 서신을 올립니다 (I humbly send this letter)
- 근하 문안드립니다 (I most respectfully greet you)
Formal Letters
Standard formal greetings:
- 안녕하십니까 (How do you do)
- 평안하십니까 (Are you well)
- 건강하십니까 (Are you healthy)
Context additions:
- 귀하의 건승을 기원합니다 (I wish you good health)
- 무궁한 발전을 기원합니다 (I wish for endless development)
Semi-Formal Letters
Professional but warm:
- 안녕하세요 (Hello)
- 그동안 안녕하셨어요? (Have you been well?)
- 오랜만에 인사드립니다 (Greeting you after a long time)
Informal/Personal Letters
Casual greetings:
- 안녕 (Hi)
- 잘 지내? (Are you well?)
- 오랜만이야 (Long time no see)
Body Language Patterns
Formal Body
Respectful expressions:
- ~드리다 (give - humble)
- ~여쭙다 (ask - humble)
- ~계시다 (be - honorific)
- ~주시다 (give - honorific)
Examples:
- 말씀드리고자 합니다 (I wish to tell you)
- 부탁드립니다 (I request)
- 감사드립니다 (I thank you)
Personal Body
Friendly expressions:
- ~고 싶다 (want to)
- ~면 좋겠다 (it would be good if)
- ~기를 바란다 (hope that)
Examples:
- 만나고 싶어 (I want to meet)
- 잘 지냈으면 좋겠어 (I hope you've been well)
Purpose Statements
Thanking
Gratitude letters:
- 감사의 말씀을 전하고자 합니다 (I wish to convey my gratitude)
- 진심으로 감사드립니다 (I sincerely thank you)
- 깊은 감사를 드립니다 (I express deep gratitude)
Requesting
Request letters:
- 부탁드리고자 편지를 씁니다 (I write this letter to request)
- 부탁의 말씀을 드립니다 (I make a request)
- 협조를 구하고자 합니다 (I seek cooperation)
Apologizing
Apology letters:
- 사과의 말씀을 드립니다 (I offer my apology)
- 죄송한 마음을 전합니다 (I convey my sorry feelings)
- 깊이 사과드립니다 (I deeply apologize)
Informing
Information letters:
- 알려드리고자 합니다 (I wish to inform you)
- 안내드립니다 (I guide you)
- 말씀드립니다 (I tell you)
Inviting
Invitation letters:
- 초대하고자 합니다 (I wish to invite)
- 모시고자 합니다 (I wish to host you)
- 참석을 요청드립니다 (I request your attendance)
Closing Remarks
Formal Closings
Wishing well:
- 건강하시기 바랍니다 (I wish you good health)
- 행복하시기를 기원합니다 (I pray for your happiness)
- 앞날에 무궁한 발전이 있기를 (May there be endless development ahead)
Business Closings
Professional endings:
- 협조에 감사드립니다 (Thank you for your cooperation)
- 검토 부탁드립니다 (Please review)
- 회신 기다리겠습니다 (I will await your reply)
Personal Closings
Friendly endings:
- 건강 챙기세요 (Take care of your health)
- 다시 연락할게요 (I'll contact you again)
- 좋은 소식 기다릴게 (I'll wait for good news)
Final Greetings
Very Formal
Traditional closings:
- 삼가 (Respectfully)
- 근배 (With deep respect)
- 경배 (Respectfully yours)
Formal
Standard formal:
- 귀하 (Respectfully yours)
- 올림 (Submitted by)
- 드림 (From - humble)
Semi-Formal
Professional but warm:
- 안녕히 계세요 (Stay well)
- 건강하세요 (Be healthy)
Informal
Casual closings:
- 안녕 (Bye)
- 잘 있어 (Be well)
- 나중에 (Later)
Sender's Signature
Formal Format
Professional signature:
- 20XX년 X월 X일 (Date)
- 보내는 사람: [이름] (Sender: [Name])
- 올림 / 드림 (Submitted by)
Informal Format
Casual signature:
- [이름] 올림 ([Name] sent)
- [이름] (just name)
Special Letter Types
Condolence Letters
Mourning expressions:
- 삼가 조의를 표합니다 (I humbly express condolences)
- 깊은 애도를 표합니다 (I express deep sorrow)
- 명복을 빕니다 (I pray for the repose of the soul)
Structure:
- Express shock/sadness
- Offer condolences
- Comfort the bereaved
- Wish for strength
Congratulation Letters
Celebration expressions:
- 진심으로 축하드립니다 (I sincerely congratulate you)
- 축하의 말씀을 전합니다 (I convey congratulations)
- 기쁜 마음으로 축하합니다 (I congratulate with a joyful heart)
Occasions:
- 결혼 (wedding)
- 승진 (promotion)
- 졸업 (graduation)
- 개업 (business opening)
Thank You Letters
Gratitude expressions:
- 진심으로 감사드립니다 (I sincerely thank you)
- 깊이 감사드립니다 (I deeply thank you)
- 감사의 마음을 전합니다 (I convey my gratitude)
Components:
- State what you're thankful for
- Explain the impact
- Express how it helped
- Offer to reciprocate
Apology Letters
Apology expressions:
- 진심으로 사과드립니다 (I sincerely apologize)
- 죄송한 마음을 전합니다 (I convey my sorry feelings)
- 용서를 구합니다 (I seek forgiveness)
Structure:
- Acknowledge the mistake
- Take responsibility
- Explain (if appropriate)
- Promise improvement
- Ask for forgiveness
Honorific Usage
Subject Honorifics
For respected recipients:
- 계시다 (to be - honorific)
- 주무시다 (to sleep - honorific)
- 드시다 (to eat - honorific)
- 말씀하시다 (to speak - honorific)
Examples:
- 건강하게 지내고 계신지요 (I wonder if you are staying healthy)
- 말씀하신 내용 (what you said)
Humble Forms
For writer's actions:
- 드리다 (to give - humble)
- 여쭙다 (to ask - humble)
- 뵙다 (to see - humble)
- 올리다 (to send/offer - humble)
Examples:
- 편지를 올립니다 (I send this letter)
- 문안을 여쭙니다 (I inquire about your well-being)
Time References
Formal Time Markers
Letter time expressions:
- 금번 (this time)
- 차번 (next time)
- 전번 (last time)
- 금일 (today)
- 명일 (tomorrow)
Relationship Time
Connection time markers:
- 그간 (during that time)
- 그동안 (meanwhile)
- 오랫동안 (for a long time)
- 오래간만에 (after a long time)
Examples:
- 그동안 안녕하셨습니까? (Have you been well meanwhile?)
- 오랫동안 연락 못 드려 죄송합니다 (Sorry for not contacting for so long)
Transitional Phrases
Introducing Topics
Topic markers:
- 이번에 (this time)
- 한편 (meanwhile)
- 그런데 (by the way)
- 그리고 (and)
Changing Topics
Transition markers:
- 다음으로 (next)
- 또한 (also)
- 더불어 (moreover)
Polite Requests
Formal Requests
Request patterns:
- ~주시기 바랍니다 (please do ~)
- ~해 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would be grateful if you ~)
- 부탁드립니다 (I request)
Examples:
- 회신해 주시기 바랍니다 (Please reply)
- 참석해 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (I would be grateful if you attend)
Gentle Requests
Softer requests:
- ~해 주시겠어요? (Would you ~?)
- ~면 좋겠어요 (It would be good if ~)
Common Phrases
Inquiry About Well-being
Health questions:
- 안녕하신지요? (Are you well?)
- 건강하신지요? (Are you healthy?)
- 평안하신지요? (Are you at peace?)
Expressing Regret
Sorry for delay:
- 오래 연락 못 드려 죄송합니다 (Sorry for not contacting for long)
- 늦은 답장 죄송합니다 (Sorry for the late reply)
Looking Forward
Anticipation:
- 만나 뵙기를 고대합니다 (I look forward to seeing you)
- 좋은 소식 기다리겠습니다 (I'll wait for good news)
- 회신을 기다리겠습니다 (I'll await your reply)
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: 너에게 (to you - casual in formal letter)
Too casual
✅ Correct: 귀하께
Proper formal address
❌ Incorrect: 고마워 (thanks - casual in formal)
Too informal
✅ Correct: 감사드립니다
Proper formal gratitude
❌ Incorrect: Mixing honorific levels
Inconsistent formality
✅ Correct: Maintain consistent honorific level throughout
Proper consistency
Summary Table
| Letter Type | Opening | Closing | Signature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very Formal | 삼가 서신을 올립니다 | 건강하시기 바랍니다 | 올림/드림 |
| Formal Business | 안녕하십니까 | 협조에 감사드립니다 | 귀하 |
| Semi-Formal | 안녕하세요 | 건강 챙기세요 | 드림 |
| Informal | 안녕 | 잘 있어 | [이름] |
| Condolence | 삼가 조의를 표합니다 | 명복을 빕니다 | 올림 |
| Congratulation | 축하드립니다 | 기쁜 일 가득하시길 | 드림 |