Honorific Nouns

Some everyday nouns have a respectful twin. Use it when the word refers to, or belongs to, a respected person:

• 나이 → 연세 (age)
• 이름 → 성함 (name)
• 생일 → 생신 (birthday)
• 집 → 댁 (home)
• 밥 → 진지 (meal)
• 말 → 말씀 (words, what someone says)
• 사람 → 분 (person), also for counting: 손님 두 분 (two guests), 몇 분이세요? (How many are you?)

Asking an elder about their 나이 or 이름 sounds rude, so say 연세가 어떻게 되세요? or 성함이 어떻게 되세요? The verb usually takes -(으)시- as well. Never use 연세, 성함, 생신 or 댁 about yourself: 제 이름은 박지은이에요, not 제 성함은. 말씀 is the exception: it is also the humble word for your own words, as in 말씀드리다.