How to Talk About Marriage Plans with Korean Parents: Polite Korean Phrases
Learn polite Korean to discuss marriage plans with your partner's parents: share your intention, ask for their thoughts, and offer reassurance respectfully.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Discussing marriage with a partner's parents in Korean requires careful politeness. This lesson teaches you how to express your shared intention, ask for their thoughts, and offer reassurance using honorific and humble forms. You'll learn key phrases and patterns that show respect without assuming a formal permission ritual. By the end, you'll be able to navigate this conversation with sensitivity and appropriate language.
By the end, you can…
- politely express my intention to marry my partner to their parents.
- ask for the parents' thoughts and offer reassurance about their concerns.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
저희 두 사람이 결혼하고 싶습니다.
We two want to get married.
jeo-hui du sa-ram-i gyeol-hon-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Use 저희 (jeo-hui) to mean 'we' humbly. This states your shared intention directly but politely.
어머님, 아버님, 어떻게 생각하세요?
Mother, Father, what do you think?
eo-meo-nim, a-beo-nim, eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?
Addressing them as 어머님 (eo-meo-nim) and 아버님 (a-beo-nim) shows respect. This asks for their opinion.
저희를 믿어 주시면 감사하겠습니다.
If you could trust us, I would be grateful.
jeo-hui-reul mi-deo ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
This humbly asks for their trust. Use it after explaining your intentions.
걱정하시는 부분이 있으면 말씀해 주세요.
If there is anything you are worried about, please tell us.
geok-jeong-ha-si-neun bu-bun-i i-sseu-myeon mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
This invites them to share concerns. 말씀해 주세요 (mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo) is a polite request.
저희가 잘 준비하겠습니다.
We will prepare well.
jeo-hui-ga jal jun-bi-ha-get-seum-ni-da.
This reassures them that you are taking responsibility. Use it to show commitment.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
The pattern -고 싶습니다 (-go sip-seum-ni-da) expresses a polite desire or intention. For example, 결혼하고 싶습니다 (gyeol-hon-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da) means 'I want to get married.' To include your partner, use 저희 두 사람이 (jeo-hui du sa-ram-i) meaning 'we two.' Another useful pattern is -면 감사하겠습니다 (-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da), meaning 'I would be grateful if...' as in 믿어 주시면 감사하겠습니다 (mi-deo ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da) 'I would be grateful if you trust us.' These patterns help you sound respectful and humble.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are meeting your partner's parents to discuss your future together. Start by stating your intention with 저희 두 사람이 결혼하고 싶습니다 (jeo-hui du sa-ram-i gyeol-hon-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da). Then ask for their thoughts with 어떻게 생각하세요? (eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-se-yo?). If they express concerns, respond with 걱정하시는 부분이 있으면 말씀해 주세요 (geok-jeong-ha-si-neun bu-bun-i i-sseu-myeon mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo) and reassure them with 저희가 잘 준비하겠습니다 (jeo-hui-ga jal jun-bi-ha-get-seum-ni-da). Use respectful speech appropriate to your relationship with the parents; family conventions differ.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
어머님, 아버님, 저희 두 사람이 결혼하고 싶습니다.
Mother, Father, we two want to get married.eo-meo-nim, a-beo-nim, jeo-hui du sa-ram-i gyeol-hon-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da.그렇군요. 앞으로 어떻게 살 계획인가요?
I see. How do you plan to live together in the future?geu-reo-kun-yo. a-peu-ro eo-tteo-ke sal gye-hoe-gin-ga-yo?저희를 믿어 주시면 감사하겠습니다. 걱정하시는 부분이 있으면 말씀해 주세요.
If you could trust us, I would be grateful. If there is anything you are worried about, please tell us.jeo-hui-reul mi-deo ju-si-myeon gam-sa-ha-get-seum-ni-da. geok-jeong-ha-si-neun bu-bun-i i-sseu-myeon mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.두 사람이 행복하게 살면 좋겠어요.
I hope the two of you will live happily together.du sa-ra-mi haeng-bo-ka-ge sal-myeon jo-ke-sseo-yo.A little context goes a long way
In Korean culture, showing respect through honorific language is crucial when addressing elders, especially your partner's parents. Using humble terms like 저희 (jeo-hui) for 'we' and honorific titles like 어머님 (eo-meo-nim) and 아버님 (a-beo-nim) demonstrates humility. While some families may expect a formal blessing, many simply appreciate being included and respected. Avoid assuming a required ritual; instead, focus on open communication and polite reassurance.
One thing to watch for
Using 저 (jeo) instead of 저희 (jeo-hui) when referring to 'we' as a couple.
Try this instead: 저 (jeo) means 'I' (humble). For 'we' (the couple), use 저희 (jeo-hui). For example, say 저희 두 사람이 결혼하고 싶습니다 (jeo-hui du sa-ram-i gyeol-hon-ha-go sip-seum-ni-da), not 저 두 사람이... (jeo du sa-ram-i...).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely say 'We two want to get married' in Korean?
Show a sample answer
저희 두 사람이 결혼하고 싶습니다.
This uses 저희 (jeo-hui) for 'we' and the polite desire form -고 싶습니다 (-go sip-seum-ni-da). Alternative: 저희 결혼하고 싶어요 (jeo-hui gyeol-hon-ha-go sip-eo-yo) is less formal but still polite.
2What phrase asks for the parents' thoughts respectfully?
Show a sample answer
어떻게 생각하세요?
This is a polite way to ask 'What do you think?' using the honorific -세요 (-se-yo). You can also say 어떻게 생각하십니까? (eo-tteo-ke saeng-gak-ha-sim-ni-kka?) for extra formality.
3How do you offer reassurance that you will prepare well?
Show a sample answer
저희가 잘 준비하겠습니다.
This uses 저희가 (jeo-hui-ga) as the subject and the future polite form -겠습니다 (-get-seum-ni-da). A softer alternative is 저희가 잘 준비할게요 (jeo-hui-ga jal jun-bi-hal-ge-yo).
When discussing marriage with Korean parents, use humble 저희 (jeo-hui) for 'we', honorific titles, and polite endings like -습니다 (-seum-ni-da). State your intention, ask for their thoughts, and offer reassurance without assuming a required permission ritual.
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