Standard Korean · Pyojuneo
The Seoul-based standard of South Korean. Carried nationwide by broadcasting and public education, and the basis of most Korean instruction abroad.
Koryo-mar
Also known as: Koryo-mal, Koryo-saram Korean
The Korean variety of the Koryo-saram, descended from communities deported from the Soviet Far East in 1937 to Central Asia. A Hamgyŏng-derived dialect heavily influenced by Russian, now critically endangered.
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Frequently asked questions
What language is Koryo-mar?
Koryo-mar is a dialect of Korean.
Which region is Koryo-mar associated with?
Koryo-mar is part of the Central Asia region on DialectAtlas.
Is Koryo-mar known by other names?
Yes — Koryo-mar is also referred to as Koryo-mal, Koryo-saram Korean.
Is Koryo-mar endangered?
Koryo-mar is critically endangered. Only a small number of mostly elderly speakers remain, and the variety is at imminent risk of being lost.
What are the other dialects of Korean?
Korean also includes Seoul Korean, Gyeongsang, Jeolla, Jeju. Each variety has its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural context.
Other Korean dialects
See on the atlas →Southeastern Korean · Busan dialect
The Korean of Busan and the south-eastern Gyeongsang region. The most widely recognised non-standard Korean dialect, marked by its pitch-accent system.
Southwestern Korean
The Korean of the south-western Jeolla region around Gwangju. Distinct vowel realisations, sentence-final endings, and a strong rural culinary lexicon.
Jejueo
The variety of Jeju Island, often classified as a separate Koreanic language. Carries archaic features lost on the mainland and is critically endangered.