-(으)시- – Korean honorific verb marker
- Meaning
- shows respect for the person doing the action
- Level
- Intermediate
- Topic
- Honorifics & speech levels
Inserted into a verb to honour the subject (a teacher, a parent, a customer): 가세요, 읽으셨어요. It respects the person doing the action, not the listener.
Key rules
- Consonant + 으시
- 알다 = ㄹ irregular
- ㄹ drops before 시
- Polite request
- -시- = honorific
- Vowel + 시
- Complete verb replacement
- Essential for formal dining
Examples with -(으)시-
The highlighted part is the grammar form.
- 어디 가세요? Eodi gaseyo? Where are you going? (respectful) 가 + 시 + 어요 = 가세요. Honorific to respected person. · Base form: 가다
- 뭐 드세요? Mwo deuseyo? What are you eating? (respectful) 먹다 has special honorific 드시다. · Base form: 먹다→드시다
- 잘 주무셨어요? Jal jumusyeosseoyo? Did you sleep well? (respectful) 자다 has special honorific 주무시다. · Base form: 자다→주무시다
- 바쁘세요? Bappeuseyo? Are you busy? (respectful) 바쁘 + 시 + 어요 = 바쁘세요 with adjectives too. · Base form: 바쁘다
- 선생님이 말씀하셨어요 Seonsaengnimi malssumhasyeosseoyo The teacher said (respectful) 말하다 becomes 말씀하시다 for respected person. · Base form: 말하다→말씀하시다
- 집에 계세요? Jibe gyeseyo? Are you at home? (respectful) 있다 (person) becomes 계시다 for respected person. · Base form: 있다→계시다
- 사장님이 아세요 Sajangnimi aseyo The president knows (respectful) 알 + 시 + 어요 = 아세요. · Base form: 알다
- 몇 시에 도착하세요? Myeot sie dochakhaseyo? What time are you arriving? (respectful) 도착하 + 시 + 어요 = 도착하세요. · Base form: 도착하다
- 밥 드셨어요? Bap deusyeosseoyo? Have you eaten? 먹다 → 드시다 → 드셨어요 (special honorific verb).
- 여기 앉으세요 Yeogi anjeuseyo Please sit here 앉다 → 앉으시다 → 앉으세요.
- 시간 있으세요? Sigan isseseyo? Do you have time? 있다 → 있으시다 → 있으세요.
- 잠시만 기다려 주세요 Jamsiman gidaryeo juseyo Please wait a moment Polite request form.
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