How to say Let's do ... in Korean
Today, we're learning the formal, polite way to make a suggestion in Korean: -(으)ㅂ시다.
This pattern directly translates to "Let's..." and is used to propose an action to a group of people, including the speaker. It is part of the formal, polite 합쇼체 (Hapshyo-che) speech style, making it perfect for work, presentations, or when speaking to a group of people you are not close with.
1. Usage: Understanding -(으)ㅂ시다
The function of this grammar pattern is to make a formal proposal. The speaker suggests that everyone (including themselves) perform an action together.
Function: Proposing an Action ("Let's...")
You will hear this most often in formal or public settings. It is polite, but not intimate. It's the standard way to make a group suggestion in a structured environment.
- At work: "회의를 시작합시다." (Let's start the meeting.)
- In a group: "지금 갑시다." (Let's go now.)
- In a class: "책을 10페이지로 넘깁시다." (Let's turn to page 10.)
2. Conjugation: How to Form -(으)ㅂ시다
You attach this ending to verb stems (the part before -다).
Rule 1: Stem ends in a Vowel or the consonant ㄹ
If the stem ends in a vowel, you add -ㅂ시다 (attaching the 'ㅂ' as the new consonant).
- 가다 (to go) → 가 + -ㅂ시다 = 갑시다
- 보다 (to see) → 보 + -ㅂ시다 = 봅시다
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부하 + -ㅂ시다 = 공부합시다
If the stem ends in ㄹ, you drop the ㄹ and add -ㅂ시다.
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들 → 만 + -ㅂ시다 = 만듭시다
- 살다 (to live) → 살 → 사 + -ㅂ시다 = 삽시다
Rule 2: Stem ends in a Consonant (except ㄹ)
If the stem ends in any consonant other than ㄹ, you add -읍시다.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + -읍시다 = 먹읍시다
- 앉다 (to sit) → 앉 + -읍시다 = 앉읍시다
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽 + -읍시다 = 읽읍시다
3. Example Sentences
Let's see these forms in action in formal or public situations.
- Korean: 회의를 시작합시다.
English: Let's begin the meeting. - Korean: 점심은 1시에 먹읍시다.
English: Let's eat lunch at 1 o'clock. - Korean: 다 같이 노래합시다.
English: Let's sing all together. - Korean: 여기 앉읍시다.
English: Let's sit here. - Korean: 이 문제는 내일 다시 이야기합시다.
English: Let's talk about this problem again tomorrow. - Korean: 한국어를 열심히 공부합시다.
English: Let's study Korean hard. (Like a teacher encouraging a class) - Korean: 새로운 집을 만듭시다.
English: Let's build a new house. (ㄹ stem)
4. Key Rules and Comparisons
Here are a few crucial points to remember about this grammar.
Rule 1: The Informal "Let's..." → -아요/어요
As mentioned, -(으)ㅂ시다 is formal. For everyday, friendly suggestions, you just use the standard present tense -아요/어요 with a suggestive intonation.
Rule 2: The Negative Form: -지 맙시다 ("Let's not...")
To make a formal negative proposal, you attach -지 맙시다 to the verb stem. This rule is simple and does not change based on vowels or consonants.
- 가다 → 가지 맙시다 (Let's not go.)
- 먹다 → 먹지 맙시다 (Let's not eat.)
- 만들다 → 만들지 맙시다 (Let's not make it.)
Rule 3: Proposal vs. Question
-(으)ㅂ시다 is a statement (a proposal). It is not a question.
If you want to ask "Shall we...?" in a polite, formal way, you should use the -(으)ㄹ까요? ending.
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