Polite Commands in Korean -(으)세요 & -(으)십시오
Today we are learning some of the most important phrases in Korean: how to make polite requests and commands. These forms are essential for being respectful in daily interactions.
We will cover the standard polite command -(으)세요, the formal command -(으)십시오, and the standard polite prohibition -지 마세요.
1. Usage: Understanding Polite Commands
These grammar patterns are attached to verbs to make a polite request, command, or prohibition. The one you choose depends on the level of formality.
Grammar 1: -(으)세요 (Standard Polite Command: “Please do…”)
This is the most common polite command form. You will use this in 90% of your daily interactions. It is part of the polite, informal 해요체 (Haeyo-che) speech style.
- Use it: In restaurants, shops, when talking to colleagues, or asking anyone for something politely.
- Example: “여기 앉으세요.” (Please sit here.)
Grammar 2: -(으)십시오 (Formal Polite Command: “Please do…”)
This is the very formal command form. It is part of the formal 합쇼체 (Hapshyo-che) speech style. It sounds strong, respectful, and a bit distant.
- Use it: In public announcements (like on the subway), in formal presentations, in customer service scripts, or in the military.
- Example: “안으로 들어오십시오.” (Please come inside.)
Grammar 3: -지 마세요 (Standard Polite Prohibition: “Please don’t…”)
This is the standard, polite way to ask someone not to do something. It is the negative version of `-(으)세요`.
- Use it: In any situation where you would use `-(으)세요`.
- Example: “가지 마세요.” (Please don’t go.)
2. Conjugation: How to Form Commands
These patterns attach directly to the verb stem (the part before -다).
Conjugating -(으)세요
- If the stem ends in a vowel, add -세요.
Example: 가다 (to go) → 가 + -세요 = 가세요 - If the stem ends in a consonant, add -으세요.
Example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + -으세요 = 먹으세요 - If the stem ends in ㄹ, drop the ㄹ and add -세요.
Example: 만들다 (to make) → 만들 → 만 + -세요 = 만드세요
Conjugating -(으)십시오
The rules are identical, just with a different ending.
- If the stem ends in a vowel, add -십시오.
Example: 가다 (to go) → 가 + -십시오 = 가십시오 - If the stem ends in a consonant, add -으십시오.
Example: 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + -으십시오 = 먹으십시오 - If the stem ends in ㄹ, drop the ㄹ and add -십시오.
Example: 만들다 (to make) → 만들 → 만 + -십시오 = 만드십시오
Conjugating -지 마세요
This one is the easiest. It doesn’t matter what the stem ends in. You just add -지 마세요 to the verb stem.
- 가다 (to go) → 가지 마세요
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹지 마세요
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들지 마세요 (The ㄹ does NOT drop!)
3. Example Sentences
Let’s see these forms in action in everyday situations.
- Korean: 여기 앉으세요.
English: Please sit here. (-(으)세요) - Korean: 책을 읽으세요.
English: Please read the book. (-(으)세요) - Korean: 문을 닫으십시오.
English: Please close the door. (Formal, like in an announcement) (-(으)십시오) - Korean: 여권을 보여주십시오.
English: Please show your passport. (Formal, at immigration) (-(으)십시오) - Korean: 가지 마세요.
English: Please don’t go. (-지 마세요) - Korean: 걱정하지 마세요.
English: Please don’t worry. (-지 마세요) - Korean: 이 케이크를 만드세요.
English: Please make this cake. (-(으)세요, ㄹ stem) - Korean: 여기서 사진을 찍지 마세요.
English: Please don’t take pictures here. (-지 마세요) - Korean: 천천히 말씀하세요.
English: Please speak slowly. (-(으)세요) - Korean: 늦지 마십시오.
English: Please do not be late. (Formal, like a boss to an employee) (-(으)십시오)
4. Key Rules and Comparisons
Here are a few crucial rules and special cases to remember.
Rule 1: Formality is Key
The biggest rule is knowing *when* to use each. Using `-(으)십시오` with a friend is strange. Using `-(으)세요` is almost always safe, but `-(으)십시오` shows a higher level of public or professional formality.
Rule 2: The Formal Prohibition: -지 마십시오
The formal version of “Please don’t” is -지 마십시오. You will see this on signs.
Rule 3: Special Honorific Verbs
This is a very important rule. Some common verbs have special, more polite “honorific” versions. When you are making a polite command, you MUST use the honorific verb.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 드시다 → 드세요 (Please eat.)
- 자다 (to sleep) → 주무시다 → 주무세요 (Please sleep.)
- 있다 (to be/have) → 계시다 → 계세요 (Please stay. / Goodbye.)
Rule 4: This is a COMMAND, Not a Statement
These forms are only for telling someone what to do. You cannot use them to describe a situation.
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