Welcome to one of the most important concepts in the Korean language: politeness. Today, we’re learning the honorific suffix -(으)시다. This is not a tense, but a “respect marker” that you attach to verbs and adjectives.
You use -(으)시다 to show respect to the subject of the sentence. This is absolutely essential when talking about people older than you or in a higher social position, like your parents, grandparents, teachers, or boss.
1. Usage: Understanding -(으)시다
The function of -(으)시다 is to “elevate” or “honor” the person performing the action. You are showing respect by using a special version of the verb or adjective.
Function: Showing Respect to the Subject
You use this when the subject of the verb (the person doing the action) is someone you must show respect to.
- Neutral: 친구가 가요.
English: “My friend goes.” - Honorific: 아버지가 가세요.
English: “My father goes.” (Lit: “My father honorifically goes.”)
2. Conjugation: How to Attach -(으)시다
You attach this suffix to the verb or adjective stem (the part before -다).
Rule 1: Stem ends in a Vowel
If the stem ends in a vowel, add -시다.
- 가다 (to go) → 가 + -시다 = 가시다
- 보다 (to see) → 보 + -시다 = 보시다
- 기다리다 (to wait) → 기다리 + -시다 = 기다리시다
Rule 2: Stem ends in a Consonant
If the stem ends in a consonant, add -으시다.
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽 + -으시다 = 읽으시다
- 앉다 (to sit) → 앉 + -으시다 = 앉으시다
- 좋다 (to be good) → 좋 + -으시다 = 좋으시다
Rule 3: Stem ends in ㄹ
If the stem ends in the consonant ㄹ, you drop the ㄹ and add -시다 (as if it were a vowel stem).
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들 → 만 + -시다 = 만드시다
- 살다 (to live) → 살 → 사 + -시다 = 사시다
3. Tense Forms & Examples
-(으)시다 is just the base. You must *then* conjugate it into the present, past, or future tense. Here are the most common forms you’ll use (in the polite, informal 해요체 style).
Present Tense: -(으)세요
This is formed by combining -(으)시- + -어요, which contracts to -(으)세요.
- Korean: 할아버지, 지금 어디 가세요?
English: Grandfather, where are you going now? - Korean: 선생님이 책을 읽으세요.
English: The teacher is reading a book. - Korean: 어머니가 요리를 만드세요.
English: Mother is making food.
Past Tense: -(으)셨어요
This is formed by combining -(으)시- + -었어요, which contracts to -(으)셨어요.
- Korean: 사장님이 어제 미국에 가셨어요.
English: The boss went to America yesterday. - Korean: 부모님이 그 영화를 보셨어요.
English: My parents saw that movie. - Korean: 할머니가 의자에 앉으셨어요.
English: Grandmother sat in the chair.
Future Tense: -(으)실 거예요
This is formed by combining the honorific stem -(으)시- with the future tense -(으)ㄹ 거예요.
- Korean: 아버지가 내일 오실 거예요.
English: Father will come tomorrow. - Korean: 교수님이 곧 도착하실 거예요.
English: The professor will arrive soon. - Korean: 어머니가 케이크를 만드실 거예요.
English: Mother will make a cake.
4. Key Rules and Comparisons
Here are a few crucial rules and special cases to remember.
Rule 1: Statement vs. Command (-(으)세요)
The present tense honorific -(으)세요 looks identical to the polite command -(으)세요. You must tell the difference from context.
- Statement: “선생님이 가세요.” (The teacher is going.) – *You are talking ABOUT the teacher.*
- Command: “선생님, 가세요.” (Teacher, please go.) – *You are talking TO the teacher.*
Rule 2: Special Honorific Verbs (MUST MEMORIZE)
For some very common verbs, you do not just add -(으)시다. They have their own special honorific word. You MUST use this word instead.
- 먹다 (to eat) / 마시다 (to drink) → 드시다
- 자다 (to sleep) → 주무시다
- 있다 (to be/exist at a location) → 계시다
- 아프다 (to be sick) → 편찮으시다
- 말하다 (to speak) → 말씀하시다
Rule 3: Honorific Particles
When you use an honorific verb, you should also use the honorific subject particle. The particle 이/가 becomes -께서.
- Neutral: 친구가 말해요. (My friend speaks.)
- Honorific: 선생님께서 말씀하세요. (The teacher speaks.)
