Korean Honorifics: The -시- Marker and Special Respect Words

Korean speech levels show respect to the listener. Honorifics add another layer: they show respect to the person you are talking about. When you ask your teacher whether they have eaten, or tell a friend that your grandmother is sleeping, Korean changes the verb to honor that person. This article covers the essentials.

The honorific marker -시-

Adding -시- to a verb stem raises the status of the subject. In polite 해요체, the combination becomes -(으)세요 in the present tense.

• 선생님이 가세요.

  [seonsaengnimi gaseyo]

  The teacher is going.

• 어디 사세요?

  [eodi saseyo]

  Where do you live? (respectful)

• 무슨 일 하세요?

  [museunnil haseyo]

  What do you do for work?

After a consonant, add -으세요: 읽다 → 읽으세요. In the past tense, it becomes -(으)셨어요.

• 할머니가 오셨어요.

  [halmeoniga osyeosseoyo]

  Grandma came.

• 주말 잘 보내셨어요?

  [jumal jal bonaesyeosseoyo]

  Did you have a good weekend?

Never honor yourself

You use -시- for others, never for yourself. If someone asks 어디 가세요? (Where are you going?), you answer without -시-.

• 어디 가세요?

  [eodi gaseyo]

  Where are you going?

• 회사에 가요.

  [hoesae gayo]

  I'm going to work.

Using -시- about yourself sounds as odd as calling yourself "Your Honor."

Special honorific verbs

Some common verbs have completely different honorific forms. These are used instead of adding -시-.

• 먹다 / 마시다 (to eat / drink) → 드시다 or 잡수시다
• 자다 (to sleep) → 주무시다
• 있다 (to be somewhere, to stay) → 계시다
• 말하다 (to speak) → 말씀하시다
• 죽다 (to die) → 돌아가시다

• 식사하셨어요?

  [siksahasyeosseoyo]

  Have you had your meal? (respectful)

• 할아버지는 주무세요.

  [harabeojineun jumuseyo]

  Grandpa is sleeping.

• 사장님 지금 계세요?

  [sajangnim jigeum gyeseyo]

  Is the boss in right now?

• 맛있게 드세요.

  [masitge deuseyo]

  Enjoy your meal.

Honorific nouns and particles

Nouns and particles can be honorific too.

• 이름 (name) → 성함
• 나이 (age) → 연세
• 집 (home) → 댁
• 이/가 (subject particle) → 께서
• 에게 (to) → 께

• 성함이 어떻게 되세요?

  [seonghami eotteoke doeseyo]

  May I have your name?

• 연세가 어떻게 되세요?

  [yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo]

  May I ask how old you are? (to an elder)

• 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.

  [halmeonikke seonmureul deuryeosseoyo]

  I gave Grandma a present.

께서 is mostly used in formal or written Korean; in daily conversation, many people simply use 이/가 with an honorific verb.

Humble forms

Another way to show respect is to lower yourself. Korean has humble words for when you do something for a respected person.

• 저 instead of 나 (I)
• 드리다 instead of 주다 (to give)
• 여쭤보다 instead of 물어보다 (to ask)
• 뵙다 instead of 보다 or 만나다 (to see, to meet)

• 제가 도와드릴게요.

  [jega dowadeurilkkeyo]

  I'll help you.

• 하나 여쭤봐도 될까요?

  [hana yeojjwobwado doelkkayo]

  May I ask you something?

• 내일 뵙겠습니다.

  [naeil boepgetseumnida]

  I'll see you tomorrow. (formal)

How much should learners use?

As a beginner, focus on three things: use 해요체, add -(으)세요 when asking strangers or elders about themselves, and learn a few special verbs like 드세요 and 계세요. That already sounds respectful and natural.

Everyday honorific phrases

Many polite set phrases you already know contain -시- without you noticing. 안녕하세요 comes from 안녕하다 (to be at peace) plus -세요, so it literally asks whether the listener is at peace. 안녕히 가세요 and 어서 오세요 use the same respectful ending.

Honorifics are not only rules; they express warmth and care. Using them well shows that you understand Korean culture as well as its grammar.