Mastering regular Korean honorific verbs (-으시/시) is essential for polite and respectful communication. In Korean culture, honorifics show respect for elders, superiors, and people in formal situations. This guide explains how to use regular honorific verbs (-으시/시), including formation rules, examples, exercises, Q&A, and related grammar patterns for learners.
Contents
- 1. What Are Regular Korean Honorific Verbs (-으시/시)?
- 2. How to Form Regular Korean Honorific Verbs (-시 / -으시)
- 3. When to Use Regular Korean Honorific Verbs in Daily and Formal Situations
- 4. Key Rules for Using Regular Korean Honorific Verbs
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Honorific Verbs (-으시/시)
- 6. Related Korean Honorific Grammar Patterns
1. What Are Regular Korean Honorific Verbs (-으시/시)?
Definition
Regular honorific verbs are verbs that follow a consistent pattern when conjugated with honorific markers. They use the suffix -시 or -으시 to indicate respect toward the subject. Use these verbs when talking about elders, superiors, or in formal situations.
Key Usage Principles
- Always used for respected individuals, never for oneself.
- Polite verbs elevate the subject, showing respect.
- Can be combined with honorific particles (께, 께서).
2. How to Form Regular Korean Honorific Verbs (-시 / -으시)
Basic Structure
- Add -시 or -으시 before verb endings.
- Verb stem ends in a vowel → -시
- Verb stem ends in a consonant → -으시
Verb Formation Examples
| Base Verb | Honorific Suffix | Honorific Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가다 | 시 | 가시다 | To go |
| 읽다 | 으시 | 읽으시다 | To read |
| 만나다 | 시 | 만나시다 | To meet |
Conjugation by Speech Level
| Speech Level | Example Sentence | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Polite (-요) | 선생님께서 오세요. | The teacher is coming |
| Formal (-습니다) | 할아버지께서 식사를 하십니다. | Grandfather is eating a meal |
3. When to Use Regular Korean Honorific Verbs in Daily and Formal Situations
Regular honorific verbs are used in conversations when:
1) Daily Conversations with Elders and Superiors
- 아버지께서 신문을 읽으십니다. (Father is reading the newspaper.)
- 할머니께서 매일 아침 공원을 산책하십니다. (Grandmother takes a walk in the park every morning.)
- 선생님께서 학생들의 숙제를 확인하십니다. (The teacher is checking students’ homework.)
- 회장님께서 직원들에게 연설을 하십니다. (The chairman is giving a speech to the employees.)
- 손님께서 카운터에서 계산을 하고 계십니다. (The customer is making a payment at the counter.)
2) Workplace and Business Situations
- 대표님께서 중요한 회의를 주최하십니다. (The CEO is hosting an important meeting.)
- 이사님께서 계약서 내용을 검토하십니다. (The director is reviewing the contract details.)
- 부장님께서 프로젝트 일정을 조정하십니다. (The manager is adjusting the project schedule.)
- 고객님께서 새 상품을 주문하십니다. (The customer is ordering a new product.)
- 교수님께서 세미나에서 강의를 하십니다. (The professor is giving a lecture at the seminar.)
3) Formal Situations and Public Announcements
- 시장님께서 개회사를 하십니다. (The mayor is giving the opening speech.)
- 대사님께서 환영 인사를 전하십니다. (The ambassador is delivering a welcome message.)
- 승객 여러분께서는 안전벨트를 착용해 주시기 바랍니다. (Passengers, please fasten your seat belts.)
- 손님께서 객실을 예약하고 계십니다. (The guest is booking a room.)
- 안내원께서 관광객들에게 길을 안내하십니다. (The guide is giving directions to the tourists.)
4) Family and Social Gatherings
- 부모님께서 저녁 식사를 준비하십니다. (My parents are preparing dinner.)
- 할아버지께서 손자들에게 옛날이야기를 들려주십니다. (Grandfather is telling old stories to his grandchildren.)
- 어머니께서 손님들에게 차를 따라 드리십니다. (Mother is pouring tea for the guests.)
- 이모께서 가족들에게 선물을 나눠 주십니다. (Aunt is distributing gifts to the family.)
- 친척 어르신들께서 결혼식에서 축사를 하십니다. (The elder relatives are giving congratulatory speeches at the wedding.)
5) Service and Customer Interactions
- 도서관 사서님께서 대출 절차를 안내하십니다. (The librarian is explaining the borrowing process.)
- 의사 선생님께서 환자를 진찰하십니다. (The doctor is examining a patient.)
- 쉐프께서 특별한 요리를 만드십니다. (The chef is preparing a special dish.)
- 직원분께서 고객의 문의를 받으십니다. (The staff member is receiving customer inquiries.)
- 기사님께서 목적지까지 안전하게 운전하십니다. (The driver is driving safely to the destination.)
4. Key Rules for Using Regular Korean Honorific Verbs
- Regular honorific verb pattern: vowel stem → -시-, consonant stem → -으시-
- Tense conjugations:
- Present: -세요 / -(스)ㅂ니다 → 선생님께서 책을 읽으십니다.
- Past: -셨다 / -셨습니다 → 회장님께서 연설을 하셨습니다.
- Future: -시겠습니다 → 사장님께서 결정을 내리시겠습니다.
- Respect the subject: honorifics are used for elders, superiors, or respected individuals; never use honorific verbs for yourself.
- Combine with honorific particles: subject marker 께서 replaces 이/가, indirect object marker 께 replaces 에게. Example: 할머니께서 손자에게 선물을 주십니다.
- Consistency is key: always apply the correct pattern based on stem and speech level; avoid common mistakes in tense and subject respect.
5. Frequently Asked Questions About Korean Honorific Verbs (-으시/시)
Q1: What is -으시 in Korean Honorific Verbs?
으시는 a verb suffix used to show respect toward elders, superiors, or people in formal situations.
Example
가다 → 가시다. (to go → to go honorific)
읽다 → 읽으시다. (to read → to read honorific)
Q2: When should I use 으시?
Use 으시 when talking about someone you respect. Do not use it for your own actions.
Example
저는 학교에 갑니다. (I go to school)
저는 학교에 가십니다. (incorrect for self)
Q3: How do I know whether to use 시 or 으시?
If the verb stem ends in a vowel, use 시. If it ends in a consonant, use 으시.
Example
가다 → 가시다. (to go → to go honorific)
읽다 → 읽으시다. (to read → to read honorific)
Q4: How do -으시 verbs change in different tenses?
Present: -세요 / -(스)ㅂ니다 → 선생님께서 책을 읽으십니다. (The teacher is reading a book)
Past: -셨다 / -셨습니다 → 회장님께서 연설을 하셨습니다. (The chairman gave a speech)
Future: -시겠습니다 → 사장님께서 결정을 내리시겠습니다. (The CEO will make a decision)
Q5: Can 으시 be combined with particles?
A5: 으시 works with honorific particles to show respect.
Example
Subject marker 께서 replaces 이/가.
Indirect object marker 께 replaces 에게.
할머니께서 손자에게 선물을 주십니다. (Grandmother gives a gift to her grandson)
6. Related Korean Honorific Grammar Patterns
Learn how to use Korean honorifics in daily conversations for elders and superiors.
Example: 선생님께 인사드립니다. (I greet the teacher.)
Discover the correct pronouns and nouns to show respect in Korean.
Example: 할아버지 (grandfather), 어머님 (mother)
Honorific Particles and Suffixes
Understand particles like 께서, 께 and suffixes like -님 that elevate the subject.
Example: 선생님께서 말씀하십니다. (The teacher speaks.)
Some verbs have special honorific forms that do not follow regular patterns.
Example: 주다 → 주시다 (to give → to give honorific)
Combine honorific verbs, particles, and polite endings to speak formally and respectfully.
Example: 회장님께서 회의를 주재하십니다. (The chairman presides over the meeting.)