When learning Korean, understanding different levels of politeness is essential. The formal command form ‘(으)십시오’ is commonly used in official announcements, instructions, and formal speech. This guide will help you understand its structure, meaning, and practical usage so that you can use it correctly in real-life situations.
Contents
1. Definition
(으)십시오’ is a Korean grammatical ending used to form polite commands or requests. It is equivalent to the English expressions “Please do…” or “Would you please…?” in formal situations. It can be translated as “please do…” or “kindly…” in English.
2. Form (Structure)
The structure for using ‘(으)십시오’ is as follows:
Verb stem + (으)십시오
- For verbs ending with a consonant, add ‘으십시오’.
- For verbs ending with a vowel, add ‘십시오’.
Here’s a table to help you understand the structure better:
| Verb Type | Verb | ‘(으)십시오’ Form |
| Consonant ending | 읽다 (to read) | 읽으십시오 (Please read) |
| Vowel ending | 가다 (to go) | 가십시오 (Please go) |
| ㄹ ending | 살다 (to live) | 사십시오 (Please live) |
3. Meaning & Usage
‘(으)십시오’ is used in formal situations to make polite requests or give respectful commands. It’s commonly used when speaking to superiors, elders, or in professional settings. This form appears in:
- Announcements and instructions in public places
- Workplace or business settings
- Formal writing such as manuals and notices
- Conversations with customers or elders
However, native Korean speakers rarely use ‘(으)십시오’ in daily conversations, especially in spoken language. Instead, they often use ‘(으)세요,’ which sounds more natural in casual or semi-formal settings. ‘(으)십시오’ is primarily found in written notices, public announcements, and professional environments rather than everyday speech.
Here are 20 examples showcasing various tenses and contexts:
- 여기에 앉으십시오. (Please sit here.)
- 이 서류에 서명하십시오. (Please sign this document.)
- 내일 아침 9시까지 오십시오. (Please come by 9 AM tomorrow.)
- 이 약을 하루에 세 번 복용하십시오. (Please take this medicine three times a day.)
- 회의실로 들어가십시오. (Please enter the conference room.)
- 질문이 있으면 손을 들어 주십시오. (Please raise your hand if you have a question.)
- 이 양식을 작성하십시오. (Please fill out this form.)
- 안전벨트를 착용하십시오. (Please fasten your seatbelt.)
- 휴대전화를 꺼 주십시오. (Please turn off your mobile phone.)
- 이 버튼을 누르십시오. (Please press this button.)
- 조용히 해 주십시오. (Please be quiet.)
- 문을 닫아 주십시오. (Please close the door.)
- 천천히 말씀해 주십시오. (Please speak slowly.)
- 이쪽으로 따라오십시오. (Please follow me this way.)
- 여권을 보여 주십시오. (Please show me your passport.)
- 이 책을 다음 주까지 반납하십시오. (Please return this book by next week.)
- 식사 전에 손을 씻으십시오. (Please wash your hands before meals.)
- 긴급 상황 시 이 번호로 전화하십시오. (Please call this number in case of emergency.)
- 제품 사용 전 설명서를 읽으십시오. (Please read the manual before using the product.)
- 면접 시작 30분 전에 도착하십시오. (Please arrive 30 minutes before the interview starts.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- ‘(으)십시오’ is used in formal situations and shows respect to the listener.
- It’s commonly used in public announcements, instructions, and when addressing superiors or elders.
- The form changes slightly depending on whether the verb stem ends with a consonant or vowel.
- ‘(으)십시오’ can be used with action verbs and some descriptive verbs, but not with all descriptive verbs.
- This form is always used in formal speech and writing.
- It is not appropriate for casual conversations.
6. Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these exercises. Try to complete the sentences using the correct form of ‘(으)십시오’.
- 문을 _______ (열다) (Open the door.)
- 여기에 _______ (서다) (Stand here.)
- 천천히 _______ (걷다) (Walk slowly.)
- 이 약을 _______ (먹다) (Take this medicine.)
- 창문을 _______ (닫다) (Close the window.)
- 이 편지를 _______ (읽다) (Read this letter.)
- 조용히 _______ (하다) (Be quiet.)
- 이름을 _______ (쓰다) (Write your name.)
- 질문에 _______ (대답하다) (Answer the question.)
- 이 음식을 _______ (맛보다) (Taste this food.)
7. Answers
- 여십시오
- 서십시오
- 걸으십시오
- 드십시오
- 닫으십시오
- 읽으십시오
- 하십시오
- 쓰십시오
- 대답하십시오
- 맛보십시오
8. Common Mistakes and Tips
⚠️ Mistake: Using ‘(으)십시오’ in casual situations.
💡 Tip: Remember that ‘(으)십시오’ is for formal contexts only. In casual situations, use other forms like ‘-세요’ or ‘-해 주세요’.
Example:
Incorrect ❌: 친구야, 여기 앉으십시오. (Hey friend, please sit here.)
Correct ✅: 친구야, 여기 앉아. (Hey friend, sit here.)
⚠️ Mistake: Forgetting to change irregular verbs correctly.
💡 Tip: Pay attention to irregular verbs like ‘듣다’ (to listen) or ‘돕다’ (to help) when forming ‘(으)십시오’.
Example:
Incorrect ❌: 제 말을 듣으십시오.
Correct ✅: 제 말을 들으십시오. (Please listen to me.)
⚠️ Mistake: Using ‘(으)십시오’ with all types of verbs.
💡 Tip: ‘(으)십시오’ is mainly used with action verbs. Some descriptive verbs can use it, but many cannot.
Example:
Incorrect ❌: 키가 크십시오.
Correct ✅: 키가 크세요. (You are tall. – statement, not command)
Mastering the use of ‘(으)십시오’ is essential for polite and formal communication in Korean. By understanding its structure and practicing with various examples, you’ll be able to use this form confidently in appropriate situations. Remember to consider the context and your relationship with the listener when choosing between formal and informal language. Keep practicing, and you’ll soon find yourself using ‘(으)십시오’ naturally in your Korean conversations!