Learning how to give commands in Korean can be challenging, as the language has multiple imperative forms depending on politeness and formality levels. In this guide, we’ll break down the five essential Korean imperative forms—from informal to highly respectful—so you can use them correctly in any situation. With clear explanations and practical examples, you’ll master Korean commands and avoid common mistakes. Read on to improve your Korean communication skills!
Contents
1. What Are Korean Imperative Forms?
Imperative forms (명령형) in Korean are used to issue commands, make polite requests, or convey reported speech. Depending on the situation and the relationship between the speaker and listener, the appropriate form should be chosen to maintain proper respect and politeness.
2. Form (Structure)
Here’s a brief overview of the five main imperative forms in Korean:
- -아라/어라/해라: Informal command
- -(으)세요: Polite command
- -(으)십시오: Formal command
- -지 마세요: Polite prohibition
- -(으)라고 하다: Reported command
3. Meaning & Usage
- -아라/어라/해라 (Informal Command)
- Used among close friends or to younger people. It’s the most direct form.
- Examples:
- 가라! (Go!)
- 먹어라! (Eat!)
- 공부해라! (Study!)
- 빨리 와라! (Come quickly!)
- 조용히 해라! (Be quiet!)
- -(으)세요 (Polite Command)
- Commonly used in everyday situations. It’s polite and suitable for most contexts.
- Examples:
- 가세요. (Please go.)
- 먹으세요. (Please eat.)
- 공부하세요. (Please study.)
- 기다리세요. (Please wait.)
- 조용히 하세요. (Please be quiet.)
- -(으)십시오 (Formal Command)
- The most formal and polite form, used in official or highly respectful situations. Often heard in public announcements or formal instructions.
- Examples:
- 가십시오. (Please go.)
- 드시십시오. (Please eat.)
- 말씀하십시오. (Please speak.)
- 기다리십시오. (Please wait.)
- 확인하십시오. (Please confirm.)
- -지 마세요 (Polite Prohibition)
- Used to prohibit an action politely. Can also express care or concern for the listener.
- Examples:
- 가지 마세요. (Please don’t go.)
- 먹지 마세요. (Please don’t eat.)
- 시끄럽게 하지 마세요. (Please don’t be noisy.)
- 늦지 마세요! (Don’t be late!)
- 잊지 마세요! (Don’t forget!)
- -(으)라고 하다 (Reported Command)
- Used to report a command given by someone else. Helps maintain politeness when relaying orders.
- Examples:
- 가라고 했어요. (He/She said to go.)
- 먹으라고 했어요. (He/She said to eat.)
- 공부하라고 했어요. (He/She said to study.)
- 기다리라고 했어요. (He/She said to wait.)
- 조용히 하라고 했어요. (He/She said to be quiet.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- The choice of imperative form depends on the social context and relationship between the speaker and listener.
- The level of formality increases from -아라/어라/해라 to -(으)십시오.
- -지 마세요 is used for polite prohibitions across various formality levels.
- -(으)라고 하다 is used to report commands indirectly.
5. Practice Exercises
Complete the following sentences using the appropriate imperative form:
- 친구에게: 빨리 _______ (오다) (Come quickly)
- 선생님께: 천천히 _______ (말하다) (Speak slowly)
- 동생에게: 시끄럽게 _______ (하다) (Don’t be noisy)
- 손님께: 여기에 _______ (앉다) (Please sit here)
- 상사의 말을 전달: 보고서를 _______ (쓰다) (Write the report)
- 아이에게: 장난감을 _______ (치우다) (Clean up the toys)
- 직장 동료에게: 회의에 _______ (참석하다) (Attend the meeting)
- 식당 종업원에게: 물을 _______ (가져오다) (Bring water)
- 의사가 환자에게: 약을 규칙적으로 _______ (복용하다) (Take the medicine regularly)
- 선배가 후배에게: 열심히 _______ (노력하다) (Work hard)
6. Answers
- 와/와라
- 말씀해 주세요
- 하지 마
- 앉으세요
- 쓰라고 하셨어요
- 치워/치워라
- 참석하세요
- 가져와 주세요
- 복용하세요
- 노력해/노력해라
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
- -아라/어라/해라 (Informal Command)
⚠️ Mistake: Using this form with people older than you or in formal situations.
❌ Incorrect: 과장님, 이 보고서 검토해라. (Manager, review this report.)
✅ Correct: 과장님, 이 보고서 검토해 주세요. (Manager, please review this report.)
💡 Tip: Only use this form with close friends or younger people.
Example: 동생아, 방 청소해라. (Little brother, clean your room.)
- -(으)세요 (Polite Command)
⚠️ Mistake: Forgetting to add ‘주’ for more politeness in requests.
❌ Incorrect: 물 가져오세요. (Bring water.)
✅ Correct: 물 좀 가져와 주세요. (Please bring some water.)
💡 Tip: For polite requests, use ‘~해 주세요’ instead of just ‘~하세요’.
Example: 도와주세요. (Please help me.)
- -(으)십시오 (Formal Command)
⚠️ Mistake: Overusing this very formal form in daily conversations.
❌ Incorrect: 친구야, 영화 보러 가십시오. (Friend, please go to watch a movie.)
✅ Correct: 친구야, 영화 보러 가자. (Friend, let’s go watch a movie.)
💡 Tip: Reserve this form for highly formal situations or written instructions.
Example: 안전벨트를 착용하십시오. (Please fasten your seatbelt.) – Appropriate in airplane announcements.
- -지 마세요 (Polite Prohibition)
⚠️ Mistake: Using the wrong verb stem before ‘-지 마세요’.
❌ Incorrect: 늦어지 마세요. (Don’t be late.)
✅ Correct: 늦지 마세요. (Don’t be late.)
💡 Tip: Remember that some verbs change their stems. For example, ‘먹다’ becomes ‘먹지 마세요’, not ‘먹어지 마세요’.
Example: 걱정하지 마세요. (Don’t worry.)
- -(으)라고 하다 (Reported Command)
⚠️ Mistake: Confusing the structure when reporting a command.
❌ Incorrect: 선생님이 숙제를 하세요라고 했어요. (The teacher said to do the homework.)
✅ Correct: 선생님이 숙제를 하라고 하셨어요. (The teacher said to do the homework.)
💡 Tip: The basic structure is ‘[verb stem] + (으)라고 하다’. For example, ‘가라고 했어요’ (He said to go).
Example: 엄마가 일찍 들어오라고 하셨어요. (Mom said to come home early.)
Mastering Korean imperative forms is essential for effective communication. The choice of form depends on the social context and relationship with the listener, ranging from informal commands (-아라/어라/해라) to polite requests (-(으)세요) and formal commands (-(으)십시오). Using -지 마세요 for prohibitions and -(으)라고 하다 for reported commands further enhances your language skills. Regular practice and cultural sensitivity will help you navigate conversations more smoothly and respectfully.