V-(으)세요 is an essential Korean grammar structure used to make polite requests and give instructions. If you’re learning Korean, mastering this expression will help you communicate more respectfully in everyday situations. This polite imperative form is commonly used when speaking to strangers, elders, or in formal settings. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about V-(으)세요, including its structure, meaning, usage, and common mistakes to avoid. By the end of this lesson, you’ll be able to confidently use V-(으)세요 in various real-life scenarios.
Contents
1. Definition
V-(으)세요 is a polite imperative ending in Korean, used to give commands or make requests in a respectful manner. It’s equivalent to saying “please do” or adding “please” to a command in English. This form is commonly used when speaking to strangers, elders, or in formal settings.
2. Form (Structure)
- For verb stems ending in a vowel: Attach -세요
- 가다 (to go) → 가세요 (Please go)
- 하다 (to do) → 하세요 (Please do)
- 오다 (to come) → 오세요 (Please come)
- For verb stems ending in a consonant: Attach -으세요
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽으세요 (Please read)
- 쓰다 (to write) → 쓰세요 (Please write)
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으세요 (Please eat)
- For verb stems ending in ㄹ: Drop ㄹ and attach -세요
- 살다 (to live) → 사세요 (Please live)
- 놀다 (to play) → 노세요 (Please play)
- 만들다 (to make) → 만드세요 (Please make)
- 팔다 (to sell) → 파세요 (Please sell)
| Verb Type | Base Verb | V-(으)세요 Form |
| Vowel-ending verb | 가다 (to go) | 가세요 (Please go) |
| Consonant-ending verb | 읽다 (to read) | 읽으세요 (Please read) |
| ㄹ-ending verb | 살다 (to live) | 사세요 (Please live) |
📌 Honorific Forms:
When speaking respectfully to someone older or of higher status, certain verbs use special honorific forms. These forms are different from regular -세요 and -으세요 and should be learned separately. Here are some common examples:
- 먹다 (to eat) → 드세요 (Please eat)
- 자다 (to sleep) → 주무세요 (Please sleep)
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽으세요 (Please read)
To study more about these honorific forms and how to use them appropriately, click the button below!
3. Meaning & Usage
V-(으)세요 is a polite imperative form in Korean used to make respectful requests, commands, or suggestions. It is commonly used when speaking to elders, strangers, customers, or in formal situations.
1. Making Polite Requests
When asking someone to do something in a polite way, V-(으)세요 is used. It softens the command and makes it sound more respectful.
Examples:
- 문을 닫아주세요. (Please close the door.)
- 여기 앉으세요. (Please sit here.)
- 이름을 적어주세요. (Please write your name.)
- 천천히 말하세요. (Please speak slowly.)
- 이쪽으로 오세요. (Please come this way.)
2. Giving Instructions or Directions
V-(으)세요 is often used when providing step-by-step instructions, such as in recipes, manuals, or travel directions.
Examples:
- 오른쪽으로 가세요. (Go to the right.)
- 버스를 타세요. (Take the bus.)
- 숙제를 하세요. (Do your homework.)
- 책을 펴세요. (Open your book.)
- 이 버튼을 누르세요. (Press this button.)
3. Offering Suggestions
This form can also be used to gently suggest an action to someone in a polite way.
Examples:
- 이 책을 읽어보세요. (Try reading this book.)
- 매일 운동하세요. (Exercise every day.)
- 친구를 만나 보세요. (Try meeting a friend.)
- 저녁을 드세요. (Have some dinner.)
- 여행을 가보세요. (Try going on a trip.)
4. Encouraging or Advising Someone
It can also be used to encourage someone to take action or to give advice in a respectful way.
Examples:
- 걱정하지 마세요. (Don’t worry.)
- 편하게 생각하세요. (Think comfortably.)
- 자신감을 가지세요. (Have confidence.)
- 따뜻한 물을 드세요. (Drink warm water.)
- 몸조리 잘하세요. (Take care of yourself.)
5. Speaking to Customers or in Formal Settings
When talking to customers or in official settings, V-(으)세요 is a polite way to address people and make requests.
Examples:
- 잠시만 기다리세요. (Please wait a moment.)
- 여기 서명하세요. (Please sign here.)
- 다음에 또 오세요. (Please come again.)
- 연락처를 남기세요. (Please leave your contact information.)
- 편하게 문의하세요. (Feel free to ask.)
4. Key Points to Remember
- Polite Imperative Form
- V-(으)세요 is used to give polite commands, make requests, or offer suggestions.
- It is commonly used in formal or respectful situations.
- Used for Requests, Suggestions, and Instructions
- It makes requests sound polite: 천천히 말하세요. (Please speak slowly.)
- It can be used in step-by-step instructions: 이 버튼을 누르세요. (Press this button.)
- It offers polite suggestions: 이 책을 읽어보세요. (Try reading this book.)
- Negative Form: V-지 마세요
- To politely tell someone not to do something, use V-지 마세요 instead.
- 예: 걱정하지 마세요. (Don’t worry.)
- 예: 늦지 마세요. (Don’t be late.)
- To politely tell someone not to do something, use V-지 마세요 instead.
💡 Want to learn more about the negative form V-지 마세요?
5. Practice Exercises
(Use V-(으)세요 to complete the sentences.)
- 길이 미끄러우니까 조심해서 _____________ (걷다).
- 손이 더러우니까 깨끗이 _____________ (씻다).
- 너무 덥죠? 창문을 _____________ (열다).
- 내일 중요한 시험이 있으니까 일찍 _____________ (자다).
- 이 길로 가면 안 되니까 저쪽 길로 _____________ (가다).
- 음악 소리가 너무 커요. 조금만 _____________ (줄이다).
- 건강을 위해 채소를 많이 _____________ (먹다).
- 사진을 찍을 때 여기에서 _____________ (기다리다).
- 피곤해 보이네요. 잠깐_____________ (쉬다).
- 저기에서 번호표를 _____________ (뽑다).
6. Answers
- 길이 미끄러우니까 조심해서 걷으세요. (The road is slippery, so please walk carefully.)
- 손이 더러우니까 깨끗이 씻으세요. (Your hands are dirty, so please wash them clean.)
- 너무 덥죠? 창문을 여세요. (It’s very hot, right? Please open the window.)
- 내일 중요한 시험이 있으니까 일찍 자세요. (You have an important exam tomorrow, so please go to bed early.)
- 이 길로 가면 안 되니까 저쪽 길로 가세요. (You shouldn’t go this way, so please go down the other road.)
- 음악 소리가 너무 커요. 조금만 줄이세요. (The music is too loud. Please turn it down a bit.)
- 건강을 위해 채소를 많이 드세요. (For your health, please eat lots of vegetables.)
- 사진을 찍을 때 여기에서 기다리세요. (Please wait here when taking the photo.)
- 피곤해 보이네요. 잠깐 쉬세요. (You look tired. Please rest for a while.)
- 저기에서 번호표를 뽑으세요. (Please take a number ticket over there.)
7. Common Mistakes and Tips
❌ Incorrect: “밥 먹으세요” when talking to close friends
✅ Correct: “밥 먹어” or “밥 먹어요”
Explanation: The form ‘V-(으)세요’ is polite and respectful, typically used for people you don’t know well or to show respect. When speaking to friends or in casual situations, it’s better to use informal speech like “밥 먹어” or a slightly more polite version like “밥 먹어요.”
❌ Incorrect: “한국어 공부하세요” to a close friend
✅ Correct: “한국어 공부해” or “한국어 공부해요”
Explanation: The ‘V-(으)세요’ form is too formal to be used with close friends. Instead, use the informal “공부해” or the moderately polite “공부해요.”
⚠️ Mistake: Using ‘V-(으)세요’ without understanding the hierarchy of respect
Explanation: The ‘V-(으)세요’ form is used to show respect to those who are older or have a higher status. It’s important to use this form based on social context. For example, saying “선생님, 책 읽으세요” (Teacher, please read the book) is polite, but it would sound awkward if used with a friend.
‘V-(으)세요’ is a polite and respectful form of speech used in formal situations, with strangers, or to show respect to someone of higher status. It’s important to choose the appropriate form based on the social context, using informal language with friends and peers, while reserving ‘V-(으)세요’ for more respectful interactions. Practice listening to native speakers to develop a natural understanding of when to use this form.