In Korean grammar, 주다 (juda), 주시다 (jusida), and 드리다 (deurida) all mean “to give,” but they follow different honorific rules. The difference between these Korean verbs depends on who is respected in the sentence. This guide explains the difference between juda, jusida, and deurida, when to use each verb, and common examples for Korean learners.
Contents
- 1. Difference Between Juda, Jusida, and Deurida – Korean Honorific Giving Verbs Explained
- 2. Korean Honorific Verb Rules: Juda, Jusida, and Deurida
- 3. When to Use Juda, Jusida, and Deurida in Korean
- 4. How to Use Juda, Jusida, and Deurida in Korean Sentences
- 5. Practice Exercises: Using 주다 (Juda), 주시다 (Jusida), and 드리다 (Deurida) in Korean Sentences
- 6. Common Mistakes When Using 주다(Juda), 주시다(Jusida), and 드리다(Deurida)
- 7. Quick Summary: 주다(Juda)vs 주시다(Jusida) vs 드리다(Deurida)
- 8. FAQ: Difference Between 주다 (Juda), 주시다 (Jusida), and 드리다 (Deurida)
- 9. Conclusion: Mastering Korean Honorific Giving Verbs
- 10. Continue Learning Korean Honorific Verbs
1. Difference Between Juda, Jusida, and Deurida – Korean Honorific Giving Verbs Explained
In Korean grammar, 주다 (juda), 주시다 (jusida), and 드리다 (deurida) all mean “to give,” but they follow different honorific rules.
The difference between 주다, 주시다, and 드리다 depends on who is respected in the sentence.
• respected giver → 주시다
• respected receiver → 드리다
• no honorific → 주다
This simple rule helps Korean learners quickly decide which verb to use in different situations.
The table below compares 주다, 주시다, and 드리다 based on honorific usage and who is respected in the sentence.
| Korean Verb | Usage | Respect Target | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 주다 (juda) | Standard verb | None | 친구에게 선물을 줬어요 | (I gave a gift to a friend) |
| 주시다 (jusida) | Subject honorific | Giver | 선생님께서 사탕을 주셨어요 | (The teacher gave candy) |
| 드리다 (deurida) | Object honorific + humble verb | Receiver | 저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸어요 | (I gave a gift to the teacher) |
This difference is an important part of Korean honorific grammar because verbs change depending on who is respected in the sentence.
2. Korean Honorific Verb Rules: Juda, Jusida, and Deurida
Understanding Korean honorific verbs becomes easier when you follow a simple rule.
Quick rule
| Situation | Correct Verb |
|---|---|
| casual giving | 주다 |
| respected person gives | 주시다 |
| giving to respected person | 드리다 |
This rule works in most everyday conversations.
3. When to Use Juda, Jusida, and Deurida in Korean
The most important question when choosing between 주다(juda), 주시다(jusida), and 드리다(deurida) is:
Who is being respected in the sentence?
Honorific decision rule
This structure explains why Korean verbs change depending on the relationship between the speaker and the listener.
4. How to Use Juda, Jusida, and Deurida in Korean Sentences
Understanding 주다(juda), 주시다(jusida), and 드리다(deurida) becomes easier when you see them used in real Korean sentences. These verbs all mean “to give,” but they are used differently depending on honorific context.
Below are common Korean sentences using 주다(juda), 주시다(jusida), and 드리다(deurida) to help English learners understand how these verbs work in real conversations.
4.1 Using 주다 (Juda) in Korean Sentences
주다 (juda) is the basic Korean verb meaning “to give.” It is used in everyday conversations when no honorific form is required. In other words, 주다 is used when both the giver and receiver are in a neutral or casual relationship.
| Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 친구에게 책을 줬어요. | (I gave a book to my friend) |
| 동생에게 사탕을 줬어요. | (I gave candy to my younger sibling) |
| 이웃에게 편지를 줬어요. | (I gave a letter to my neighbor) |
| 친구에게 커피를 줬어요. | (I gave coffee to my friend.) |
| 동생에게 장난감을 줬어요. | (I gave a toy to my younger sibling.) |
These examples show how 주다 is commonly used in casual conversations between friends, siblings, or people of similar status.
4.2 Using 주시다 (Jusida) in Korean Sentences
주시다 (jusida) is the honorific form of 주다. It is used when the person giving something is respected, such as a teacher, boss, or parent.
| Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 선생님께서 숙제를 주셨어요. | (The teacher gave homework) |
| 부모님께서 조언을 주셨어요. | (My parents gave advice) |
| 사장님께서 상을 주셨어요. | (The CEO gave an award) |
| 교수님께서 책을 주셨어요. | (The professor gave a book.) |
| 어머니께서 용돈을 주셨어요. | (My mother gave me allowance.) |
Using 주시다 shows respect toward the person performing the action.
4.3 Using 드리다 (Deurida) in Korean Sentences
드리다 (deurida) is a humble verb meaning “to give.” It is used when the speaker gives something to someone respected.
| Example | English Translation |
|---|---|
| 저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다. | (I gave a gift to the teacher) |
| 직원이 사장님께 보고서를 드렸습니다. | (The employee gave the report to the CEO) |
| 저는 할아버지께 편지를 드렸습니다. | (I gave a letter to my grandfather) |
| 저는 교수님께 질문을 드렸어요. | (I asked the professor a question.) |
| 저는 부모님께 편지를 드렸어요. | (I gave a letter to my parents.) |
Using 드리다 lowers the speaker while respecting the receiver.
4.4 Real Korean Conversation Examples
These short conversations show how Korean speakers naturally use Korean honorific verbs like 주다, 주시다, and 드리다 in everyday situations.
Conversation 1
A: 선생님께서 숙제를 주셨어요?
(The teacher gave homework?)
B: 네, 오늘 많이 주셨어요.
(Yes, the teacher gave a lot today.)
Conversation 2
A: 부모님께 선물을 드렸어요?
(Did you give a gift to your parents?)
B: 네, 어제 드렸어요.
(Yes, I gave them a gift yesterday.)
Conversation 3
A: 친구가 커피를 줬어요.
(My friend gave me coffee.)
B: 아, 좋겠네요!
(Oh, that’s nice!)
Conversation 4
A: 교수님께 질문을 드렸어요?
(Did you ask the professor a question?)
B: 네, 수업 끝나고 드렸어요.
(Yes, I asked after class.)
Conversation 5
A: 사장님께서 상을 주셨어요.
(The CEO gave an award.)
B: 정말요? 축하합니다!
(Really? Congratulations!)
5. Practice Exercises: Using 주다 (Juda), 주시다 (Jusida), and 드리다 (Deurida) in Korean Sentences
These exercises help you practice how to use 주다, 주시다, and 드리다 correctly in real Korean sentences.
Fill in the blank with the correct verb form.:
| Korean Sentence | English Meaning | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|
| 저는 친구에게 책을 ________. | I gave a book to my friend. | 줬어요 |
| 선생님께서 숙제를 ________. | The teacher gave homework. | 주셨어요 |
| 저는 선생님께 질문을 ________. | I asked the teacher a question. | 드렸어요 |
| 사장님께서 직원에게 상을 ________. | The CEO gave an award to an employee. | 주셨어요 |
| 저는 부모님께 선물을 ________. | I gave a gift to my parents. | 드렸어요 |
| 친구가 저에게 커피를 ________. | My friend gave me coffee. | 줬어요 |
| 교수님께서 책을 ________. | The professor gave a book. | 주셨어요 |
| 저는 할머니께 편지를 ________. | I gave a letter to my grandmother. | 드렸어요 |
| 동생이 저에게 초콜릿을 ________. | My younger sibling gave me chocolate. | 줬어요 |
| 사장님께서 학생들에게 장학금을 ________. | The CEO gave scholarships to students. | 주셨어요 |
5.1 Practice Tip
When choosing the correct verb, check who is respected in the sentence.
- casual situation → 주다
- respected giver → 주시다
- respected receiver → 드리다
Practicing with real sentences like these will help you understand how Korean honorific verbs work in everyday communication.
6. Common Mistakes When Using 주다(Juda), 주시다(Jusida), and 드리다(Deurida)
6.1 Using 주시다 When You Should Use 드리다
A common mistake is using 주시다 (jusida) when the speaker is giving something to a respected person.
Example mistake:
저는 선생님께 선물을 주셨어요
(I gave a gift to the teacher)
This sentence is incorrect. 주시다 is used when the respected person is the giver, not the receiver.
Correct sentence:
저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸어요
(I gave a gift to the teacher)
Key rule:
Use 드리다 (deurida) when you give something to someone respected.
6.2 Using 주다 Instead of 주시다
Another mistake is using 주다 (juda) when the person giving something is respected.
Example mistake:
선생님이 숙제를 줬어요
(The teacher gave homework)
Although the sentence is understandable, it sounds too casual because the teacher is a respected person.
Correct sentence:
선생님께서 숙제를 주셨어요
(The teacher gave homework)
Key rule:
Use 주시다 (jusida) when the respected person is the giver.
6.3 Confusing Who Should Be Respected
Some learners focus only on the verb and forget to check who is respected in the situation.
Example mistake:
저는 사장님께 선물을 주셨어요
(I gave a gift to the CEO)
The verb 주시다 is incorrect here because the speaker is giving something to the CEO.
Correct sentence:
저는 사장님께 선물을 드렸어요
(I gave a gift to the CEO)
Key rule:
- respected giver → 주시다
- respected receiver → 드리다
6.4 Using 드리다 in Casual Situations
Sometimes learners try to be very polite and use 드리다 even in casual situations.
Example:
친구에게 선물을 드렸어요
(I gave a gift to my friend)
This sentence is grammatically possible, but it sounds unnatural in everyday conversation.
Natural sentence:
친구에게 선물을 줬어요
(I gave a gift to my friend)
Key rule:
Use 주다 in casual situations with friends or people of similar status.
7. Quick Summary: 주다(Juda)vs 주시다(Jusida) vs 드리다(Deurida)
Understanding Korean honorific verbs becomes easier when you follow a simple rule.
| Situation | Correct Verb |
|---|---|
| Casual giving | 주다 |
| A respected person gives something | 주시다 |
| Giving something to a respected person | 드리다 |
If you remember one rule, it is this:
- respected giver → 주시다
- respected receiver → 드리다
- casual situation → 주다
This quick rule helps learners choose the correct Korean verb depending on who is respected in the sentence.
This rule works in most everyday conversations.
8. FAQ: Difference Between 주다 (Juda), 주시다 (Jusida), and 드리다 (Deurida)
Q1: What is the difference between 주다(juda), 주시다(jusida), and 드리다(deurida)?
A: The difference between juda, jusida, and deurida depends on the honorific direction in the sentence.
주다 is the basic verb meaning “to give.”
주시다 is used when a respected person is the giver.
드리다 is used when the speaker gives something to someone respected.
Q2: When should I use 주시다(jusida)?
A: Use 주시다 (jusida) when a respected person is giving something.
For example, when a teacher or boss gives something, Korean speakers use the honorific verb 주시다.
Example:
선생님께서 숙제를 주셨어요
(The teacher gave homework)
Q3: When should I use 드리다(deurida)?
A: Use 드리다 (deurida) when you give something to someone respected.
This verb expresses humility toward the receiver.
Example:
저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸어요
(I gave a gift to the teacher)
Q4: Can I use 주다(juda) in polite sentences?
A: Yes. 주다 can be used in polite sentence endings such as 줬어요 or 줍니다.
However, it should not be used when honorific verbs are required.
Q5: Why does Korean use different verbs for “to give”?
A: Korean uses different verbs because the language reflects social hierarchy and respect.
Honorific verbs like 주시다 and 드리다 show who is respected in the sentence.
9. Conclusion: Mastering Korean Honorific Giving Verbs
Understanding juda, jusida, and deurida is simple once you focus on who is respected:
- Respected person gives → 주시다
- You give to a respected person → 드리다
- Casual giving → 주다
Use these rules in daily conversation to speak polite Korean naturally.
10. Continue Learning Korean Honorific Verbs
If you want to understand Korean honorific grammar more deeply, explore these related guides about Korean honorific verbs, particles, and sentence structures.
- Learn the difference between 주시다 and 드리다 in Korean honorific grammar
- Difference Between 계시다 and 있으시다 in Korean Honorific Grammar
- Korean Honorific Verbs for Beginners: Polite Speech Basics
- Korean Honorific Nouns and Pronouns: 할아버지, 어머님, and More
- Korean Honorific Particles Explained: 께, 께서, and Usage
- Korean Honorific Verb Ending -(으)시: Grammar and Examples