In Korean grammar, 주시다 and 드리다 are honorific verbs that both mean “to give.”
However, many Korean learners are confused about the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 because both translate to “give” in English.
Understanding the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 is essential for mastering Korean honorific verbs and speaking polite Korean naturally. This guide explains the difference and when to use each verb with clear explanations, examples, practice exercises, and FAQs. This guide explains when to use 주시다 versus 드리다 with clear explanations, examples, practice exercises, and FAQs.
The key difference lies in who is being respected in the sentence.
Quick Overview of Korean Honorific Verbs 주시다 vs 드리다
These two Korean honorific verbs are commonly used in polite speech and formal Korean conversations.
The key difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 is who is being respected in the sentence.
- 주시다 → respect the giver
- 드리다 → respect the receiver
Key idea:
주시다 respects the giver, while 드리다 respects the receiver.
Contents
- 1. Definition: What Do 주시다 and 드리다 Mean?
- 2. How to Use 주시다 and 드리다 in Korean Honorific Speech
- 2.2 드리다 (Object Honorific + Humble Verb)
- 3. Practice Exercises for 주시다 vs 드리다
- 4. Common Mistakes with 주시다 vs 드리다
- 5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- 6. Conclusion: When to Use 주시다 vs 드리다
- 7. Continue Learning Korean Honorific Verbs
1. Definition: What Do 주시다 and 드리다 Mean?
This difference is one of the most important concepts in Korean honorific grammar.
- 주시다 → used when the giver is respected
- 드리다 → used when the receiver is respected
In other words:
주시다 = honorific form of 주다 used when a respected person gives something.
드리다 = humble form of 주다 used when you give something to a respected person.
2. How to Use 주시다 and 드리다 in Korean Honorific Speech
Many Korean learners struggle to decide when to use 주시다 vs 드리다 because both verbs come from the base verb 주다 (to give). However, they follow different honorific rules.
2.1 주시다 (Subject Honorific)
- Used when the giver is respected; the receiver can be anyone.
- 주시다 is formed by adding the honorific suffix -(으)시 to the verb 주다.
Examples:
- 선생님께서 사탕을 주십니다 → The teacher gives candy
- 부모님께서 조언을 주셨어요 → My parents gave advice
- 사장님께서 돈을 주시겠다고 하셨어요 → The CEO said they will give money
2.2 드리다 (Object Honorific + Humble Verb)
2.2 드리다 (Object Honorific + Humble Verb)
드리다 is used when the receiver is respected and the giver is the speaker or someone of lower status.
Examples:
- 저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다 → I gave a gift to the teacher.
- 직원이 사장님께 보고서를 드렸습니다 → The employee gave the report to the CEO.
- 저는 부모님께 편지를 드렸습니다 → I gave a letter to my parents.
2.3 Key Differences Between 주시다 and 드리다 (Korean Honorific Verbs)
Understanding the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 is important because both verbs mean “to give,” but they show respect in different ways.
The table below summarizes the key differences between 주시다 and 드리다 in Korean honorific verbs.
| Korean Verb | Usage | Example Sentence | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| 주시다 | Respected person gives something | 선생님께서 사탕을 주십니다 | The teacher gives candy |
| 드리다 | You give something to a respected person | 저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다 | I gave a gift to the teacher |
Another important Korean honorific verb is 계시다, which is used instead of 있다 when referring to respected people. See the full guide: [계시다 vs 있으시다 – Complete Difference Guide]
In short:
- 주시다 → used when the giver is respected
- 드리다 → used when the receiver is respected
Tip:
- Subject honorific → respect the person performing the action
- Object honorific + humble verb → respect the person receiving the action
2.4 Difference Between 주시다 and 드리다 (Simple Rule)
Simple rule:
If the respected person gives → use 주시다
If you give to a respected person → use 드리다
The main difference between 주시다 and 드리다 lies in who is being respected in the sentence.
주시다 is used when a respected person gives something.
드리다 is used when the speaker gives something to a respected person.
3. Practice Exercises for 주시다 vs 드리다
These exercises help you practice the difference between 주시다 and 드리다, two important Korean honorific verbs meaning “to give.”
Fill in the blanks with the correct verb.
| Korean Sentence | English Translation | Correct Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 선생님께서 숙제를 ________. | The teacher gave homework | 주셨어요 |
| 저는 부모님께 편지를 ________. | I gave a letter to my parents | 드렸어요 |
| 사장님께서 상을 ________. | The CEO gave an award | 주셨어요 |
| 직원이 사장님께 보고서를 ________. | The employee gave the report to the CEO | 드렸어요 |
| 교수님께서 책을 ________. | The professor gave a book | 주셨어요 |
| 저는 선생님께 질문을 ________. | I asked the teacher a question | 드렸어요 |
| 부모님께서 선물을 ________. | My parents gave a gift | 주셨어요 |
| 직원이 상사께 파일을 ________. | The employee gave a file to their superior | 드렸어요 |
| 사장님께서 학생들에게 장학금을 ________. | The CEO gave scholarships to students | 주셨어요 |
| 저는 할아버지께 편지를 ________. | I gave a letter to grandfather | 드렸어요 |
4. Common Mistakes with 주시다 vs 드리다
4.1 Common Mistakes When Using 주시다 vs 드리다
Many Korean learners struggle with the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 because both verbs translate to “give” in English.
- ❌ Incorrect: 팀장님께서 사무실에 드리셨어요.
- Why it’s wrong: 드리다 is only used when you (or a lower-status person) give something to a respected person. Here, the manager is giving, so 주시다 is correct.
- ✔ Correct: 팀장님께서 사무실에 주셨어요.
- 주시다 → used when a respected person gives something
- Examples:
- 선생님께서 학생들에게 사탕을 주셨어요. (The teacher gave candies to students.)
- 부모님께서 저에게 조언을 주셨어요. (My parents gave me advice.)
4.2 How to Use 드리다 Correctly in Korean Honorifics
- 드리다 is only used when the receiver is respected and the giver is yourself or someone of lower status.
- Do not use 드리다 for peers or casual situations.
- Examples:
- 저는 사장님께 보고서를 드렸습니다. (I gave the report to the CEO.)
- 직원이 교수님께 질문을 드렸습니다. (An employee asked the professor a question.)
- ❌ Incorrect peer usage: 친구에게 선물을 드렸어요.
- Correct casual expression: 친구에게 선물을 줬어요. (I gave a gift to a friend.)
- Correct casual expression: 친구에게 선물을 줬어요. (I gave a gift to a friend.)
4.3 Politeness Nuances: 주시다 vs 드리다 in Korean Honorific Verbs
- 주시다 → “주다 + honorific -(으)시” → emphasizes the giver is respected
- 드리다 → “주다 + humble form” → emphasizes the receiver is respected
- Key point: identify who is respected in the situation
| Situation | Korean | English | Correct Verb |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher gives candy to students | 선생님께서 학생들에게 사탕을 주셨어요. | The teacher gave candies to students. | 주시다 |
| I give a gift to the teacher | 저는 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다. | I gave a gift to the teacher. | 드리다 |
| Parents give advice to me | 부모님께서 저에게 조언을 주셨어요. | My parents gave me advice. | 주시다 |
| I give a letter to grandfather | 저는 할아버지께 편지를 드렸습니다. | I gave a letter to grandfather. | 드리다 |
4.4 Quick Tips for Using Korean Honorific Verbs 주시다 vs 드리다
- Who is giving? → If the giver is respected → use 주시다
- Who is receiving? → If the receiver is respected → use 드리다
- Friends, peers, juniors → use 주다
- In formal or business situations, always pay attention to respect levels for accurate usage
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Even advanced learners sometimes struggle with the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다. The following FAQ answers some of the most common questions.
Q1: What is the main difference between 주시다 and 드리다?
A: 주시다 → respected person gives to anyone; 드리다 → you give to a respected person. Key: 주시다 = giver respected, 드리다 = receiver respected.
Q2: Can I use 드리다 when the receiver is not respected?
A: No. 드리다 is only for giving to someone respected. Use 주다 for peers or juniors.
Q3: Can 주시다 be used for giving to the speaker?
A: Yes. 주시다 can be used when a respected person gives to the speaker or anyone else.
Q4: Are 주시다 and 드리다 interchangeable?
A: No. Use 주시다 when the giver is respected, and 드리다 when giving to a respected person. Mixing them sounds unnatural.
Q5: Do I use 드리다 with family members like parents?
A: Yes. 드리다 is standard when giving to parents or elders (드렸어요). Use 주시다 when parents give to you (주셨어요). Casual adult siblings usually use 주다.
6. Conclusion: When to Use 주시다 vs 드리다
Understanding the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 becomes much easier once you focus on who is being respected in the sentence. This simple rule helps you choose when to use each verb correctly in Korean honorific speech.
Remember the simple rule:
Use 주시다 when a respected person gives something.
Use 드리다 when you give something to a respected person.
Once you identify who is being respected in the sentence, choosing the correct Korean honorific verb becomes much easier.
Mastering the difference between 주시다 vs 드리다 will significantly improve your Korean honorific speech.
7. Continue Learning Korean Honorific Verbs
If you want to understand Korean honorific grammar better, explore these related guides.
- [주다 vs 주시다 vs 드리다: Korean Honorific Verb Guide]
- [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 -시: Grammar and Examples]