Requests and suggestions
-(으)세요, -아/어 주세요, -(으)ㅂ시다 and -지 마세요.
-(으)세요: please do
The honorific polite form, -(으)세요, is also the polite way to tell someone to do something. With 안녕히 "in peace", it makes the goodbyes.
- yeogi anjeuseyo.Please sit here.
- deureooseyo.Come in.
- annyeonghi gaseyo.Goodbye.to someone leaving
The formal form, -(으)십시오, is for signs and announcements: 들어오십시오.
-아/어 주세요: please do it for me
The 아/어 form with 주세요 "please give" asks someone to do something for you, which is softer than -(으)세요. A noun with 주세요 asks for a thing:
- dowajuseyo!Help me, please!
- cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo.Please speak slowly.
- mul jom juseyo.Some water, please.
좀 "a little" softens a request. When you do something for someone you honour, 주다 becomes 드리다: 도와드릴까요? "shall I help you?"
Let's
| Ending | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -아/어요 | polite, from context | 같이 가요 let's go together |
| -(으)ㄹ까요? | polite, as a question | 같이 갈까요? shall we go? |
| -(으)ㅂ시다 | to equals or a group; not to someone older | 갑시다 let's go |
| -자 | casual | 가자 let's go |
Don't
-지 마세요 asks someone not to do something, -지 맙시다 is "let's not", and casually -지 마:
- neutji maseyo.Don't be late.
Casual commands
In casual speech the 아/어 form is a command: 빨리 와! "come quickly!", 먹어 "eat".
Cards from this guide
9 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Verbs and adjectives cards.
How do you politely say 'Please sit here' with 앉다 (to sit)?
여기 앉으세요.
How do you say 'Please speak slowly' with 천천히 (slowly) and 말하다 (to speak)?
천천히 말해 주세요.
How do you ask for water in a restaurant?
물 좀 주세요.
How do you shout 'Help!'?
도와주세요!
How do you say 'Let's go' to a group of friends or colleagues your age?
갑시다, or casually 가자.
How do you say 'Don't be late' with 늦다 (to be late)?
늦지 마세요.
What does 안녕히 가세요 mean?
Goodbye, said to someone who is leaving.
How do you offer 'Shall I help you?' to someone you honour?
도와드릴까요?
How do you say 'Come here!' casually with 오다 (to come)?
이리 와!