Lesson 3

Honorifics: 존댓말 System

Understand formal and polite speech levels, and the honorific ~(으)시다.

~(으)시다 — Honorific Verb Ending

Add (으)시 to the verb stem to show respect for the subject. Consonant → 으시, vowel → 시. 가다 → 가시다 → 가세요 (polite), 읽다 → 읽으시다 → 읽으세요. Used for elders, bosses, strangers.

어디 가세요?eodi gaseyo?Where are you going? (respectful)

아버지가 신문을 읽으세요.abeojiga sinmuneul ilgeuseyoFather reads the newspaper.

합쇼체 vs 해요체 — Formal vs Polite

합쇼체 (formal): ~습니다/~ㅂ니다 (statements), ~습니까?/~ㅂ니까? (questions). Used in presentations, news, formal settings. 해요체 (polite): ~아/어요. Used in daily polite speech. Both are respectful, but 합쇼체 is more formal.

감사합니다. (합쇼체) / 고마워요. (해요체)gamsahamnida / gomawoyoThank you. (formal) / Thanks. (polite)

어디 가십니까? (합쇼체) / 어디 가세요? (해요체)eodi gasimnikka? / eodi gaseyo?Where are you going? (formal) / Where are you going? (polite)

드시다deusidato eat/drink (honorific)

Examples어머니가 점심을 드셨어요.eomeoniga jeomsimeul deusyeosseoyoMy mother had lunch.

주무시다jumusidato sleep (honorific)

Examples할아버지가 일찍 주무셨어요.harabeojiga iljjik jumusyeosseoyoGrandfather went to sleep early.

계시다gyesidato be/stay (honorific of 있다)

Examples사장님이 사무실에 계세요.sajangnimi samusire gyeseyoThe boss is in the office.

말씀하시다malsseumasidato say/speak (honorific)

Examples선생님이 말씀하셨어요.seonsaengnimi malsseumaesyeosseoyoThe teacher said (it).

댁daekhouse/home (honorific of 집)

Examples할머니 댁에 다녀왔어요.halmeoni daege danyeowasseoyoI visited grandmother's house.

연세yeonseage (honorific of 나이)

Examples연세가 어떻게 되세요?yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo?How old are you? (honorific)