In Korean, honorifics are used to show respect when speaking with elders or people of higher social status. This involves changes in verbs, nouns, and particles to appropriately convey respect towards the listener or subject of the conversation. Below is a detailed explanation of how honorifics are used in Korean.
Verb Conjuction
To elevate the subject, the suffix ‘-(으)시-’ is added to the verb stem. Here’s how it applies:
1. When the verb stem ends in a vowel: 어간이 모음으로 끝나는 경우
- Add ‘-시-’.
Basic Form / Honorific Form Example
| 가다 (to go) | 가십니다 (gashimnida) |
| 가다 (to go) | 가세요 (gaseyo) |
| 가다 (to go) | 가셨어요 (gashyeosseoyo) |
| 가다 (to go) | 가실 거예요 (gasil geoyeyo) |
2. When the verb stem ends in a consonant: 어간이 자음 받침으로 끝나는 경우
- Add ‘-으시-’.
Base Form / Honorific Form Example
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽으십니다 (ilgeushimnida) |
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽으세요 (ilgeuseyo) |
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽으셨어요 (ilgeusyeosseoyo) |
| 읽다 (to read) | 읽으실 거예요 (ilgeusil geoyeyo) |
Example Sentences
- **어머니께서** 편지를 **쓰십니다**. (Mother is writing a letter.)
- **교수님께서** 수업을 **하십니다**. (The professor is giving a lecture.)
Special Verbs 특수 동사
Some verbs have completely different honorific forms.
Base Form / Honorific Form
| 자다 (to sleep) | 주무시다 (jumusida) |
| 말하다 (to speak) | 말씀하시다 (malsseumhasida) |
| 먹다 (to eat) | 잡수시다/드시다 (japsusida/deusida) |
| 마시다 (to drink) | 드시다 (deusida) |
| 죽다 (to die) | 돌아가시다 (doragasida) |
| 데려가다 (to take someone) | 모셔가다 (mosyeogada) |
| 있다 (to be/exist) | 계시다 (gyesida) |
| 있다 (to have) | 있으시다 (isseusida) |
Example Sentences
- **어머니께서** 물을 **드세요**. (Mother drinks water.)
- **내일** 시간 **있으세요**? (Do you have time tomorrow?)
Special Nouns 특수 명사
Some nouns also have specific honorific forms.
Base Form / Honorific Form
| 나이 (age) | 연세 (yeonse) |
| 말 (words/speech) | 말씀 (malsseum) |
| 밥 (rice/meal) | 진지 (jinji) |
| 사람 (person) | 분 (bun) |
| 생일 (birthday) | 생신 (saengsin) |
| 집 (house) | 댁 (daek) |
| 이름 (name) | 성함 (seongham) |
| 아내 (wife) | 부인 (buin) |
Honorific Particles 조사 변화
Particles also change to elevate the subject in honorific speech.
Base Form / Honorific Form
| 이/가 (subject marker) | 께서 (kkeseo) |
| 은/는 (topic marker) | 께서는 (kkeseoneun) |
| 에게/한테 (to someone) | 께 (kke) |
Example Sentences
- 아버지께서 회사에 가십니다. (Father is going to the office.)
- 선생님께서는 바쁘십니다. (The teacher is busy.)
- 할머니께 말씀드렸습니다. (I told grandmother.)
Expressions to Elevate the Object 동작의 대상을 높이는 표현
When elevating the object of an action, use the following expressions:
Base Form / Honorific Form
| 말하다 (to speak) | 말씀드리다 (malsseumdeulida) |
| 주다 (to give) | 드리다 (deurida) |
| 묻다 (to ask) | 여쭙다 (yeojjupda) |
| 보다/만나다 (to see/meet) | 뵙다 (boepda) |
Example Sentences
- 선생님께 말씀드렸습니다. (I told the teacher.)
- 할아버지께 여쭙습니다. (I ask grandfather.)
- 부모님을 뵙겠습니다. (I will see my parents.)
Humble Expressions 화자가 자신을 낮추는 표현
Speakers use humble expressions to lower themselves.
Base FormHumble Form
| 나 (I) | 저 (jeo) |
| 우리 (we/our) | 저희 (jeohui) |
| 말 (words/speech) | 말씀 (malsseum) |
Example Sentences
- 저희 회사입니다. (This is our company.)
- 제가 그 일을 하겠습니다. (I will do that work.)
- 저는 학생입니다. (I am a student.)
By using these various honorific expressions, you can show respect and politeness to others. In Korean, it is important to use the appropriate honorifics according to the situation and the person you are speaking to.
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