Part 35 - Honorifics
Part 35.1 - (으)시 — Honorific Verb Ending
Basic Information
Use (으)시 to express **honorifics** when referring to the actions of someone deserving respect (elder, teacher, customer, boss, etc.).
It is often translated as:
- Please (verb) — honorific polite
- (He/She) does (verb) — honorific form
Grammar Rule
- Verb stem ending with consonant → 으시 + ending
- Verb stem ending with vowel → 시 + ending
**Usage:** Add (으)시 before polite endings (아요/어요 or past tense markers) to show respect toward the subject.
Example Sentences
| Korean |
English |
| 가세요. |
Please go. (honorific polite) |
| 선생님이 오셨어요. |
The teacher came. (honorific) |
| 할머니께서 드셨어요. |
Grandmother ate. (honorific) |
| 아버지께서 말씀하셨어요. |
Father spoke. (honorific) |
| 할아버지께서 주무셨어요. |
Grandfather slept. (honorific) |
Important Notes
- **Honorific verbs** exist for some common actions — for example:
- 먹다 → 드시다 (to eat — honorific)
- 자다 → 주무시다 (to sleep — honorific)
- 말하다 → 말씀하시다 (to speak — honorific)
- Honorifics are used when referring to **the actions of respected people**.
- You can combine **(으)시** with past/present/future tense forms.
Summary
Use (으)시 to:
- Show respect to the subject of the sentence
- Express honorific polite speech
- Use honorific verb forms in everyday conversation
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Verb stem + (으)시 + ending → honorific action
- 가세요 → Please go (honorific)
- 오셨어요 → came (honorific)
End of Lesson
Now you know how to use **(으)시** to express respect and politeness in Korean.
Honorifics are very important in Korean culture — practice them to sound more natural and polite! 🎉
Part 35.2 - 께서 — Subject Particle Honorific (instead of 이/가)
Basic Information
Use 께서 as an **honorific subject particle** to replace **이/가** when the subject is a respected person.
It is often translated as:
- (subject) + honorific marker
- (honorific) subject particle
Grammar Rule
- Noun (honorific subject) + 께서
Usage
Use **께서** when:
- The subject is someone of higher status or deserving respect.
- You want to combine it with honorific verb forms (like **(으)시**).
Example Sentences
| Korean |
English |
| 선생님께서 오셨어요. |
The teacher came. (honorific) |
| 할머니께서 말씀하셨어요. |
Grandmother spoke. (honorific) |
| 부장님께서 드셨어요. |
The manager ate. (honorific) |
| 아버지께서 주무셨어요. |
Father slept. (honorific) |
Important Notes
- Use **께서** only for subjects (not objects).
- **께서** is used with **people** — not with objects or non-human subjects.
- **께서** is used together with **honorific verb forms** such as **(으)시** or honorific verbs.
Summary
Use 께서 to:
- Show respect to the subject of the sentence
- Replace 이/가 when the subject is a respected person
- Make your Korean more polite and culturally appropriate
Common TOPIK I Patterns
- Honorific subject + 께서 + (으)시 + verb
- 선생님께서 오셨어요 → The teacher came.
- 할머니께서 말씀하셨어요 → Grandmother spoke.
End of Lesson
Now you know how to use **께서** to mark the subject with honorifics.
Honorific subject particles are very important in Korean polite speech — use them well! 🎉
