Lesson 21 · Beginner 2 · A2
Honorific Korean: Speaking to Elders
높임말
Respect for elders is at the heart of Korean culture, and the language shows it. In this lesson you will learn the honorific marker -(으)시-, special honorific words like 진지 and 주무시다, and phrases to use with grandparents, teachers and bosses.
🎯 Learning goals
After this lesson you will be able to:
- Recognize and use basic honorific forms
- Speak respectfully to elders, teachers and bosses
💬 Key phrases
진지 드셨어요?
jinji deusyeosseoyo?
Have you eaten? (to an elder)
안녕히 주무세요
annyeonghi jumuseyo
Good night (to an elder)
할머니께서 집에 계세요
halmeonikkeseo jibe gyeseyo
Grandma is at home
성함이 어떻게 되세요?
seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?
May I ask your name? (very polite)
연세가 어떻게 되세요?
yeonsega eotteoke doeseyo?
May I ask how old you are? (to an elder)
말씀하세요
malsseumhaseyo
Please go ahead (and speak)
사장님은 지금 회의 중이세요
sajangnimeun jigeum hoeui jungiseyo
The boss is in a meeting now
생신 축하드려요
saengsin chukadeuryeoyo
Happy birthday (to an elder)
이거 드셔 보세요
igeo deusyeo boseyo
Please try this (food)
잘 다녀오세요
jal danyeooseyo
Have a good day / Have a safe trip
📐 Grammar
-(으)시- (honorific)
showing respect to the person you talk about
Insert -(으)시- after the stem to honor the person who does the action (usually someone older or higher in status). In the polite style it appears as -(으)세요 (present) and -(으)셨어요 (past). Some verbs use special words instead: 먹다 → 드시다, 자다 → 주무시다, 있다 → 계시다, 말하다 → 말씀하시다. Never use it about yourself.
| Base form | -(으)시- (honorific) |
|---|---|
| 가다 | 가세요 / 가셨어요 |
| 읽다 | 읽으세요 / 읽으셨어요 |
| 먹다 | 드세요 / 드셨어요 |
| 자다 | 주무세요 / 주무셨어요 |
| 있다 | 계세요 / 계셨어요 |
Example
아버지께서 신문을 읽으세요.
abeojikkeseo sinmuneul ilgeuseyo.
My father is reading the newspaper.
선생님, 어제 잘 주무셨어요?
seonsaengnim, eoje jal jumusyeosseoyo?
Teacher, did you sleep well last night?
할아버지께서 방에 계세요.
harabeojikkeseo bange gyeseyo.
Grandpa is in his room.
🗣 Dialogue
할머니, 진지 드셨어요?
halmeoni, jinji deusyeosseoyo?
Grandma, have you eaten?
응, 먹었어. 너는?
eung, meogeosseo. neoneun?
Yes, I have. And you?
저도 먹었어요. 할아버지는 어디 계세요?
jeodo meogeosseoyo. harabeojineun eodi gyeseyo?
I've eaten too. Where's Grandpa?
할아버지는 방에서 주무셔.
harabeojineun bangeseo jumusyeo.
Grandpa is sleeping in his room.
아, 그래요? 할머니, 이거 선물이에요. 드셔 보세요.
a, geuraeyo? halmeoni, igeo seonmurieyo. deusyeo boseyo.
Oh, I see. Grandma, this is a present for you. Please try it.
아이고, 고마워라!
aigo, gomawora!
Oh my, thank you, dear!
✏️ Grammar practice
Choose the word that completes each sentence.
✅ Quick quiz
Choose the correct meaning.
Updated: November 2026