Lal_la Korean

In Korean, ‘(으)세요’ is an honorific form used to make commands, requests, or suggestions politely. It is attached to the stem of verbs and changes form based on whether the stem ends with a consonant or a vowel (whether or not it has 받침). Here’s a detailed explanation of its usage with examples.

Usages and Examples 으세요

Commands

• 문을 여세요. (Please open the door.)
• 숙제를 하세요. (Please do your homework.)

Requests

• 여기 앉으세요. (Please sit here.)
• 물 좀 주세요. (Please give me some water.)

Suggestions

It very often comes with 우리 (we) or 같이 (together) or implies doing things together.

• 같이 한국 식당에 가세요. (Let’s go to a Korean restaurant together.)

Form Changes

With Consonant Ending (‘으세요’)

• 읽다 (to read) → 읽으세요 (Please read)
• 먹다 (to eat) → 먹으세요 (Please eat)
• 닫다 (to close) → 닫으세요 (Please close)

With Vowel Ending (‘세요’)

• 가다 (to go) → 가세요 (Please go)
• 보다 (to see) → 보세요 (Please look)
• 오다 (to come) → 오세요 (Please come)

Irregular Conjugation

• 만들다 (to make, to cook, to build) → 만드세요 (Please make) – ㄹ irregular
• 듣다 (to listen) → 들으세요 (Please listen) – ㄷ irregular
• 돕다 (to help) → 도우세요 (Please help) – ㅂ irregular

Honorific Words

In Korean, certain honorific words replace regular verbs for additional politeness.

• 맛있게 드세요. (Please eat well, meaning “bon appétit”) instead of 먹으세요 or 마시세요.
• 안녕히 주무세요. (Please sleep well, meaning “good night”) instead of 자세요.

Classroom Expressions

You may hear the following expressions in a Korean classroom:

• 책을 읽으세요. (Please read the book.)
• 10분 쉬세요. (Please take a 10-minute break.)
• 자리에 앉으세요. (Please take a seat.)
• 칠판을 보세요. (Please look at the blackboard.)
• 이야기를 들으세요. (Please listen to the story.)
• 열심히 공부하세요. (Please study hard.)
• 따라 하세요. (Please repeat after me.)
• 창문을 닫으세요. (Please close the window.)

Summary

‘으세요’ is a polite ending in Korean used to make respectful commands, requests, and suggestions. Its form changes depending on whether the verb stem ends with a consonant or a vowel (whether the stem has 받침), allowing for clear and courteous communication.

Quiz

Match the following sentences with the correct form of ‘(으)세요’:

1. ____ (Please sit here.) (여기에 앉다)
2. ____ (Please give me five apples.) (사과 다섯 개 주다)
3. ____ (Please listen to the story.) (이야기를 듣다)
4. ____ (Please call me at 10.) (열 시에 전화하다)

Answers:

1. 여기에 앉으세요.
2. 사과 다섯 개 주세요
3. 이야기를 들으세요.
4. 열 시에 전화하세요

Pronunciation Practice

• Play to listen to the pronunciation of “책을 읽으세요” (Please open the door).

• Play to listen to the pronunciation of “여기 앉으세요” (Please sit here).