B1 · متوسط فصل 21

Showing Humility: Humble Verbs and Actions

5 القواعد الإجمالية
52 أمثلة
5 دقيقة

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of humility and show deep respect to others using Korean humble verbs.

  • Replace common verbs with their humble counterparts.
  • Apply respectful language when interacting with superiors.
  • Navigate social etiquette through precise verb selection.
Speak with modesty, earn their respect.

ما ستتعلمه

Hey friend! Ever noticed how respectfully Koreans speak, especially when talking to elders or people in higher positions? In this chapter, you're going to learn how to weave that respect into your own speech, not just with formal endings, but with actual humble verbs unique to Korean! Here, you'll discover that when you're giving something to your professor or boss, you shouldn't just use the regular 주다; you need to use 드리다 to humbly lower your own status and show respect. Or, for instance, when you're asking a question to an elder, instead of 묻다, you'll use 여쭙다 or 여쭤보다. These aren't just words; they're essential ways to express modesty and respect that are deeply ingrained in Korean culture. Why does this matter? Because using these verbs correctly makes your conversations sound much more natural and fluent, demonstrating that you understand Korean etiquette. Imagine you're working at a Korean company and need to submit a report to your manager or ask an important question to a client. If you don't know these verbs, you might accidentally come across as disrespectful. Or perhaps you're talking about escorting your grandmother; instead of 데리다, you'll use 모시다 to maintain that proper deference. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to confidently speak in formal settings and with superiors, ask questions, give things, or even accompany someone, all while sounding perfectly natural and respectful. Ready for more advanced Korean? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use '드리다' (deurida) instead of '주다' (juda) when giving objects to superiors.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: Use '여쭙다' (yeojjupda) to ask questions to elders.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: Use '모시다' (mosida) to describe escorting someone you respect.

دليل الفصل

نظرة عامة

Welcome to a fascinating and crucial aspect of Korean grammar B1: humble verbs! If you’ve ever admired the polite and respectful way Koreans communicate, especially with elders or those in higher positions, you’re about to unlock one of their key secrets. This chapter isn't just about learning new words; it's about understanding and expressing deep cultural respect through your language.
Mastering these humble verbs will significantly elevate your fluency and make your conversations sound much more natural and authentic.
At the B1 Korean level, you're moving beyond basic survival phrases and starting to engage in more nuanced interactions. This is where humble verbs become indispensable. They allow you to subtly lower your own status or actions when interacting with a superior, thereby elevating theirs.
Think of it as a linguistic bow – a way to show deference without saying "I'm inferior." We'll focus on core verbs like 드리다 (to give), 여쭙다/여쭤보다 (to ask), and 모시다 (to take/serve), which are essential for polite communication in various contexts, from the workplace to family gatherings. Get ready to add a sophisticated layer of respect to your Korean grammar!

كيف تعمل هذه القاعدة

In Korean, showing respect isn't just about using honorific endings; it's also embedded in specific verbs that express humility when you are the subject of the action and the action is directed towards a superior. Let's dive into the key humble verbs for this chapter.
1. 드리다 (To Give Respectfully / To Offer)
This verb is the humble equivalent of 주다 (to give). You use 드리다 when you are giving something *to* someone of a higher status (e.g., a teacher, boss, elder, or someone you wish to show deep respect to). It implies you are offering or presenting something with deference.
* 선생님께 선물을 드렸어요. (I gave a gift to the teacher.)
* 사장님께 보고서를 드릴게요. (I will submit the report to the CEO.)
* 어머니께 꽃을 드리고 싶어요. (I want to give flowers to my mother.)
2. 여쭙다 / 여쭤보다 (To Ask Respectfully)
These verbs are the humble equivalents of 묻다 (to ask). You use 여쭙다 or 여쭤보다 when you are asking a question *to* someone of higher status. While both are interchangeable in most situations, 여쭙다 can sometimes feel slightly more formal than 여쭤보다.
* 교수님께 질문을 여쭙고 싶습니다. (I would like to ask the professor a question.)
* 부장님께 의견을 여쭤봤어요. (I asked the manager for their opinion.)
* 할머니께 안부를 여쭤볼까요? (Shall I ask grandma how she's doing?)
3. 모시다 (To Take/Accompany/Serve Respectfully)
모시다 is a versatile humble verb. It can replace 데리다 (to take/accompany someone) when you are taking or accompanying someone of higher status. It also carries the nuance of serving or caring for someone respectfully, often used when referring to living with or looking after elders.
* 할머니를 병원에 모시고 갔어요. (I took my grandmother to the hospital.)
* 사장님을 회의실로 모시겠습니다. (I will escort the CEO to the meeting room.)
* 부모님을 모시고 살아요. (I live with and care for my parents.)

الأخطاء الشائعة

  1. 1Wrong: 교수님께 질문을 물었어요.
Correct: 교수님께 질문을 여쭤봤어요.
*Explanation:* Using 묻다 (to ask) with a professor, who is a superior, can sound impolite. 여쭤보다 (or 여쭙다) is the humble form used to show respect when asking questions to elders or superiors.
  1. 1Wrong: 사장님께 서류를 줬어요.
Correct: 사장님께 서류를 드렸어요.
*Explanation:* When giving something to your boss (사장님), using the humble verb 드리다 instead of the regular 주다 is essential to convey respect and proper business etiquette.
  1. 1Wrong: 할아버지를 공원에 데리고 갔습니다.
Correct: 할아버지를 공원에 모시고 갔습니다.
*Explanation:* 데리다 is typically used for taking children or peers. When accompanying or taking an elder like a grandfather, 모시다 is the appropriate humble verb to show deference and care.

محادثات حقيقية

A

A

부장님, 이 보고서 드리겠습니다. (Manager, I will give you this report.)
B

B

네, 수고했어요. (Yes, good work.)
A

A

죄송하지만, 한 가지 여쭤봐도 될까요? (Excuse me, but may I ask you one thing?)
B

B

네, 말씀하세요. (Yes, please speak.)
A

A

할머니를 어디까지 모셔다 드릴까요? (To where shall I escort grandmother?)
B

B

저기 지하철역까지 모셔다 주세요. (Please escort her to the subway station over there.)

أسئلة شائعة

Q

Can I use 드리다 when giving something to a peer if I want to be extra polite?

Generally, 드리다 is reserved for superiors or elders. Using it with peers might sound overly formal or even a bit awkward, though it's not strictly wrong. Stick to 주다 for peers.

Q

Is 여쭙다 always more formal than 여쭤보다?

While 여쭙다 is often perceived as slightly more formal, both are highly respectful humble verbs and are largely interchangeable in modern Korean. 여쭤보다 is very common in everyday polite conversation.

Q

Are there other humble verbs I should know at the B1 level?

For B1 Korean, 드리다, 여쭙다/여쭤보다, and 모시다 are the most common and crucial humble verbs. Other humble verbs exist (like 뵙다 for to see), but these three form the core of showing humility in actions.

Q

What if I'm unsure if someone is a superior or not?

When in doubt, it's generally safer and more polite to use the humble verb. It's better to be overly respectful than to accidentally cause offense. As you gain more experience, you'll develop a better sense of social hierarchy.

السياق الثقافي

These humble verbs are deeply rooted in Korean society's emphasis on hierarchy and respect for elders and superiors. Using them correctly isn't just about Korean grammar; it's a demonstration of cultural understanding and good manners. They are frequently used in workplaces, when talking to teachers or professors, and especially within families when addressing parents or grandparents.
Mastering these verbs shows that you appreciate and honor the intricate social etiquette that underpins Korean communication.

أمثلة رئيسية (6)

1

할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.

قدمتُ هدية لجدتي.

الأفعال المتواضعة: العطاء لمن هم أعلى مقامًا (드리다)
2

사장님, 커피 여기 있습니다. 드세요.

حضرة المدير، تفضل القهوة. اشربها من فضلك.

الأفعال المتواضعة: العطاء لمن هم أعلى مقامًا (드리다)
3

할머니께 전화를 드렸어요.

لقد أجريت اتصالاً بجدتي.

العطاء باحترام (드리다)
4

사장님, 이 서류를 드릴까요?

حضرة المدير، هل أعطيك هذه المستندات؟

العطاء باحترام (드리다)
5

Sajangnim-eul gonghang-kkaji mosyeoda deuryeosseoyo.

أوصلتُ المدير إلى المطار.

أفعال التواضع: مرافقة وخدمة الكبار (모시다)
6

Halmeoni-reul mosigo byeongwon-e gayo.

أنا آخذ جدتي إلى المستشفى.

أفعال التواضع: مرافقة وخدمة الكبار (모시다)

نصائح وحيل (4)

⚠️

لا تتواضع مع نفسك!

أوعى تستخدم «드리다» لو كنت أنت اللي بتستلم الشيء أو بتتكلم عن مجموعتك. التواضع بيكون تجاه الآخرين بس: «친구한테 물을 줬어.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: الأفعال المتواضعة: العطاء لمن هم أعلى مقامًا (드리다)
🎯

سر 'الاتجاه'

تخيل الاحترام كأنه ماء يحتاج مجهوداً ليصعد للأعلى. فعل '드리다' هو ذلك المجهود الإضافي لرفع مستوى كلامك: «부모님께 선물을 드려요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: العطاء باحترام (드리다)
🎯

الخيار الألطف

رغم إن 여쭙다 صحيحة، إلا إن 여쭤보다 هي الأكثر شيوعاً في الكلام لأن إضافة 보다 بتخلي طلبك يبدو أقل مباشرة وأكثر تهذيباً: «잠시 여쭤봐도 될까요?»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال بتواضع: كيفية استخدام `여쭙다` و `여쭤보다`
💬

قاعدة الـ '께' الذهبية

دائماً اربط '여쭙다' بالأداة '께' بدلاً من '한테'. اعتبرهما طقماً واحداً للأدب العالي! «할머니께 길을 여쭤봤어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال باحترام (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

المفردات الرئيسية (6)

드리다 (deurida) to give (to a superior) 여쭙다 (yeojjupda) to ask (a superior) 모시다 (mosida) to escort/accompany (a superior) 선생님 (seonsaengnim) teacher/superior 보고서 (bogoseo) report 질문 (jilmun) question

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Meeting at the Office

Review Summary

  • Object + 에게/께 + 드리다
  • Object + 에 대해 + 여쭙다
  • Person + 을/를 + 모시다

أخطاء شائعة

주다 is for friends. When talking to a teacher, use the humble verb 드리다.

Wrong: 선생님께 선물을 주었어요.
صحيح: 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다.

데리다 is for friends or children. Use 모시다 when talking about elders.

Wrong: 할머니를 데리고 병원에 갔어요.
صحيح: 할머니를 모시고 병원에 갔습니다.

묻다/물어보다 is casual. Use the humble form for superiors.

Wrong: 질문을 물어봐요.
صحيح: 질문을 여쭤봐요.

القواعد في هذا الفصل (5)

Next Steps

You've finished the level! Your Korean skills are now truly professional-grade. Keep practicing and stay confident.

Watch a K-Drama and identify humble verbs.

تدريب سريع (10)

اختر الفعل الصحيح للموقف التالي.

أنا آخذ جدي إلى الحديقة. 할아버지를 공원에 ___ 가요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 모시고
الجد شخص أكبر سناً ومحترم، لذا يجب استخدام فعل التواضع «모시다» (وبالتحديد «모시고»).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: أفعال التواضع: مرافقة وخدمة الكبار (모시다)

أي جملة هي الصحيحة عند تقديم هدية لمعلمك؟

اختر الجملة الصحيحة:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 선물을 드려요.
عند العطاء للمعلم، يجب استخدام الفعل المتواضع '드려요' وحرف الجر المحترم '께'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: العطاء باحترام (드리다)

ابحث عن الخطأ وصححه: '제가 사장님께 커피를 주셨어요.'

صحح الجملة:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제가 사장님께 커피를 드렸어요.
إذا كنت 'أنا' (제) من يعطي 'المدير' (사장님)، يجب استخدام الفعل المتواضع '드렸어요'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: العطاء باحترام (드리다)

أي جملة هي الأصح لغوياً واجتماعياً؟

اختر الجملة الأنسب لمقابلة عمل:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 질문 하나 여쭙겠습니다.
في المقابلات الرسمية، '여쭙겠습니다' هي الطريقة المعيارية لبدء سؤال.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال باحترام (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

املأ الفراغ لعرض المساعدة على شخص مسن.

짐을 들어 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 드릴게요
تستخدم الصيغة '-어/아 드릴게요' لعرض خدمة أو معروف على شخص ذو مكانة أعلى.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: العطاء باحترام (드리다)

املأ الفراغ بصيغة التواضع الصحيحة لفعل 'يسأل'.

모르는 것이 있으면 선배님께 ( ).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여쭤봐요
بما أن الشخص المقصود هو زميل أقدم (선배님)، فإن '여쭤봐요' هو الخيار المتواضع الصحيح.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال بتواضع: كيفية استخدام `여쭙다` و `여쭤보다`

أي جملة هي الأنسب لسؤال أستاذك سؤالاً؟

교수님께 질문을 하고 싶을 때:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 교수님, 질문 하나 여쭤봐도 될까요?
يجب استخدام صيغة التواضع '여쭤보다' والنهاية المهذبة '-ㄹ까요' عند التحدث مع الأستاذ.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال بتواضع: كيفية استخدام `여쭙다` و `여쭤보다`

املأ الفراغ بأكثر صيغة محترمة لفعل 'يسأل'.

교수님께 궁금한 점을 ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여쭤봤어요
كلمة '교수님' (أستاذ جامعي) تتطلب استخدام الفعل المتواضع '여쭤보다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال باحترام (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

أي جملة هي الصحيحة اجتماعياً؟

أنت تتحدث مع معلمك عن أخيك الأصغر.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제 동생을 데리고 왔어요.
رغم أنك تتحدث مع معلم، إلا أن الشخص الذي أحضرته هو 'أخوك الأصغر'. لا يجوز استخدام «모시다» معه.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: أفعال التواضع: مرافقة وخدمة الكبار (모시다)

جد الخطأ وصححه في هذه الجملة الرسمية.

Find and fix the mistake:

부장님, 내일 회의 시간을 물어봤어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 부장님, 내일 회의 시간을 여쭤봤어요.
يجب استخدام '여쭤봤어요' عند التبليغ بأنك سألت شخصاً أعلى منك مقاماً مثل المدير (부장님).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: السؤال بتواضع: كيفية استخدام `여쭙다` و `여쭤보다`

Score: /10

أسئلة شائعة (6)

الفعل «주다» هو النسخة العادية للأصدقاء، أما «드리다» فهي نسخة التواضع لما تعطي حد أكبر منك مثل: «선물을 드렸어요».
غالباً لا، هتبان غريب أو كأنك بتهزر بزيادة. استخدم «주다» عشان تكون طبيعي.
نعم، بالتأكيد! إنها أفضل طريقة لترك انطباع أول رائع. استخدمها عند تقديم هدية أو عرض المساعدة في غسل الأطباق مثل: «도와 드릴게요».
كلمة «주다» في الإيميل قد تبدو كأمر أو ملاحظة غير رسمية. أما «드리다» فتظهر أنك تحترم وقت ومكانة المستلم. استخدمها دائماً مع الأساتذة والمديرين مثل: «보내 드립니다».
묻다 هو الفعل الأساسي للسؤال بين الأصدقاء أو الأصغر منك. أما 여쭙다 فهو النسخة المتواضعة للأكبر مقاماً: «선생님께 여쭙다.»
여쭤보다 تستخدم في كل المحادثات اليومية تقريباً. أما 여쭙다 (خاصة 여쭙겠습니다) فهي مخصصة للكتابة الرسمية: «여쭤봐도 될까요?»