B1 · Mittelstufe Kapitel 21

Showing Humility: Humble Verbs and Actions

5 Gesamtregeln
52 Beispiele
5 Min.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel Schnelle Übung

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.

Was du lernen wirst

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.

Kapitel-Leitfaden

Overview

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!

How This Grammar Works

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.)

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: 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. 1✗ Wrong: 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. 1✗ Wrong: 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.

Real Conversations

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.)

Quick FAQ

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.

Cultural Context

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.

Wichtige Beispiele (4)

1

할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.

Ich habe meiner Großmutter ein Geschenk gegeben.

Bescheidene Verben: Geben an Höhergestellte (드리다)
2

사장님, 커피 여기 있습니다. 드세요.

Chef, hier ist Ihr Kaffee. Bitte bedienen Sie sich.

Bescheidene Verben: Geben an Höhergestellte (드리다)
3

할머니께 전화를 드렸어요.

Ich habe meine Oma angerufen.

Respektvoll geben (드리다)
4

사장님, 이 서류를 드릴까요?

Chef, soll ich Ihnen diese Dokumente geben?

Respektvoll geben (드리다)

Tipps & Tricks (4)

⚠️

Kein falsches Ego

Benutze 드리다 niemals, wenn DU der Empfänger bist oder es um deine Freunde geht. Du kannst nicht höflich zu dir selbst sein: «친구한테 물을 줬어.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Bescheidene Verben: Geben an Höhergestellte (드리다)
🎯

Das Geheimnis der Richtung

Respekt fließt im Koreanischen wie Wasser von unten nach oben. Mit «드리다» zeigst du diese extra Portion Höflichkeit: «선물을 드립니다.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Respektvoll geben (드리다)
🎯

Die 'weiche' Wahl

Obwohl 여쭙다 korrekt ist, klingt 여쭤보다 im Alltag viel natürlicher. Das 보다 macht deine Anfrage weniger direkt: «길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Höfliches Fragen: `여쭙다` und `여쭤보다` richtig verwenden
💬

Die '께'-Regel

Kombiniere '여쭙다' immer mit dem Partikel '께' statt '한테'. Das ist wie ein festes Set für maximale Höflichkeit! «할머니께 여쭤봤어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Respektvolles Fragen (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

Wichtige Vokabeln (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

Häufige Fehler

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

Wrong: 선생님께 선물을 주었어요.
Richtig: 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다.

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

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

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

Wrong: 질문을 물어봐요.
Richtig: 질문을 여쭤봐요.

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.

Continue to: Professional Comparisons and Proportions

Schnelle Übung (10)

Finde und korrigiere den Fehler in diesem formellen Satz.

Find and fix the mistake:

부장님, 내일 회의 시간을 물어봤어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 부장님, 내일 회의 시간을 여쭤봤어요.
Du solltest '여쭤봤어요' nutzen, wenn du berichtest, dass du einen Vorgesetzten (부장님) gefragt hast.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Höfliches Fragen: `여쭙다` und `여쭤보다` richtig verwenden

Welcher Satz ist sozial angemessen?

Du erzählst deinem Lehrer von deinem kleinen Bruder.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제 동생을 데리고 왔어요.
Auch wenn du mit einem Lehrer sprichst, ist das Objekt dein 'kleiner Bruder'. Für Jüngere nutzt man niemals «모시다».

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demutsverben: Begleiten & Dienen von Höhergestellten (모시다)

Finde den Fehler in diesem Satz.

어머니가 저에게 밥을 드렸어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어머니가 저에게 밥을 주셨어요.
Die Mutter steht über 'mir', daher nutzt sie 주시다 (Ehrenform für das Subjekt), nicht 드리다 (Bescheidenheitsform).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Bescheidene Verben: Geben an Höhergestellte (드리다)

Fülle die Lücke aus, um einer älteren Person Hilfe anzubieten.

짐을 들어 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 드릴게요
'-어/아 드릴게요' wird genutzt, um jemandem mit höherem Status einen Gefallen anzubieten.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Respektvoll geben (드리다)

Welcher Satz ist sozial angemessen?

Wähle den richtigen Satz für ein Gespräch mit einem Kunden.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제가 봉투에 넣어 드릴게요.
Gegenüber Kunden nutzt man das bescheidene Hilfsverb ~아/어 드릴게요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Bescheidene Verben: Geben an Höhergestellte (드리다)

Finde die unpassende Verwendung.

Find and fix the mistake:

저는 강아지를 모시고 산책해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 강아지를 데리고 산책해요.
Man kann einem Hund keinen menschlichen Respekt mit «모시다» zollen. Nutze «데리고» für Tiere.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Demutsverben: Begleiten & Dienen von Höhergestellten (모시다)

Welcher Satz ist richtig, wenn du deinem Lehrer ein Geschenk gibst?

Wähle den korrekten Satz:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 선물을 드려요.
Wenn du einem Lehrer etwas gibst, musst du das bescheidene Verb '드려요' und die Partikel '께' nutzen.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Respektvoll geben (드리다)

Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen bescheidenen Form von 'fragen'.

모르는 것이 있으면 선배님께 ( ).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여쭤봐요
Da das Gegenüber ein Senior (선배님) ist, ist '여쭤봐요' die richtige bescheidene Wahl.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Höfliches Fragen: `여쭙다` und `여쭤보다` richtig verwenden

Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Verbform aus.

저는 할아버지께 과일을 ___ (habe gegeben).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 드렸어요
Da der Empfänger der Großvater ist (höherer Status), musst du die bescheidene Form 드렸어요 wählen.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Bescheidene Verben: Geben an Höhergestellte (드리다)

Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch und sozial korrekt?

Wähle den besten Satz für ein Vorstellungsgespräch:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 질문 하나 여쭙겠습니다.
In einem formellen Interview ist '여쭙겠습니다' der Standard, um eine Frage einzuleiten.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Respektvolles Fragen (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

Score: /10

Häufige Fragen (6)

주다 ist das normale Wort für 'geben' unter Freunden. 드리다 ist die bescheidene Form für Respektspersonen: «선물을 드렸어요.»
Eher nicht, das klingt oft sarkastisch oder seltsam distanziert. Bleib bei: «이거 너 줄게.»
Ja, absolut! Das ist der beste Weg für einen guten ersten Eindruck. Nutze es beim Schenken oder wenn du Hilfe anbietest: «제가 도와 드릴게요».
«주다» klingt in einer E-Mail wie eine Forderung. «드리다» zeigt, dass du die Zeit und den Status des Empfängers respektierst. Schreib immer: «파일을 보내 드립니다».
묻다 ist das Basisverb für Freunde oder Jüngere. 여쭙다 ist die bescheidene Version für Vorgesetzte: «선생님께 여쭙다».
여쭤보다 nutzt du fast immer im Gespräch. 여쭙다 (besonders 여쭙겠습니다) bleibt eher formellen Reden vorbehalten.
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