B1 · Intermedio Capítulo 21

Showing Humility: Humble Verbs and Actions

5 Reglas totales
52 ejemplos
5 min
Reglas en este capítulo Práctica rápida

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.

Lo que aprenderás

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.

Guía del capítulo

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.

Ejemplos clave (8)

1

할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.

Le di un regalo a mi abuela.

Verbos humildes: Dar a superiores (드리다)
2

사장님, 커피 여기 있습니다. 드세요.

Jefe, aquí tiene su café. Por favor, tome.

Verbos humildes: Dar a superiores (드리다)
3

할머니께 전화를 드렸어요.

Le hice una llamada a mi abuela.

Dar con respeto (드리다)
4

사장님, 이 서류를 드릴까요?

Jefe, ¿le entrego estos documentos?

Dar con respeto (드리다)
5

교수님, 질문 하나만 여쭤봐도 될까요?

Profesor, ¿podría hacerle solo una pregunta?

Preguntar con respeto: Cómo usar `여쭙다` y `여쭤보다`
6

부장님께 일정을 여쭙겠습니다.

Le preguntaré al gerente sobre el horario.

Preguntar con respeto: Cómo usar `여쭙다` y `여쭤보다`
7

교수님께 하나만 여쭤봐도 될까요?

Profesor, ¿puedo preguntarle solo una cosa?

Preguntar con Respeto (여쭙다/여쭤보다)
8

사장님께 그 소식을 여쭤봤어요.

Le pregunté al jefe sobre esa noticia.

Preguntar con Respeto (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

Consejos y trucos (4)

⚠️

No seas humilde contigo mismo

¡Ojo! Nunca uses «드리다» cuando el que recibe la acción eres tú o alguien de tu grupo cercano. No puedes ser humilde 'hacia ti mismo'. Di siempre: «친구한테 선물을 줬어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbos humildes: Dar a superiores (드리다)
🎯

El secreto de la dirección

Imagina que el respeto es como el agua que sube. Para que llegue 'arriba', necesitas esforzarte con «드리다». Piensa en: «선물을 드립니다.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar con respeto (드리다)
🎯

La opción más suave

Aunque 여쭙다 es correcto, 여쭤보다 es mucho más común al hablar porque el final 보다 hace que tu pregunta suene menos directa y más amable: «뭐 하나만 여쭤봐도 될까요?»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preguntar con respeto: Cómo usar `여쭙다` y `여쭤보다`
💬

La regla de '께'

¡Siempre combina '여쭙다' con la partícula '께' en lugar de '한테'! Es el combo perfecto de cortesía: «부모님께 안부를 여쭤봤어요.»
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preguntar con Respeto (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

Vocabulario clave (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

Errores comunes

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

Wrong: 선생님께 선물을 주었어요.
Correcto: 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다.

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

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

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

Wrong: 질문을 물어봐요.
Correcto: 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

Práctica rápida (10)

Encuentra y corrige el error en esta frase formal.

Find and fix the mistake:

부장님, 내일 회의 시간을 물어봤어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 부장님, 내일 회의 시간을 여쭤봤어요.
Debes usar '여쭤봤어요' al informar que le preguntaste a un superior como un gerente (부장님).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preguntar con respeto: Cómo usar `여쭙다` y `여쭤보다`

Encuentra el error en esta frase.

어머니가 저에게 밥을 드렸어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어머니가 저에게 밥을 주셨어요.
Tu madre tiene un estatus superior a ti, así que ella te 'honra' con 주시다, no te 'da humildemente' (드리다).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbos humildes: Dar a superiores (드리다)

Rellena el espacio con la forma más respetuosa de 'preguntar'.

교수님께 궁금한 점을 ____.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여쭤봤어요
'교수님' (Profesor) requiere el verbo humilde '여쭤보다' para ser correcto.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preguntar con Respeto (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

Completa el espacio para ofrecer ayuda a una persona mayor.

짐을 들어 ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
'-어/아 드릴게요' se usa para ofrecer un favor a alguien de mayor estatus.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar con respeto (드리다)

Rellena el espacio en blanco con la forma verbal correcta.

저는 할아버지께 과일을 ___ (gave).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 드렸어요
Como el receptor es el 'abuelo' (estatus superior), debes usar la forma humilde 드렸어요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbos humildes: Dar a superiores (드리다)

Encuentra y corrige el error: '제가 사장님께 커피를 주셨어요.'

Find and fix the mistake:

Corrige la oración:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Si 'yo' (제) le doy algo al 'jefe' (사장님), el verbo humilde correcto es '드렸어요'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar con respeto (드리다)

¿Qué frase es gramatical y socialmente correcta?

Elige la mejor frase para una entrevista de trabajo:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 질문 하나 여쭙겠습니다.
En una entrevista formal, '여쭙겠습니다' es la forma estándar de iniciar una pregunta.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preguntar con Respeto (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

¿Cuál es la frase correcta para darle un regalo a tu profesor?

Elige la opción correcta:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer:
Al darle algo a un profesor, debes usar el verbo humilde '드려요' y la partícula de respeto '께'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Dar con respeto (드리다)

Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase.

Find and fix the mistake:

제 동생이 저한테 여쭤봤어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제 동생이 저한테 물어봤어요.
No puedes usar '여쭤보다' cuando alguien menor (동생) te pregunta a ti. Usa '물어보다'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Preguntar con Respeto (여쭙다/여쭤보다)

¿Qué frase es socialmente correcta?

Elige la frase adecuada para hablar con un cliente.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 제가 봉투에 넣어 드릴게요.
Con un cliente, debes usar el auxiliar humilde ~아/어 드릴게요 (lo haré por usted).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Verbos humildes: Dar a superiores (드리다)

Score: /10

Preguntas frecuentes (6)

주다 es el verbo estándar para 'dar' con amigos o gente de tu nivel. 드리다 es la forma humilde para cuando le das algo a alguien superior, como en «선물을 드려요».
Normalmente no. Sonaría sarcástico o extrañamente distante. Solo se usa si quieres bromear de forma muy dramática, como diciendo
Te otorgo este honor
.
¡Claro que sí! Es la mejor forma de dar una gran primera impresión. Úsalo al darles un regalo o al ofrecerte a lavar los platos: «도와 드릴게요».
Usar «주다» en un email suena a orden o a algo muy informal. El verbo «드리다» demuestra que respetas el tiempo y la posición de la otra persona.
묻다 es el verbo básico para preguntar a iguales o menores. 여쭙다 es la versión humilde para superiores: «선생님께 여쭙다».
여쭤보다 se usa en casi todas las charlas diarias. 여쭙다 es para escritura formal: «여쭤봐도 될까요?» es más natural.
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