A1 Expression Formal

여기 앉으세요.

Yeogi anjeuseyo.

Please sit here.

Phrase in 30 Seconds

A polite way to invite someone to sit down, essential for showing respect and hospitality in Korean culture.

  • Means: 'Please sit here' in a polite, standard formal way.
  • Used in: Cafes, public transport, or when welcoming guests home.
  • Don't confuse: With '앉아' (anja), which is only for close friends or children.
📍 (Here) + 🪑 (Sit) + 🙏 (Respect) = 😊 (Comfortable Guest)

Explanation at your level:

This is a very basic and useful phrase. '여기' means 'here' and '앉으세요' means 'please sit.' You use it to be nice to people. It is polite. You can use it in a cafe or on a bus. It is one of the first polite commands you learn in Korean.
At this level, you should recognize that '앉으세요' comes from the verb '앉다'. The '-(으)세요' ending is used for polite requests. You use '여기' to point to a specific spot. It's important to use this with people older than you or people you don't know well to show good manners.
This expression demonstrates the 'haeyo-che' speech level. While '앉다' is the dictionary form, the addition of the honorific '-시-' (contracted into -세-) shows respect to the subject (the person sitting). It's a 'directive' speech act that functions as an invitation rather than a command, which is why it's essential for social integration in Korea.
The phrase '여기 앉으세요' is a pragmatic tool for managing social hierarchy. In B2 contexts, you might compare it with '앉아주세요' to see how the latter emphasizes the speaker's request for a favor. Understanding the phonological rule where the 'ㄴㅈ' cluster in '앉' is followed by the filler vowel '으' is crucial for natural pronunciation and spelling.
Advanced learners should analyze '여기 앉으세요' within the framework of Korean honorifics (Jondae-beop). The use of the deictic '여기' establishes a shared physical space, while the imperative '-으세요' balances authority and politeness. It's often used in 'Pung-seup' (customs) where the younger person initiates the offer to maintain 'In-ryun' (human ethics).
From a sociolinguistic perspective, '여기 앉으세요' serves as a performative utterance of hospitality. It encapsulates the 'Uri' (we/us) culture, where the comfort of the collective or the 'other' is prioritized over the individual. Mastery involves knowing the subtle prosodic cues—a rising intonation makes it a soft suggestion, while a falling one makes it a firm, respectful invitation.

Significado

Politely inviting someone to take a seat.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Offering a seat to the elderly is a non-negotiable social rule. Even if you are tired, standing up for an elder is expected. The 'Sang-seok' (upper seat) is the seat furthest from the door. When you say '여기 앉으세요' to a boss, you should gesture to that specific seat. Wait for the eldest person to sit down first. You can say '여기 앉으세요' to prompt them to take the lead. While honorifics are strict, young people are increasingly using '앉으세요' with each other in initial meetings to maintain a polite distance.

🎯

Use your hands

Always gesture with an open palm toward the seat. Pointing with one finger is considered rude in Korea.

💬

The 'Subway' Rule

If you are sitting in a priority seat and an elder approaches, don't wait to be asked. Just stand up and say the phrase.

Significado

Politely inviting someone to take a seat.

🎯

Use your hands

Always gesture with an open palm toward the seat. Pointing with one finger is considered rude in Korea.

💬

The 'Subway' Rule

If you are sitting in a priority seat and an elder approaches, don't wait to be asked. Just stand up and say the phrase.

⚠️

Watch the 'Banmal'

Never say '앉아' to anyone older than you, even if you are close, unless they have explicitly asked you to speak informally.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the blank to politely offer a seat to an elderly person.

할아버지, [ ] 앉으세요.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 여기

'여기' means 'here', which is the correct way to point to the seat you are offering.

Which ending is most appropriate for a boss visiting your office?

부장님, 여기 [ ].

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 앉으세요

'앉으세요' is the standard polite formal form for superiors.

Complete the dialogue in a cafe.

A: 지민 씨, 어서 오세요! B: 와, 고마워요. 자리가 없네요. A: [ ]

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: 여기 앉으세요.

The context is finding a seat in a crowded cafe.

Match the phrase to the person.

Match '여기 앉으세요' with the correct person:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: A stranger on the bus

You use polite language with strangers to show respect.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Where to use '여기 앉으세요'

🚇

Public

  • • Subway
  • • Bus
  • • Park bench
🏠

Private

  • • Living room
  • • Dining table
  • • Home office

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Technically yes, but '앉아' (Anja) is the standard command for pets.

They might say '괜찮아요' (It's okay). You can insist once more with '아니에요, 여기 앉으세요', but if they refuse again, just sit back down.

Grammatically yes, but pragmatically it is a polite invitation.

You can say '여기 앉으세요' while gesturing to multiple seats, or '모두 앉으세요' (Everyone, please sit).

'여기' is 'here' (specific spot), '이쪽' is 'this way' (general area).

It is 'An-jeu-se-yo'. The 'j' sound is soft.

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for a boss.

'앉으십시오' (Anjeusipsio) is the most formal.

A small head nod or a slight waist bow makes the phrase much more natural.

It will sound like '앉세요' (An-se-yo), which is hard to pronounce and sounds like 'not sitting'. Always include the 'eu'.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

이쪽으로 오세요

builds on

Please come this way

🔗

편히 계세요

similar

Please be at ease

🔗

자리를 양보하다

specialized form

To yield a seat

🔗

잠시만 기다려 주세요

similar

Please wait a moment

Dónde usarla

🚇

On a crowded subway

Young Person: 할머니, 여기 앉으세요.

Grandmother: 어머, 고마워요. 학생.

formal
🏠

Welcoming a guest at home

Host: 어서 오세요! 여기 앉으세요.

Guest: 실례하겠습니다. 감사합니다.

formal
☕

In a busy cafe

Friend A: 지민 씨, 여기 앉으세요. 자리 잡았어요.

Friend B: 와, 고마워요! 사람 진짜 많네요.

formal
💼

At a job interview

Interviewer: 반갑습니다. 여기 앉으세요.

Applicant: 네, 감사합니다.

formal
🏥

At the doctor's office

Nurse: 김철수 님, 들어오세요. 여기 앉으세요.

Patient: 네, 알겠습니다.

formal
🤰

Offering a seat to a pregnant woman

Passenger: 힘드시죠? 여기 앉으세요.

Pregnant Woman: 정말 감사합니다.

formal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Yogi' (여기) sitting on a chair and saying 'An-je-yo' (앉으세요) to invite you to join their meditation.

Visual Association

Picture a bright red chair in a crowded subway with a glowing arrow pointing to it and a friendly Korean person smiling and gesturing towards it.

Rhyme

Yeogi, Yeogi, don't be shy / Anjeuseyo, give it a try!

Story

You are at a busy Seoul bus stop. Your legs are tired. A kind student stands up, points to their seat, and says '여기 앉으세요.' You feel the warmth of Korean hospitality and sit down with a 'Gamsahamnida.'

Word Web

앉다 (to sit)의자 (chair)자리 (seat)여기 (here)서다 (to stand)양보하다 (to yield/give up)편하다 (to be comfortable)

Desafío

Next time you are in a public space, mentally identify someone you could say this to. Practice the pronunciation 'An-jeu-se-yo' five times under your breath.

In Other Languages

Japanese high

こちらにお座りください

Japanese often uses 'kochira' (this way) more than 'koko' (here) for extra politeness.

Spanish moderate

Siéntese aquí, por favor.

Spanish relies on the word 'por favor' for politeness, whereas Korean builds it into the verb ending.

French moderate

Asseyez-vous ici, s'il vous plaît.

French requires the reflexive 'vous' (yourself), which Korean doesn't use.

German moderate

Setzen Sie sich bitte hierhin.

German distinguishes between 'hier' (location) and 'hierhin' (direction of sitting).

Arabic partial

تفضل بالجلوس هنا

Arabic politeness is often more flowery and uses separate words rather than verb suffixes.

Chinese high

请坐这里

Chinese grammar is much simpler; it doesn't change the verb 'sit' (zuò) at all.

Portuguese moderate

Sente-se aqui, por favor.

In Brazil, 'você' is common, but 'o senhor/a senhora' is the true equivalent of Korean honorifics.

English low

Please have a seat here.

English doesn't have different verb endings for different social ranks.

Easily Confused

여기 앉으세요. vs 여기 서세요

Sounds similar to '앉으세요' but means 'Please stand here'.

Remember 'A' for 'An-da' (Sit) and 'S' for 'Seo-da' (Stand).

여기 앉으세요. vs 여기 안 오세요?

The 'An' sound is similar, but this means 'Are you not coming here?'.

Listen for the 'jeu' sound in 'An-jeu-se-yo'.

Preguntas frecuentes (10)

Technically yes, but '앉아' (Anja) is the standard command for pets.

They might say '괜찮아요' (It's okay). You can insist once more with '아니에요, 여기 앉으세요', but if they refuse again, just sit back down.

Grammatically yes, but pragmatically it is a polite invitation.

You can say '여기 앉으세요' while gesturing to multiple seats, or '모두 앉으세요' (Everyone, please sit).

'여기' is 'here' (specific spot), '이쪽' is 'this way' (general area).

It is 'An-jeu-se-yo'. The 'j' sound is soft.

Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for a boss.

'앉으십시오' (Anjeusipsio) is the most formal.

A small head nod or a slight waist bow makes the phrase much more natural.

It will sound like '앉세요' (An-se-yo), which is hard to pronounce and sounds like 'not sitting'. Always include the 'eu'.

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