~아/어 주다
This grammar pattern means to do something as a favor for someone else.
Explanation at your level:
You use this when you help someone. If you open a door for a friend, you use this. It makes your sentence sound very nice and polite. Just add it to your verb!
Use this to show that you are doing a favor. If you buy coffee for a friend, you say '커피를 사 줬어요'. It shows you are kind and thinking of others.
This is essential for requests. Instead of just saying 'Help!', you say '도와주세요', which is much more polite. It is a fundamental part of social interaction in Korea.
Beyond simple favors, this can express emotional support. Phrases like '들어 주다' (to listen to someone) show that you are providing a service or emotional comfort to the listener.
In advanced usage, it can imply a sense of obligation or social expectation. It is used in professional settings to frame requests as polite services, softening the tone of directives significantly.
Deeply rooted in the cultural concept of 'Jeong' (affection/attachment), this grammar is the linguistic manifestation of caring for others. It is used in literature to highlight characters' altruistic motivations and their interconnectedness.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- Used to express doing a favor for someone.
- Attached to the ~아/어 form of a verb.
- Cannot be used for actions benefiting oneself.
- Essential for polite social interaction in Korean.
Hey there! Think of ~아/어 주다 as your kindness helper in Korean. When you want to say you did something 'for' someone, you just add this to the verb.
It’s super common because Korean culture really values being helpful. Whether you are opening a door for a friend or helping your teacher with their bags, you use this to show you are being thoughtful.
Remember, you only use this when the action is beneficial to the other person. If you are doing something for yourself, you wouldn't use this!
The word 주다 literally means 'to give'. In the context of ~아/어 주다, it has evolved to mean 'giving' an action to someone else.
Historically, this reflects the collectivist nature of Korean society, where actions are often viewed as exchanges of goodwill. By 'giving' an action, you are essentially 'giving' your time and effort as a gift to the receiver.
It has been a staple of the Korean language for centuries, evolving from simple 'giving' verbs into a sophisticated grammatical tool for expressing social etiquette and interpersonal relationships.
You attach this to the ~아/어 form of a verb. For example, '하다' (to do) becomes '해 주다'.
It is used in almost every register, from casual '도와줘!' (Help me!) to formal '도와주세요' (Please help me). It is the standard way to offer assistance or make a polite request.
You will often see it paired with verbs like 가르치다 (to teach), 빌려주다 (to lend), and 사주다 (to buy for someone).
말해 주다: To tell someone something (often advice or news). Example: '비밀을 말해 줘.' (Tell me the secret.)
기다려 주다: To wait for someone. Example: '조금만 기다려 줘.' (Please wait for me a little.)
믿어 주다: To believe in someone. Example: '나를 믿어 줘서 고마워.' (Thanks for believing in me.)
참아 주다: To tolerate or endure something for someone. Example: '이번만 참아 줄게.' (I'll let it slide just this once.)
보여 주다: To show something. Example: '사진 좀 보여 줘.' (Show me the photo.)
The structure is Verb stem + 아/어 + 주다. If the verb stem ends in 'ㅏ' or 'ㅗ', use '아 주다'. Otherwise, use '어 주다'.
Pronunciation is usually smooth, blending the two parts together. In rapid speech, '주다' can sometimes sound like '줘' in casual contexts.
It acts as an auxiliary verb, meaning it carries the conjugation (tense, politeness level) while the main verb stays in its connective form.
Fun Fact
It is one of the most frequently used auxiliary verbs in the Korean language.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean pronunciation rules apply.
Standard Korean pronunciation rules apply.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing the 'eo' sound
- Failing to link the sounds
- Incorrect vowel harmony
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
medium
medium
medium
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
پیشرفته
Grammar to Know
Honorifics
드리다
Verb Conjugation
아/어 form
Request Patterns
~아/어 주세요
Examples by Level
도와주세요.
Help (do for me).
Polite request
문 열어 줘.
Open the door for me.
Casual request
이거 사 줘.
Buy this for me.
Casual request
사진 찍어 줘.
Take a photo for me.
Casual request
노래 불러 줘.
Sing a song for me.
Casual request
가르쳐 주세요.
Please teach me.
Polite request
기다려 주세요.
Please wait for me.
Polite request
읽어 줘.
Read it for me.
Casual request
숙제를 도와줬어요.
친구에게 선물을 사 줬어요.
길을 알려 주세요.
커피를 타 줬어요.
창문을 닫아 줘.
택시를 불러 줬어요.
한국어를 가르쳐 줘서 고마워요.
짐을 들어 줄까요?
고민을 들어 줘서 고마워.
어려운 문제를 풀어 줬어요.
저를 위해 시간을 내 줬네요.
이번에는 제가 참아 줄게요.
그 사람이 저를 도와줬어요.
설명을 다시 해 주시겠어요?
친구를 공항까지 데려다 줬어요.
맛있는 음식을 만들어 줬어요.
부탁을 들어 주셔서 감사합니다.
그는 나에게 희망을 심어 줬다.
모두가 나를 믿어 줬다.
그녀는 나에게 기회를 줬다.
상황을 자세히 설명해 주시겠습니까?
우리 가족을 위해 열심히 일해 줬다.
그는 나에게 큰 힘이 되어 줬다.
어려운 결정을 내려 줬어요.
그의 조언이 큰 도움이 되어 줬다.
사태를 수습해 준 직원들에게 감사한다.
그녀는 나에게 새로운 시각을 제시해 줬다.
우리의 노력을 인정해 줘서 기쁘다.
그는 나에게 깊은 신뢰를 보여 줬다.
그들은 우리에게 따뜻한 환대를 해 줬다.
이 프로젝트를 마무리해 줘서 고맙다.
그녀는 나에게 용기를 북돋아 줬다.
그는 평생을 바쳐 우리를 지켜 줬다.
역사는 그에게 많은 것을 가르쳐 줬다.
그녀의 침묵은 나에게 많은 것을 말해 줬다.
그는 나에게 삶의 의미를 일깨워 줬다.
그들의 희생이 우리에게 평화를 가져다 줬다.
그는 나에게 무한한 사랑을 베풀어 줬다.
그녀는 나에게 고통을 견디는 법을 알려 줬다.
그는 나에게 새로운 세계를 열어 줬다.
ترکیبهای رایج
Idioms & Expressions
"눈감아 주다"
to overlook a mistake
이번만 눈감아 줄게.
casual"기를 살려 주다"
to boost someone's confidence
아이들의 기를 살려 줘야 해.
neutral"발 벗고 나서 주다"
to actively help someone
그가 발 벗고 나서 줬어.
neutral"한 수 접어 주다"
to concede or yield
내가 한 수 접어 줄게.
casual"기대를 저버리지 않다"
to live up to expectations
기대를 저버리지 않아 줬어.
formal"마음을 열어 주다"
to open up to someone
그가 드디어 마음을 열어 줬어.
neutralEasily Confused
Main verb vs auxiliary
Main verb means 'give', auxiliary means 'favor'.
선물을 주다 vs 도와주다.
Honorific level
드리다 is for elders.
도와주세요 vs 도와드리겠습니다.
Opposite direction
받다 is to receive.
도움을 받다.
Causative
시키다 is to make someone do something.
청소를 시키다.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + Verb-아/어 주다
내가 너를 도와줄게.
Please + Verb-아/어 주세요
문 좀 열어 주세요.
Thanks for + Verb-아/어 줘서 고마워
알려 줘서 고마워.
Could you please + Verb-아/어 주시겠어요?
설명해 주시겠어요?
I will + Verb-아/어 줄게요
내가 사 줄게요.
خانواده کلمه
Nouns
Verbs
مرتبط
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
اشتباهات رایج
You don't do favors for yourself.
Must use the correct vowel harmony.
It's a compound verb structure.
Doesn't work with all verbs.
One is a main verb, one is auxiliary.
Tips
Memory Palace
Visualize a gift whenever you say '주다'.
Native Habit
Use it to soften your requests.
Cultural Insight
It shows 'Jeong' (affection).
Shortcut
Always check the last vowel.
Say It Right
Link the final vowel.
Don't Do This
Don't use it for yourself.
Did You Know?
It is the most common auxiliary.
Study Smart
Group verbs by '아' or '어'.
Honorifics
Use 드리다 for elders.
Requests
Use ~아/어 주세요 for polite requests.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '주다' as 'giving' your help to someone else.
Visual Association
Imagine a gift box being handed to someone.
Word Web
چالش
Try to use this pattern 5 times today.
ریشه کلمه
Korean
Original meaning: To give
بافت فرهنگی
Always use honorifics (드리다) when speaking to elders.
Similar to 'do me a favor' or 'could you please...'
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- 도와주셔서 감사합니다
- 알려 주시겠어요
- 검토해 주세요
at school
- 가르쳐 주세요
- 빌려 줄래
- 설명해 줘
traveling
- 사진 찍어 주세요
- 길을 알려 주세요
- 추천해 주세요
daily life
- 문 열어 줘
- 밥 사 줄게
- 기다려 줘
Conversation Starters
"누가 너를 가장 많이 도와줬어?"
"친구에게 마지막으로 어떤 부탁을 했어?"
"어떤 상황에서 '도와주세요'라고 말해?"
"누군가에게 무언가를 가르쳐 준 적 있어?"
"친구가 너를 위해 무엇을 해 줬을 때 가장 고마웠어?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time a stranger helped you.
Describe a favor you did for a friend.
Why is it important to help others?
How does using '주다' change the tone of a request?
سوالات متداول
8 سوالNo, it is for the benefit of others.
드리다.
It adds a sense of favor.
It makes speech much more natural.
Yes, common in emails.
No, also for emotional support.
Conjugate the main verb in ~아/어 form, then add 주다.
Yes, but less common.
خودت رو بسنج
친구를 ___.
Needs polite casual form.
Which means 'Please buy it for me'?
Standard polite form.
Can you use this for yourself?
It is for others.
Word
معنی
Vocabulary match.
Subject-Object-Verb.
امتیاز: /5
Summary
Adding ~아/어 주다 to a verb is the perfect way to show you are being helpful and kind to others.
- Used to express doing a favor for someone.
- Attached to the ~아/어 form of a verb.
- Cannot be used for actions benefiting oneself.
- Essential for polite social interaction in Korean.
Memory Palace
Visualize a gift whenever you say '주다'.
Native Habit
Use it to soften your requests.
Cultural Insight
It shows 'Jeong' (affection).
Shortcut
Always check the last vowel.
Related Content
این کلمه در زبانهای دیگر
قواعد مرتبط
واژههای بیشتر travel
숙소
B1A place where someone stays for a short time, such as a hotel, guest house, or hostel. A key word for travel-related listening and writing.
어댑터
A2A device for connecting parts of different sizes or types.
입장료
A1A fee charged for entry to a place or event; an admission fee.
~후에
A2Indicates an action occurring after another action.
~ㄴ/은 후에
A2Expresses an action occurring after another action or event; after doing.
은/는 후에
A2Indicates an action occurring after another, meaning 'after doing'.
비행기
A1Airplane; a powered flying vehicle with fixed wings.
공항
A1Airport
공항버스
A2Airport bus
통로
A2A narrow way or passage between rows of seats or shelves; an aisle.
