저희

§ What does it mean and when do people use it?

Let's talk about a super common and important Korean word: 저희 (jeohi). You'll hear and use this a lot, especially if you're trying to speak politely and naturally in Korean. So, what exactly is 저희 and when do you use it?

DEFINITION

We/us (humble); referring to a group including oneself humbly.

저희 is the humble form of '우리 (uri)', which also means 'we' or 'us'. But 'humble' here doesn't mean you're putting yourself down; it means you're showing respect to the person you're speaking to. Think of it as a way to elevate the listener by humbly referring to yourself and your group.

You use 저희 when:

• You are talking about your company, team, or family to someone outside of that group.
• You want to be polite and respectful in formal situations or when speaking to elders or superiors.
• You are representing a group that includes yourself, and you want to show humility.

Let's look at some examples to make this clearer. Imagine you work at a company. When you talk about your company to a client or a business partner, you'll almost always use 저희.

This sentence means, "Our company is launching a new product next week." Here, using 저희 makes the statement sound more professional and respectful towards the listener.

What if you're talking about your family? If you're speaking to someone older than you or someone you want to show respect to, you'd say:

This translates to, "Our family lives in Seoul." It's a polite way to introduce your family.

It's crucial to understand that 저희 is not used when you're talking among close friends or family members where a formal tone isn't needed. In those cases, '우리 (uri)' is perfectly fine. The key is the relationship with the listener. If you need to be polite or formal, go with 저희.

Another common usage is when you're introducing a group activity or event that you are a part of. For instance, if you're inviting someone to a party your group is hosting:

This means, "Our group is having a party." Again, the use of 저희 adds a layer of politeness to the invitation.

Don't confuse 저희 with '저 (jeo)', which is the humble form of '나 (na)' meaning 'I' or 'me'. While both are humble forms, 저희 specifically refers to 'we' or 'us'. Remember that 저희 implies a group, even if you are speaking on behalf of that group as an individual.

In business settings, you'll hear 저희 all the time. From customer service to sales pitches, it's the go-to word for referring to the company or its employees. For example, a shop assistant might say:

This means, "Our store is open on weekends too." It’s polite and professional.

Mastering the humble forms in Korean, like 저희, is a big step towards sounding more natural and respectful. It shows that you understand Korean culture and etiquette, which is just as important as knowing the grammar and vocabulary. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!

§ What "저희" Means

KOREAN WORD

저희

PRONUNCIATION

jeo-hui

CEFR LEVEL

A1 (Beginner)

DEFINITION

We/us (humble); referring to a group including oneself humbly.

"저희" is a humble way to say "we" or "us" in Korean. You use it when you want to show respect to the person you're talking to, especially when talking about your group, company, or family. It's often used in formal situations or when speaking to someone older or of higher status.

§ How to use it in a sentence

Using "저희" correctly means understanding when and how to show humility. It's not just about the word itself, but the context of the conversation.

When using "저희," you generally attach particles to it, just like with other pronouns. Common particles include:

• -는/은 (topic marker): When "저희" is the topic of the sentence.
• -가/이 (subject marker): When "저희" is the subject of the sentence.
• -를/을 (object marker): When "저희" is the object of the sentence.
• -의 (possessive marker): To show possession, meaning "our."
• -에게/한테 (to/for): When showing direction or recipient.

Let's look at some practical examples:

HINTS

저희 (we, humble) + 는 (topic marker) + 학생 (student) + 입니다 (are).

This translates to: "We are students." Here, you're humbly presenting your group as students.

HINTS

저희 (we, humble) + 가 (subject marker) + 도와드리겠습니다 (will help you, humble form).

This means: "We will help you." This shows a humble offer of assistance from your group.

HINTS

저희 (us, humble) + 를 (object marker) + 믿어주세요 (please trust).

This translates to: "Please trust us." It's a humble request for trust from your group.

HINTS

저희 (our, humble) + 의 (possessive marker) + 서비스 (service) + 는 (topic marker) + 최고입니다 (is the best).

This means: "Our service is the best." Even when describing something positively about your group, you maintain humility by using "저희."

HINTS

선생님께 (to the teacher, polite) + 저희 (we, humble) + 가 (subject marker) + 질문했어요 (asked a question).

This translates to: "We asked the teacher a question." Here, you're showing respect to the teacher while referring to your group humbly.

While "우리" also means "we/us," it's a more casual or general term. "저희" specifically adds a layer of humility and politeness. You wouldn't use "저희" when talking to very close friends or family in an informal setting, unless you want to be extra polite for a specific reason.

In business settings, when addressing customers, superiors, or colleagues you want to show respect to, "저희" is almost always the correct choice. For example, a company would use "저희 회사" (our company, humble) rather than "우리 회사" when talking to a client.

Mastering the use of "저희" is an important step in sounding natural and polite in Korean. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in various situations to get a better feel for its nuances.

Korean Word

저희 (jeohi)

Pronunciation

jeo-hui

Part of Speech

Pronoun

CEFR Level

A1

The Korean word 저희 (jeohi) means "we" or "us." It's a humble form, used when you want to respectfully refer to a group that includes yourself. This is very common in Korean, especially in formal situations or when speaking to someone older or of higher status.

§ Basic Usage of 저희

You use 저희 when you want to show politeness or deference to the person you are speaking to, while also referring to your group. Think of it as saying "our humble selves" or "we, humbly."

Translation hint: We are students. (Humble way of saying 'we')

Translation hint: Welcome to our company. (Humble way of saying 'our')

§ Similar Words and When to Use Them

Korean has different ways to say "we" or "us" depending on the level of politeness and formality. Understanding these differences is key to speaking Korean naturally.

• 우리 (uri): This is the most common and neutral way to say "we" or "us." It can be used in almost any situation, especially among friends, family, or people of similar status. It doesn't carry the humble nuance that 저희 does.

  우리는 친구입니다.

  Translation hint: We are friends.

  우리 집에 놀러 와.

  Translation hint: Come play at our house.

• 저 (jeo): This is the humble form of "I." While it refers to a single person, it's important to know it because 저희 is the plural (group) humble form derived from it. Just as you use 저 to humbly refer to yourself, you use 저희 to humbly refer to your group.

  저는 김민준입니다.

  Translation hint: I am Kim Min-jun. (Humble way of saying 'I')

§ When to Choose 저희 over 우리

The key difference lies in the level of respect and humility. Always opt for 저희 in these situations:

• Speaking to elders or superiors: This includes parents, grandparents, teachers, bosses, or anyone significantly older or in a position of authority.

• Formal settings: Business meetings, job interviews, presentations, or any public speaking engagement usually call for 저희.

• Introducing your company or organization: When you are representing a group (like your family, company, or team) to an external party, especially one you want to show respect to, 저희 is the correct choice.

  저희 가족은 서울에 살아요.

  Translation hint: Our family lives in Seoul. (Said to an elder or superior)

• Showing respect to the listener: Even if the group you are referring to is not humble, using 저희 shows that you are being humble in your speech towards the person you are talking to. This is a very important aspect of Korean politeness.

Understanding when to use 저희 versus 우리 is a crucial step in mastering polite Korean communication. Pay attention to the context and your relationship with the person you're speaking to, and you'll get it right.