A2 noun 2 min de lecture

으세요/세요

A polite way to tell someone to do something.

-euseyo/seyo
Practice it

Explanation at your level:

Hello! When you want to ask someone to do something, add 세요 to the verb. If the verb ends in a consonant, use 으세요. It is very polite and kind. Use it when you talk to teachers or people you do not know well.

At the A2 level, you start using this for daily tasks. You can say 'Please sit' (앉으세요) or 'Please look' (보세요). It is the standard way to give instructions in a classroom or shop. Remember, it is always polite!

Intermediate learners should notice how 으세요 changes based on the verb stem. It is not just for commands; it is for invitations too. 'Please come to my house' (우리 집에 오세요) is a perfect example of using this for social invitations.

At this level, you recognize the nuance of the honorific. It is not just a command; it is a way to show social distance. You would use this with a boss or a customer to maintain professional boundaries while being helpful.

Advanced users understand that 으세요 can sometimes sound slightly directive if not accompanied by a soft tone or additional polite markers like 'please' (부디). In written notices, it is the standard form for instructions, appearing on signs and manuals across Korea.

Mastery involves understanding the subtle difference between this and the formal -(으)십시오. While 으세요 is standard polite, 십시오 is formal/authoritative. Choosing between them demonstrates a deep cultural awareness of the specific social setting and the relationship between the speaker and listener.

Mot en 30 secondes

  • Polite command suffix.
  • Vowel/Consonant rule.
  • Essential for daily life.
  • Shows respect.

When you are learning Korean, 으세요/세요 is one of the first and most important grammar points you will master. Think of it as the polite version of 'please do this.' It is not quite a bossy command, but rather a respectful request that shows you value the person you are speaking to.

You use 세요 when the verb stem ends in a vowel, and 으세요 when it ends in a consonant. It is the go-to form for giving instructions, offering food, or asking for help in almost any social situation in Korea.

The suffix is derived from the honorific marker -(으)시-, which is used to show respect for the subject of the sentence, combined with the polite sentence ending -어요. Over time, these combined into the fixed form we use today.

Historically, Korean has always placed a massive emphasis on social hierarchy. This specific construction evolved to allow speakers to maintain that hierarchy while still being able to communicate needs effectively. It represents the linguistic evolution of Korean society moving toward a more standardized, polite way of speaking in public life.

You use this form whenever you want to be polite. If you are at a restaurant, you would say 'Please eat' (드세요). If you are asking for directions, you would say 'Please go straight' (쭉 가세요).

It is essential to understand that this is not for talking to yourself or very close friends in casual settings. In casual settings, you would drop the -요 ending. However, in any professional or semi-formal environment, 으세요/세요 is your best friend.

1. 어서 오세요: Welcome! (Literally: Please come in quickly.)

2. 안녕히 가세요: Goodbye (to someone leaving). (Literally: Please go in peace.)

3. 많이 드세요: Enjoy your meal. (Literally: Please eat a lot.)

4. 잠시만 기다리세요: Please wait a moment.

5. 조심하세요: Please be careful.

The rule is simple: if the verb stem ends in a vowel (like 가다 -> 가), you add 세요 (가세요). If it ends in a consonant (like 먹다 -> 먹), you add 으세요 (먹으세요).

Pronunciation-wise, it is very straightforward. The 's' sound is crisp. In American English, think of the 'se' like the 'say' in 'saying'. The stress usually falls on the 'se' syllable, making it sound rhythmic and pleasant to the ear.

Fun Fact

Derived from honorific markers.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /u-se-jo/

Clear, crisp vowels.

US /u-se-jo/

Similar to 'oo-say-yo'.

Common Errors

  • Mispronouncing '으'
  • Dropping the '요'
  • Incorrect stress

Rhymes With

보세요 주세요 오세요 가세요 사세요

Difficulty Rating

Lecture 1/5

Easy

Writing 2/5

Moderate

Speaking 2/5

Moderate

Écoute 1/5

Easy

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

가다 먹다 오다

Learn Next

-십시오 -아/어 주세요

Avanc

-기 바랍니다

Grammar to Know

Honorifics

선생님께서 가세요.

Polite Speech

해요체

Imperatives

명령형

Examples by Level

1

가세요.

Go (polite).

Vowel stem.

2

먹으세요.

Eat (polite).

Consonant stem.

3

보세요.

Look (polite).

Vowel stem.

4

앉으세요.

Sit (polite).

Consonant stem.

5

읽으세요.

Read (polite).

Consonant stem.

6

주세요.

Please give me.

Common request.

7

오세요.

Come (polite).

Vowel stem.

8

사세요.

Buy (polite).

Vowel stem.

1

공부하세요.

2

운동하세요.

3

전화하세요.

4

청소하세요.

5

요리하세요.

6

준비하세요.

7

도와주세요.

8

말씀하세요.

1

천천히 말씀해 주세요.

2

이쪽으로 오세요.

3

문을 닫으세요.

4

창문을 여세요.

5

커피를 마시세요.

6

숙제를 하세요.

7

책을 펴세요.

8

신발을 벗으세요.

1

조용히 해 주세요.

2

먼저 시작하세요.

3

다시 한번 설명해 주세요.

4

회의실로 들어오세요.

5

이 서류를 작성하세요.

6

안전벨트를 매세요.

7

예약 확인하세요.

8

메시지를 남기세요.

1

잠시만 기다려 주시겠어요?

2

불편하시더라도 참으세요.

3

이 점을 유의하세요.

4

다음 단계를 진행하세요.

5

의견을 말씀해 주세요.

6

직접 확인해 보세요.

7

자리를 정돈하세요.

8

건강을 챙기세요.

1

본인의 의사를 밝히세요.

2

상황을 면밀히 검토하세요.

3

절차를 준수하시기 바랍니다.

4

결과를 보고하세요.

5

지시를 따르세요.

6

전문가의 조언을 구하세요.

7

문제를 해결하세요.

8

기회를 포착하세요.

Collocations courantes

잠시만 기다리세요
많이 드세요
조심해서 가세요
천천히 말씀하세요
다시 말하세요
여기에 앉으세요
이것을 보세요
빨리 오세요
준비하세요
도와주세요

Idioms & Expressions

"어서 오세요"

Welcome

식당에 어서 오세요.

polite

"안녕히 가세요"

Goodbye

안녕히 가세요!

polite

"많이 드세요"

Enjoy your meal

음식이 맛있으니 많이 드세요.

polite

"잠시만요"

Just a moment

잠시만요, 갈게요.

polite

"조심하세요"

Be careful

길이 미끄러우니 조심하세요.

polite

"말씀하세요"

Please speak

무슨 일인지 말씀하세요.

polite

Easily Confused

으세요/세요 vs -십시오

Both are formal

십시오 is more formal

앉으세요 vs 앉으십시오

으세요/세요 vs -아/어 주세요

Both use polite endings

주세요 is for favors

가세요 vs 가 주세요

으세요/세요 vs -자

Both are verb endings

자 is for suggestions

가세요 vs 가자

으세요/세요 vs -아/어라

Both are commands

아/어라 is casual

가세요 vs 가라

Sentence Patterns

A1

Location + (으)세요

여기에 앉으세요.

A2

Adverb + (으)세요

천천히 말하세요.

A2

Noun + (으)세요

커피를 드세요.

B1

Time + (으)세요

내일 오세요.

B2

Reason + (으)세요

바쁘니까 가세요.

Famille de mots

Nouns

명령 command

Verbs

하다 to do

Apparenté

-(으)십시오 Formal counterpart

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

Formal Polite Casual Slang

Erreurs courantes

먹으세요 (with honorific subject) → 드세요
Use honorific verbs for elders.
가세요요 → 가세요
Double -yo is redundant.
먹세 → 먹으세요
Incomplete suffix.
보으세요 → 보세요
Vowel stems don't need '으'.
하다세요 → 하세요
Irregular verb conjugation.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a polite butler.

💡

Native Speakers

They use it constantly.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Politeness is key.

💡

Shortcut

Vowel=세요, Consonant=으세요.

💡

Say It Right

Clear vowels.

💡

Avoid

Don't add '요' twice.

💡

Did You Know?

It's the most common polite form.

💡

Study Smart

Practice with food verbs.

💡

Daily Routine

Talk to yourself.

💡

Watch Dramas

Listen for it.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Say 'Ooo-Say-Yo' to be polite!

Visual Association

A waiter bowing slightly.

Word Web

Politeness Commands Korean Grammar

Défi

Use it 5 times today.

Origine du mot

Korean

Original meaning: Polite request

Contexte culturel

Always use with elders.

Closest to 'Please [verb]'.

K-Drama phrases

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Restaurant

  • 많이 드세요
  • 주문하세요
  • 잠시만요

School

  • 공부하세요
  • 책을 펴세요
  • 질문하세요

Travel

  • 여기로 오세요
  • 조심하세요
  • 기다리세요

Office

  • 확인하세요
  • 보고하세요
  • 메일 보내세요

Conversation Starters

"How do you say 'please eat'?"

"When do you use polite forms?"

"What is the difference between 세요 and 십시오?"

"Practice giving directions."

"Ask a friend for a favor politely."

Journal Prompts

Write 5 things you want someone to do.

Describe a polite interaction.

Compare formal vs polite.

List 10 verbs using 으세요.

Questions fréquentes

8 questions

When you want to be polite.

It is a polite request.

No, use casual forms.

Drop the ㄹ and add 세요.

No, it is very consistent.

Yes, it is common.

Yes, very common.

No.

Teste-toi

fill blank A1

밥을 ___ (eat).

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 먹으세요

Consonant stem requires 으세요.

multiple choice A2

Which is correct?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 가세요

Vowel stem uses 세요.

true false B1

Is 으세요 casual?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : Faux

It is polite.

match pairs B1

Word

Signification

All matched!

Matching verbs.

sentence order B2

Touche les mots ci-dessous pour construire la phrase
Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Subject/Location + Verb.

Score : /5

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