먼저 가세요.
1053
Please go first.
Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to let others go ahead of you in lines, elevators, or doorways.
- Means: 'Please go first' or 'After you' in a polite tone.
- Used in: Elevators, narrow paths, or when letting someone order first.
- Don't confuse: With '먼저 갈게요', which means 'I am leaving first'.
Explanation at your level:
意味
A polite phrase used to allow someone else to proceed before you.
文化的背景
Yielding to elders is not just polite; it is expected. In elevators, the youngest person often holds the 'Open' button while everyone else exits, saying '먼저 가세요' as they pass. When entering a meeting room, the highest-ranking person usually enters first. If you are a junior, you should stand aside and say '먼저 들어가십시오.' You should never start eating before the eldest person at the table. If they urge you to start, you can say '먼저 드세요' to show you are waiting for them. Despite the rush, it is common to see people yield seats or space to pregnant women or the disabled using variations of this phrase.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair this phrase with a slight open-palm gesture toward the path and a small head nod. It makes you look 10x more fluent and polite.
Don't Over-Yield
If you say '먼저 가세요' and the other person insists you go first, just say '감사합니다' and go. Don't get stuck in a 5-minute loop of yielding!
意味
A polite phrase used to allow someone else to proceed before you.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair this phrase with a slight open-palm gesture toward the path and a small head nod. It makes you look 10x more fluent and polite.
Don't Over-Yield
If you say '먼저 가세요' and the other person insists you go first, just say '감사합니다' and go. Don't get stuck in a 5-minute loop of yielding!
The 'Goodbye' usage
Remember that '먼저 들어가세요' is a standard way to say goodbye to someone who is staying behind. It doesn't literally mean they are entering a room right now.
Formal vs. Informal
If you aren't sure, always use '먼저 가세요.' It is never rude, whereas '먼저 가' can be very rude if used with the wrong person.
自分をテスト
You are at an elevator with an elderly woman. What is the most appropriate thing to say?
엘리베이터 문이 열렸습니다. 할머니께 뭐라고 할까요?
'먼저 가세요' is the standard polite way to let an elder go first. '먼저 가' is too informal, and '빨리 가세요' (go quickly) is rude.
Fill in the blank to complete the polite request.
길이 좁으니까 _______ 가세요.
'먼저' (first) completes the phrase 'Please go first.'
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Which phrase fits leaving the office while others are still working?
'먼저 들어가세요' is the standard polite way to say goodbye to colleagues who are staying later.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
A: 아, 죄송합니다. 말씀하세요. B: 아니에요. (__________).
Since they are talking, 'Please speak first' is the correct yielding phrase.
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You vs. Me
よくある質問
14 問Yes, but use the informal '먼저 가' or '먼저 가요.' Using '먼저 가세요' with close friends might sound like you are joking or being unusually stiff.
'먼저' is more common for physical order and daily life. '우선' ({優先|우선}) is often used for priority in tasks or logical steps (e.g., 'First of all...').
Yes, it is very polite. However, if you are supposed to be leading them to a specific place, it's better to lead the way.
Simply say '감사합니다' (Thank you) or '아, 네, 감사합니다' and proceed.
Yes, if you are meeting someone and want them to go into a cafe or venue first because you are late, you can text '먼저 들어가세요!'
Only in the form '먼저 들어가세요' when leaving a social or work setting. '먼저 가세요' is rarely used as a standalone goodbye.
This is common! Just smile, say '감사합니다,' and one of you should take the lead to avoid an awkward standoff.
For an elevator, yes, it might be a bit much. Use it for very high-ranking people or in formal ceremonies.
Use '먼저 드세요' instead. '가세요' specifically implies movement.
Young people might say '먼저 고' (Meon-jeo Go), mixing Korean and English.
It's a polite way to acknowledge that you are leaving while others are still at their 'place' (the office).
Yes! If you want to let another car merge or go first at a 4-way stop, you can gesture and say it (though they might not hear you, they will see your lips!).
먼저 가십시오 is the most formal, but 먼저 가세요 is the most naturally polite for 99% of situations.
Usually, yes. It acts as an adverb modifying the verb that follows.
関連フレーズ
먼저 들어가세요
similarPlease go in first / Goodbye.
먼저 드세요
specialized formPlease eat first.
먼저 말씀하세요
specialized formPlease speak first.
천천히 가세요
contrastGo slowly / Take your time.
같이 가요
contrastLet's go together.
どこで使う？
At the Elevator
You: 아, 먼저 가세요.
Stranger: 아, 감사합니다.
Coffee Shop Line
You: 먼저 주문하세요. 저는 아직 못 정했어요.
Customer: 아, 네. 고맙습니다.
Narrow Hiking Trail
You: 길이 좁네요. 먼저 가세요.
Hiker: 네, 먼저 지나갈게요. 수고하세요!
Leaving the Office
Colleague: 오늘 고생 많으셨어요.
You: 네, 먼저 들어가세요! 내일 봬요.
Entering a Taxi
Friend: 너 먼저 타.
You: 아니야, 네가 먼저 가세요. (to an elder) / 아니야, 네가 먼저 타. (to a friend)
Starting a Presentation
Manager: 누가 먼저 발표할까요?
You: 김 대리님, 먼저 가세요.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Meon-jeo' as 'Mountain Joe' who is very polite and always lets you go up the mountain first.
Visual Association
Imagine a person holding open a heavy wooden palace door, bowing slightly, and pointing forward with an open palm.
Rhyme
Meon-jeo ga-se-yo, don't be a foe, let them go!
Story
You are at a busy subway station in Seoul. You see an elderly grandmother with a heavy basket. You want to be a hero of etiquette. You step aside, make eye contact, and say '먼저 가세요.' She smiles, and you feel a warm glow of cultural connection.
Word Web
チャレンジ
Next time you are at a doorway at the same time as someone else, count to three, smile, and say '먼저 가세요' out loud.
In Other Languages
After you
English focuses on the speaker's position (after), Korean focuses on the other person's action (go first).
お先にどうぞ (O-saki ni douzo)
Japanese often omits the verb, whereas Korean usually includes '가세요'.
您先请 (Nín xiān qǐng)
Chinese uses the verb 'to invite' rather than 'to go'.
Pase usted
Spanish uses 'pass' (pasar) more often than 'go' (ir) in this context.
Après vous
Like English, it uses a prepositional structure.
Nach Ihnen
Strictly formal; using 'Nach dir' (informal) is much rarer than '먼저 가' in Korean.
تفضل (Tafaddal)
Much more versatile than '먼저 가세요' as it doesn't specify the action of 'going'.
Depois de você
Often uses the verb 'to be able to' (poder) to give permission.
Easily Confused
It sounds very similar to '먼저 가세요' but has the opposite meaning.
Focus on the ending: '-세요' is for YOU, '-게요' is for ME.
This is a less formal version of '먼저 가세요.'
Use '-세요' for strangers and elders to be safe.
よくある質問 (14)
Yes, but use the informal '먼저 가' or '먼저 가요.' Using '먼저 가세요' with close friends might sound like you are joking or being unusually stiff.
'먼저' is more common for physical order and daily life. '우선' ({優先|우선}) is often used for priority in tasks or logical steps (e.g., 'First of all...').
Yes, it is very polite. However, if you are supposed to be leading them to a specific place, it's better to lead the way.
Simply say '감사합니다' (Thank you) or '아, 네, 감사합니다' and proceed.
Yes, if you are meeting someone and want them to go into a cafe or venue first because you are late, you can text '먼저 들어가세요!'
Only in the form '먼저 들어가세요' when leaving a social or work setting. '먼저 가세요' is rarely used as a standalone goodbye.
This is common! Just smile, say '감사합니다,' and one of you should take the lead to avoid an awkward standoff.
For an elevator, yes, it might be a bit much. Use it for very high-ranking people or in formal ceremonies.
Use '먼저 드세요' instead. '가세요' specifically implies movement.
Young people might say '먼저 고' (Meon-jeo Go), mixing Korean and English.
It's a polite way to acknowledge that you are leaving while others are still at their 'place' (the office).
Yes! If you want to let another car merge or go first at a 4-way stop, you can gesture and say it (though they might not hear you, they will see your lips!).
먼저 가십시오 is the most formal, but 먼저 가세요 is the most naturally polite for 99% of situations.
Usually, yes. It acts as an adverb modifying the verb that follows.
