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.
30秒でわかる単語
- 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
Clear, crisp vowels.
Similar to 'oo-say-yo'.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing '으'
- Dropping the '요'
- Incorrect stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy
Moderate
Moderate
Easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
上級
Grammar to Know
Honorifics
선생님께서 가세요.
Polite Speech
해요체
Imperatives
명령형
Examples by Level
가세요.
Go (polite).
Vowel stem.
먹으세요.
Eat (polite).
Consonant stem.
보세요.
Look (polite).
Vowel stem.
앉으세요.
Sit (polite).
Consonant stem.
읽으세요.
Read (polite).
Consonant stem.
주세요.
Please give me.
Common request.
오세요.
Come (polite).
Vowel stem.
사세요.
Buy (polite).
Vowel stem.
공부하세요.
운동하세요.
전화하세요.
청소하세요.
요리하세요.
준비하세요.
도와주세요.
말씀하세요.
천천히 말씀해 주세요.
이쪽으로 오세요.
문을 닫으세요.
창문을 여세요.
커피를 마시세요.
숙제를 하세요.
책을 펴세요.
신발을 벗으세요.
조용히 해 주세요.
먼저 시작하세요.
다시 한번 설명해 주세요.
회의실로 들어오세요.
이 서류를 작성하세요.
안전벨트를 매세요.
예약 확인하세요.
메시지를 남기세요.
잠시만 기다려 주시겠어요?
불편하시더라도 참으세요.
이 점을 유의하세요.
다음 단계를 진행하세요.
의견을 말씀해 주세요.
직접 확인해 보세요.
자리를 정돈하세요.
건강을 챙기세요.
본인의 의사를 밝히세요.
상황을 면밀히 검토하세요.
절차를 준수하시기 바랍니다.
결과를 보고하세요.
지시를 따르세요.
전문가의 조언을 구하세요.
문제를 해결하세요.
기회를 포착하세요.
よく使う組み合わせ
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.
politeEasily Confused
Both are formal
십시오 is more formal
앉으세요 vs 앉으십시오
Both use polite endings
주세요 is for favors
가세요 vs 가 주세요
Both are verb endings
자 is for suggestions
가세요 vs 가자
Both are commands
아/어라 is casual
가세요 vs 가라
Sentence Patterns
Location + (으)세요
여기에 앉으세요.
Adverb + (으)세요
천천히 말하세요.
Noun + (으)세요
커피를 드세요.
Time + (으)세요
내일 오세요.
Reason + (으)세요
바쁘니까 가세요.
語族
Nouns
Verbs
関連
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
よくある間違い
Use honorific verbs for elders.
Double -yo is redundant.
Incomplete suffix.
Vowel stems don't need '으'.
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
チャレンジ
Use it 5 times today.
語源
Korean
Original meaning: Polite request
文化的な背景
Always use with elders.
Closest to 'Please [verb]'.
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.
よくある質問
8 問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.
自分をテスト
밥을 ___ (eat).
Consonant stem requires 으세요.
Which is correct?
Vowel stem uses 세요.
Is 으세요 casual?
It is polite.
Word
意味
Matching verbs.
Subject/Location + Verb.
スコア： /5
Summary
Use 으세요/세요 to be polite when asking others to do something.
- Polite command suffix.
- Vowel/Consonant rule.
- Essential for daily life.
- Shows respect.
Memory Palace
Imagine a polite butler.
Native Speakers
They use it constantly.
Cultural Insight
Politeness is key.
Shortcut
Vowel=세요, Consonant=으세요.
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