Formal Questions in Korean (ㅂ니까 / 습니까)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use -ㅂ니까 (vowel stem) or -습니까 (consonant stem) to ask polite, formal questions in Korean.
- Use -ㅂ니까 after verb/adjective stems ending in a vowel (e.g., 가다 -> 갑니까).
- Use -습니까 after verb/adjective stems ending in a consonant (e.g., 먹다 -> 먹습니까).
- Always use this form in business, news, or when speaking to strangers to show respect.
Overview
Korean communication operates within a sophisticated framework of speech levels (말씀, mal-sseum), which are grammatical conjugations that express the speaker's relationship to the listener, the social environment, and the desired degree of formality. Among these, the 하십시오체 (hasipsioche) stands as the highest and most formal speech level. It is meticulously employed to convey profound respect, deference, and professionalism in interactions.
The ㅂ니까 / 습니까 ending functions as the interrogative (question) form within this highly formal register.
This ending directly transforms a statement into a question while simultaneously signaling deep politeness and respect. It serves as the direct counterpart to the formal declarative ending ㅂ니다 / 습니다. Understanding and correctly employing ㅂ니까 / 습니까 is fundamental for navigating formal Korean social landscapes.
You will encounter this form in environments where clarity, unambiguous respect, and professionalism are paramount, including formal public announcements, news broadcasts, military contexts, business meetings, academic presentations, and when addressing superiors or unfamiliar individuals in professional or public capacities. Unlike English, which often uses intonation or auxiliary verbs for questions, Korean utilizes specific grammatical endings to denote inquiry, and ㅂ니까 / 습니까 is the designated choice for formal questioning.
How This Grammar Works
다 from its infinitive form. For example, 가다 (to go) yields the stem 가, and 좋다 (to be good) provides the stem 좋.ㅂ니까 and 습니까 is determined by the presence or absence of a final consonant (받침, batchim) in the verb or adjective stem. This phonological distinction is critical for correct conjugation.- If the verb or adjective stem does not possess a final consonant (i.e., it concludes with a vowel sound), you append
ㅂ니까?. - If the verb or adjective stem does possess a final consonant, you append
습니까?.
ㅂ (from ㅂ니까) or ㅅ (from 습니까) is immediately followed by ㄴ (니 from 니까), the ㅂ often undergoes a change in pronunciation to ㅁ (m), while the ㅅ sound can influence the preceding consonant. Specifically, the ㅂ in ㅂ니까 becomes nasalized when it acts as the final consonant of the preceding syllable and then precedes 니.ㅂ being pronounced as ㅁ. For instance, the declarative form 합니다 (hap-ni-da) is pronounced 함니다 (ham-ni-da). Similarly, the interrogative 합니까? (hap-ni-kka) is pronounced 함니까? (ham-ni-kka).하십시오체 speech level. Learners should diligently practice this nasalization to achieve a more natural and authentic Korean accent, as a hard ㅂ sound can sound unnatural in this specific context.Formation Pattern
ㅂ니까 / 습니까, systematically follow these steps, with particular attention to the final sound of the verb or adjective stem. Mastering this pattern is fundamental for A1 learners.
다 ending. This isolated base is your stem.
먹다 (to eat) → 먹
오다 (to come) → 오
읽다 (to read) → 읽
받침): Examine the last syllable of the identified stem. Determine whether it ends with a consonant or a vowel. This distinction dictates which form (ㅂ니까 or 습니까) to use.
받침)
ㅂ니까? directly.
가 (go) | + ㅂ니까? | 갑니까? | kam-ni-kka? | Are you going? |
오 (come) | + ㅂ니까? | 옵니까? | om-ni-kka? | Are you coming? |
보 (see) | + ㅂ니까? | 봅니까? | pom-ni-kka? | Do you see? |
공부하 (study)| + ㅂ니까? | 공부합니까? | kong-bu-ham-ni-kka?| Do you study? |
받침)
습니까? directly.
먹 (eat) | + 습니까? | 먹습니까? | meok-seum-ni-kka?| Do you eat? |
읽 (read) | + 습니까? | 읽습니까? | ik-seum-ni-kka?| Do you read? |
찾 (find) | + 습니까? | 찾습니까? | chat-seum-ni-kka?| Do you find? |
많 (many) | + 습니까? | 많습니까? | man-seum-ni-kka?| Is it many? / Are there many? |
ㅂ니까 / 습니까. The notable exception is ㄹ irregulars, which require a specific modification.
ㄹ Irregular Verbs/Adjectives: If the stem ends with ㄹ, this ㄹ typically drops before certain consonant-initial endings, including ㅂ니까?. This is a common phonological assimilation.
만들 (make) | ㄹ drops + ㅂ니까? | 만듭니까? | man-deup-ni-kka?| Do you make? |
살 (live) | ㄹ drops + ㅂ니까? | 삽니까? | sam-ni-kka? | Do you live? |
알 (know) | ㄹ drops + ㅂ니까? | 압니까? | am-ni-kka? | Do you know? |
이다 (to be) and 아니다 (to not be): These fundamental copulas behave somewhat distinctly. They follow fixed patterns for 하십시오체 questions.
이다 | 입니까? | Is it...? |
아니다 | 아닙니까? | Is it not...? |
선생님입니까? (seon-saeng-nim-im-ni-kka?) – Are you a teacher?
학생이 아닙니까? (hak-saeng-i a-nim-ni-kka?) – Are you not a student?
ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅅ irregulars): It is crucial to understand that for ㄷ irregulars (e.g., 듣다, to listen), ㅂ irregulars (e.g., 돕다, to help), and ㅅ irregulars (e.g., 낫다, to get better), the characteristic irregular rule does not apply when followed by ㅂ니까 / 습니까. These irregular changes typically occur only when followed by a vowel-initial ending or specific other consonants. Since ㅂ니까 / 습니까 begins with consonants (ㅂ or ㅅ), these irregular stems simply follow the standard 받침 rule by attaching 습니까? without modification.
습니까? used) | English Translation |
ㄷ irregular | 듣다 (to listen) | 들습니까? | 듣습니까? | Do you listen? |
ㅂ irregular | 돕다 (to help) | 도우십니까? (This is honorific, not irregular form) | 돕습니까? | Do you help? |
ㅅ irregular | 낫다 (to get better) | 나으십니까? | 낫습니까? | Does it get better? |
ㅂ니까 / 습니까 ending can be combined with other grammatical elements to express different tenses or to confer honor on the subject of the sentence. This allows for nuanced communication within the formal speech level.
-았/었- to the stem before applying ㅂ니까 / 습니까. The choice between -았- and -었- depends on the vowel harmony of the stem.
가다 (to go) → 가 + -았- → 갔 + 습니까? → 갔습니까? (kat-seum-ni-kka?) – Did you go?
먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + -었- → 먹었 + 습니까? → 먹었습니까? (meog-eot-seum-ni-kka?) – Did you eat?
-겠- to the stem before applying ㅂ니까 / 습니까. -겠- is always added without regard to 받침.
가다 (to go) → 가 + -겠- → 가겠 + 습니까? → 가겠습니까? (ka-get-seum-ni-kka?) – Will you go? / Shall we go?
읽다 (to read) → 읽 + -겠- → 읽겠 + 습니까? → 읽겠습니까? (ik-ket-seum-ni-kka?) – Will you read?
-으시- immediately before ㅂ니까 / 습니까. The -으시- itself follows the 받침 rule: use -으시- after a consonant-ending stem, and -시- after a vowel-ending stem.
주무시다 (honorific of 자다, to sleep) → 주무시 + ㅂ니까? → 주무십니까? (ju-mu-sim-ni-kka?) – Are you sleeping? (when addressing an elder)
계시다 (honorific of 있다, to be/exist) → 계시 + ㅂ니까? → 계십니까? (gye-sim-ni-kka?) – Are you present? (when inquiring about an elder/superior)
When To Use It
ㅂ니까 / 습니까 ending is strictly reserved for contexts that demand the highest level of formality and respect. Its use inherently establishes a clear social hierarchy and distance, making it inappropriate for informal interactions. Understanding these specific scenarios is critical for appropriate communication in Korean culture.- Formal Public Settings: This is the default interrogative ending in highly public and official communications. News reporters, public speakers, and presenters utilize it to convey authority, impartiality, and respect to a broad, often anonymous, audience. For instance, a news anchor might ask,
새로운 법안이 통과됩니까?(sae-ro-un beop-an-i tong-gwa-doem-ni-kka?) – Will the new bill pass?
- Business and Professional Environments: In a corporate setting, especially when addressing clients, supervisors, or new colleagues to whom you wish to show deference,
ㅂ니까 / 습니까is the expected form. It maintains a professional boundary and signals respect for position or unfamiliarity. An employee might respectfully inquire of their manager,부장님, 프로젝트 마감일이 언제입니까?(bu-jang-nim, pro-jek-teu ma-gam-il-i eon-je-im-ni-kka?) – Manager, when is the project deadline?
- Service Industries: Individuals in service roles (e.g., flight attendants, hotel staff, salespeople, government officials) consistently employ this ending when interacting with customers or the public. It signifies politeness, professionalism, and a willingness to assist. For example, a waiter might ask,
손님, 주문하시겠습니까?(son-nim, ju-mun-ha-si-get-seum-ni-kka?) – Customer, would you like to order?
- Academic and Educational Contexts: When delivering lectures, presenting research, or addressing professors, distinguished guests, or academic authorities, this formal question form is standard. A student might ask a professor,
교수님, 질문이 있습니까?(gyo-su-nim, jil-mun-i it-seum-ni-kka?) – Professor, do you have a question?
- Interactions with Strangers or Elders: When speaking to someone significantly older than you, or to a stranger in a formal public context (e.g., asking for directions, inquiring about a public service),
ㅂ니까 / 습니까is a safe and respectful choice. It demonstrates proper etiquette until a different speech level is mutually established. For instance,실례합니다만, 서울역에 가려면 어느 방향으로 가야 합니까?(sil-lye-ham-ni-da-man, seoul-yeok-e ga-ryeo-myeon eo-neu bang-hyang-eu-ro ga-ya ham-ni-kka?) – Excuse me, but which direction should I go to get to Seoul Station?
- Formal Writing: Official documents, formal surveys, public notices, and professional emails often utilize
ㅂ니까 / 습니까for questions to maintain a consistent, formal tone suitable for broad readership. A survey question might read,저희 서비스에 만족하십니까?(jeo-hui seo-bi-seu-e man-jok-ha-sim-ni-kka?) – Are you satisfied with our service?
ㅂ니까 / 습니까 with close friends, family members (especially younger individuals), or in casual social gatherings would sound exceptionally stiff, awkward, and overly formal. Such usage can create an unintended sense of distance, making you sound aloof, lecturing, or even sarcastic. In these informal settings, you would typically use the more common polite formal 아/어요 form (e.g., 가요?, 먹어요?) or the informal 해체 (-아/어?, -니?).Common Mistakes
ㅂ니까 / 습니까. Recognizing and understanding the roots of these common errors can significantly accelerate mastery and improve communicative accuracy.- 1Incorrect Application of
ㅂ니까versus습니까: The most prevalent mistake is misjudging the final consonant (받침) rule. Learners might forget to remove다first, or incorrectly identify the presence or absence of a final consonant. For example, mistakenly forming먹ㅂ니까?(meok-bim-ni-kka?) instead of the correct먹습니까?(meok-seum-ni-kka?) for먹다(meok-da, to eat).
- 1Neglecting Nasalization in Pronunciation: While
합니까?is transliterated ashap-ni-kka?, its natural pronunciation is함니까?(ham-ni-kka?) due to nasalization. Many learners initially pronounce theㅂwith a hard 'p' sound. This, while understandable, sounds unnatural and somewhat abrupt to native Korean speakers. Consistent practice to soften theㅂto anㅁsound when it precedes니is essential for authentic pronunciation.
- 1Incorrect Intonation: Unlike the declarative
ㅂ니다(-mni-da), which typically concludes with a falling intonation, the interrogativeㅂ니까?(-mni-kka?) requires a distinct rising intonation at the end. Failing to raise your pitch can inadvertently make your question sound like a formal statement, leading to confusion or an impression of abruptness in conversation. This intonational difference is a key distinguishing feature between formal statements and questions.
- 1Misapplying the
ㄹIrregular Rule: Forgetting thatㄹirregular stems drop theㄹbeforeㅂ니까?is a common oversight. Learners might incorrectly conjugate만들다(man-deul-da, to make) as만들습니까?(man-deul-seum-ni-kka?) instead of the correct만듭니까?(man-deup-ni-kka?). This occurs because theㄹis a
3. Formal Interrogative Conjugation
| Verb/Adjective | Stem | Ending | Question Form |
|---|---|---|---|
|
가다
|
가
|
ㅂ니까
|
갑니까?
|
|
먹다
|
먹
|
습니까
|
먹습니까?
|
|
하다
|
하
|
ㅂ니까
|
합니까?
|
|
읽다
|
읽
|
습니까
|
읽습니까?
|
|
오다
|
오
|
ㅂ니까
|
옵니까?
|
|
듣다
|
듣
|
습니까
|
듣습니까?
|
|
살다
|
살
|
습니까
|
살습니까?
|
|
자다
|
자
|
ㅂ니까
|
잡니까?
|
|
보다
|
보
|
ㅂ니까
|
봅니까?
|
|
씻다
|
씻
|
습니까
|
씻습니까?
|
Meanings
The formal interrogative ending is used to ask questions in a highly polite and professional manner. It is the standard form for public speaking, news broadcasts, and formal business interactions.
Formal Interrogative
Asking a question to a superior or in a formal setting.
“무엇을 먹습니까?”
“한국어를 공부합니까?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Stem + ㅂ니다/습니다
|
갑니다
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Stem + ㅂ니다
|
안 갑니다
|
|
Question
|
Stem + ㅂ니까/습니까
|
갑니까?
|
|
Negative Question
|
안 + Stem + ㅂ니까
|
안 갑니까?
|
|
Past Question
|
Stem + 었/았습니까
|
갔습니까?
|
|
Future Question
|
Stem + 겠습니까
|
가겠습니까?
|
|
Honorific Question
|
Stem + (으)십니까
|
가십니까?
|
Formality Spectrum
식사하십니까? (Dining)
식사해요? (Dining)
밥 먹어? (Dining)
밥 먹냐? (Dining)
Formal Question Logic
Vowel Ending
- 가다 Go -> 갑니까
Consonant Ending
- 먹다 Eat -> 먹습니까
Speech Level Comparison
Decision Flow
Does stem end in vowel?
Examples by Level
어디에 갑니까?
Where are you going?
무엇을 먹습니까?
What are you eating?
한국어를 공부합니까?
Are you studying Korean?
오늘 바쁩니까?
Are you busy today?
내일 회의에 참석합니까?
Are you attending the meeting tomorrow?
이것이 무엇입니까?
What is this?
어디에서 일합니까?
Where do you work?
주말에 쉽니까?
Do you rest on the weekend?
그 계획을 동의하십니까?
Do you agree with that plan?
언제 출발하십니까?
When are you departing?
이 서류를 확인했습니까?
Have you checked this document?
어떤 것을 선택하시겠습니까?
Which one would you like to choose?
본인의 의견을 말씀하시겠습니까?
Would you like to state your opinion?
귀하의 성함이 무엇입니까?
What is your name?
이 프로젝트를 진행하십니까?
Are you leading this project?
결과에 만족하십니까?
Are you satisfied with the results?
본 사안에 대해 어떻게 생각하십니까?
How do you feel about this matter?
귀하께서 제안하신 방안이 타당합니까?
Is the proposal you suggested valid?
향후 계획을 구체적으로 설명하시겠습니까?
Could you explain your future plans in detail?
본인의 과실을 인정하십니까?
Do you admit your fault?
본 위원회의 결정에 이의가 있으십니까?
Do you have any objections to the committee's decision?
귀하의 견해를 피력하시겠습니까?
Would you like to express your views?
본 사태의 원인을 규명하셨습니까?
Have you investigated the cause of this situation?
귀하의 행보가 정당하다고 보십니까?
Do you consider your actions justified?
Easily Confused
Learners often use -아요 in formal settings.
Learners mix formal questions with plain statements.
Learners forget to add the honorific -시-.
Common Mistakes
가습니까
갑니까
먹ㅂ니까
먹습니까
가다입니까
갑니까
먹다습니까
먹습니까
합니까요
합니까
가십니까요
가십니까
먹습니까요
먹습니까
가시습니까
가십니까
먹었습니까요
먹었습니까
하겠습니까요
하겠습니까
가십니까입니까
가십니까
먹었었습니까
먹었습니까
하십시니까
하십니까
Sentence Patterns
___을/를 하십니까?
어디에 ___습니까?
___에 동의하십니까?
___를 확인하셨습니까?
Real World Usage
어디에서 일하셨습니까?
오늘의 날씨입니까?
무엇을 도와드릴까요?
질문이 있으십니까?
알겠습니까?
확인하셨습니까?
Check the stem
Avoid with friends
Combine with honorifics
Context is key
Smart Tips
Use -겠습니까 for formal future questions.
Always use the formal ending to address everyone equally.
Use the formal ending to sound authoritative.
Use honorifics with formal endings.
Pronunciation
Nasalization
When -ㅂ니까 follows a consonant, it often sounds like -ㅁ니까.
Rising
갑니까? ↑
Standard question intonation.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'ㅂ' as a 'bow' (bending down). Since it's formal, you bow while asking.
Visual Association
Imagine a soldier standing straight and saluting while asking a question. The rigid posture matches the formal ending.
Rhyme
Vowel needs a 'ㅂ', consonant needs '습', formal questions are always a plus.
Story
Mr. Kim is at a job interview. He sits straight. He asks, 'Do you like my resume?' using '좋아합니까?'. The interviewer smiles because he used the correct formal ending.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 5 questions you would ask a boss using this form.
Cultural Notes
Using this form is mandatory in meetings to show respect to superiors.
This is the standard speech level for all communication.
Anchors use this to maintain professional distance.
Derived from the traditional formal speech levels used in the Joseon Dynasty.
Conversation Starters
오늘 무엇을 하십니까?
한국어를 공부하십니까?
이 계획에 동의하십니까?
귀하의 견해를 말씀하시겠습니까?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
어디에 ___?
무엇을 ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
그것을 하십니까요?
공부해요? (Study)
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
오늘 / 회의 / 참석하다
Which is best for a CEO?
음악을 ___?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises어디에 ___?
무엇을 ___?
Find and fix the mistake:
그것을 하십니까요?
공부해요? (Study)
1. 읽다, 2. 자다
오늘 / 회의 / 참석하다
Which is best for a CEO?
음악을 ___?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises운동을 ___?
Are you a student? (학생 = student)
김치를 / 좋아합니까 / ?
Match the following:
Choose the formal question:
책을 사습니까?
음악을 ___?
Choose the formal question:
When do you come?
바쁘습니까?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, it is very appropriate for teachers.
Only if it is a formal business text.
That is the honorific version with -시- added.
Yes, they are just different endings based on the stem.
Usually no, unless the family is very formal.
Treat it as a consonant stem.
It is the standard formal level.
Because -요 is for the polite informal level.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Desu/Masu form
Korean has more distinct levels of formality than Japanese.
Usted form
Korean changes the verb ending, Spanish changes the pronoun and verb.
Sie-form
German is pronoun-based; Korean is verb-based.
Vouvoiement
French uses a pronoun; Korean uses a suffix.
Nin (您)
Chinese is pronoun-based; Korean is verb-based.
Honorific suffixes
Arabic honorifics are often lexical; Korean is grammatical.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Formal Polite Korean (-ㅂ니다/-습니다)
Overview Korean, a language deeply interwoven with social dynamics, utilizes an intricate system of speech levels to art...
Asking Questions (Basic Formation)
Overview Asking questions in Korean fundamentally differs from English, primarily due to Korean’s **Subject-Object-Verb...
Related Grammar Rules
Humble Verbs: Taking & Serving Superiors (모시다)
Overview Korean, much like its East Asian linguistic relatives, is a language where social context dictates expression....
Special Honorific Verb: To Sleep (주무시다)
Overview Korean communication operates within a sophisticated system of **honorifics** (높임말, _noppimmal_), which are...
Honorific Eating: 드시다 & 잡수시다
Overview Korean society is deeply rooted in hierarchical respect, a principle that permeates its language, especially ev...
Respectful VIP Verbs (계시다, 드시다)
Overview In Korean, showing respect extends beyond mere politeness levels; it's intricately woven into the very fabric...
Respectful Asking (여쭙다/여쭤보다)
Overview Korean communication is deeply interwoven with a sophisticated system of honorifics, which acknowledges the soc...
