A2 Particles 16 min read Easy

Korean 'To' for VIPs: The Honorific Particle 께

Use 께 instead of 에게 or 한테 to show respect when the recipient is an elder or someone of high status.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 께 instead of 에 or 에게 when the person receiving the action deserves high respect.

  • Use 께 for people who are older or in higher positions: 선생님께 드려요 (I give it to the teacher).
  • Never use 께 for animals or objects; use 에 or 에게 instead.
  • 께 is often paired with honorific verbs like 드리다 (to give) or 말씀하시다 (to speak).
Person(VIP) + 께 + Verb(Honorific)

Overview

In Korean, expressing respect is paramount, and the honorific dative particle 께 (kke) is a fundamental tool for achieving this. Serving as the respectful counterpart to 에게 (ege) and 한테 (hante), 께 marks the recipient of an action or the source of an item/action received when that individual holds a position of higher social standing. This includes elders, teachers, superiors, or any person deserving of deference.

Its consistent use demonstrates not only linguistic proficiency but also a deep understanding of Korean social dynamics and cultural politeness. Neglecting 께 when appropriate can inadvertently convey a lack of respect, making its proper application crucial for effective communication.

While often translated as "to" or "from," 께 carries a significantly heavier semantic load of respect compared to its non-honorific counterparts. It functions as an indicator that the speaker acknowledges the elevated status of the noun it attaches to. Linguistically, it is a dative particle, meaning it typically indicates the indirect object of a verb—the person to whom something is given, sent, told, or from whom something is received.

Its existence underscores the hierarchical nature of Korean society and language, where the relationship between speaker and listener, or speaker and referent, profoundly influences lexical and grammatical choices.

How This Grammar Works

Using 께 involves a direct attachment to the noun representing a respected individual. This particle does not undergo any changes based on the preceding noun's final consonant or vowel. Its primary function is to elevate the status of the recipient in the sentence, thereby necessitating the use of honorific verbs to maintain grammatical and social consistency.
The most common honorific verb paired with 께 is 드리다 (deurida), the honorific form of 주다 (juda, to give). However, 께 can pair with various honorific verbs or phrases that denote actions directed towards a respected person.
Consider the fundamental structure: [Respected Noun] + 께 + [Honorific Verb]. The particle 께 alone signals respect for the referent, but for a complete and grammatically sound honorific expression, an honorific verb is typically required. It's a linguistic package deal: if you are using 께, you are acknowledging high status, and that acknowledgment must extend to the verb describing the action involving that person.
For instance, you wouldn't say 교수님께 줬어요 (gyosunim-kke jwosseoyo) because 주다 is a plain verb; instead, you would use 교수님께 드렸어요 (gyosunim-kke deuryeosseoyo). This consistent application ensures that the entire statement conveys the appropriate level of politeness.
Let's examine how 께 operates in practice:
  • When conveying an action to a respected person: 선생님께 질문을 여쭤봤습니다. (Seonsaengnim-kke jilmun-eul yeojjeobwasseumnida.) - "I asked the teacher a question." Here, 선생님께 marks the teacher as the respected recipient of the question, and 여쭙다 (yeojjupda), the honorific for 묻다 (mutda, to ask), completes the respectful tone.
  • When receiving an action or item from a respected person: 할머니께 용돈을 받았습니다. (Halmeoni-kke yongdon-eul badasseumnida.) - "I received allowance from my grandmother." Even though the action 받다 (batda, to receive) is not inherently honorific, 할머니께 signifies that the source of the allowance is a respected elder.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming expressions with 께 is straightforward. It is an inseparable particle that attaches directly to the final form of a noun or pronoun referring to the respected individual. Unlike some other Korean particles, 께 does not have different forms based on whether the preceding noun ends in a vowel or a consonant. This consistent application simplifies its usage significantly for learners.
2
General Pattern:
3
| Category | Noun/Pronoun | + Particle | Combined Form | Example Translation |
4
| :-------------- | :------------------------- | :--------- | :------------------------- | :---------------------------- |
5
| Respected Title | 교수님 (Professor) | 께 | 교수님께 (gyosunim-kke) | to the Professor |
6
| Respected Elder | 부모님 (Parents) | 께 | 부모님께 (bumonim-kke) | to/from the Parents |
7
| Respected Figure | 사장님 (CEO) | 께 | 사장님께 (sajangnim-kke) | to the CEO |
8
| Respected Figure | 어르신 (Elderly person) | 께 | 어르신께 (eoreusin-kke) | to the elderly person |
9
As seen in the table, the structure remains consistent regardless of the specific honorific noun. This simplicity in formation allows learners to focus on the appropriate contexts for its use, rather than complex morphological rules. It's important to internalize that 께 is always a suffix, becoming an integral part of the respected noun phrase within the sentence structure. For example, to say "I will tell my mother," you would form 어머니께 말씀드리겠습니다 (eomeoni-kke malsseum-deurigetseumnida), where 어머니 is the noun, and 께 attaches directly.

When To Use It

께 is employed in situations where you need to express respect towards the recipient of an action or the source from whom you receive something, particularly when that person is of higher social standing, age, or authority. Its usage is a cornerstone of polite Korean communication and is prevalent in both formal spoken and written contexts.
  1. 1Addressing Superiors and Elders: This is the most common application. When you are performing an action that directly involves a superior (like a boss, teacher, or senior colleague) or an elder (grandparents, parents, senior family members), 께 is indispensable. For instance, when you submit a report to your manager, you would say 부장님께 보고서를 제출했습니다 (bujangnim-kke bogoseo-reul jechulhaesseumnida) in 합니다체, meaning "I submitted the report to the manager."
  1. 1Giving or Sending to Respected Individuals: Any act of giving, sending, offering, or dedicating something to a person of higher status requires 께. If you offer a gift to your professor, the appropriate phrase is 교수님께 선물을 드렸어요 (gyosunim-kke seonmul-eul deuryeosseoyo) in 해체. Similarly, sending an email would be 이메일을 사장님께 보냈습니다 (imaeil-eul sajangnim-kke bonaesseumnida), "I sent an email to the CEO."
  1. 1Reporting or Telling to Respected Individuals: When conveying information or a message to someone of higher status, 께 is used. For example, if you need to report something to your parents, you would say 부모님께 말씀드렸어요 (bumonim-kke malsseum-deuryeosseoyo), "I told my parents."
  1. 1Asking or Inquiring of Respected Individuals: When seeking information or asking a question to a superior, 께 marks the revered source of potential knowledge. 선생님께 질문이 있습니다 (seonsaengnim-kke jilmun-i itseumnida), "I have a question for the teacher." The verb 여쭙다 (yeojjupda) is often used in such contexts, as in 선생님께 여쭤봐도 될까요? (seonsaengnim-kke yeojjeobwado doelkkayo?), "May I ask the teacher?"
  1. 1Receiving from Respected Individuals: While 께 primarily denotes the recipient, it can also signify the source from whom something is received, provided that source is a respected person. This is less about your action to them and more about their action towards you, where their respected status is still acknowledged. 어머니께 선물을 받았습니다 (eomeoni-kke seonmul-eul badasseumnida) means "I received a gift from my mother." Here, 어머니께 respectfully identifies the mother as the giver.
  1. 1In Formal Written Communication: In emails, official letters, or formal reports, 께 is the standard particle for addressing or referring to respected recipients. For example, in a formal memo, you might write 각 부서장님께 (gak buseojangnim-kke), meaning "To each department head."
Using 께 correctly in these scenarios signals appropriate social deference, which is highly valued in Korean culture. It indicates that you understand the social hierarchy and are communicating within its established norms, fostering positive inter-personal relations.

When Not To Use It

Understanding when 께 is inappropriate is as crucial as knowing when to use it, as misuse can lead to awkwardness or even unintended offense. The core principle is that 께 is exclusively reserved for situations involving respect for the addressee or referent.
  1. 1For Equals or Inferiors: Never use 께 when referring to or addressing friends, younger siblings, children, or anyone of equal or lower social standing. For these individuals, 한테 (hante) is the standard particle in informal speech, and 에게 (ege) in more formal or written contexts. For example, you would say 친구한테 책을 줬어요 (chin-gu-hante chaek-eul jwosseoyo), "I gave a book to my friend," not 친구께.
  1. 1For Oneself: It is a fundamental rule of Korean honorifics that you never use honorific forms for yourself. Using 께 to refer to yourself is grammatically incorrect and socially inappropriate, as it implies self-aggrandizement. For example, if someone asks you a question, you respond 저에게 물어보셨어요? (jeo-ege mul-eobosyeosseoyo?), "Did you ask me?", not 저께.
  1. 1For Animals or Inanimate Objects: 께 is strictly for human beings who command respect. It should never be attached to animals, objects, places, or abstract concepts. For these, 에게 is typically used, or sometimes 에 (e) for locations. For instance, 개한테 밥을 줬어요 (gae-hante bab-eul jwosseoyo), "I gave food to the dog," is correct, while 개께 is incorrect.
  1. 1When the Noun is the Subject: 께 is a dative particle, marking the indirect object or recipient. It is not a subject particle. If a respected person is the subject of the sentence (the one performing the action), you must use the honorific subject particle 께서 (kkeseo). Confusing 께 with 께서 is a common mistake for learners. For example, 교수님께서 오셨습니다 (gyosunim-kkeseo osyeosseumnida) means "The professor came," where 교수님께서 marks the professor as the respected subject. Using 교수님께 오셨습니다 would be incorrect.
  1. 1In Highly Informal Contexts (even with superiors): While rare, in extremely close relationships with elders or superiors where a casual dynamic has been established (e.g., a mentor figure who insists on informality), 한테 might sometimes be used. However, this is an exception, and 께 remains the safest and most generally appropriate choice in most interactions with higher-status individuals.
By consciously avoiding 께 in these contexts, you can prevent miscommunication and ensure your Korean remains natural and socially appropriate. The distinction between 께 and other dative particles or subject particles is critical for mastering honorific communication.

Common Mistakes

Even with a clear understanding of 께, learners frequently encounter pitfalls that can lead to grammatical errors or social faux pas. Recognizing these common mistakes is the first step toward avoiding them and achieving more natural Korean communication.
  1. 1Mismatching Honorific Levels (Non-honorific verb with 께): This is arguably the most prevalent error. Using 께 to mark a respected recipient but failing to use an honorific verb for the action directed towards them creates an incongruent politeness level. The respect conveyed by 께 is undermined by the lack of respect in the verb.
  • ✗ Incorrect: 선생님께 편지를 썼어요. (Seonsaengnim-kke pyeonji-reul sseosseoyo.) – "I wrote a letter to the teacher." (썼어요 is the plain past tense of 쓰다, ssuda).
  • ✓ Correct: 선생님께 편지를 올렸어요. (Seonsaengnim-kke pyeonji-reul ollyeosseoyo.) – "I wrote/offered a letter to the teacher." (올리다, ollida, can be used honorifically for "to offer/present to a superior"). Alternatively, 선생님께 편지를 드렸어요. (드리다 is honorific for giving, though not strictly for writing).
  • Explanation: When 께 is used, the verb describing the action directed at the respected person should also be honorific (e.g., 드리다, 여쭙다, 말씀드리다). If an honorific verb isn't readily available, sometimes a more formal verb like 올리다 is chosen, or the sentence is rephrased.
  1. 1Confusing 께 with 께서 (Subject vs. Recipient): A critical distinction is between 께 (dative particle, marks recipient/source) and 께서 (kkeseo, honorific subject particle, marks the respected subject performing the action). Mixing these up is a significant grammatical error.
  • ✗ Incorrect: 교수님께 강의하십니다. (Gyosunim-kke ganguihasimnida.) – (Intended: "Professor lectures.")
  • ✓ Correct: 교수님께서 강의하십니다. (Gyosunim-kkeseo ganguihasimnida.) – "The Professor lectures."
  • Explanation: 께 can never mark the subject. If the respected person is the one doing the verb, use 께서.
  1. 1Using 께 for Non-Human Entities: As 께 is exclusively for respected human beings, applying it to animals, objects, or even organizations is incorrect.
  • ✗ Incorrect: 회사께 문의했습니다. (Hoesa-kke munuihaesseumnida.) – (Intended: "I inquired with the company.")
  • ✓ Correct: 회사에 문의했습니다. (Hoesa-e munuihaesseumnida.) or 회사에게 문의했습니다. (Hoesa-ege munuihaesseumnida.) – "I inquired with the company."
  • Explanation: For organizations, locations, or inanimate objects, particles like 에 or 에게 are appropriate.
  1. 1Self-Honorification with 께: As previously mentioned, applying honorifics to oneself is a major faux pas in Korean culture. 께 should never follow 저 (jeo, humble form of I/me).
  • ✗ Incorrect: 선생님께서 저께 질문하셨어요. (Seonsaengnim-kkeseo jeo-kke jilmunhasyeosseoyo.) – (Intended: "The teacher asked me a question.")
  • ✓ Correct: 선생님께서 저에게 질문하셨어요. (Seonsaengnim-kkeseo jeo-ege jilmunhasyeosseoyo.) – "The teacher asked me a question."
  • Explanation: When you are the recipient of an action from a respected person, use 저에게 or 저한테, maintaining humility.
By consciously reviewing these common pitfalls, learners can refine their use of 께 and communicate with greater accuracy and cultural sensitivity.

Common Collocations

께 frequently appears with a specific set of honorific verbs, creating natural and respectful expressions. These verbs are specifically designed to convey actions directed towards a respected individual. Mastering these collocations will significantly enhance your ability to communicate politely in Korean. Below are some of the most common pairings:
1. 드리다 (deurida) – to give/offer (honorific of 주다, juda):
This is by far the most common honorific verb used with 께. It indicates giving, offering, or doing something for a respected person.
  • 선생님께 선물을 드렸습니다. (Seonsaengnim-kke seonmul-eul deuryeosseumnida.) – "I gave a present to the teacher." (합니다체)
  • 부모님께 편지를 드릴게요. (Bumonim-kke pyeonji-reul deurilgeyo.) – "I will give/send a letter to my parents." (해체)
2. 여쭙다 (yeojjupda) / 여쭈다 (yeojjuda) – to ask/inquire (honorific of 묻다, mutda):
Used when you are asking a question or inquiring something of a respected person.
  • 궁금한 점을 교수님께 여쭤봐도 될까요? (Gunggeumhan jeom-eul gyosunim-kke yeojjeobwado doelkkayo?) – "May I ask the professor a question I'm curious about?" (해체)
  • 사장님께 직접 여쭙겠습니다. (Sajangnim-kke jikjeop yeojjupgetseumnida.) – "I will ask the CEO directly." (합니다체)
3. 말씀드리다 (malsseum-deurida) – to tell/speak (honorific of 말하다, malhada):
This verb is used when you are telling something or speaking to a respected person.
  • 어머니께 제 소식을 말씀드렸어요. (Eomeoni-kke je sosik-eul malsseum-deuryeosseoyo.) – "I told my mother my news." (해체)
  • 부장님께 회의 내용을 말씀드리겠습니다. (Bujangnim-kke hoeui naeyong-eul malsseum-deurigetseumnida.) – "I will tell the department head the meeting details." (합니다체)
4. 전화드리다 (jeonhwa-deurida) – to call (honorific of 전화하다, jeonhwahada):
Specifically for making a phone call to a respected individual.
  • 할아버지께 전화드렸습니다. (Harabeoji-kke jeonhwa-deuryeosseumnida.) – "I called my grandfather." (합니다체)
  • 내일 교수님께 전화드릴 거예요. (Naeil gyosunim-kke jeonhwa-deuril geoyeyo.) – "I will call the professor tomorrow." (해체)
5. 인사드리다 (insa-deurida) – to greet/pay respects (honorific of 인사하다, insahada):
Used when greeting or paying respects to a respected person.
  • 새해에 부모님께 인사드렸어요. (Saehae-e bumonim-kke insa-deuryeosseoyo.) – "I greeted my parents for the New Year." (해체)
  • 선생님께 감사 인사를 드리겠습니다. (Seonsaengnim-kke gamsa insa-reul deurigetseumnida.) – "I will pay my respects/thank the teacher." (합니다체)
These collocations highlight the reciprocal nature of honorific communication: 께 marks the respected recipient, and the honorific verb describes the action appropriately. By learning these pairs, you can more fluently construct respectful sentences.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Korean has several particles that can translate to "to" or "from," but they are distinctly different in their nuance and usage, primarily due to the level of respect they convey. Understanding the distinctions between 께, 에게, and 한테 is fundamental for accurate and appropriate communication.
  1. 1께 (kke) – The VIP Pass: This is the highest level of politeness among dative particles. It is reserved exclusively for denoting the recipient or source when that individual is of demonstrably higher social standing, age, or authority than the speaker. Its use implies deference and formal respect.
  • Target: Respected human superiors, elders, teachers (e.g., 교수님, 부모님, 사장님).
  • Formality: High honorific. Always used in formal settings and often in respectful informal settings involving superiors.
  • Usage Context: When showing maximum respect to the person involved in the action. Almost always paired with honorific verbs.
  • Example: 선생님께 보고서를 드렸습니다. (Seonsaengnim-kke bogoseo-reul deuryeosseumnida.) – "I submitted the report to the teacher." (합니다체)
  • Example: 할머니께 용돈을 받아서 기뻤어요. (Halmeoni-kke yongdon-eul badaseo gippeosseoyo.) – "I was happy to receive allowance from my grandmother." (해체)
  1. 1에게 (ege) – The Neutral Ground: This particle is the standard, neutral dative particle. It is versatile and can be used for people, animals, and sometimes organizations. It carries no inherent honorific meaning but is generally perceived as more formal or literary than 한테. You'll encounter 에게 frequently in written Korean, news reports, official documents, and more formal spoken contexts where 께 isn't required but 한테 would be too casual.
  • Target: People, animals, organizations, or abstract entities.
  • Formality: Formal to neutral. More common in written contexts, less so in casual spoken Korean.
  • Usage Context: Default choice when respect is not the primary focus, or when referring to non-human recipients in a formal way. Can be used for peers or juniors.
  • Example: 학생에게 질문했습니다. (Haksaeng-ege jilmunhaesseumnida.) – "I asked the student a question." (합니다체)
  • Example: 고양이에게 밥을 주었어요. (Goyang-i-ege bab-eul jueosseoyo.) – "I gave food to the cat." (해체)
  1. 1한테 (hante) – The Casual Hangout: This is the most informal dative particle, primarily used in spoken Korean. It is suitable for people and animals with whom you have a close, casual relationship, or individuals of equal or lower status. It conveys familiarity and often implies a relaxed interaction.
  • Target: People and animals of equal or lower status, close friends, family members (e.g., 친구, 동생, 강아지).
  • Formality: Informal, conversational. Dominant in casual spoken Korean.
  • Usage Context: Everyday conversations, texting, informal communication. Inappropriate for formal settings or when addressing superiors.
  • Example: 친구한테 전화했어요. (Chin-gu-hante jeonhwahaesseoyo.) – "I called my friend." (해체)
  • Example: 동생한테 숙제를 가르쳐줬습니다. (Dongsaeng-hante sukje-reul gareuchyeojwosseumnida.) – "I taught my younger sibling homework." (합니다체 - note that even with informal 한테, the verb ending can be formal)
Comparison Table:
| Feature | 께 | 에게 | 한테 |
| :---------------- | :------------------------ | :------------------------ | :------------------------ |
| Target | Respected person | People, animals, orgs | People, animals |
| Formality | High Honorific | Formal/Neutral (often written) | Informal/Casual (spoken) |
| Respect Level | Maximum | Neutral | Casual/Familiar |
| Usage with | Honorific verbs | Any verb | Any verb |
| Example | 교수님께 드립니다 | 친구에게 줍니다 | 친구한테 줘요 |
| | (To Professor, give) | (To friend, give) | (To friend, give) |
Furthermore, 께 must not be confused with 께서. While both indicate respect, 께 is a dative particle, and 께서 is an honorific subject particle. 께 marks to whom or from whom, while 께서 marks who is performing the action.
This fundamental difference in grammatical function is crucial to internalize.

Quick FAQ

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Korean honorific particle 께, addressing common points of confusion for learners:
  • Q: Can 께 also mean "from" a respected person, or is it only "to"?
  • A: Yes, 께 can certainly indicate the source from whom something is received, provided that source is a respected individual. While its primary role is to mark the recipient of an action, it also respectfully identifies the donor when an item or action is received by the speaker. For example: 할머니께 용돈을 받았습니다. (Halmeoni-kke yongdon-eul badasseumnida.) – "I received allowance from my grandmother." Here, 할머니께 signifies that the allowance came respectfully from the grandmother.
  • Q: Is 께 used in questions, or only in declarative statements?
  • A: 께 is used freely in questions, just as it is in statements. The particle's function is to establish respect for the referent, regardless of the sentence's modality (declarative, interrogative, imperative). For example, if you're asking your mother if she called your grandmother: 어머니, 할머니께 전화드렸어요? (Eomeoni, halmeoni-kke jeonhwa-deuryeosseoyo?) – "Mom, did you call Grandma?" or inquiring about a professor: 교수님께 질문이 있으십니까? (Gyosunim-kke jilmun-i isseusimnikka?) – "Do you have a question for the professor?" The use of 께 remains consistent.
  • Q: If I'm talking about giving something to a respected person, but not speaking to them directly, do I still use 께?
  • A: Absolutely. The honorific particle 께 expresses respect for the referent (the person being talked about), not necessarily just the addressee (the person being talked to). So, even when recounting an event to a friend where a respected person was the recipient, 께 must be used. For instance: 어제 교수님께 보고서를 드렸다고 친구에게 말했어요. (Eoje gyosunim-kke bogoseo-reul deuryeotdago chin-gu-ege malhaesseoyo.) – "I told my friend that I gave the report to the professor yesterday." The respect for the professor is maintained through 교수님께.
  • Q: What if the respected person is younger than me but still a superior (e.g., a young CEO)?
  • A: Korean honorifics are primarily governed by social hierarchy and position, rather than solely by age. If someone is your superior in a professional or formal context (e.g., your boss, team leader, or a senior executive), you should use honorifics, including 께, even if they are chronologically younger than you. The respect is for their position and authority. For example: 신입 부장님께 자료를 보내드렸습니다. (Sin-ip bujangnim-kke jaryo-reul bonae-deuryeosseumnida.) – "I sent the materials to the new department head." Age is a factor for general elders, but in structured environments, hierarchy takes precedence.
  • Q: Can 께 be used with organizations or institutions if they are highly respected?
  • A: Generally, no. 께 is specifically designed for individual human beings whom you respect. While organizations can be highly regarded, 께 does not typically attach to them. For inquiries or actions directed towards a company, school, or institution, 에게 is the appropriate particle. For example: 회사에게 문의했습니다. (Hoesa-ege munuihaesseumnida.) – "I inquired with the company." Using 회사께 would be incorrect and sound unnatural to a native speaker. The particle 에 can also be used for locations or institutions.
These FAQs aim to clarify common nuances and reinforce the appropriate application of 께 in various communicative scenarios.

Particle Usage Summary

Particle Register Target Example
께
Honorific
Superiors
선생님께
에게
Neutral
Peers
친구에게
한테
Casual
Peers
친구한테

Meanings

The particle 께 is the honorific form of the dative particle 에게 (to). It marks the recipient of an action when that recipient is a person of higher social status.

1

Recipient of action

Indicates the person receiving an object or action.

“부모님께 편지를 써요.”

“사장님께 보고했어요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Korean 'To' for VIPs: The Honorific Particle 께
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun + 께 + Verb
선생님께 드려요
Negative
Noun + 께 + 안 + Verb
선생님께 안 드려요
Question
Noun + 께 + Verb?
선생님께 드려요?
Past
Noun + 께 + Verb(past)
선생님께 드렸어요

Formality Spectrum

Formal
선생님께 드렸습니다.

선생님께 드렸습니다. (Giving a gift)

Neutral
선생님께 드렸어요.

선생님께 드렸어요. (Giving a gift)

Informal
선생님께 드렸어.

선생님께 드렸어. (Giving a gift)

Slang
쌤께 드림.

쌤께 드림. (Giving a gift)

The 'To' Particle Hierarchy

To (Recipient)

High Status

  • 께 Honorific

Neutral

  • 에게 Standard

Casual

  • 한테 Informal
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Examples by Level

1

선생님께 드려요.

I give it to the teacher.

2

할머니께 전화해요.

I call my grandmother.

3

부모님께 말해요.

I tell my parents.

4

사장님께 가요.

I go to the boss.

1

교수님께 질문이 있습니다.

I have a question for the professor.

2

어머니께 편지를 썼어요.

I wrote a letter to my mother.

3

아버님께 선물을 드렸어요.

I gave a gift to my father.

4

선배님께 여쭤봤어요.

I asked my senior.

1

고객님께 안내 말씀을 드립니다.

I am giving an announcement to the customer.

2

팀장님께 보고서를 제출했습니다.

I submitted the report to the team leader.

3

선생님께 감사의 인사를 드려요.

I am giving my thanks to the teacher.

4

어르신께 길을 여쭈었습니다.

I asked the elder for directions.

1

부장님께 결재를 부탁드렸습니다.

I requested approval from the department head.

2

할아버지께 안부 전화를 드렸어요.

I called my grandfather to ask how he is.

3

교수님께 연구 결과를 말씀드렸습니다.

I told the professor about the research results.

4

선배님께 조언을 구했습니다.

I sought advice from my senior.

1

회장님께 보고를 올리는 자리였습니다.

It was a meeting to report to the chairman.

2

은사님께 평생 잊지 못할 가르침을 받았습니다.

I received teachings from my mentor that I will never forget.

3

어르신께 정중히 부탁을 드렸습니다.

I politely made a request to the elder.

4

부모님께 효도를 다하지 못해 죄송합니다.

I am sorry that I could not fulfill my filial duties to my parents.

1

선생님께 문안 인사를 올리는 것이 도리입니다.

It is proper etiquette to pay respects to the teacher.

2

상사께 보고를 누락한 점 사과드립니다.

I apologize for omitting the report to my superior.

3

어르신께 덕담을 듣고 돌아왔습니다.

I returned after hearing words of wisdom from the elder.

4

교수님께 논문 심사를 요청드렸습니다.

I requested a thesis review from the professor.

Easily Confused

Korean 'To' for VIPs: The Honorific Particle 께 vs 께 vs 에게

Learners mix them because both mean 'to'.

Korean 'To' for VIPs: The Honorific Particle 께 vs 께 vs 한테

Both are used in speech.

Korean 'To' for VIPs: The Honorific Particle 께 vs 께 vs 에

Both are particles.

Common Mistakes

✗

친구께 선물해요

✓

친구에게 선물해요

께 is for superiors, not friends.
✗

고양이께 밥을 줘요

✓

고양이에게 밥을 줘요

Animals are not superiors.
✗

책께 썼어요

✓

책에 썼어요

Objects don't take 께.
✗

선생님께 주다

✓

선생님께 드리다

Mismatch with non-honorific verb.
✗

부장님께 줬어요

✓

부장님께 드렸어요

Use honorific verb with 께.
✗

동생께 말해요

✓

동생에게 말해요

Younger siblings are not superiors.
✗

회사께 보냈어요

✓

회사에 보냈어요

Companies are not people.
✗

교수님께 물어봐요

✓

교수님께 여쭤봐요

Use honorific verb for asking.
✗

께를 친구한테 써요

✓

께를 어른께 써요

Misunderstanding the target.
✗

께를 썼으니까 존댓말 안 해도 돼요

✓

께와 존댓말은 같이 써야 해요

께 is part of a system.
✗

께를 너무 많이 써요

✓

적절한 상황에만 쓰세요

Overusing honorifics can sound sarcastic.
✗

께를 동물에게 써서 농담해요

✓

동물에게는 쓰지 마세요

It's not a joke in Korean.
✗

께를 사물에 써요

✓

사물에는 에를 쓰세요

Strict rule violation.
✗

께를 쓴 뒤 평어체 사용

✓

께와 존댓말은 세트입니다

Register mismatch.

Sentence Patterns

저는 ___께 선물을 드렸어요.

___께 질문이 있습니다.

___께 안부 전화를 드렸어요.

___께 조언을 구했습니다.

Real World Usage

Email to professor constant

교수님께 메일 드립니다.

Thank you card very common

선생님께 감사드립니다.

Work report very common

부장님께 보고합니다.

Family phone call common

할머니께 전화했어요.

Asking for directions occasional

어르신께 여쭤봤어요.

Social media post occasional

부모님께 효도할게요.

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💡

Check the Verb

Always check if your verb is honorific when using 께.
⚠️

No Objects

Never use 께 for objects. It sounds very wrong.
🎯

Status First

Before writing, ask: 'Is this person a superior?'
💬

Social Harmony

Using 께 is about showing respect, not just grammar.

Smart Tips

Always use 께 instead of 에게.

선생님에게 편지를 씁니다. → 선생님께 편지를 씁니다.

Use 께 and honorific verbs.

사장님한테 줬어요. → 사장님께 드렸습니다.

Use 께 with 여쭤보다.

선생님한테 물어봤어요. → 선생님께 여쭤봤어요.

Use 께 for the recipient.

팀장님에게 보고합니다. → 팀장님께 보고합니다.

Pronunciation

kke

께 pronunciation

The 'ㄲ' is a tense sound. Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and release with force.

Statement

선생님께 드렸어요 ↘

Falling intonation for a standard polite statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

께 sounds like 'K-eh', think of 'King'—you give to the King with 께.

Visual Association

Imagine bowing deeply to a teacher and handing them a book with both hands. The '께' is the invisible bridge of respect connecting your hands to theirs.

Rhyme

For the boss or teacher, use 께, it's the polite way to say 'to' today.

Story

Min-su wants to give a gift. He sees his friend and says '친구에게'. Then he sees his teacher and remembers to switch to '께'. He hands the gift to the teacher, saying '선생님께 드립니다'. The teacher smiles because Min-su used the right particle.

Word Web

선생님부모님사장님교수님어르신드리다여쭙다

Challenge

Write 3 sentences today using 께 for people you respect in your life.

Cultural Notes

Respect is the foundation of society. Using 께 is a way to show you understand your place in the hierarchy.

In corporate Korea, using 께 is mandatory for superiors. It's a sign of professionalism.

Students must use 께 when addressing professors to show academic respect.

께 evolved from the Middle Korean honorific marker.

Conversation Starters

“

선생님께 무엇을 드리고 싶어요?

“

부모님께 자주 전화하세요?

“

사장님께 보고를 어떻게 하세요?

“

어르신께 길을 물어본 적이 있어요?

Journal Prompts

Write about a gift you gave to a teacher.
Describe how you show respect to your elders.
Write a formal email to your boss.
Reflect on the importance of honorifics in Korea.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct particle.

선생님 ___ 선물을 드렸어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 께
Teacher is a superior.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 드렸어요
Only the teacher is a superior.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

사장님한테 보고했어요. (Make it formal)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사장님께 보고했어요
Use 께 for the boss.
Change to honorific. Sentence Transformation

친구에게 말해요 -> (Teacher)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 말씀드려요
Use 께 and honorific verb.
Match the target to the particle. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구-에게, 선생님-께, 개-에게
Correct mapping.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

선생님 / 질문 / 드렸어요 / 께

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 질문 드렸어요
Correct word order.
Is this true? True False Rule

께 can be used for animals.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
께 is for humans only.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 누구에게 편지를 써요? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어머니께 써요
Mother is a superior.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct particle.

선생님 ___ 선물을 드렸어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 께
Teacher is a superior.
Choose the correct sentence. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 드렸어요
Only the teacher is a superior.
Fix the error. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

사장님한테 보고했어요. (Make it formal)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사장님께 보고했어요
Use 께 for the boss.
Change to honorific. Sentence Transformation

친구에게 말해요 -> (Teacher)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 말씀드려요
Use 께 and honorific verb.
Match the target to the particle. Match Pairs

Match: Friend, Teacher, Dog

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구-에게, 선생님-께, 개-에게
Correct mapping.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

선생님 / 질문 / 드렸어요 / 께

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 선생님께 질문 드렸어요
Correct word order.
Is this true? True False Rule

께 can be used for animals.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
께 is for humans only.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 누구에게 편지를 써요? B: ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 어머니께 써요
Mother is a superior.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

11 exercises
Fill in the blank with the correct particle. Fill in the Blank

어머니____ 선물을 드리고 싶어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 께
Find and fix the mistake in the sentence. Error Correction

할아버지께 선물을 주셨어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 할아버지께 선물을 드렸어요.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

드려야 / 부모님께 / 전화를 / 해요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 부모님께 전화를 드려야 해요.
Translate the following sentence into Korean. Translation

I received a letter from my professor.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 교수님께 편지를 받았어요.
Which sentence is INCORRECT? Multiple Choice

Choose the grammatically incorrect sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 의자께 물을 줬어요.
Match the verb to its corresponding politeness level. Match Pairs

Match the verbs for 'to give':

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Fill in the blank with the correct verb. Fill in the Blank

궁금한 것이 있으면 선생님____ 여쭤보세요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 께
Find and fix the mistake. Error Correction

저는 저께 선물을 줬어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 저는 스스로에게 선물을 줬어요.
Put the words in the correct order. Sentence Reorder

말씀드릴 / 사장님께 / 것이 / 있어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 사장님께 말씀드릴 것이 있어요.
How would you say 'I have to call my grandfather'? Translation

Translate: 'I have to call my grandfather'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 할아버지께 전화 드려야 해요.
Choose the best particle for the context. Multiple Choice

You are writing a comment on your favorite idol's Instagram. Which is best?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오빠, 너무 고마워요!

Score: /11

FAQ (8)

Yes, it is mandatory.

It sounds rude.

Yes, very common in formal writing.

No, it's always 께.

No, never.

No, 께 is honorific.

To match the particle level.

Only if you are being sarcastic or very polite.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish partial

a + [person]

Korean 께 is status-dependent; Spanish 'a' is not.

French partial

à + [person]

Korean 께 requires honorific verbs; French does not.

German partial

Dative case

German uses case endings; Korean uses particles.

Japanese high

に (ni) / には (ni wa)

Japanese uses 'ni' for both; Korean splits into 께/에게.

Arabic low

إلى (ila)

Korean 께 is unique to the honorific system.

Chinese low

给 (gěi)

Chinese relies on word order and verbs; Korean uses particles.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
The VIP Subject Particle: 께서 (kkyeseo)
Next
Honorific 'To Be' (계시다)

Learn These First

A1 Builds On

To Someone (에게 / 한테)

Overview In Korean grammar, `에게` (`ege`), `한테` (`hante`), and `께` (`kke`) are crucial post-positional particles tha...

Continue With

B1 Requires

Honorific Particle 'To' (께)

Overview In the intricate landscape of Korean grammar, expressing respect is paramount, especially when addressing or re...

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The Formal 'And': Connecting Nouns (와/과)

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The 'At' & 'To' Particle (에)

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C1

Particle -조차: Not Even (Negative Extreme)

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B2

Let Alone / Far From (커녕)

Overview `커녕` (keonyeong) is a B2-level Korean particle primarily used to express a strong sense of negation, disappoi...
A1

Particle 도 (Also/Too)

Overview Particle `도` (`do`) is a fundamental Korean additive particle, often translated as "also," "too," or "even." A...
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