Respectful Asking (여쭙다/여쭤보다)
여쭙다/여쭤보다 to show respect when asking questions to superiors, elders, or in formal professional settings.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {여쭙다|問} or {여쭤보다|問} instead of '물어보다' when speaking to someone of higher status.
- Use '여쭙다' as the humble form of 'ask' (묻다).
- Use '여쭤보다' as the humble form of 'try asking' (물어보다).
- Always conjugate these verbs in the formal polite style (해요 or 하십시오) for maximum respect.
Overview
Korean communication is deeply interwoven with a sophisticated system of honorifics, which acknowledges the social hierarchy between speaker and listener, or speaker and the person being discussed. Among these, Object Honorifics (객체 높임법, gaekche nopimbeop) are crucial. This system involves using specific humble verbs when the action described is directed towards a person of higher status than the speaker.
These verbs serve to humble the speaker, thereby elevating the status of the person receiving the action. 여쭙다 (yeojjeopda) and 여쭤보다 (yeojjeoboda) are prime examples, functioning as the humble counterparts to 묻다 (mutda, to ask) and 물어보다 (mureoboda, to try asking/to ask).
여쭙다 directly translates to "to ask respectfully" or "to inquire humbly." It embodies a significant cultural gesture in Korean, signaling deep deference and respect to the person being asked. While 여쭙다 is the dictionary form and is typically encountered in formal writing or very formal speech, 여쭤보다 is its more commonly used spoken variant. The addition of -보다 (boda, to try) softens the verb, making it sound less abrupt and more natural in everyday respectful interactions.
Mastering these verbs is not merely a grammatical exercise; it is an essential step in demonstrating cultural understanding and navigating Korean social dynamics effectively. Incorrect usage can inadvertently convey disrespect, while appropriate application marks a speaker as proficient and culturally aware.
How This Grammar Works
juche nopimbeop), which use suffixes like -시- (-si-) to elevate the subject of the sentence. With 여쭙다 and 여쭤보다, the inherent humble nature of the verb itself already elevates the object, making the addition of -시- redundant and incorrect.여쭤보시다, for instance.여쭙다 or 여쭤보다, you must also employ the appropriate honorific particle for the indirect object. The standard particles for "to" or "from" a person are 한테 (hante) (informal) or 에게 (ege) (slightly more formal, used with things or people). However, when the recipient of your question is a superior, these must be replaced by the honorific particle 께 (kke).께 with 여쭙다 or 여쭤보다 would be incongruous, akin to using highly formal vocabulary with casual grammar structures.한테 | 친구한테 물어봤어요. (chin-gu-hante mureobwasseoyo.) | "I asked my friend." |에게 | 동생에게 물어봤어요. (dongsaeng-ege mureobwasseoyo.) | "I asked my younger sibling." |께 | 선생님께 여쭤봤어요. (seonsaengnim-kke yeojjeobwasseoyo.) | "I asked the teacher (respectfully)." |여쭙다/여쭤보다 is not arbitrary; it signifies a conscious decision to acknowledge and respect the social standing of the person you are addressing. It is a linguistic mechanism that reinforces social harmony and demonstrates an understanding of established etiquette. For instance, 교수님께 질문을 여쭤봐도 될까요? (gyosunim-kke jilmun-eul yeojjeobwado doelkkayo?) – "May I respectfully ask the professor a question?" – is the appropriate construction, not 교수님한테 질문을 물어봐도 될까요?.Formation Pattern
여쭙다 is a ㅂ-irregular verb (ㅂ 불규칙 동사, bieup bulgyuchik dongsa). This means that when the stem 여쭙- is followed by a vowel ending, the final consonant ㅂ changes to 우 (u). This irregular conjugation is key to forming its common spoken variants.
여쭙다 (yeojjeopda). This form is rarely used directly in conversation but is the root from which other forms are derived. It emphasizes the inherent humility.
여쭈다: Historically, 여쭙다 often evolved into 여쭈다 (yeojjuda) as a more direct stem for conjugation. While 여쭙다 is the formal dictionary entry, 여쭈다 is often considered the working stem for many conjugations, especially with vowel endings.
여쭙다):
여쭙- + vowel ending (e.g., -어, -아요/어요) -> 여쭈우- -> 여쭈어-.
여쭈어 then contracts to 여쭤 (yeojjeo), which is the most common and versatile form you'll encounter.
-보다 (boda): To soften the request and add a nuance of "trying" or "doing and seeing," 여쭤 is frequently combined with -보다. This creates the highly prevalent 여쭤보다 (yeojjeoboda).
여쭙다 / 여쭤보다:
여쭙니다 (yeojjeumnida) / 여쭤봅니다 (yeojjeobomnida) | 여쭤봐요 (yeojjeobwayo) | 말씀 여쭙니다. (malsseum yeojjeumnida.) | 하나 여쭤봐요. (hana yeojjeobwayo.) |
여쭙었(습)니다 (rare) / 여쭤봤습니다 (yeojjeobwasseumnida) | 여쭤봤어요 (yeojjeobwasseoyo) | 여쭤봤습니다. (yeojjeobwasseumnida.) | 제가 여쭤봤어요. (jega yeojjeobwasseoyo.) |
여쭤볼 겁니다 (yeojjeobol geomnida) | 여쭤볼 거예요 (yeojjeobol geoyeyo) | 다시 여쭤볼 겁니다. | 다시 여쭤볼 거예요. |
-고 싶다) | 여쭤보고 싶습니다 (yeojjeobogo sipseumnida) | 여쭤보고 싶어요 (yeojjeobogo sipeoyo) | 여쭤보고 싶습니다. | 여쭤보고 싶어요. |
-아/어도 되다) | 여쭤봐도 됩니다 (yeojjeobwado doemnida) | 여쭤봐도 돼요 (yeojjeobwado dwaeyo) | 여쭤봐도 됩니다. | 여쭤봐도 돼요. |
여쭙니다 is grammatically correct but sounds very stiff and archaic in modern speech, often perceived as coming from a historical drama. 여쭤봅니다 or 여쭤봐요 are the preferred respectful forms in contemporary usage. The emphasis on the ㅉ sound (jj) is crucial for clear pronunciation.
When To Use It
여쭙다 or 여쭤보다 is primarily dictated by the social relationship between you and the person you are asking. It is reserved for individuals of demonstrably higher status, reflecting a deeply ingrained aspect of Korean social etiquette. Using these humble verbs incorrectly, such as with friends or those junior to you, would sound awkward, overly formal, or even sarcastic.여쭙다 / 여쭤보다 are appropriate and expected:- Workplace: When addressing superiors such as your boss (부장님,
bujangnim), manager (과장님,gwajangnim), team leader (팀장님,timjangnim), or any senior colleague (선배님,seonbaenim). It is also essential when interacting with clients or customers, where you are expected to show the utmost respect. - Example:
사장님께 결재 서류에 대해 여쭤봐야 합니다.(sajangnim-kke gyeoljae seoryu-e daehae yeojjeobwaya hamnida.) – "I need to respectfully ask the CEO about the approval documents."
- Academic Settings: When speaking to professors (교수님,
gyosunim), teaching assistants (조교님,jogyonim), or senior students (선배님,seonbaenim). - Example:
교수님께 궁금한 점이 있어서 여쭤봤습니다.(gyosunim-kke gunggeumhan jeom-i isseoseo yeojjeobwasseumnida.) – "I respectfully asked the professor because I had a question."
- Family & Social Situations: When communicating with elders, such as grandparents (할아버지,
harabeoji; 할머니,halmeoni), parents (부모님,bumonim, especially in traditional families or when being extra polite), in-laws, or respected community figures. - Example:
어머님께 여쭤보니 그렇게 하시라고 하셨어요.(eomeonim-kke yeojjeoboni geureoke hasirago hasyeosseoyo.) – "I respectfully asked my mother-in-law, and she told me to do it that way."
- Formal Public Interactions: When asking a significantly older stranger for directions or information, or when interacting with public officials.
- Example:
이 근처에 은행이 어디 있는지 어르신께 여쭤봐도 될까요?(i geuncheo-e eunhaeng-i eodi inneunji eoreusin-kke yeojjeobwado doelkkayo?) – "May I respectfully ask an elder where the bank is around here?"
- Written Communication: Always use
여쭙다or여쭤보다in formal emails, letters, or official messages to superiors, clients, or institutions. This includes inquiries via websites or formal requests. - Example:
이와 관련하여 부장님께 여쭙고자 합니다.(iwa gwallyeonhayeo bujangnim-kke yeojjeopgoja hamnida.) – "Regarding this, I wish to respectfully inquire of the department head." (-고자 하다indicates intention).
Common Mistakes
여쭙다 and 여쭤보다. Avoiding these common errors is critical for effective and respectful communication.- Incorrect Particle Usage: One of the most frequent mistakes is using
한테or에게instead of the honorific particle께. Remember, the humble verb and the honorific particle must align. While technically comprehensible,교수님한테 여쭤봤어요breaks the established rule of honorific agreement and will be noticed by native speakers as awkward or slightly impolite. Always pair여쭙다/여쭤보다with께when addressing a superior.
- Misapplication of Object Honorifics: These verbs are strictly for when you are humbling yourself in relation to the person you are asking. Using
여쭙다to describe yourself asking a younger sibling or a close friend is incorrect and creates an odd, overly formal distance. For example,제가 제 친구에게 여쭤봤어요(jega je chin-gu-ege yeojjeobwasseoyo) is wrong; you should use제가 제 친구에게 물어봤어요(jega je chin-gu-ege mureobwasseoyo). Similarly, you cannot use it to describe a superior asking someone:교수님께서 저에게 여쭤보셨어요(gyosunim-kkeseo jeo-ege yeojjeobosyeosseoyo) is incorrect. The professor is superior, so they would use물어보셨어요(mureobosyeosseoyo) when asking you.
- Over-honorification: While respect is valued, excessive use can be counterproductive. Employing
여쭤보다with individuals of equal or lower status, or in situations that do not warrant such high deference (e.g., asking a barista for a drink order), can sound unnatural, condescending, or even sarcastic. The goal is appropriate respect, not universal formality.
- Mixing Politeness Levels: Even if you use
여쭙다or여쭤보다, the sentence ending must match the overall politeness level. Combining a humble verb with a casual ending like-어(-eo) or-았어(-asseo) is grammatically inconsistent and disrespectful in formal contexts. For instance,교수님께 여쭤봤어(gyosunim-kke yeojjeobwasseo) is incorrect; it should be교수님께 여쭤봤어요(gyosunim-kke yeojjeobwasseoyo) or교수님께 여쭤봤습니다(gyosunim-kke yeojjeobwasseumnida).
- Confusing
여쭙다with말씀드리다(malsseumdeurida): Both are humble verbs, but their functions differ.여쭙다is "to ask respectfully," while말씀드리다is "to tell respectfully." Learners often conflate these. If you are seeking information, use여쭙다/여쭤보다. If you are providing information to a superior, use말씀드리다. For example,팀장님께 여쭤볼 말씀이 있습니다(timjangnim-kke yeojjeobol malsseum-i isseumnida, "I have something to respectfully ask the team leader") is correct, whereas팀장님께 말씀드릴 말씀이 있습니다would imply you have something to tell the team leader (which is also a valid humble construction, but with a different meaning).팀장님께 여쭤봤어요("I asked the team leader respectfully") versus팀장님께 말씀드렸어요("I told the team leader respectfully").
- Treating it as a Suffix:
여쭙다does not attach to other verbs to make them humble. It is a standalone verb that replaces묻다or물어보다. For instance, you cannot say먹다 여쭤보다(meokda yeojjeoboda) to mean "to respectfully ask to eat." You would use a separate construction like식사 여쭤보다(if asking about a meal) or simply여쭤보다regarding a question about eating.
Real Conversations
Understanding the grammatical rules is essential, but observing 여쭙다 and 여쭤보다 in authentic contexts provides deeper insight into their practical application in modern Korean. While 여쭙다 itself remains primarily in formal documents or very traditional speech, 여쭤보다 is commonly integrated into various daily interactions demanding respect.
- Formal Email to a Professor:
- 교수님, 다음 주 수업 자료에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다. 혹시 언제쯤 올라올지 알 수 있을까요?
- (gyosunim, daeum ju sueop jaryo-e daehae yeojjeobol geosi isseumnida. hoksi eonjejjeum ollaolji al su isseulkkayo?)
- "Professor, I have something to respectfully ask regarding next week's class materials. Might I know when they will be uploaded?" (Here, 여쭤볼 것 is a nominalized form of "something to respectfully ask.")
- Asking a Senior Colleague in the Office:
- 선배님, 죄송하지만 프로젝트 진행 상황에 대해 잠깐 여쭤봐도 될까요?
- (seonbaenim, joesonghajiman peurojekteu jinhaeng sanghwang-e daehae jamkkan yeojjeobwado doelkkayo?)
- "Senior colleague, I apologize, but may I respectfully ask briefly about the project's progress?" (죄송하지만 – "I apologize, but..." – further enhances politeness.)
- Seeking Advice from an Elder:
- 할머니, 제가 고민이 있는데, 하나 여쭤봐도 괜찮을까요?
- (halmeoni, jega gomin-i inneunde, hana yeojjeobwado gwaenchanheulkkayo?)
- "Grandma, I have a concern, and I was wondering if it would be alright to respectfully ask you something?"
- Customer Service (Staff to Customer): Note that when service staff address customers, they often use honorifics extensively. 여쭤보다 is sometimes used by staff to humbly address a customer's inquiry.
- 고객님, 혹시 더 궁금하신 점이 있으시면 언제든지 편하게 여쭤보세요.
- (gogaeknim, hoksi deo gunggeumhasin jeom-i isseusimyeon eonjedeunji pyeonhage yeojjeoboseyo.)
- "Customer, if you have any more questions, please feel free to respectfully ask anytime." (The staff member uses it to invite the customer's questions respectfully, framing the customer's act of asking as a privilege for the staff to humbly receive.)
- Texting/Messaging to a Superior: Even in less formal digital communication, maintaining respect is crucial.
- 팀장님, 내일 회의 시간 관련해서 여쭤보고 싶은 게 있습니다.
- (timjangnim, naeil hoeui sigan gwallyeonhaeseo yeojjeobogo sipeun ge isseumnida.)
- "Team leader, I have something I'd like to respectfully ask regarding tomorrow's meeting time."
These examples demonstrate that 여쭤보다 is versatile and appropriate in a wide range of respectful, modern communication contexts, going beyond archaic formal settings.
Quick FAQ
여쭙다 and 여쭤보다, offering concise clarification for common learner doubts.- Q: Can I use
여쭤보다with my parents? - A: Yes, it is generally acceptable and often appreciated, particularly in more traditional families or when you want to show extra deference. However, in many modern families,
물어보다(mureoboda) used with polite endings is common and perfectly respectful. The choice often depends on individual family dynamics and the degree of formality maintained.
- Q: What is the exact difference between
여쭙다and여쭈다? - A: While both are forms of the humble verb for "to ask,"
여쭙다is the standard dictionary form (원형,wonhyeong) and is considered slightly more formal or traditional.여쭈다is often treated as a conjugated variant or a base for further conjugation, especially in older texts or very formal proclamations. In practical modern usage,여쭤보다(derived from여쭙다/여쭈다+-어 보다) has largely superseded both for spoken respectful inquiries, as it sounds softer and more natural.
- Q: Is it okay to use these verbs in text messages or KakaoTalk?
- A: Absolutely. When messaging superiors at work, professors, or elders, using
여쭤보고 싶어요(yeojjeobogo sipeoyo) or여쭤봐도 될까요?(yeojjeobwado doelkkayo?) is highly appropriate and reflects careful communication. It demonstrates that you understand the social hierarchy even in less formal digital environments. Simply using물어볼게요(mureobolgeyo) might come across as less respectful depending on the relationship.
- Q: If I am a customer, should I use
여쭤보다when speaking to staff? - A: As a customer, you are typically in a position of receiving service, and thus the staff member is usually the one employing honorifics towards you. Using
물어볼게요(mureobolgeyo) or물어봐도 될까요?is perfectly standard and polite for a customer. However, if you use여쭤볼게요(yeojjeobolgeyo), it would mark you as an exceptionally polite and considerate customer, which can be perceived positively, but it is not generally expected.
- Q: What should I do if I forget the humble verb in a real-time conversation?
- A: If you forget
여쭤보다in the moment, it is better to use물어보다with a very polite ending (-어요/-습니다) and a respectful tone. Additionally, clearly addressing the person by their title (e.g.,교수님, 이거 물어봐도 돼요?– "Professor, may I ask this?") can help mitigate any perceived lack of humility from not using the specific humble verb. Intonation and overall demeanor play a significant role in conveying respect, even with simpler vocabulary. Always strive for clarity and politeness, even if the precise honorific verb escapes you.
Conjugation of 여쭤보다
| Form | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Polite (해요)
|
여쭤봐요
|
여쭤봤어요
|
여쭤볼 거예요
|
|
Formal (하십시오)
|
여쭤봅니다
|
여쭤보았습니다
|
여쭤보겠습니다
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction |
|---|---|
|
여쭈어보다
|
여쭤보다
|
Meanings
These are humble {謙讓語|겸양어} verbs used to show respect to the listener when asking a question.
Humble Inquiry
The act of asking a question to a superior.
“교수님께 질문을 여쭙고 싶습니다.”
“어머니께 안부를 여쭙다.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Verb + ㅂ니다/요
|
여쭤봅니다
|
|
Negative
|
안 + Verb
|
안 여쭤봅니다
|
|
Question
|
Verb + (으)ㄴ가요?
|
여쭤봐도 될까요?
|
|
Past
|
Verb + 았/었습니다
|
여쭤봤습니다
|
|
Future
|
Verb + 겠습니다
|
여쭤보겠습니다
|
|
Humble
|
여쭙다
|
말씀을 여쭙다
|
Formality Spectrum
질문을 여쭙고 싶습니다. (Asking a question)
질문을 하고 싶어요. (Asking a question)
질문 좀 할게. (Asking a question)
질문 좀. (Asking a question)
Asking Hierarchy
Neutral
- 묻다 ask
Humble
- 여쭙다 ask (humble)
Examples by Level
선생님께 여쭤봐요.
I am asking the teacher.
이것을 여쭤보고 싶어요.
I want to ask this.
질문을 여쭤봐도 될까요?
May I ask a question?
사장님께 여쭤봤어요.
I asked the boss.
어머니께 안부를 여쭙고 싶습니다.
I want to ask after my mother's health.
교수님께 다시 여쭤보겠습니다.
I will ask the professor again.
궁금한 점을 여쭤봐도 될까요?
May I ask about what I'm curious about?
그분께 정중히 여쭤보세요.
Please ask that person politely.
면접관님께 연봉에 대해 여쭤봐도 될까요?
May I ask the interviewer about the salary?
선배님께 조언을 여쭙고 싶어서 연락드렸습니다.
I contacted you because I wanted to ask for your advice.
말씀하신 내용에 대해 여쭤볼 것이 있습니다.
I have something to ask regarding what you said.
어르신께 길을 여쭤보았습니다.
I asked the elder for directions.
실례지만 성함을 여쭤봐도 될까요?
Excuse me, may I ask your name?
저희 팀장님께 먼저 여쭤보는 것이 좋겠습니다.
It would be better to ask our team leader first.
그 문제에 관해 여쭙고자 합니다.
I would like to ask regarding that issue.
부모님께 허락을 여쭙는 것이 예의입니다.
It is polite to ask for your parents' permission.
귀하의 고견을 여쭙고 싶습니다.
I would like to ask for your esteemed opinion.
사전에 여쭤보지 못해 죄송합니다.
I apologize for not asking in advance.
어떤 점을 여쭙고 싶으신가요?
What would you like to ask about?
선생님께 안부를 여쭙는 것이 도리입니다.
It is proper etiquette to inquire after the teacher's health.
감히 여쭙건대, 이 결정이 최선입니까?
If I may dare to ask, is this decision the best?
그간 평안하셨는지 여쭙고 싶습니다.
I would like to inquire if you have been well.
본 건에 대해 여쭙고자 하오니 시간을 내주십시오.
I would like to ask about this matter, so please spare some time.
선배님께 가르침을 여쭙는 것은 큰 영광입니다.
It is a great honor to ask for your teachings.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'to ask', but they have different levels of formality.
Both mean 'to', but '께' is the honorific version.
Both mean 'to try asking', but '여쭤보다' is humble.
Common Mistakes
친구에게 여쭤봐요.
친구에게 물어봐요.
선생님한테 여쭤봐요.
선생님께 여쭤봐요.
여쭙다요.
여쭤봐요.
여쭤보다요.
여쭤봐요.
사장님께 물어봤어요.
사장님께 여쭤봤어요.
여쭙습니다요.
여쭙습니다.
여쭤보았습니다요.
여쭤보았습니다.
교수님께 여쭙고 싶습니다요.
교수님께 여쭙고 싶습니다.
부모님께 여쭤봤어요.
부모님께 여쭤보았습니다.
여쭙다 싶어요.
여쭙고 싶어요.
감히 여쭙다.
감히 여쭙습니다.
여쭤보시는 게 어때요?
여쭤보는 게 어떨까요?
여쭙고 싶으신가요?
여쭙고 싶습니다.
Sentence Patterns
___께 ___을/를 여쭤보고 싶습니다.
___께 여쭤봐도 될까요?
___에 대해 여쭤보았습니다.
감히 ___을/를 여쭙습니다.
Real World Usage
연봉에 대해 여쭤봐도 될까요?
교수님께 질문을 여쭙고 싶습니다.
본 건에 대해 여쭙고자 합니다.
어르신께 길을 여쭤보았습니다.
팀장님께 업무를 여쭤보았습니다.
선생님께 여쭤보고 싶어요.
Use '께'
Don't use for yourself
Context is everything
Hierarchy matters
Smart Tips
Always use '여쭤보다' instead of '물어보다'.
Use '여쭙고자 합니다' for a very formal tone.
Use '여쭤보세요' to show respect.
Use '여쭤봐도 될까요?' to ask questions.
Pronunciation
여쭤보다
The 'ㅂ' in '여쭙' is pronounced clearly.
Rising
여쭤봐도 될까요? ↑
Polite question
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '여쭙다' as 'You-chub-da'—you are 'chubby' with humility when you ask.
Visual Association
Imagine bowing deeply while asking a question to a professor. The bow represents the 'humble' nature of the verb.
Rhyme
When you ask a boss or elder, use '여쭤보다' to be a better holder.
Story
Min-su wanted to ask his boss a question. He remembered to use '여쭤보다'. The boss was very impressed by his politeness.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences asking a teacher, a boss, and an elder a question using '여쭤보다'.
Cultural Notes
Using humble verbs is mandatory for career advancement.
Students must use humble verbs with professors.
Children use humble verbs with grandparents.
Derived from the Middle Korean '여쭙다', which evolved to express humility in social interactions.
Conversation Starters
선생님께 무엇을 여쭤보고 싶으세요?
면접에서 질문을 여쭤본 적이 있나요?
어른께 길을 여쭤본 적이 있나요?
상사에게 업무를 여쭤볼 때 어떠세요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
선생님께 질문을 ___.
사장님 ___ 여쭤보았습니다.
Find and fix the mistake:
친구에게 여쭤봤어요.
여쭤보고 / 싶습니다 / 교수님께 / 질문을
May I ask you a question?
Answer starts with: 질문을...
여쭤보다 -> ?
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
A: 선생님, 질문이 있습니다. B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises선생님께 질문을 ___.
사장님 ___ 여쭤보았습니다.
Find and fix the mistake:
친구에게 여쭤봤어요.
여쭤보고 / 싶습니다 / 교수님께 / 질문을
May I ask you a question?
여쭤보다 -> ?
묻다 vs 여쭙다
A: 선생님, 질문이 있습니다. B: ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises여쭤봐도 / 하나만 / 사장님께 / 될까요 / ?
I want to ask the teacher one thing.
Match the person you are asking with the verb.
몇 가지 확인하고 싶은 사항이 있어 ____.
Choose the correct particle:
어르신께 길을 여쭙었어요.
작가님, 이번 전시회 일정에 대해 ____.
How do you say 'May I ask your name?' respectfully?
말씀 / 좀 / 여쭤보겠습니다 / .
How does '여쭙-' change when adding '-어'?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it is a humble verb. Using it with friends sounds sarcastic.
They mean the same thing, but '여쭤보다' is humble.
It is the honorific particle for people of higher status.
It follows the 'ㅂ' irregular pattern.
Yes, it is highly recommended.
It's okay, but you might sound less polite.
Yes, in formal letters and emails.
Yes, like '드리다' (to give).
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
伺う (ukagau)
The usage is nearly identical in social hierarchy.
preguntar (usted)
Korean changes the verb, Spanish changes the pronoun.
fragen
Korean has specific humble verbs.
demander
Korean honorifics are much more extensive.
请问 (qǐngwèn)
Korean uses a completely different verb stem.
سأل (sa'ala)
Korean honorifics are unique in their verb modification.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
![[ 한식조리기능사 실기동영상 ] 정발쌤의 어선 만드는법](https://sublearn.com/storage/thumbnails/-UVSb-DUt74.jpg)
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...
VIP Verbs: Showing Respect (계시다, 주무시다, 드시다)
Overview Korean, like many East Asian languages, embeds a rich system of honorifics within its grammar, reflecting the s...
