Giving Respectfully (드리다)
드리다 to show respect when giving things or favors to superiors, elders, or in professional settings.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {드리다|奉} instead of {주다|給} when giving something to someone of higher social status.
- Use {드리다} when the recipient is older or a superior: {선생님께 선물을 드렸어요}.
- Combine with {~아/어 주다} to form {~아/어 드리다} for polite actions: {도와 드려요}.
- Never use {드리다} for yourself; it is a humble verb used to elevate the recipient.
Overview
Korean society is deeply rooted in hierarchical relationships, which are reflected profoundly in its language. Understanding and using appropriate speech levels is not merely about politeness; it is fundamental to effective communication. Among these linguistic markers, humble verbs play a critical role, allowing speakers to lower themselves to show respect toward a higher-status individual.
The verb 드리다 (deurida) is central to this system.
At its core, 드리다 is the humble counterpart of the common verb 주다 (juda), which means 'to give.' While 주다 is a neutral verb used when giving to equals or those of lower status, 드리다 is exclusively employed when the speaker gives something or performs an action for someone considered a superior. This isn't a casual distinction; it's a non-negotiable aspect of showing deference and respect in Korean culture. Failing to use 드리다 in appropriate contexts can lead to misunderstandings and be perceived as rude or disrespectful, regardless of your intention.
This grammar point is classified at CEFR B1, as it requires learners to actively manage social context and apply specific linguistic forms beyond basic communication. Mastering 드리다 signifies your growing fluency not just in the language, but in the cultural nuances that shape Korean interaction. It allows you to navigate diverse social situations, from professional settings to family gatherings, with appropriate humility.
How This Grammar Works
드리다 operates on the principle of speaker humility. When you, the speaker, are performing an action that benefits a person of higher status, you use 드리다 to express your deference. The action flows from you to the superior.드리다 specifically humbles your own action.드리다 primarily functions in two ways:- 1As a main verb meaning 'to give' or 'to present'. In this usage,
드리다directly replaces주다when you are giving an object to a superior. It transforms the act of giving into an act of humble offering. For example, instead of선물을 줘요(I give a gift, neutral/casual), you say선물을 드려요(I humbly give a gift) when presenting it to your teacher.
- 1As an auxiliary verb in the form
-어/아 드리다, meaning 'to do [something] for (a superior)'. This is arguably the more common and versatile usage. Here,드리다attaches to the stem of another verb, signifying that you are performing that action as a favor or service for a superior. This construction implies, "I humbly perform this action for your benefit." For instance, if you offer to help your boss with a task, you wouldn't say제가 도와줘요(I help, neutral); you would say제가 도와 드릴게요(I will humbly help you/do you a favor). This form is crucial for expressing helpfulness and attentiveness in a respectful manner.
드리다 is about your action directed upwards in the social hierarchy. You are the subject of the sentence, and the superior is the indirect object (the recipient of your humble action).드리다 to describe an action a superior performs for you, nor will you use it to describe yourself receiving something. That would contradict the very nature of humility. For example, if a teacher gives you a gift, you would use 주시다 (jusida), the honorific form of 주다 used when a superior is the actor, not 드리다.Formation Pattern
드리다 involves understanding its standalone conjugation and its auxiliary usage with other verbs. Proper particle usage is also key.
드리다 is used as the primary verb meaning 'to give an object' to a superior, the structure is:
께 + [Object] 을/를 + 드리다
께 (kke) is the honorific equivalent of 에게 (ege) or 한테 (hante), which mean 'to' or 'for' a person. You must use 께 when the recipient is a superior you are showing respect to with 드리다.
드리다:
해요체) | Formal Polite (합니다체) | Past Tense (해요체) | Past Tense (합니다체) | Future/Intention (해요체) | Future/Intention (합니다체) |
드려요 (deuryeoyo) | 드립니다 (deurimnida) | 드렸어요 (deuryeosseoyo) | 드렸습니다 (deuryeosseumnida) | 드릴게요 (deurilgeyo) | 드리겠습니다 (deurigessseumnida) |
어머니께 꽃을 드려요. (eomeonikke kkocheul deuryeoyo.) - I humbly give flowers to my mother.
사장님께 보고서를 드립니다. (sajangnimkke bogoseoreul deurimnida.) - I humbly present the report to the boss.
교수님께 질문을 드렸어요. (gyosunimkke jilmuneul deuryeosseoyo.) - I humbly asked a question to the professor.
-아 드리다 (for stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ)
찾다 (chatda - to find) → 찾아 드리다 (chaja deurida - to humbly find for)
보다 (boda - to see/look) → 봐 드리다 (bwa deurida - to humbly show/see for)
-어 드리다 (for stems ending in any other vowel or a consonant)
읽다 (ikda - to read) → 읽어 드리다 (ilgeo deurida - to humbly read for)
만들다 (mandeulda - to make) → 만들어 드리다 (mandeureo deurida - to humbly make for)
하다 (hada) verbs:
하다 verbs always change to 해 드리다. (haedeurida)
준비하다 (junbihada - to prepare) → 준비해 드리다 (junbihae deurida - to humbly prepare for)
설명하다 (seolmyeonghada - to explain) → 설명해 드리다 (seolmyeonghae deurida - to humbly explain for)
-어/아 드리다 form is created, it conjugates just like 드리다 as a main verb:
찾아 드려요 (chaja deuryeoyo) - I humbly find (it) for you.
읽어 드립니다 (ilgeo deurimnida) - I humbly read (it) for you.
준비해 드렸어요 (junbihae deuryeosseoyo) - I humbly prepared (it) for you.
제가 짐을 들어 드릴까요? (jega jimeul deureo deurilkkayo?) - Shall I humbly carry your luggage for you? (Offering help to an elder)
선생님, 제가 복사해 드릴게요. (seonsaengnim, jega boksahae deurilgeyo.) - Teacher, I will humbly make copies for you.
손님께 메뉴를 설명해 드렸습니다. (sonnimkke menyureul seolmyeonghae deuryeosseumnida.) - I humbly explained the menu to the customer.
께: The particle 께 should be used with the recipient of the action when both 드리다 and the social hierarchy demand it, regardless of whether 드리다 is used as a main verb or an auxiliary verb. The presence of 드리다 often signals the need for 께.
When To Use It
드리다 correctly hinges on accurately assessing the social hierarchy in a given situation. You use 드리다 whenever the recipient of your action (the person you are giving something to, or doing something for) is considered your superior. This superiority can stem from various factors:- Age: Anyone significantly older than you, especially elders, parents, grandparents, and senior family members. Even an older stranger often warrants
드리다. 할머니께 의자를 가져다 드렸어요.(halmeonikke uijareul gajyeoda deuryeosseoyo.) - I humbly brought a chair to my grandmother.- Social Status/Rank: Teachers, professors, bosses, managers, senior colleagues, doctors, government officials, or anyone in a position of authority over you.
부장님께 회의 자료를 전달해 드렸습니다.(bujangnimkke hoeui jaryoreul jeondalhae deuryeosseumnida.) - I humbly delivered the meeting materials to the department head.- Professional/Service Context: Customers, clients, guests. In a service role (e.g., waiter, sales associate, concierge), the customer is always treated as a superior.
손님, 물 가져다 드릴까요?(sonnim, mul gajyeoda deurilkkayo?) - Customer, shall I humbly bring you water?- Formal Occasions: When addressing a large audience, giving a presentation, or writing formal correspondence (emails, letters) to a superior,
드리다is essential. 여러분께 간단히 설명해 드리고자 합니다.(yeoreobunkke gandanhui seolmyeonghae deurigojja hamnida.) - I would like to humbly explain briefly to everyone.
-어/아 드리다 (Doing a favor):- Offering Help: If you see someone struggling and offer assistance, especially if they are older or in a position of authority.
제가 도와 드릴 수 있을까요?(jega dowa deuril su isseulkkayo?) - Can I humbly help you?- Performing a Task for a Superior: When your boss asks you to do something, or you volunteer to do it for them.
말씀하신 대로 처리해 드리겠습니다.(malsseumhasin daero cheorihae deurigesseumnida.) - I will humbly process it as you instructed.- Providing Information/Service: Explaining something, showing something, or fetching something for a superior or customer.
새로운 기능을 소개해 드릴게요.(saeroun gineungeul sogaehae deurilgeyo.) - I will humbly introduce the new feature to you.
드리다 apply. When sending an email to a professor, offering assistance in an online forum to an elder, or writing a message to your boss, using 드리다 will convey respect and professionalism. It is not just for grand gestures; it is for the everyday acts of humble service that grease the wheels of Korean social interaction.Common Mistakes
드리다 due to the stark difference from English or by misapplying its nuanced meaning. Avoiding these common pitfalls is crucial for sounding natural and respectful.- 1The Self-Reference Fail: Using
드리다when YOU are the recipient.
드리다 expresses your humility. Therefore, you cannot use it when a superior is giving something to you. Doing so implies that the superior is humbling themselves to you, which is culturally inappropriate and can sound very awkward.- Incorrect:
선생님이 저에게 선물을 드렸어요.(seonsaengnim-i jeoege seonmureul deuryeosseoyo.) - The teacher humbly gave a gift to me. (This implies the teacher is humbling themselves to the speaker, which is wrong.) - Correct:
선생님이 저에게 선물을 주셨어요.(seonsaengnim-i jeoege seonmureul jusyeosseoyo.) - The teacher honorably gave a gift to me. (Here,주시다is the honorific form of주다, correctly indicating that the superior (teacher) is the actor.)
- 1Incorrect Particle: Using
에게or한테with드리다.
에게 and 한테 are general particles meaning 'to' or 'for,' 께 is the honorific particle that pairs specifically with a superior recipient when using 드리다. Using 에게 or 한테 with 드리다 is grammatically acceptable but sounds less natural and fails to fully convey the intended level of respect.- Less natural:
사장님한테 서류를 드렸어요.(sajangnimhante seoryureul deuryeosseoyo.) - Correct:
사장님께 서류를 드렸어요.(sajangnimkke seoryureul deuryeosseoyo.) - I humbly gave the documents to the boss.
- 1Over-Humbling: Using
드리다for equals, friends, or inferiors.
드리다 for people of equal or lower status (e.g., close friends, younger siblings, children, pets) sounds overly stiff, formal, or even sarcastic. It creates an unnecessary social distance or implies a hierarchical relationship that doesn't exist.- Incorrect:
친구에게 책을 드려요.(chingu-ege chaegeul deuryeoyo.) - I humbly give a book to my friend. (Sounds awkward). - Correct:
친구에게 책을 줘요.(chingu-ege chaegeul jwoyo.) - I give a book to my friend.
- 1Misunderstanding Directionality: Confusing
드리다with주시다.
Conjugation of 드리다
| Form | Present | Past | Future |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Formal (하십시오)
|
드립니다
|
드렸습니다
|
드리겠습니다
|
|
Polite (해요)
|
드려요
|
드렸어요
|
드릴게요
|
|
Plain (해라)
|
드린다
|
드렸다
|
드릴 것이다
|
Meanings
The humble form of 'to give', used to show respect to the recipient of an action or object.
Humble Giving
Giving an object to a superior.
“{부모님께 용돈을 드립니다.}”
“{사장님께 보고서를 드렸어요.}”
Humble Action
Performing an action for the benefit of a superior.
“{짐을 들어 드릴게요.}”
“{길을 안내해 드렸습니다.}”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Recipient + 께 + Object + 를 + 드립니다
|
{선생님께 선물을 드립니다.}
|
|
Negative
|
Recipient + 께 + Object + 를 + 드리지 않습니다
|
{선생님께 선물을 드리지 않습니다.}
|
|
Question
|
Recipient + 께 + Object + 를 + 드립니까?
|
{선생님께 선물을 드립니까?}
|
|
Action
|
Verb-아/어 + 드리다
|
{도와 드립니다.}
|
|
Past
|
Verb-아/어 + 드렸습니다
|
{도와 드렸습니다.}
|
|
Future
|
Verb-아/어 + 드릴 것입니다
|
{도와 드릴 것입니다.}
|
Formality Spectrum
{물 좀 주시겠습니까?} (Ordering water)
{물 좀 주세요.} (Ordering water)
{물 좀 줘.} (Ordering water)
{물 좀 줘봐.} (Ordering water)
Giving Hierarchy
Standard
- 주다 give
Honorific
- 드리다 give (humble)
Examples by Level
{선생님께 드려요.}
I give it to the teacher.
{엄마께 드려요.}
I give it to Mom.
{이거 드세요.}
Please eat this.
{선물을 드립니다.}
I give a gift.
{도와 드릴까요?}
Shall I help you?
{가방을 들어 드릴게요.}
I will carry the bag for you.
{할머니께 편지를 드렸어요.}
I gave a letter to Grandma.
{사장님께 보고서를 드립니다.}
I give the report to the boss.
{설명을 다시 해 드릴게요.}
I will explain it again for you.
{질문을 드려도 될까요?}
May I ask a question?
{부모님께 안부를 전해 드렸어요.}
I passed on regards to my parents.
{예약을 도와 드립니다.}
I will assist with the reservation.
{불편을 드려 죄송합니다.}
I apologize for the inconvenience.
{자료를 검토해 드릴까요?}
Shall I review the materials for you?
{성함 좀 여쭤 봐도 될까요?}
May I ask your name?
{도움을 드리고 싶습니다.}
I would like to offer my help.
{말씀을 드린 바와 같이...}
As I have mentioned...
{감사의 말씀을 드립니다.}
I express my gratitude.
{기회를 주셔서 감사드립니다.}
Thank you for giving me the opportunity.
{의견을 드리고자 합니다.}
I would like to offer my opinion.
{심려를 끼쳐 드려 송구합니다.}
I am sorry for causing you concern.
{본 건에 대해 보고를 드립니다.}
I am reporting on this matter.
{귀하의 건승을 기원드립니다.}
I wish you success.
{양해를 구하고자 말씀을 드립니다.}
I am speaking to ask for your understanding.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the direction of giving.
Both are honorific, but directions differ.
Using the wrong particle for the recipient.
Common Mistakes
{선생님에게 드려요.}
{선생님께 드려요.}
{저에게 드려요.}
{저에게 줘요.}
{주다 선생님께.}
{선생님께 드려요.}
{드리다 해요.}
{드려요.}
{도와 주셨어요.} (to teacher)
{도와 드렸어요.}
{선생님께 줘요.}
{선생님께 드려요.}
{가방을 들어 줘요.}
{가방을 들어 드려요.}
{사장님께 선물을 주었습니다.}
{사장님께 선물을 드렸습니다.}
{제가 저에게 드렸어요.}
{제가 저에게 줬어요.}
{도와 드려 주셨어요.}
{도와 드렸어요.}
{말씀을 주셨습니다.} (when I spoke)
{말씀을 드렸습니다.}
{선물을 드려 주셔서 감사합니다.}
{선물을 주셔서 감사합니다.}
{도움을 드려요.} (to a child)
{도움을 줘요.}
Sentence Patterns
___께 ___을/를 드립니다.
제가 ___을/를 도와 드릴게요.
___을/를 드려도 될까요?
___을/를 드리고 싶습니다.
Real World Usage
{기회를 주셔서 감사드립니다.}
{질문을 드려도 될까요?}
{물 좀 주시겠어요?}
{제가 들어 드릴게요.}
{감사의 말씀을 드립니다.}
{맛있게 드세요.}
Use 께
Don't use for self
Combine with ~아/어
Two hands
Smart Tips
Always use '도와 드릴게요' instead of '도와 줄게요' to superiors.
Use '드리다' and two hands.
Use '질문을 드려도 될까요?'
Use '보고를 드립니다'.
Pronunciation
Linking
When '드리다' follows a verb ending in a consonant, link the sounds.
Polite request
↗
Rising intonation at the end indicates a polite request.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Deurida' as 'D-Re-Da' (Do Respect Da).
Visual Association
Imagine yourself bowing low while handing a gift to a teacher with both hands.
Rhyme
When you give to someone tall, use '드리다' to stand small.
Story
You are at a company meeting. Your boss asks for a file. You don't just 'give' it; you 'offer' it. You say, 'Here is the file,' but in Korean, you use '드리다' to show you respect their position.
Word Web
Challenge
For the next 5 minutes, practice saying 'I will help you' to every object in your room using '도와 드릴게요'.
Cultural Notes
Giving with two hands is as important as using the word '드리다'.
Derived from the verb '들다' (to hold/carry).
Conversation Starters
선생님께 무엇을 드리고 싶어요?
어떻게 도와 드릴까요?
부모님께 선물을 드린 적이 있어요?
사장님께 보고를 드려야 해요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
선생님께 선물을 ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
저에게 선물을 드렸어요.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
I will help you.
Answer starts with: b...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Use '할머니' and '꽃'.
When talking to a boss, use...
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises선생님께 선물을 ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
저에게 선물을 드렸어요.
도와 / 드릴까요 / 제가 / ?
I will help you.
Match giving to superior.
Use '할머니' and '꽃'.
When talking to a boss, use...
Score: /8
Practice Bank
7 exercises부모님께 편지를 ___.
I will send the file to the boss.
드릴까요 / 열어 / 문을 / 제가
Match the recipients to verbs:
Waitress: '물 좀 ___?'
Mother gave me money.
교수님께 말씀 ___.
Score: /7
FAQ (8)
No, it's too formal. Use '주다' for friends.
Yes, when the recipient is a superior.
It's a humble verb; you can't be humble to yourself.
In a professional setting, stick to honorifics.
Yes, but '드립니다' is more formal.
No, honorifics are for people.
'주시다' is for them giving to you.
Use '드렸어요' or '드렸습니다'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ofrecer
Korean requires a specific particle (께) for the recipient.
Offrir
Korean verb conjugation changes based on social status.
Anbieten
Korean honorifics are mandatory in social settings.
差し上げる
Both languages share similar honorific structures.
يقدم
Korean has a dedicated humble verb category.
献给
Korean uses this in daily life, not just formal ceremonies.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Videos
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