Honorific Eating: 드시다 & 잡수시다
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '드시다' or '잡수시다' instead of '먹다' when talking about someone you need to show respect to.
- Use '드시다' for most people you respect: 선생님께서 식사를 드십니다.
- Use '잡수시다' for elders or formal contexts: 할아버지께서 약을 잡수셨어요.
- Never use these for yourself, as they are honorifics for others: 저는 밥을 먹어요.
Overview
Korean society is deeply rooted in hierarchical respect, a principle that permeates its language, especially evident in its honorific system. Far beyond merely altering sentence endings, showing deference often necessitates a complete shift in vocabulary, particularly for fundamental actions. Among these, the act of eating—a central element of daily life and social interaction—receives particular linguistic attention.
While 먹다 (meokda) serves as the standard, non-honorific verb for “to eat,” Korean provides dedicated honorific alternatives, 드시다 (deusida) and 잡수시다 (japsusida), when the subject performing the action is a person deserving of respect. These specialized verbs are indispensable for navigating social situations gracefully and are a cornerstone of polite Korean communication.
Understanding and correctly applying 드시다 and 잡수시다 is not merely a grammatical exercise; it is a vital demonstration of cultural awareness. Incorrect usage, such as applying 먹다 to an elder or using an honorific verb for oneself, can lead to significant social missteps or be perceived as rude. This guide will provide a comprehensive explanation of these honorific verbs, clarifying their nuances, usage contexts, and common pitfalls, thereby enabling you to speak Korean with appropriate respect and fluency.
How This Grammar Works
먹다 with an appropriate honorific form. This system reflects the Confucian values embedded in Korean culture, where age and social standing dictate communication styles.드시다 is the more commonly used and versatile honorific verb for both eating and drinking. It serves as the honorific equivalent for both 먹다 (to eat) and 마시다 (to drink). This makes 드시다 applicable in a wide range of situations, from describing someone having a meal to someone drinking coffee or water.선생님께서 커피를 드세요 (seonsaengnimkkeseo keopireul deuseyo), not 선생님께서 커피를 마셔요 (seonsaengnimkkeseo keopireul masyeoyo). This verb is suitable for most individuals you need to honor, including parents, teachers, supervisors, and respected acquaintances.잡수시다 represents a higher, more traditional level of honorification specifically reserved for eating solid food. It carries a particularly respectful and somewhat formal nuance, primarily used when referring to very elderly individuals, such as grandparents, or highly esteemed figures in deeply formal contexts. Unlike 드시다, 잡수시다 cannot be used for drinking liquids.할아버지, 물을 드세요 (harabeoji, mureul deuseyo), not 물을 잡수세요. The verb 잡수시다 also frequently co-occurs with the honorific noun for a meal, 진지 (jinji), forming the esteemed expression 진지를 잡수시다 (jinji-reul japsusida), which means “to eat an honorific meal.” This usage underscores its heightened formality and reverence.드시다 and 잡수시다 are examples of irregular honorific verbs that have entirely distinct forms from their basic counterparts (먹다, 마시다). They do not simply add the regular honorific infix -(으)시- to the base verb (e.g., 먹으시다 is incorrect). Their existence as separate lexical items emphasizes the profound cultural significance placed on showing respect in Korean dietary contexts.드시다 and 잡수시다 depends critically on the degree of respect intended and the type of consumption (solid food vs. liquid), with 드시다 being the more general and 잡수시다 reserved for specific, highly reverent situations involving eating.Formation Pattern
드시다 and 잡수시다 are complete verbs that inherently contain the honorific meaning. Therefore, their formation involves conjugating these verbs according to the desired tense, mood, and politeness level, just like any other verb ending in -(으)시다. The core task is to identify the subject and choose the appropriate honorific verb (드시다 or 잡수시다), then apply the standard Korean conjugation rules.
드시다 and 잡수시다 across various common forms:
드시다 (Polite, 해요체) | 드시다 (Formal, 합니다체) | 잡수시다 (Polite, 해요체) | 잡수시다 (Formal, 합니다체) | Example Usage & Translation |
드시다 | 드시다 | 잡수시다 | 잡수시다 | To eat/drink (honorific) / To eat (highly honorific)|
드세요 (deuseyo) | 드십니다 (deusimnida) | 잡수세요 (japsuseyo) | 잡수십니다 (japsusimnida)| 선생님께서 점심을 드세요. (The teacher eats lunch.) |
할머니께서 진지를 잡수세요. (Grandma eats her meal.) |
드셨어요 (deusyeosseoyo)| 드셨습니다 (deusyeotseumnida)| 잡수셨어요 (japsusyeosseoyo)| 잡수셨습니다 (japsusyeotseumnida)| 사장님께서 아침을 드셨어요? (Did the boss eat breakfast?) |
아버님께서 약을 잡수셨습니다. (Father took his medicine.) |
드실 거예요 (deusil geoyeyo)| 드실 것입니다 (deusil geosimnida)| 잡수실 거예요 (japsusil geoyeyo)| 잡수실 것입니다 (japsusil geosimnida)| 손님께서 곧 음료수를 드실 거예요. (The guest will drink a beverage soon.) |
회장님께서 저녁을 잡수실 겁니다. (The chairman will have dinner.) |
드세요 / 드십시오 | 드십시오 (deusipsio) | 잡수세요 / 잡수십시오 | 잡수십시오 (japsusipsio)| 맛있게 드세요! (Please eat deliciously!) |
할아버님, 천천히 잡수십시오. (Grandfather, please eat slowly.) |
드세요 / 드시죠 (deusijyo)| 드십시다 (deusipsida) | 잡수세요 / 잡수시죠 | 잡수십시다 (japsusipsida)| (Rare, as one doesn't 'honorifically' suggest doing something together) |
먹다 or 마시다, not 드시다 or 잡수시다.
-(으)세요 is extremely common in daily conversation and service interactions. For example, when offering something to a customer, 여기 있습니다. 맛있게 드세요. (Here you are. Please eat deliciously.)
-(으)십시오 is used in very formal or public announcements. 고객 여러분, 음료수를 드십시오. (Dear customers, please drink your beverages.)
When To Use It
드시다 or 잡수시다 is contingent upon two primary factors: the social status of the subject and the type of consumption. Consistent application of these rules is fundamental for polite interaction in Korean.드시다 or 잡수시다 when the person performing the action of eating or drinking is someone you need to show respect to. This typically includes:- Elders: Parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, older relatives, or any significantly older individual (
어르신). 어머님께서 아침 식사를 드시고 계세요.(Mother is eating breakfast.)- Teachers and Academics: Professors, school teachers, or mentors.
교수님께서 따뜻한 차를 드셨습니다.(The professor drank warm tea.)- Supervisors and Colleagues of Higher Rank: Bosses, managers, senior colleagues in a professional setting.
부장님, 점심은 드셨습니까?(Manager, have you eaten lunch?)- Customers and Guests: Individuals receiving a service or being hosted.
손님, 여기 물입니다. 시원하게 드세요.(Guest, here is water. Please drink it refreshingly.)- Public Figures and Esteemed Individuals: When speaking or writing about respected personalities.
대통령께서 국밥을 드셨다고 합니다.(They say the President ate Gukbap.)
드시다 and 잡수시다):드시다(Eating and Drinking): Use드시다as the general honorific for both eating solid food and drinking liquids. It is the more versatile option and is appropriate in most situations requiring subject honorification related to consumption.할아버지께서 과일을 드세요.(Grandfather eats fruit.)할머니께서 주스를 드시고 싶어 하세요.(Grandmother wants to drink juice.)잡수시다(Eating Solid Food, Highly Reverent): Reserve잡수시다for eating solid food, particularly when referring to very senior elders (e.g., grandparents, great-grandparents, or highly venerated community figures). It carries a more traditional and profound sense of respect. Crucially,잡수시다is never used for drinking liquids.할아버님께서 진지를 잡수셨어요.(Grandfather ate his meal.)옛날 임금님께서는 매일 아침 수라를 잡수셨습니다.(The kings of old ate a royal meal every morning.)
먹다 for your grandfather (though it's generally safer to use 드시다). However, when addressing your grandfather directly or speaking about him to someone who also respects him, 드시다 or 잡수시다 is essential.잡수시다 has become less prevalent in everyday speech among younger generations, often being perceived as overly formal. 드시다 is generally sufficient for most honorific contexts involving consumption, even for parents and sometimes grandparents, depending on family dynamics and regional customs. However, for maximum respect towards very old elders, 잡수시다 remains the most appropriate choice.Common Mistakes
드시다 and 잡수시다 is a frequent stumbling block for learners. Avoiding these common errors is crucial for demonstrating genuine respect and natural fluency in Korean.드시다/잡수시다 for Yourself):드시다 or 잡수시다 to refer to your own actions of eating or drinking. Doing so implies that you are worthy of honor from yourself, which sounds arrogant or absurd to native speakers. Always use the basic verbs 먹다 or 마시다 when talking about yourself.- Incorrect:
제가 점심을 드셨어요.(I ate lunch.) - This implies you are a VIP to yourself. - Correct:
제가 점심을 먹었어요.(I ate lunch.)
잡수시다 for Liquids:잡수시다 is exclusively for eating solid food. It cannot be used for drinking. Using it with liquids (물을 잡수세요 -Conjugation Table
| Verb | Present (Polite) | Past (Polite) | Present (Formal) | Past (Formal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
드시다
|
드세요
|
드셨어요
|
드십니다
|
드셨습니다
|
|
잡수시다
|
잡수세요
|
잡수셨어요
|
잡수십니다
|
잡수셨습니다
|
Meanings
These are honorific forms of the verb '먹다' (to eat). They are used to elevate the subject of the sentence when that person is a superior or elder.
General Honorific
Polite way to say someone is eating.
“사장님께서 식사를 드십니다.”
“어머니께서 사과를 드세요.”
Elderly/Formal
A slightly more traditional or formal honorific.
“할아버지께서 약을 잡수십니다.”
“어르신께서 식사를 잡수셨나요?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + 께서 + Object + 을/를 + Verb
|
선생님께서 밥을 드십니다.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + 께서 + Object + 을/를 + 안 + Verb
|
선생님께서 밥을 안 드십니다.
|
|
Question
|
Subject + 께서 + Object + 을/를 + Verb?
|
선생님께서 밥을 드십니까?
|
|
Past
|
Subject + 께서 + Object + 을/를 + Past Verb
|
선생님께서 밥을 드셨습니다.
|
|
Honorific Particle
|
Subject + 께서
|
할머니께서 드십니다.
|
Formality Spectrum
선생님께서 식사를 드십니다. (Polite/Formal)
선생님께서 드세요. (Polite/Formal)
선생님께서 드셔. (Polite/Formal)
N/A (Polite/Formal)
Honorific Eating Map
Honorific
- 드시다 Polite/Standard
- 잡수시다 Formal/Elderly
Examples by Level
선생님께서 드세요.
The teacher is eating.
할머니께서 드셨어요.
Grandmother ate.
사장님께서 드십니다.
The boss is eating.
어머니께서 드세요.
Mother is eating.
할아버지께서 약을 잡수셨어요.
Grandfather took his medicine.
무엇을 드시겠습니까?
What would you like to eat?
어르신께서 식사를 잡수십니다.
The elder is having a meal.
선생님께서 점심을 드셨나요?
Did the teacher eat lunch?
부모님께서 아직 저녁을 안 드셨어요.
My parents haven't eaten dinner yet.
손님께서 주문하신 음식을 드시고 계십니다.
The customer is eating the food they ordered.
할머니께서는 항상 건강식을 잡수세요.
Grandmother always eats healthy food.
교수님께서 식사를 드시러 가셨습니다.
The professor went to eat.
어르신께서는 평소에 소식을 잡수시는 편입니다.
The elder tends to eat small portions usually.
부장님께서 회식 자리에서 고기를 드셨습니다.
The manager ate meat at the company dinner.
할아버지께서 잡수시는 모습이 참 보기 좋습니다.
It is nice to see grandfather eating.
손님께서 식사를 다 드셨는지 확인해 주세요.
Please check if the customer has finished their meal.
어머니께서 정성껏 차린 음식을 맛있게 드시는 것을 보니 기쁩니다.
I am happy to see mother enjoying the food I prepared with care.
연세가 많으신데도 식사를 잘 잡수셔서 다행입니다.
It is a relief that they are eating well despite their advanced age.
귀빈께서 드실 음식을 특별히 준비했습니다.
We have specially prepared food for the VIP to eat.
할머니께서 잡수시고 싶어 하시는 음식을 사러 갑니다.
I am going to buy the food that grandmother wants to eat.
어르신께서 잡수시는 식단은 영양학적으로 매우 균형 잡혀 있습니다.
The diet that the elder consumes is nutritionally very balanced.
선생님께서 드시는 모습을 뵈니 마음이 놓입니다.
I feel at ease seeing the teacher eating.
할아버지께서 잡수시지 않으려고 하셔서 걱정입니다.
I am worried because grandfather refuses to eat.
손님께서 드시는 동안 불편함이 없도록 하십시오.
Ensure the customer has no discomfort while they are eating.
Easily Confused
Learners often use them interchangeably.
Both are polite.
Learners forget the honorific particle.
Common Mistakes
저는 드세요.
저는 먹어요.
선생님이 드세요.
선생님께서 드세요.
친구가 드세요.
친구가 먹어요.
할머니가 드세요.
할머니께서 드세요.
무엇을 먹으시겠습니까?
무엇을 드시겠습니까?
할아버지께서 먹으셨어요.
할아버지께서 잡수셨어요.
사장님은 드십니다.
사장님께서 드십니다.
어머니께서 밥을 먹으셨어요.
어머니께서 식사를 하셨어요/드셨어요.
선생님께서 드시러 가셨다.
선생님께서 식사하러 가셨다.
할머니께서 드시는 것을 보았다.
할머니께서 잡수시는 것을 보았다.
손님께서 드시겠습니까?
손님, 식사하시겠습니까?
할아버지께서 드시는 식단.
할아버지께서 잡수시는 식단.
선생님께서 드신다.
선생님께서 드십니다.
Sentence Patterns
___께서 ___을/를 드십니다.
___께서 ___을/를 잡수셨어요.
___께서 ___을/를 드시겠습니까?
___께서 ___을/를 안 드셨습니다.
Real World Usage
무엇을 드시겠습니까?
할머니, 식사하세요.
사장님께서 드십니다.
선생님, 점심 드셨어요?
어르신께서 드시는 모습.
맛있게 드세요.
Subject Particle
Self-Honorifics
Verb Choice
Respect
Smart Tips
Use '잡수시다' to show extra respect.
Use '드시다' for standard respect.
Use '드시겠습니까?' for professional service.
Never use honorifics.
Pronunciation
드시다
Pronounced as 'deu-si-da'.
잡수시다
Pronounced as 'jab-su-si-da'.
Rising
드세요? ↗
Questioning if they are eating.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '드시다' as 'D-lish-ida' (Delicious) — you only use it for people you think are 'deliciously' important!
Visual Association
Imagine a golden crown floating above the head of the person eating. If the crown is there, use '드시다'.
Rhyme
For the teacher or the elder, use '드시다' to be a helper.
Story
You are at a dinner party. You see your teacher. You don't say '먹어요'. You say '선생님, 드세요!' because you respect them. Your grandfather is there too, so you say '할아버지, 잡수세요!' to show extra care.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your family members using honorifics today.
Cultural Notes
Respect for elders is paramount. Using honorifics is not optional in formal settings.
These verbs evolved from ancient Korean honorific systems.
Conversation Starters
선생님께서 무엇을 드셨어요?
할머니께서 식사를 하셨나요?
사장님께서 점심을 드시러 가셨나요?
어르신께서 식사를 잘 잡수시나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
선생님께서 점심을 ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
할머니가 먹었어요.
선생님이 밥을 먹어요.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
드시다 (Past Polite)
할아버지 / 약 / 잡수시다
A: 선생님, 점심 ___? B: 네, 먹었어요.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises선생님께서 점심을 ___.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
할머니가 먹었어요.
선생님이 밥을 먹어요.
Match.
드시다 (Past Polite)
할아버지 / 약 / 잡수시다
A: 선생님, 점심 ___? B: 네, 먹었어요.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises사장님은 벌써 저녁을 ___.
[아빠,] [같이] [피자] [드실래요?]
Customer, please enjoy your meal.
Match the verbs appropriately.
과장님, 커피를 잡수실래요?
할머니께서 진지를 ___ 계십니다.
Choose the grammatically correct sentence:
Did you eat lunch? (Polite, to boss)
[약은] [언제] [드셨어요?]
Who uses which verb?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, it is too formal and sounds sarcastic.
'잡수시다' is more traditional and often used for elders.
It is an honorific verb, and you cannot honor yourself.
Always use '께서'.
It is polite, but not an honorific verb like '드시다'.
Yes, in formal writing or letters.
It sounds less polite and grammatically incorrect.
Yes, like '계시다' for '있다'.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
召し上がる (meshiagaru)
Japanese uses different verb forms for different levels of respect.
用膳 (yòngshàn)
Chinese relies on vocabulary choice rather than conjugation.
Comer (formal: usted)
Spanish changes the pronoun, not the verb.
Essen (formal: Sie)
German uses formal pronouns.
Manger (formal: vous)
French uses formal pronouns.
تَنَاوَلَ (tanawala)
Arabic uses vocabulary choice.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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