Speaking to Superiors: Special Verb (말씀하시다)
말씀하시다 when a respected person speaks to show social awareness and polite Korean etiquette.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use '말씀하시다' instead of '말하다' when the subject is someone you respect, like a teacher, boss, or elder.
- Use '말씀하시다' for the action of speaking by a superior (e.g., 선생님께서 말씀하십니다).
- Use '말씀드리다' when you are the one speaking to a superior (e.g., 제가 말씀드리겠습니다).
- Never use honorifics for your own actions unless you are being sarcastic or mocking.
Overview
Korean language embodies a deeply ingrained system of social hierarchy and respect, which is explicitly reflected in its grammar. One of the most prominent manifestations of this system is the use of honorifics, verb forms, and vocabulary that convey deference to the subject of a sentence or the listener. Among these, honorific verbs occupy a crucial position, signaling respect not merely through suffixes but often through entirely altered lexical items.
The verb 말씀하시다 (mal-sseum-ha-si-da) stands as a prime example of a suppletive honorific verb, meaning it replaces a common verb with a completely different form to express elevated respect.
Specifically, 말씀하시다 functions as the honorific counterpart to the verb 말하다 (mal-ha-da, 'to speak' or 'to say'). Its usage is mandatory when the person speaking (the subject of the verb) is someone to whom you owe respect due to age, social status, professional position, or any other hierarchical relationship. This includes, but is not limited to, parents, grandparents, teachers, superiors at work, respected elders, and customers in a service context.
The choice to use 말씀하시다 is not merely a stylistic preference; it is a fundamental aspect of demonstrating cultural literacy and appropriate social conduct in Korean. Failure to use it in the correct context can be perceived as impolite or even rude, whereas its appropriate application signifies an understanding of nunchi (눈치, 'social awareness' or 'tact').
The noun 말씀 (mal-sseum), from which 말씀하시다 is derived, is itself a fascinating lexical item due to its dual semantic function. Depending on the grammatical context, 말씀 can denote either the words of a respected person or one's own humble words. When used with 하시다, as in 말씀하시다, it unequivocally refers to the dignified speech of someone held in high regard.
Conversely, when combined with humble verbs like 드리다 (deu-ri-da, 'to give' humbly), as in 말씀드리다 (mal-sseum-deu-ri-da, 'to speak humbly to a superior'), 말씀 then refers to the speaker's own words, humbly offered. Understanding this duality is key to mastering the nuances of honorific communication in Korean.
How This Grammar Works
말씀하시다 operates as a subject honorific verb, indicating that the respect is directed towards the grammatical subject of the sentence—the person performing the action of speaking. This mechanism distinguishes it from other forms of politeness, such as those indicating respect for the listener (-요 or -(스)ㅂ니다 endings). The core of 말씀하시다 is the noun 말씀 combined with the verb 하다 (ha-da, 'to do'), further inflected with the honorific suffix -(으)시-.말씀) and attributing the action of 'doing' or 'having' those words (하시다) to them.-(으)시- honorific suffix to their stem (e.g., 가다 → 가시다 / ga-da → ga-si-da, 'to go'), 말씀하시다 completely replaces the base verb 말하다. This categorizes it as a special honorific verb or suppletive honorific, alongside others like 계시다 (gye-si-da, 'to be/stay,' honorific of 있다), 드시다 (deu-si-da, 'to eat/drink,' honorific of 먹다/마시다), and 주무시다 (ju-mu-si-da, 'to sleep,' honorific of 자다). Such verbs are learned as distinct vocabulary items, rather than through a simple grammatical rule for suffixation.말씀하시다, you are not merely stating a fact; you are actively performing an act of linguistic deference. Consider the difference: 선생님이 말했어요 (seon-saeng-nim-i mal-haess-eo-yo, 'The teacher spoke') is grammatically correct but socially inappropriate in most contexts. However, 선생님이 말씀하셨어요 (seon-saeng-nim-i mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eo-yo, 'The teacher spoke/said') properly conveys the respect due to a teacher.하시다 inherently elevates the subject's action, signaling to the listener that the speaker acknowledges the subject's higher status. This subtle yet powerful linguistic choice is central to polite communication in Korean and is a hallmark of B1-level proficiency and beyond.Formation Pattern
말씀하시다 behaves grammatically like any other 하다 verb after its initial formation. Once you have identified that the subject warrants honorific treatment, you simply use 말씀하시다 as the verb stem and conjugate it according to the desired tense, mood, and speech level. There is no further -(으)시- to add to the 하시다 part, as it is already incorporated.
말하다 with the honorific stem 말씀하시-.
합니다체 or informal 해체), tense, and mood.
말씀하시다
해요체 / hae-yo-che) | Formal Polite (합니다체 / ham-ni-da-che) | Translation (approx.) |
말씀하세요 (mal-sseum-ha-se-yo) | 말씀하십니다 (mal-sseum-ha-sim-ni-da) | (He/She) speaks/is speaking |
말씀하셨어요 (mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eo-yo) | 말씀하셨습니다 (mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eum-ni-da) | (He/She) spoke/said |
말씀하실 거예요 (mal-sseum-ha-sil geo-ye-yo) | 말씀하실 겁니다 (mal-sseum-ha-sil geom-ni-da) | (He/She) will speak/say |
말씀하시죠 (mal-sseum-ha-si-jyo) | 말씀하십시다 (mal-sseum-ha-sip-si-da) | Let's (have him/her) speak/say (less common) |
말씀하세요 (mal-sseum-ha-se-yo) | 말씀하십시오 (mal-sseum-ha-sip-si-o) | Please speak/say |
말씀하시면 (mal-sseum-ha-si-myeon) | 말씀하시면 (mal-sseum-ha-si-myeon) | If (he/she) speaks/says |
말씀하신 (말씀하신) | 말씀하신 (말씀하신) | ...that (he/she) spoke/said |
말씀하세요 or 말씀하십시오 are standard. For a softer or more indirect request, particularly when asking a superior to speak or explain something, 말씀해 주십시오 or 말씀해 주세요 ('Please speak for me' or 'Please do the speaking') is commonly used. This structure adds the auxiliary verb 주다 (ju-da, 'to give') in its honorific form 주시- (ju-si-), making the request even more polite.
선생님, 다시 한번 말씀해 주세요. (Seon-saeng-nim, da-si han-beon mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo. 'Teacher, please say it again.')
말씀하시다 can be used in combination with other grammatical structures. For instance, to quote someone respectfully, you would use 말씀하시다 with the quoting particle -(이)라고 or -(느)ㄴ다고:
부장님께서 내일 회의가 있다고 말씀하셨습니다. (Bu-jang-nim-kke-seo nae-il hoe-ui-ga itt-da-go mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eum-ni-da. 'The department head said there would be a meeting tomorrow.')
When To Use It
말씀하시다 is a critical social indicator in Korean, signifying that the grammatical subject holds a higher social status, is older, or is in a position of authority relative to the speaker. This respect can be based on various factors, and the decision to use 말씀하시다 is often intuitive for native speakers, guided by years of social conditioning. For learners, developing this intuition requires consistent exposure and practice.- Family Elders: It is customary and expected to use
말씀하시다when referring to actions of parents, grandparents, older aunts/uncles, or any elder family member. This demonstrates fundamental filial piety and respect within the family structure. - Example:
할머니께서 항상 좋은 말씀을 해주세요.(Hal-meo-ni-kke-seo hang-sang joh-eun mal-sseum-eul hae-ju-se-yo. 'Grandmother always gives good advice/words.') - Teachers and Academics: When speaking about professors, schoolteachers, or academic mentors,
말씀하시다is the standard. This applies in both direct conversation (when addressing them) and when reporting what they said to others. - Example:
교수님께서 과제 마감일을 연장해 주셨다고 말씀하셨어요.(Gyo-su-nim-kke-seo gwa-je ma-gam-il-eul yeon-jang-hae ju-syeott-da-go mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eo-yo. 'The professor said he extended the assignment deadline.') - Workplace Superiors: In any professional setting,
말씀하시다is used for managers, team leaders, executives, or anyone senior in the organizational hierarchy. This maintains workplace decorum and professionalism. - Example:
사장님께서 새로운 프로젝트에 대해 말씀하고 계십니다.(Sa-jang-nim-kke-seo sae-ro-un peu-ro-jek-teu-e dae-hae mal-sseum-ha-go gye-sim-ni-da. 'The CEO is currently speaking about the new project.') - Customers/Clients: In service industries, employees use
말씀하시다out of deference to customers. This is a common practice to show respect and professionalism. - Example:
고객님께서 주문 내용을 다시 말씀해 주시겠어요?(Go-gaek-nim-kke-seo ju-mun nae-yong-eul da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo? 'Would the customer please say the order details again?') - Respected Figures: Public figures, religious leaders, or anyone you hold in high esteem, even if not personally known, warrant the use of
말씀하시다when discussing their speech or words. - Example:
대통령께서 어제 중요한 연설을 말씀하셨습니다.(Dae-tong-nyeong-kke-seo eo-je jung-yo-han yeon-seol-eul mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eum-ni-da. 'The president delivered an important speech yesterday.') - Strangers/Older Acquaintances: When interacting with unfamiliar individuals who appear older than you, or with acquaintances with whom you maintain a respectful distance, using
말씀하시다is often the safest and most polite choice. When in doubt about someone's status or age, it is generally better to err on the side of politeness.
- When referring to your own speech (
제가 말씀하셨어요is incorrect). - When the subject is younger than you or of equal social standing (e.g., friends, younger siblings). Using
말씀하시다in these contexts can sound sarcastic, condescending, or simply awkward.
Common Mistakes
말씀하시다, primarily stemming from its suppletive nature and the intricate social dynamics it embodies. Understanding these common pitfalls is crucial for advancing beyond mechanical application to genuinely natural communication.- 1Using
말씀하시다for Oneself: This is arguably the most prevalent and significant error.말씀하시다is exclusively a subject honorific verb, meaning the respect is directed towards the speaker of the sentence. Using it to describe your own actions implies that you are showing respect to yourself, which comes across as arrogant, pompous, or utterly confused. The correct way to refer to your own speech, particularly when speaking to a superior, is to use the humble verb말씀드리다(mal-sseum-deu-ri-da), or simply the neutral말하다when speaking to peers or inferiors.
- Incorrect:
제가 부장님께 말씀하셨습니다.(Je-ga bu-jang-nim-kke mal-sseum-ha-syeoss-eum-ni-da. - 'I (respectfully) spoke to the manager.') - Correct:
제가 부장님께 말씀드렸습니다.(Je-ga bu-jang-nim-kke mal-sseum-deu-ryeoss-eum-ni-da. - 'I humbly spoke to the manager.') - Correct (neutral):
제가 부장님께 말했어요.(Je-ga bu-jang-nim-kke mal-haess-eo-yo. - 'I spoke to the manager.')
- 1Inconsistent Honorific Level: When
말씀하시다is used, the entire sentence, and indeed the broader conversation, should maintain a consistent level of respect towards the honorified subject. Mixing honorific verbs with casual sentence endings or other non-honorific elements creates an awkward linguistic
Honorific Verb Conjugation
| Form | Plain | Honorific (Subject) | Humble (Speaker) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present
|
말한다
|
말씀하신다
|
말씀드린다
|
|
Past
|
말했다
|
말씀하셨다
|
말씀드렸다
|
|
Future
|
말하겠다
|
말씀하시겠다
|
말씀드리겠다
|
|
Polite
|
말해요
|
말씀하세요
|
말씀드려요
|
|
Formal
|
말합니다
|
말씀하십니다
|
말씀드립니다
|
|
Negative
|
말하지 않는다
|
말씀하지 않으신다
|
말씀드리지 않는다
|
Meanings
This is the honorific version of the verb 'to speak' (말하다). It is used to show respect to the person performing the action of speaking.
Superior Speaking
An elder or superior is talking.
“할아버지께서 말씀하셨어요.”
“교수님께서 말씀하시는 중입니다.”
Humble Speaking
You are speaking to a superior (using 말씀드리다).
“제가 말씀드리겠습니다.”
“다시 말씀드려도 될까요?”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subject + 께서 + 말씀하시다
|
선생님께서 말씀하십니다.
|
|
Negative
|
Subject + 께서 + 말씀하지 않으시다
|
선생님께서 말씀하지 않으십니다.
|
|
Question
|
Subject + 께서 + 말씀하시나요?
|
선생님께서 말씀하시나요?
|
|
Humble
|
Object + 께 + 말씀드리다
|
선생님께 말씀드립니다.
|
|
Past
|
Subject + 께서 + 말씀하셨다
|
사장님께서 말씀하셨습니다.
|
|
Future
|
Subject + 께서 + 말씀하실 것이다
|
교수님께서 말씀하실 것입니다.
|
Formality Spectrum
선생님께서 말씀하십니다. (Classroom)
선생님이 말씀하세요. (Classroom)
선생님이 말씀해. (Classroom)
쌤이 말해. (Classroom)
Honorific Hierarchy
Superior
- 말씀하시다 To speak (honorific)
Self
- 말씀드리다 To tell (humble)
Examples by Level
선생님, 말씀하세요.
Teacher, please speak.
할머니가 말씀하셨어요.
Grandma spoke.
사장님 말씀하세요.
Boss, please speak.
엄마가 말씀하세요.
Mom is speaking.
교수님께서 말씀하십니다.
The professor is speaking.
제가 말씀드릴게요.
I will tell you (polite).
아버지가 말씀하셨어요.
Father said so.
다시 말씀해 주세요.
Please say it again.
선생님께 말씀드렸습니다.
I told the teacher.
부장님께서 말씀하신 내용입니다.
This is what the manager said.
어머니께서 말씀하시길, 건강이 제일이래요.
Mother says health is the most important.
사장님께 말씀드려도 될까요?
May I speak to the boss?
회의 중에 말씀하신 사항을 정리했습니다.
I summarized the points you mentioned during the meeting.
그 부분은 제가 나중에 따로 말씀드리겠습니다.
I will tell you about that part separately later.
할아버지께서 말씀하신 대로 했습니다.
I did as grandfather said.
선생님께서 말씀하시지 않은 부분입니다.
This is the part the teacher did not mention.
귀하께서 말씀하신 제안을 검토 중입니다.
We are reviewing the proposal you mentioned.
본인이 직접 말씀하시기 곤란한 상황입니다.
It is a situation where it is difficult for the person to speak directly.
어르신께서 말씀하신 지혜를 잊지 않겠습니다.
I will not forget the wisdom you shared.
이 건에 대해 말씀드리는 바입니다.
I am speaking regarding this matter.
선생님께서 친히 말씀하시니 감개무량합니다.
I am deeply moved that you spoke personally.
본 건에 관하여 말씀드리고자 합니다.
I would like to speak regarding this matter.
어르신께서 말씀하신 바를 깊이 새기겠습니다.
I will take to heart what you have said.
그분께서 말씀하시길, 진리는 단순하다고 하셨습니다.
He said that truth is simple.
Easily Confused
Learners use plain verbs for everyone.
Learners use honorifics for themselves.
Both are honorifics.
Common Mistakes
제가 말씀하세요.
제가 말씀드립니다.
선생님 말해요.
선생님 말씀하세요.
사장님 말씀하셨어요?
사장님 말씀하셨습니까?
말씀하다.
말씀하시다.
선생님이 말씀해요.
선생님께서 말씀하십니다.
제가 말씀하시겠습니다.
제가 말씀드리겠습니다.
말씀 안 하세요.
말씀하지 않으세요.
부장님께서 말씀드려요.
부장님께서 말씀하십니다.
말씀하시고 싶으세요?
말씀하고 싶으세요?
말씀 주셨어요.
말씀해 주셨어요.
그분이 말씀하시길 원합니다.
그분께서 말씀하시길 원합니다.
말씀드리는 바입니다.
말씀드리고자 합니다.
말씀하시게 되었습니다.
말씀하시게 되었습니다.
Sentence Patterns
___께서 말씀하십니다.
___께 말씀드렸습니다.
___께서 말씀하신 대로 하겠습니다.
___께 말씀드려도 될까요?
Real World Usage
사장님께 말씀드리고 싶습니다.
부장님, 말씀하신 내용 확인했습니다.
말씀해 주신 대로 준비하겠습니다.
할아버지, 말씀하세요.
교수님께서 말씀하십니다.
고객님, 말씀해 주시겠습니까?
Subject vs Object
Don't over-honorify
The Particle 께서
Social Harmony
Smart Tips
Always use 께서 and 말씀하시다.
Use 말씀드리다.
Use 말씀해 주세요.
Use formal endings like -습니다.
Pronunciation
Sibilant sound
The 's' sound in 말씀 is a tense sibilant.
Rising at the end
말씀하시나요? ↑
Polite question
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of '말씀' as a 'Golden Word' that only VIPs get to use.
Visual Association
Imagine a king on a throne. When he opens his mouth, a golden crown appears above his head (the -시- suffix).
Rhyme
For the boss, use 말씀하시다, for yourself, 말씀드리다.
Story
You are at a dinner with your boss. He starts to speak. You lean in and say, '사장님께서 말씀하십니다.' Then, you want to ask a question, so you say, '제가 말씀드려도 될까요?'
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about your day using honorifics for your parents.
Cultural Notes
Using honorifics is essential for career advancement.
Children must use honorifics for elders.
Students address professors with honorifics.
Derived from the noun '말씀' (honorific word) and the verb '하다' (to do).
Conversation Starters
선생님께서 뭐라고 말씀하셨어요?
사장님께 말씀드려야 할까요?
어머니께서 말씀하신 게 무엇인가요?
교수님께 말씀드린 적이 있나요?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
선생님께서 ___.
제가 사장님께 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
제가 선생님께 말씀하십니다.
사장님이 말해요.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
께서 / 말씀하십니다 / 선생님 / .
부장님께서 ___.
할아버지께서 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises선생님께서 ___.
제가 사장님께 ___.
Find and fix the mistake:
제가 선생님께 말씀하십니다.
사장님이 말해요.
Match: 1. Teacher, 2. Self
께서 / 말씀하십니다 / 선생님 / .
부장님께서 ___.
할아버지께서 ___.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercisesThe boss is speaking.
주세요 / 다시 / 말씀해 / 한번
Match the pairs:
A: 교수님께서 뭐라고 하셨어? B: ...
오늘 작가님이 좋은 ___ 많이 해주셨어요! #팬미팅
사장님, 제가 말씀하셨어요.
Select the formal broadcast style.
말씀을 / 할머니께서는 / 하세요 / 항상 / 좋은
성함이 어떻게 ___?
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
No, that would sound sarcastic or overly formal.
말씀하시다 is for superiors; 말씀드리다 is for you speaking to them.
Yes, when using honorific verbs.
Yes, it is polite.
It might sound rude.
Yes, like 주무시다 (sleep) or 드시다 (eat).
Use 말씀하지 않으시다.
Yes, it is standard Korean.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
おっしゃる (ossharu)
Japanese has more complex levels of keigo.
Usted
Korean changes the verb itself.
Sie-form
Korean uses honorific verbs.
Vouvoiement
Korean uses honorific verb conjugation.
您 (nin)
Korean uses honorific verb suffixes.
Formal address
Korean uses honorific verb morphology.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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