Meaning
Requesting a specific food item.
Cultural Background
In Korean restaurants, it is common to shout '저기요!' (Excuse me!) followed by '주세요' to get the server's attention. It's not considered rude. When receiving the item you asked for, it is polite to use both hands, especially if the person giving it is older. Using '좀' (a little) with '주세요' can make you sound more friendly and might even get you a small discount or extra food. Side dishes (banchan) are refillable. You can ask for more using '더 주세요'.
The Magic Word '좀'
Add '좀' (jom) before '주세요' to sound 100% more natural. It's like saying 'could you please' instead of just 'please'.
Don't be too casual
Never say '줘' to a waiter or a teacher. It's considered very rude in Korea.
Meaning
Requesting a specific food item.
The Magic Word '좀'
Add '좀' (jom) before '주세요' to sound 100% more natural. It's like saying 'could you please' instead of just 'please'.
Don't be too casual
Never say '줘' to a waiter or a teacher. It's considered very rude in Korea.
Pointing is okay
In Korea, pointing at a menu item while saying '이거 주세요' is perfectly acceptable and very helpful for beginners.
Quantity matters
Learn the counters! '한 개' (one item), '한 잔' (one glass), '한 병' (one bottle) to use with '주세요'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank to order water.
물 (____).
To request an item, you use '주세요'.
Which is the most polite way to order in a restaurant?
비빔밥 (____).
'주세요' is the standard polite form for public places.
Complete the dialogue at a cafe.
A: 뭐 드릴까요? (What can I get you?) B: 커피 한 잔 (____).
The customer responds with '주세요' to a polite offer.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want a plastic bag at a store.
'봉투' means bag.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels of 'Give'
Practice Bank
4 exercises물 (____).
To request an item, you use '주세요'.
비빔밥 (____).
'주세요' is the standard polite form for public places.
A: 뭐 드릴까요? (What can I get you?) B: 커피 한 잔 (____).
The customer responds with '주세요' to a polite offer.
You want a plastic bag at a store.
'봉투' means bag.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, for actions you must use the 'V-아/어 주세요' pattern. '주세요' alone is only for nouns (objects).
Yes, it is generally polite enough, but '주십시오' is safer in very formal business settings.
Just point and say '이거 주세요' (I-geo juseyo), which means 'Please give me this'.
No, '주세요' already includes the 'please' nuance through its polite conjugation.
'주세요' is more respectful because it contains the honorific '-시-'. '줘요' is polite but more casual.
Add '더' (deo) before '주세요'. For example, '물 더 주세요' (More water, please).
With close friends, you should drop the '-세요' and just say '줘'.
It literally means 'a little', but in requests, it's a filler that softens the tone to make it sound more natural.
Yes, but they often use different honorific endings like '주십시요' or '줍데다' depending on the region.
Yes, buttons on apps often say '주문하기' (Order), but in chat support, you would use '주세요'.
Related Phrases
부탁합니다
similarI request/Please
드릴까요?
contrastShall I give you...?
주십시오
specialized formPlease give me (formal)
줘
specialized formGive me (informal)
가져다 주세요
builds onPlease bring it to me
