A1 suffix 2 min read

~세요

A polite way to ask someone to do something or to give a command.

Practice it

Explanation at your level:

You use ~세요 to say 'please'. If you want to say 'please eat', you say '드세요'. It is very easy and makes you sound very kind to Korean people!

At this level, you learn that ~세요 is used for requests. You can use it to order food in a restaurant by saying 'Coffee주세요' (Please give me coffee). It is the most useful tool for your daily conversations.

Intermediate learners recognize that ~세요 is not just for commands, but also for suggestions. It acts as a bridge between a simple request and a formal instruction, making it the perfect choice for professional yet friendly communication.

At the B2 level, you understand the nuance of ~세요 versus ~십시오. While ~세요 is polite, it is still a directive. You learn to soften it further with words like '잠시만' (just a moment) to sound even more polished.

Advanced learners analyze the sociolinguistic impact of ~세요. It is essential for navigating Korean social hierarchies. You learn how to use it in written notices, formal emails, and public announcements where a balance of authority and politeness is required.

Mastery involves understanding the subtle shift from ~세요 to other endings like ~주세요 (doing a favor) versus ~시지요 (suggesting). You appreciate the historical weight of the honorific system and how ~세요 serves as the backbone of modern polite Korean discourse.

Word in 30 Seconds

  • Polite command suffix
  • Used for requests
  • Essential for daily life
  • Easy to conjugate

Think of ~세요 as the ultimate 'politeness button' in Korean. When you want to ask someone to do something, you don't just use the basic verb; you attach this suffix to make it sound kind and respectful.

It is widely used in daily life, from ordering coffee to asking a teacher for help. By using ~세요, you show that you value the other person's time and effort, which is a huge part of Korean culture.

The suffix ~세요 is a contraction of the honorific suffix ~시 (si) and the polite verb ending ~어요 (eoyo). The ~시 marker exists specifically to elevate the subject of the sentence, showing respect.

Historically, Korean society has been deeply influenced by Confucian values, which emphasize hierarchy and respect. Over centuries, language evolved to include these honorific layers to ensure social harmony. This evolution turned simple commands into polite requests, reflecting the cultural importance of maintaining 'face' and politeness in every interaction.

You use ~세요 with almost any verb stem. If the stem ends in a vowel, you simply add ~세요 (e.g., 가다 becomes 가세요). If it ends in a consonant, you add ~으세요 (e.g., 먹다 becomes 드세요/먹으세요).

It is the standard register for service workers, teachers, and acquaintances. While it is not the highest level of formality (which would be ~십시오), it is the most common and versatile way to express a polite request in modern, daily Korean society.

1. 안녕하세요 (Annyeonghaseyo): Literally 'Are you at peace?', used as 'Hello'.

2. 주세요 (Juseyo): 'Please give me', the most essential phrase for travelers.

3. 오세요 (Oseyo): 'Please come', used when welcoming guests.

4. 앉으세요 (Anjeuseyo): 'Please sit down', a sign of hospitality.

5. 조심하세요 (Josimhaseyo): 'Please be careful', a common way to show concern for others.

Grammatically, ~세요 functions as an imperative or a request. It is attached directly to the verb stem after removing the ~다 ending. It is not pluralized, as it is a suffix applied to the verb, not a noun.

In terms of pronunciation, the 's' sound is soft, similar to the 's' in 'see'. The 'yo' ending is short and friendly. When speaking, ensure you don't stress the 'se' too hard, or it might sound like a demand rather than a polite request. It rhymes with words like 'say-oh' or 'play-oh'.

Fun Fact

It combines the subject honorific marker 'si' with the polite 'eoyo'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /se.jo/

Soft 's' like 'see', 'yo' like 'yo-yo'

US /se.jo/

Clear 's', short 'o' sound

Common Errors

  • Hard 's'
  • Stress on 'yo'
  • Missing the 'eu' vowel

Rhymes With

say-oh may-oh lay-oh pay-oh day-oh

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to read

Writing 2/5

Easy to write

Speaking 2/5

Easy to say

Listening 2/5

Easy to hear

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

가다 먹다 하다

Learn Next

~지 마세요 ~십시오 ~시지요

Advanced

Honorifics Sociolinguistics

Grammar to Know

Honorific Suffix

가세요

Imperative

하세요

Prohibition

하지 마세요

Examples by Level

1

가세요.

Please go.

Verb stem + 세요

2

드세요.

Please eat.

Honorific verb

3

보세요.

Please look.

Verb stem + 세요

4

오세요.

Please come.

Verb stem + 세요

5

주세요.

Please give.

Request form

6

앉으세요.

Please sit.

Consonant stem + 으세요

7

읽으세요.

Please read.

Consonant stem + 으세요

8

사세요.

Please buy.

Verb stem + 세요

1

커피 주세요.

2

여기에 앉으세요.

3

천천히 말하세요.

4

내일 오세요.

5

이것을 보세요.

6

공부하세요.

7

운동하세요.

8

전화하세요.

1

잠시만 기다려 주세요.

2

이 문을 열어 주세요.

3

다시 한번 말씀해 주세요.

4

도와주세요.

5

여기에 이름을 쓰세요.

6

조용히 하세요.

7

책을 펴세요.

8

숙제를 하세요.

1

저를 따라오세요.

2

이 서류를 검토해 주세요.

3

회의에 참석하세요.

4

비밀을 지켜 주세요.

5

너무 걱정하지 마세요.

6

건강을 챙기세요.

7

최선을 다하세요.

8

기회를 잡으세요.

1

제안을 검토해 주시기 바랍니다.

2

상황을 정확히 파악하세요.

3

의견을 제시해 주세요.

4

규정을 준수하세요.

5

결정을 내려 주세요.

6

협조해 주셔서 감사합니다.

7

문제를 해결하세요.

8

방향을 설정하세요.

1

본인의 의사를 명확히 밝히세요.

2

심사숙고하여 결정하세요.

3

상호 존중을 실천하세요.

4

지속적인 노력을 기울이세요.

5

전통을 계승하세요.

6

혁신을 주도하세요.

7

지혜를 발휘하세요.

8

사태를 관망하세요.

Common Collocations

주세요
하세요
보세요
오세요
가세요
드세요
읽으세요
쓰세요
앉으세요
기다리세요

Idioms & Expressions

"맛있게 드세요"

Enjoy your meal

식사하세요, 맛있게 드세요!

polite

"조심히 가세요"

Go safely

오늘 고마웠어요, 조심히 가세요.

polite

"안녕히 계세요"

Stay in peace

먼저 갈게요, 안녕히 계세요.

polite

"안녕히 가세요"

Go in peace

나중에 봐요, 안녕히 가세요.

polite

"잠시만요"

Just a moment

잠시만요, 이것 좀 보세요.

polite

"수고하세요"

Keep up the good work

일 열심히 하세요, 수고하세요.

polite

Easily Confused

~세요 vs ~십시오

Both are polite

Degree of formality

가세요 vs 가십시오

~세요 vs ~어요

Both are common

Honorific level

해요 vs 하세요

~세요 vs ~지 마세요

Contains '세요'

Negative vs Positive

가세요 vs 가지 마세요

~세요 vs ~시지요

Similar ending

Suggestion vs Command

가세요 vs 가시지요

Sentence Patterns

A1

Object + 주세요

사과 주세요.

A2

Location + (으)세요

여기에 앉으세요.

B1

Adverb + Verb + 세요

천천히 말하세요.

B1

Time + Verb + 세요

내일 오세요.

B2

Negative + 세요

걱정하지 마세요.

Word Family

Nouns

세 age/count

Verbs

하다 to do

Related

~십시오 more formal version

How to Use It

frequency

10

Formality Scale

~십시오 (Formal) ~세요 (Polite) ~어요 (Casual-Polite) ~아/어 (Casual)

Common Mistakes

Using with superiors in formal settings → ~십시오
Too casual for formal speeches.
Adding to nouns directly → Verb + 세요
Must be attached to verbs.
Misusing irregular verbs → 만드세요 (not 만들세요)
Consonant rules apply.
Using for self → I do
It is for others, not self.
Forgetting honorifics → 드세요 instead of 먹으세요
Some verbs have honorific forms.

Tips

💡

Memory Palace

Imagine a polite butler saying '...seyo'.

💡

Native Speakers

They use it for everything from directions to orders.

🌍

Cultural Insight

Politeness is key in Korea.

💡

Grammar Shortcut

Remove 'da' and add 'seyo'.

💡

Say It Right

Keep it soft.

💡

Don't Make This Mistake

Don't use it for yourself.

💡

Did You Know?

It's the most common ending.

💡

Study Smart

Practice with food orders.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Say 'Say-yo' to be polite!

Visual Association

A person bowing while saying '...seyo'.

Word Web

Politeness Request Honorifics Korean culture

Challenge

Use '...세요' five times today.

Word Origin

Korean

Original meaning: Honorific command

Cultural Context

Can sound condescending if used toward a superior without proper context.

Roughly equivalent to adding 'please' to an imperative.

Used in almost every K-drama interaction.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Restaurant

  • 주세요
  • 드세요
  • 계산하세요

Directions

  • 가세요
  • 오세요
  • 보세요

Classroom

  • 읽으세요
  • 쓰세요
  • 공부하세요

Home

  • 앉으세요
  • 오세요
  • 쉬세요

Conversation Starters

"How do you use ~세요 in a restaurant?"

"When should you avoid using ~세요?"

"What is the difference between ~세요 and ~십시오?"

"Can you give me an example of a polite request?"

"Why is ~세요 important in Korean culture?"

Journal Prompts

Write five sentences using ~세요.

Describe a time you used ~세요 in a shop.

Explain why politeness matters in your language.

Compare ~세요 to 'please' in English.

Frequently Asked Questions

8 questions

It is polite, but not the most formal.

It might sound a bit distant.

Use ~지 마세요.

No, it is a suffix.

Yes, ~셨어요.

Yes, with a rising intonation.

To show respect.

No, it is very consistent.

Test Yourself

fill blank A1

물 ___ (please give water).

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 주세요

It is the polite request form.

multiple choice A2

Which is polite?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: 가세요

가세요 is the polite form.

true false B1

Is ~세요 used for yourself?

Correct! Not quite. Correct answer: False

It is for others.

match pairs B1

Word

Meaning

All matched!

Honorific verb forms.

sentence order B2

Tap words below to build the sentence
Correct! Not quite. Correct answer:

Standard polite command order.

Score: /5

Related Content

This Word in Other Languages

おねがいします Japanese
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