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Vocabulary
여쭈다

B1 verb #7,000 most common 8 min read

여쭈다

yeojuda Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 여쭈다 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 여쭈다 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn about the 'polite' way of speaking in Korean using '-yo'. You might not use '여쭈다' (yeojjuda) right away because it is a more advanced honorific word. However, it is good to know that in Korea, you cannot always use the same word for 'ask' with everyone. When you want to ask a question to your teacher or an older person, you usually learn '물어보세요' (mureoboseyo). '여쭈다' is like a 'super polite' version of that. Think of it as 'humbly asking.' Even at A1, you might hear your teacher say '여쭤보세요' when telling you to ask a grandmother something. Just remember: '묻다' is for friends, and '여쭈다' is for people you need to show a lot of respect to. You don't need to master all the conjugations yet, but recognizing the '여쭤-' sound as a polite way to ask will help you understand more when you listen to native speakers. It's one of those special words that makes Korean unique because it changes based on who you are talking to.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to understand the difference between 'subject honorifics' (like adding -si-) and 'object honorifics' (like using special words). '여쭈다' is an object honorific. This means it honors the person you are talking TO. If you are talking to a teacher, a boss, or an elderly person, you should try to use '여쭈어보다' (yeojjueoboda) instead of '물어보다' (mureoboda). A common phrase you can memorize is '여쭤볼 게 있어요' (I have something to ask you). This is much more natural and polite than '물어볼 게 있어요' when speaking to a superior. You should also start pairing '여쭈다' with the respect particle '께' (kke) instead of '에게' (ege). For example, '할아버지께 여쭤봤어요' (I asked my grandfather). At this level, focus on using it in simple past and present tense sentences. You are building the habit of recognizing social hierarchy through your choice of verbs, which is a vital skill for progressing in Korean. You will also notice that '여쭈다' often contracts to '여쭤' in daily conversation, so '여쭤봐요' is the most common form you will hear and use.

As a B1 learner, you should be using '여쭈다' (yeojjuda) comfortably in your daily interactions, especially in formal or semi-formal settings. You understand that '여쭈다' is the humble form of '묻다' and is used to show deference to the person being asked. You should be able to conjugate it into various forms like '여쭙고' (asking and...), '여쭈어보면' (if I ask...), and '여쭙겠습니다' (I will ask). This word is essential for office life in Korea. If you are working in a Korean company, you should never '묻다' to your manager; you should always '여쭈다'. You also start to see the nuance between '여쭈다' (to ask) and '말씀드리다' (to tell/say to a superior). Sometimes '여쭈다' is used even when you aren't asking a question with a question mark, but rather 'telling' a superior about a situation to get their feedback. You should also be aware of the variant '여쭙다' and realize it is often used in very formal contexts. At B1, your goal is to make '여쭈다' your 'default' verb whenever you are the one initiating a conversation with someone of higher status. This level of linguistic etiquette is what separates intermediate learners from beginners.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of when to use '여쭈다' versus other 'asking' verbs like '질문하다' (to question) or '문의하다' (to inquire). You understand that '여쭈다' is deeply personal and respectful, whereas '질문하다' is more about the academic or technical act of asking. You can use '여쭈다' in complex sentences and understand its role in 'Gekche Jondae' (Object Honorifics) perfectly. You should also be able to recognize it in various literary or formal contexts, such as '여쭙고자 합니다' (I wish to ask/inform you). You are also aware of social nuances—for instance, using '여쭈다' when speaking to a customer in a service environment to elevate them. You can navigate the tricky 'honorific mismatch' situations, such as knowing not to use '여쭈다' if a superior is the one asking you a question. Your speech should now reflect a natural grasp of Korean hierarchy, where '여쭈다' is used seamlessly without you having to think about the 'rule' behind it. You might also start using more sophisticated combinations like '말씀 좀 여쭙겠습니다' as a polite way to interrupt or start a conversation with a stranger or a superior.

At the C1 level, your use of '여쭈다' (yeojjuda) should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand the historical and cultural roots of humble verbs and how they function to maintain social harmony (Chemyon). You can identify the subtle difference in tone between '여쭈다' and '여쭙다', choosing the latter for high-formality settings like speeches or official reports. You are also proficient in using '여쭈다' in its various idiomatic and combined forms. You understand that '여쭈다' can sometimes mean 'to pay a visit to inform someone,' especially in older or more traditional contexts. You can handle complex honorific chains, such as talking to a superior about asking another superior ('부장님께 여쭤보라고 과장님께서 말씀하셨습니다'). Your understanding of the word extends to its usage in 'Sageuk' (historical dramas) versus modern corporate or family settings. You are sensitive to the 'over-use' of honorifics as well, knowing when '여쭈다' might sound too stiff if used in a modern, casual-but-polite friendship. You use the word not just as a grammatical requirement, but as a tool for social navigation and relationship management.

At the C2 level, you possess a profound mastery of '여쭈다' (yeojjuda) and the entire system of Korean honorifics. You can discuss the linguistic evolution of the word from its Middle Korean origins and how its usage has shifted in the 21st century. You are capable of using '여쭈다' in highly specialized contexts, such as formal diplomatic correspondence, high-level academic debates, or classical literature. You understand the psychological impact of using humble verbs—how they create a sense of distance and respect, and how that distance can be manipulated for rhetorical effect. You can analyze the use of '여쭈다' in literature to understand character relationships and social standing. You are also aware of the ongoing debates in Korea regarding the simplification of honorifics and can express complex opinions on whether words like '여쭈다' will maintain their relevance in a more egalitarian future society. Your command of the word is absolute, allowing you to use it with perfect precision to convey respect, humility, or professional distance in any imaginable scenario.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

여쭈다 in 30 Seconds

여쭈다 is the humble honorific for 'to ask' (묻다). It is used to show respect to the person you are questioning.
Use it with teachers, bosses, grandparents, and elderly strangers to avoid being rude and to show good manners.
It is often used as 여쭈어보다 or 여쭙다. Always pair it with the respect particle '께' instead of '에게'.
Never use it when a superior is asking you; it only applies when YOU are the one asking the superior.

The Korean verb 여쭈다 (yeojjuda) is a cornerstone of the Korean honorific system, specifically categorized as a 'humble verb' (객체 존대어). In English, we translate it simply as 'to ask' or 'to tell/inform,' but in the Korean linguistic landscape, it carries a heavy weight of social hierarchy and respect. It is the honorific counterpart to the plain verb 묻다 (mutda). When you use 여쭈다, you are not just performing the action of asking a question; you are consciously lowering your own social position while elevating the person you are speaking to. This is essential in a culture where age, professional rank, and social status dictate the very structure of a sentence.

Social Context: You use this word when the recipient of your question is a teacher, a grandparent, a boss, or even a stranger who appears significantly older than you. Using the plain '묻다' in these situations would be considered a major social faux pas, potentially coming across as rude or uneducated.

선생님, 한 가지 여쭈어봐도 될까요? (Teacher, may I ask you one thing?)

The nuance of 여쭈다 also extends to 'telling' or 'informing' a superior. For instance, if you need to report something to your manager, you might say you will '여쭈다' the matter to them. This dual meaning highlights that the word is less about the technicality of a question mark and more about the direction of communication: from a lower-status person to a higher-status person. In modern Seoul dialect, you will frequently hear the variation 여쭙다 (yeojjupda). Both are standard, but 여쭈다 is the primary dictionary form, while 여쭙다 is often preferred in formal speech patterns like 여쭙겠습니다.

Nuance of Humility: By choosing this verb, you are signaling, 'I recognize your superior status, and I am approaching you with the appropriate level of deference.' It is a linguistic bow.

부모님께 먼저 여쭈어보고 결정할게요. (I will ask my parents first and then decide.)

Understanding 여쭈다 is a gateway to understanding 'Gekche Jondae' (Object Honorifics). Unlike 'Si-gajie' (Subject Honorifics) which use the suffix '-si-' to honor the person doing the action, 'Gekche Jondae' changes the verb itself to honor the person receiving the action. This is why you would never use 여쭈다 when a teacher is asking you a question; in that case, the teacher is the subject, and you are the object. The teacher would simply '묻다' or '질문하다' to you. This distinction is vital for B1 level learners who are moving beyond basic polite endings into the complex web of social dynamics reflected in the Korean language.

Mastering the conjugation and placement of 여쭈다 requires an understanding of how it interacts with different speech levels. Because the word itself is humble, it is almost always paired with polite (-yo) or formal (-seumnida) endings. It would be highly contradictory to use a humble verb like 여쭈다 with an informal 'banmal' ending unless you are speaking to a close friend about a third party who is highly respected (e.g., 'I asked the professor').

Common Conjugations: 1. 여쭈어요 (Polite Present) - Often contracted to 여쭤요.
2. 여쭈었습니다 (Formal Past) - Often 여쭸습니다.
3. 여쭈어보면 (If you ask) - Often 여쭤보면.
4. 여쭈러 (In order to ask).

길을 잘 몰라서 어르신께 여쭈어보았습니다. (I didn't know the way, so I asked an elderly person.)

A frequent pattern is [Target Person] + 께 + 여쭈다. The particle 께 is the honorific version of 에게 (to). Using 에게 with 여쭈다 is grammatically inconsistent; if the person is high enough to deserve 여쭈다, they are high enough to deserve 께. Another common structure is '말씀 여쭈다,' which literally means 'to ask a word/speech,' used when you are about to interrupt someone or start a conversation with a superior.

사장님께 다음 일정에 대해 여쭙고 싶습니다. (I would like to ask the CEO about the next schedule.)

In more formal settings, like a business meeting or a job interview, the form 여쭙다 is more frequently used in its '-(으)려던' or '-고자' forms. For example, '여쭙고자 하는 말씀은...' (The thing I wish to ask is...). This elevates the professional tone of the conversation. Note that 여쭈다 is an irregular verb in some dialects, but in standard Korean, it follows the regular 'u' vowel conjugation patterns, though it often undergoes contraction in speech.

In South Korea, you will hear 여쭈다 in almost any environment that involves a hierarchy. In a corporate setting, a junior employee (사원) will almost always use it when speaking to a manager (과장님) or director (부장님). It isn't just about questions; it's about the entire flow of information. If a junior staff member needs to confirm a detail, they don't 'ask' (묻다), they '여쭈다'.

The Educational Setting: Students from elementary school all the way through graduate school use this word with their teachers and professors. It is the standard way to initiate a question during office hours or after a lecture.

교수님, 과제 제출 기한에 대해 여쭤봐도 되겠습니까? (Professor, may I ask about the assignment deadline?)

In family life, 여쭈다 is used when speaking to grandparents or elderly relatives. Even if the family is modern and casual, using 여쭈다 when asking about a grandparent's health or past experiences is seen as a sign of good upbringing (가정 교육). You will also hear this word frequently in historical dramas (사극), where the social hierarchy was even more rigid. Characters will say '여쭈어라' or '여쭙겠나이다' when addressing a king or a high-ranking official.

할머니께 진지 잡수셨는지 여쭈어보렴. (Go ask Grandma if she has had her meal.)

Another common place to hear this is in customer service. While the service provider is usually the one being asked, they might use 여쭈다 when they need to ask the customer a question, especially in high-end department stores or luxury hotels, to make the customer feel valued and respected. For example, '성함을 여쭤봐도 될까요?' (May I ask your name?). This usage effectively 'lowers' the staff member to 'elevate' the customer.

The most common mistake learners make with 여쭈다 is a misunderstanding of who it honors. In Korean honorifics, there are two types: those that honor the subject (the person doing the action) and those that honor the object (the person receiving the action). 여쭈다 is an object honorific. Therefore, you should never use it when a superior is asking you a question.

Mistake #1: Honoring the Wrong Person: Incorrect: '선생님이 나에게 여쭈셨다.' (The teacher asked me - Wrong use of humble verb).
Correct: '선생님이 나에게 물으셨다.' (The teacher asked me - Correct use of subject honorific '-si-').

저에게 여쭈어보세요 (X) -> 저에게 물어보세요 (O). (Please ask me.)

Another mistake is failing to use the correct particle. As mentioned before, 여쭈다 should be paired with 께, not 에게 or 한테. While '선생님한테 여쭤봤어요' is common in casual spoken Korean, it is technically a mismatch of honorific levels. For the highest level of naturalness and correctness, '선생님께 여쭤봤어요' is the way to go.

Learners also often confuse 여쭈다 with 여쭙다. While they are essentially the same, 여쭈다 is the standard dictionary entry. However, in modern usage, 여쭙다 is actually more frequent in formal settings (여쭙겠습니다). If you use 여쭈다 in a very formal setting, it might sound slightly less 'polished' than 여쭙다, but it is never 'wrong.' Finally, avoid using 여쭈다 with your younger siblings or friends; it will sound like you are being sarcastic or incredibly strange.

Mistake #2: Particle Mismatch: Using '에게' instead of '께'. Remember: 께 + 여쭈다 is the golden rule for formal respect.

To truly master 여쭈다, you must see where it fits in the spectrum of Korean 'asking' verbs. The choice depends entirely on who you are talking to and who you are talking about. Using the wrong one can change the entire mood of the conversation.

묻다 (Mutda): The basic, neutral word for 'to ask.' Used with friends, younger people, or people of equal status in casual settings. It focuses on the act of seeking information.
질문하다 (Jilmun-hada): To 'make a question.' This is more formal and academic. It's often used in classrooms or presentations. You can '질문하다' to a teacher, but '여쭈다' is more humble and personal.
여쭙다 (Yeojjupda): A variant of '여쭈다.' In modern Korean, this form is extremely common, especially in formal speech (여쭙겠습니다). It carries the same humble weight.

Compare:
1. 친구에게 물어봤어. (I asked a friend.)
2. 선생님께 여쭤봤어. (I asked the teacher.)

There is also 문의하다 (munui-hada), which means 'to inquire.' This is used in professional or business contexts, like calling a customer service center or emailing a department. It is neutral in terms of hierarchy but formal in style. If you are asking a specific person of high status, 여쭈다 is better; if you are asking an 'organization,' 문의하다 is better.

Lastly, consider 의논하다 (uinon-hada), which means 'to discuss/consult.' If your 'asking' involves seeking advice or making a decision together with a superior, 의논드리다 (the humble version of 의논하다) might be a more sophisticated choice than just 여쭈다. Choosing between these words shows your level of Korean proficiency and cultural awareness.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient times, '여쭈다' was used more broadly to mean 'to report to a king'. Today, it has softened to become the standard way to ask any superior a question.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /jʌ.t͈u.da/

US /jʌ.t͈u.dɑ/

In Korean, stress is generally even across syllables, but the 'jju' syllable naturally feels slightly more emphasized due to the tense consonant.

Rhymes With

부추다 (buchuda) 비추다 (bichuda) 맞추다 (matchuda) 감추다 (gamchuda) 멈추다 (meomchuda) 가두다 (gaduda) 거두다 (geoduda) 서두다 (seoduda)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'jju' as a soft 'ju' (like 'juice'). It must be tense.
Confusing it with 'yeojuda' (to give to a woman), which is a completely different meaning.
Mumbling the 'yeo' vowel so it sounds like 'ya' or 'eo'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize once you know the '여쭤' contraction.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of honorific particles like '께'.

Speaking 4/5

Natural usage requires understanding social hierarchy on the fly.

Listening 3/5

Commonly heard in polite society, easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

묻다 선생님 께 보다 질문

Learn Next

말씀드리다 뵙다 드리다 진지 연세

Advanced

고견 자문 의논 상소 함자

Grammar to Know

Object Honorifics (객체 존대)

Using '여쭈다' instead of '묻다' to honor the listener.

Honorific Particle '께'

선생님께 여쭤보다 (Correct) vs 선생님에게 여쭤보다 (Less natural).

Auxiliary Verb '-아/어 보다'

여쭤보다 (To try asking) makes the request sound softer.

Humble Noun '말씀'

말씀 여쭈다 (To ask a word/speech).

Formal Intent '-고자 하다'

여쭙고자 합니다 (I intend to ask).

Examples by Level

선생님께 여쭤봐요.

Ask the teacher.

여쭤봐요 is the polite 'ask' form.

할머니께 여쭈어보세요.

Please ask grandmother.

Use '께' with '여쭈다'.

이름을 여쭤봐도 돼요?

May I ask your name?

-아/어도 돼요 means 'may I'.

길을 여쭤봤어요.

I asked for directions (to an elder).

Past tense of 여쭈다.

어머니께 여쭤볼게요.

I will ask my mother.

-(으)ㄹ게요 indicates future intention.

저기... 말씀 좀 여쭤볼게요.

Excuse me... I have a question to ask.

A common way to start a question.

누구에게 여쭤봐요?

Who should I ask?

Using '누구' (who).

여쭤봐서 다행이에요.

I'm glad I asked.

-아/어서 다행이다 means 'it's a relief that...'

모르는 것이 있으면 선생님께 여쭤보세요.

If there is something you don't know, ask the teacher.

-(으)면 means 'if'.

부모님께 먼저 여쭈어보는 게 좋겠어요.

It would be good to ask your parents first.

-는 게 좋겠다 means 'it would be better to'.

사장님께 직접 여쭤봤습니다.

I asked the boss directly.

Formal past tense '-았습니다'.

나이를 여쭤보는 것은 실례예요.

Asking someone's age is rude.

-는 것은 means 'the act of doing something'.

시간을 여쭤봐도 될까요?

May I ask the time?

Polite request form.

할아버지께 안부를 여쭈었어요.

I asked my grandfather how he was doing.

안부를 여쭈다 is a set phrase for 'asking after someone'.

교수님께 여쭤보러 가요.

I'm going to ask the professor.

-(으)러 가다 means 'go in order to'.

여쭤볼 것이 한 가지 더 있습니다.

I have one more thing to ask.

Formal existence verb '있습니다'.

과장님께 회의 시간에 대해 여쭤봤나요?

Did you ask the manager about the meeting time?

B1 level workplace vocabulary (과장님).

어르신께 실례가 안 된다면 하나만 여쭤보겠습니다.

If it's not too rude, I'd like to ask the elderly person one thing.

Conditional and formal future tense.

결과를 여쭤보기가 조금 두려워요.

I'm a bit afraid to ask for the results.

-기(가) 두렵다 means 'to be afraid of doing'.

어디로 가야 하는지 행인에게 여쭤보았습니다.

I asked a passerby where I should go.

Indirect question '-는지'.

부모님께 허락을 여쭈어보는 것이 순서입니다.

Asking your parents for permission is the proper order.

Noun '순서' (order/sequence).

궁금한 점은 언제든지 여쭤보세요.

Please ask anytime if you have questions.

언제든지 means 'anytime'.

그분께 조언을 여쭈러 왔습니다.

I came to ask that person for advice.

조언 (advice) + 여쭈다.

선생님께 여쭤보지 않고 마음대로 결정했어요.

I decided on my own without asking the teacher.

-지 않고 means 'without doing'.

사장님께 이번 프로젝트의 방향에 대해 여쭙고자 합니다.

I intend to ask the CEO about the direction of this project.

-고자 하다 expresses formal intent.

전문가에게 의견을 여쭤보는 것이 가장 확실한 방법입니다.

Asking an expert for their opinion is the most certain way.

Superlative '가장' and '확실한 방법'.

어른들께 여쭤보지도 않고 그런 큰일을 저질렀니?

Did you do such a big thing without even asking the elders?

저지르다 (to commit/do something bad).

그 일은 담당자에게 직접 여쭤보시는 게 좋겠습니다.

It would be better for you to ask the person in charge directly about that.

Honorific '-si-' added to the listener's action.

말씀 여쭙기 송구스럽지만 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠습니까?

I'm sorry to ask, but could you explain it one more time?

송구스럽다 (to feel sorry/apologetic toward a superior).

할머니께서는 옛날이야기를 여쭤보면 아주 좋아하세요.

Grandmother really likes it when I ask her for old stories.

Topic marker '-께서는' for the subject.

내일 찾아뵙고 자세한 내용을 여쭙겠습니다.

I will visit you tomorrow and ask for the details.

찾아뵙다 (humble visit) + 여쭙다.

무엇을 여쭤봐야 할지 미리 정리해 두세요.

Please organize in advance what you need to ask.

-아/어 두다 (to do something in advance).

본인의 의사를 부모님께 여쭤본 후에 결정하는 것이 도리입니다.

It is one's duty to decide after asking one's parents' intentions.

도리 (duty/proper way).

그 교수님은 워낙 엄격하셔서 질문 하나 여쭙기도 쉽지 않다.

That professor is so strict that it's not easy even to ask one question.

워낙 (so/very) + 엄격하다 (strict).

장인어른께 결혼 승낙을 여쭙기 위해 찾아갔습니다.

I went to visit my father-in-law to ask for his permission to marry.

승낙 (permission/consent).

함자를 여쭤봐도 결례가 되지 않을지 모르겠습니다.

I don't know if it would be a breach of etiquette to ask your name.

함자 (honorific for name) + 결례 (breach of etiquette).

그는 스승님께 가르침을 여쭙고자 수백 리 길을 걸어왔다.

He walked hundreds of miles to ask for his master's teachings.

스승님 (master/teacher) + 가르침 (teachings).

회의 중에 불쑥 여쭙게 되어 대단히 죄송합니다.

I am very sorry for asking so suddenly during the meeting.

불쑥 (suddenly/abruptly).

상사에게 의견을 여쭈는 태도에서 그의 겸손함이 드러났다.

His humility was revealed in the way he asked his superior for an opinion.

겸손함 (humility) + 드러나다 (to be revealed).

어르신의 건강 상태를 여쭈어보는 것은 기본 예의에 속한다.

Asking about an elder's health belongs to basic etiquette.

~에 속하다 (to belong to).

선대부터 내려온 가훈의 진의를 조부님께 여쭈어보았다.

I asked my grandfather about the true meaning of the family motto passed down from our ancestors.

선대 (ancestors) + 가훈 (family motto) + 진의 (true meaning).

국가 중대사를 결정하기 전, 원로들에게 고견을 여쭙는 과정이 생략되었다.

Before deciding on a major national issue, the process of asking the elders for their high opinions was omitted.

중대사 (major issue) + 원로 (elders/senior statesmen) + 고견 (high opinion).

학계의 권위자에게 이론의 허점에 대해 여쭙는 것은 큰 용기가 필요하다.

Asking an authority in the academic world about a flaw in their theory requires great courage.

권위자 (authority) + 허점 (flaw/weak point).

임금께 상소를 올리기 전, 대신들에게 먼저 여쭈어 의견을 조율했다.

Before submitting a petition to the King, they first asked the ministers to coordinate their opinions.

상소 (petition to the King) + 조율하다 (to coordinate/tune).

생면부지의 사람에게 사적인 질문을 여쭈는 것은 극히 무례한 행동이다.

Asking personal questions to a total stranger is an extremely rude act.

생면부지 (total stranger) + 극히 (extremely).

역사의 산증인들에게 그날의 진실을 여쭈어 기록으로 남겼다.

I asked the living witnesses of history about the truth of that day and left it as a record.

산증인 (living witness).

종교적 지도자에게 삶의 본질에 대해 여쭙고자 하는 이들이 줄을 이었다.

There was a long line of people wishing to ask the religious leader about the essence of life.

본질 (essence) + 줄을 잇다 (to form a long line).

예법에 어긋나지 않게 조심스럽게 말씀을 여쭈었다.

I carefully asked my words so as not to violate the rules of etiquette.

예법 (etiquette rules) + 어긋나다 (to go against).

Common Collocations

안부를 여쭈다

길을 여쭈다

의견을 여쭈다

허락을 여쭈다

말씀 좀 여쭐게요

성함을 여쭈다

나이를 여쭈다

가르침을 여쭈다

진의를 여쭈다

비결을 여쭈다

Common Phrases

여쭤볼 게 있어요

— I have something to ask you. Very common and polite.

선생님, 여쭤볼 게 있어요.

여쭤봐도 될까요?

— May I ask? The standard way to seek permission to ask a question.

잠시 여쭤봐도 될까요?

말씀 여쭙겠습니다

— I will ask/tell you something. Very formal introduction.

부장님, 말씀 여쭙겠습니다.

여쭤보길 잘했다

— It's good that I asked. Expressing relief.

역시 여쭤보길 잘했어요.

안 물어보고 여쭤봤어요

— I didn't ask (casually), I asked (respectfully). Emphasizing the effort of respect.

그냥 안 물어보고 예의 있게 여쭤봤어요.

하나만 더 여쭐게요

— I will ask just one more thing. Polite follow-up.

죄송한데 하나만 더 여쭐게요.

누구에게 여쭤볼까요?

— Who should I ask? Seeking the right person to respect.

이 문제는 누구에게 여쭤볼까요?

미리 여쭤봤어야 했는데

— I should have asked in advance. Expressing regret.

미리 여쭤봤어야 했는데 죄송합니다.

자세히 여쭤보세요

— Please ask in detail. Advice to someone else.

의사 선생님께 자세히 여쭤보세요.

여쭤보는 게 예의다

— Asking is the polite thing to do. Cultural rule.

어른께는 먼저 여쭤보는 게 예의예요.

Often Confused With

여쭈다 vs 묻다

묻다 is neutral; 여쭈다 is humble. You use 묻다 for friends and 여쭈다 for superiors.

여쭈다 vs 질문하다

질문하다 is 'to make a question' (academic/formal); 여쭈다 is 'to ask a person' (personal/respectful).

여쭈다 vs 말씀드리다

말씀드리다 is 'to tell/say' (humble); 여쭈다 is 'to ask' (humble). They are often used together.

Idioms & Expressions

"입을 떼어 여쭈다"

— To finally open one's mouth to ask something difficult.

겨우 입을 떼어 여쭈어 보았습니다.

Literary

"무릎을 맞대고 여쭈다"

— To ask while sitting close together, implying a deep or serious consultation.

선생님과 무릎을 맞대고 진로를 여쭈었다.

Nuanced

"뼈 있는 말을 여쭈다"

— To ask something that has a hidden, sharp, or significant meaning.

그는 상사에게 뼈 있는 질문을 여쭈었다.

Idiomatic

"굽실거리며 여쭈다"

— To ask while bowing or acting overly subservient.

그는 사장에게 굽실거리며 여쭈었다.

Negative connotation

"조심스레 여쭈다"

— To ask very cautiously and carefully.

조심스레 안부를 여쭈었습니다.

Common

"단도직입적으로 여쭈다"

— To ask point-blank or directly (yet still respectfully).

단도직입적으로 여쭤보겠습니다.

Formal

"지나가는 말로 여쭈다"

— To ask something in passing or casually (but to a superior).

지나가는 말로 여쭤봤는데 진짜라고 하시네요.

Casual-Respectful

"어렵게 여쭈다"

— To ask with great difficulty (due to nervousness or the weight of the topic).

부모님께 어렵게 여쭈어 보았습니다.

Emotional

"다짜고짜 여쭈다"

— To ask suddenly without any preamble.

다짜고짜 여쭤봐서 당황하셨죠?

Informal

"입을 모아 여쭈다"

— For many people to ask the same thing together to a superior.

학생들이 입을 모아 교수님께 여쭈었다.

Collective

Easily Confused

여쭈다 vs 여쭙다

It sounds almost identical and has the same meaning.

여쭈다 is the standard dictionary form; 여쭙다 is a common variant often used in very formal speech.

여쭈어보다 vs 여쭙겠습니다.

여쭈다 vs 물어보다

Both mean 'to try asking'.

물어보다 is for peers/subordinates; 여쭤보다 is for superiors. It's a matter of social hierarchy.

친구에게 물어봐 vs 선생님께 여쭤봐.

여쭈다 vs 문의하다

Both involve seeking information.

문의하다 is an official inquiry to an organization; 여쭈다 is a respectful question to a specific person.

회사에 문의하다 vs 사장님께 여쭈다.

여쭈다 vs 들다

Both are irregular in some forms.

들다 means 'to lift' or 'to enter'; 여쭈다 is only for asking. No semantic overlap.

N/A

여쭈다 vs 엿보다

Similar starting sound 'yeot-'.

엿보다 means 'to peep' or 'to steal a glance'; 여쭈다 is to ask. Very different meanings!

방 안을 엿보다 vs 부모님께 여쭈다.

Sentence Patterns

[Person]께 여쭤봐요.

엄마께 여쭤봐요.

[Person]께 여쭤봐도 돼요?

선생님께 여쭤봐도 돼요?

[Person]께 [Topic]에 대해 여쭤보다.

사장님께 일정에 대해 여쭤봤어요.

말씀 좀 여쭤볼게요.

저기요, 말씀 좀 여쭤볼게요.

여쭤보고 싶은 것이 있습니다.

교수님, 여쭤보고 싶은 것이 있습니다.

여쭙기 송구스럽지만...

여쭙기 송구스럽지만 다시 말씀해 주세요.

[Person]께 가르침/의견을 여쭈다.

박사님께 의견을 여쭈었습니다.

[Person]께 고견을 여쭙고자 합니다.

장관님께 고견을 여쭙고자 합니다.

Word Family

Nouns

여쭘 (The act of asking humbly)

Verbs

여쭈어보다 (To try asking humbly)

여쭙다 (Variant form of 여쭈다)

묻다 (Plain form)

질문하다 (To question)

말씀드리다 (To tell humbly)

뵙다 (To see/meet humbly)

드리다 (To give humbly)

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily polite conversation and workplace Korean.

Common Mistakes

Using '에게' with 여쭈다. → 선생님께 여쭤봤어요.
Since '여쭈다' is an honorific verb, it should be paired with the honorific particle '께'. Using '에게' is grammatically inconsistent.
Using 여쭈다 when a superior asks you. → 선생님이 저에게 물어보셨어요.
You cannot use a humble verb to describe a superior's action toward you. Use '묻다' with the honorific suffix '-si-'.
Using 여쭈다 with friends. → 친구에게 물어봤어.
Humble verbs are for superiors. Using them with friends sounds overly formal, sarcastic, or simply incorrect.
Confusing '여쭈다' with '말씀드리다' for every situation. → 질문은 여쭙고, 이야기는 말씀드려요.
While they are both humble, '여쭈다' is specifically for asking, while '말씀드리다' is for telling. Don't use them interchangeably without thought.
Adding '-si-' to 여쭈다 (여쭈시다). → 여쭈다.
You don't need to add the subject honorific '-si-' to a humble verb that already honors the object, unless you are talking about a respected person asking an even MORE respected person.

Tips

The Humble Bow

When using '여쭈다', native speakers often slightly tilt their head or bow. The word itself is a linguistic bow, so your body language should match the respect.

The '께' Rule

Always pair '여쭈다' with '께'. Using '에게' or '한테' with it is like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops—the levels don't match!

Soften with '-보다'

Instead of just '여쭈다', use '여쭤보다'. The '-아/어 보다' (to try) makes the question sound less demanding and more like a gentle request.

Office Hierarchy

In a Korean office, if you aren't sure which verb to use, '여쭈다' is always the safest bet when speaking to anyone with a title (Manager, Director, etc.).

The Tense 'JJ'

Make sure to emphasize the double 'jj' in '여쭈다'. It should be a strong, tense sound. If it's too soft, it might be misunderstood.

Family First

Use '여쭈다' with your Korean in-laws or grandparents. Even if they tell you to be casual, using this word occasionally shows you respect their position in the family.

Formal Reports

When writing a formal report or email to a professor, use the form '여쭙고자 합니다' to express your intent to ask a question.

Identify the Target

If you hear '여쭈다', you immediately know that the person being asked is someone respected. It's a great clue for understanding social dynamics in dramas.

Don't Honor Yourself

Never say '선생님이 저에게 여쭈셨어요'. This is a common learner error. The humble verb '여쭈다' is only for YOUR action toward a superior.

Set Phrases

Memorize '안부를 여쭈다' (to ask after someone's health/well-being). It's a very common and useful set phrase for social interactions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Yeo' as 'Your' and 'Jju' as 'Jewel'. When you 'Yeo-jju-da', you are treating the person's answer like a 'Jewel' that you are asking for respectfully.

Visual Association

Imagine yourself bowing slightly while holding a question mark with both hands, presenting it to a teacher.

Word Web

묻다 (Plain) 께 (Particle) 선생님 (Target) 존대말 (Honorific) 겸양어 (Humble word) 여쭙다 (Variant) 여쭤보다 (Common form) 질문 (Question)

Challenge

Try to use '여쭤봐도 될까요?' at least three times today when asking someone for help or information, even if you are speaking English, just to get the 'feel' of the respect it conveys.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Korean '엿주다' (yeot-juda). The 'yeot-' part is related to 'showing' or 'informing', and 'juda' is 'to give'.

Original meaning: To 'give' a word or information to a superior; to show one's thoughts to a higher person.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Never use '여쭈다' for yourself (e.g., 'The teacher asked me' using 여쭈다 is wrong). It always honors the OTHER person.

English speakers often struggle with the lack of a direct 'humble' verb for 'ask'. The closest equivalent is using 'May I humbly ask' or 'Would you mind if I ask', but '여쭈다' is much more integrated into the grammar.

Often used in Sageuk (historical dramas) when a subject speaks to a King. Commonly taught in 'Global Manners' classes for Korean business employees. A key vocabulary word in TOPIK II (Test of Proficiency in Korean) exams.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School

선생님께 여쭤봐
교수님께 여쭤볼게요
모르는 걸 여쭤보자
질문 여쭤봐도 돼요?

Office

부장님께 여쭤보겠습니다
의견을 여쭤보고 싶습니다
여쭤볼 것이 있습니다
잠시 말씀 여쭐까요?

Home

할머니께 안부 여쭈어라
부모님께 여쭤봤니?
어른들께 여쭤봐야지
먼저 여쭈어보고 할게요

Street

어르신, 길 좀 여쭐게요
말씀 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?
성함을 여쭤봐도 될까요?
잠시만 여쭐게요

Customer Service

고객님, 성함을 여쭤봐도 될까요?
무엇을 여쭤보고 싶으신가요?
담당자에게 여쭤봐 드릴게요
불편한 점을 여쭤보겠습니다

Conversation Starters

"선생님, 실례지만 한 가지 여쭤봐도 될까요? (Teacher, excuse me but may I ask you one thing?)"

"부모님께 이 문제에 대해 여쭤보신 적 있나요? (Have you ever asked your parents about this issue?)"

"사장님께 휴가 계획을 언제 여쭤보는 게 좋을까요? (When would be a good time to ask the boss about vacation plans?)"

"한국 문화에서 어른께 여쭤볼 때 주의할 점이 있나요? (Are there things to watch out for when asking an elder in Korean culture?)"

"혹시 길을 잘 아시면 하나만 여쭤봐도 될까요? (If you know the way well, may I ask you just one thing?)"

Journal Prompts

오늘 선생님이나 상사에게 여쭤본 것들에 대해 써 보세요. (Write about the things you asked your teacher or boss today.)

부모님께 평소에 여쭤보고 싶었지만 못 했던 질문이 있나요? (Is there a question you wanted to ask your parents but couldn't?)

한국어로 '여쭈다'를 사용했을 때 어떤 기분이 들었는지 적어 보세요. (Write about how you felt when you used 'yeojjuda' in Korean.)

어른들께 안부를 여쭈어보는 것이 왜 중요한지 본인의 생각을 적으세요. (Write your thoughts on why it's important to ask after elders.)

내가 만약 사장님이라면, 직원들이 나에게 어떻게 여쭤보는 것이 좋을까요? (If I were a boss, how would I want my employees to ask me things?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. It will sound very strange or sarcastic because you are being 'too humble' to someone who is your equal. Use '묻다' or '물어보다' instead.

Mostly yes, but it can also mean 'to tell/inform' a superior in a humble way, similar to '말씀드리다'. For example, 'I will go and 여쭈다 (tell) my father about this.'

They are essentially the same. '여쭈다' is the primary dictionary form, but '여쭙다' is very common in formal speech (e.g., 여쭙겠습니다). You can use either, but '여쭈다' is safer for general polite conversation.

You should always try to use '께'. It is the honorific version of '에게' (to). Since '여쭈다' is an honorific verb, it matches perfectly with '께'. '선생님께 여쭤보세요' is the correct way.

Yes, '여쭤봐요' is the contracted and most common polite form of '여쭈어봐요'. It's what you will hear 90% of the time in daily life.

No. A teacher has a higher status. A teacher would use '묻다' or '물어보다' to a student. If a teacher uses '여쭈다', they are being very humble, which is unusual in a classroom.

You can say: '실례지만 말씀 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?' (Excuse me, but may I ask you something?) This is a perfect, natural phrase.

In some dialects it behaves differently, but in Standard Korean, it is treated as a regular verb. However, the variant '여쭙다' follows the 'p-irregular' pattern in some conjugations.

Yes, if you are asking an elderly person on the street. It shows you have very good manners. '어르신, 길 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?'

It's better to avoid it. While it's not a 'bad word', '여쭤볼게요' shows much more respect and professionalism. In a Korean company, '여쭈다' is the standard.