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A1 pronoun 7 min read

저희

jeohui

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 저희 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 저희 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '저희' is introduced as the polite way to say 'we'. Learners are taught that Korean has two ways to say 'we' depending on who you are talking to. For A1 students, the focus is on self-introduction and basic identifying sentences. You use '저희' when you are with a friend or colleague and you are introducing yourselves to a teacher or a new acquaintance in a formal setting. For example, '저희는 학생입니다' (We are students). At this stage, the most important rule is to pair '저희' with polite endings like '-예요/이에요' or '-습니다'. Learners also begin to see '저희' used as 'our' in phrases like '저희 학교' (our school) when talking to someone who doesn't go to that school. The concept of 'lowering oneself' is introduced as a fundamental part of Korean social etiquette, helping A1 learners understand that language choice reflects respect.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of '저희' to describe daily routines and possessions within a group. You will learn to use '저희' with various particles like '-가' (subject), '-를' (object), and '-의' (possessive). A common A2 context is talking about your family to a superior. Since your family is an extension of yourself, you use the humble '저희 가족' (our family) when speaking to a boss or an older stranger. This level also clarifies the distinction between '우리' and '저희'—specifically that '저희' excludes the listener. If you and your friend are talking to a waiter, you use '저희' to refer to your order. '저희 비빔밥 두 개 주세요' (Please give us two bibimbaps). This reinforces the 'in-group vs. out-group' dynamic that is so central to Korean communication.

At the B1 level, '저희' becomes a tool for professional and social navigation. Learners are expected to use '저희' naturally in workplace scenarios or when participating in community events. You'll use it to refer to your company ('저희 회사'), your department ('저희 부서'), or your team ('저희 팀'). At this level, the nuance of 'humble possession' is explored more deeply. For instance, when giving a presentation, a B1 learner should consistently use '저희' to refer to their group's research or findings. This demonstrates an understanding of 'Gong-gyeok' (public/formal respect). B1 learners also start to recognize '저희' in more complex sentence structures, such as those involving honorific verbs like '드리다' (to give - humble), as in '저희가 선물을 준비해 드렸습니다' (We prepared a gift for you).

At the B2 level, the focus shifts to the subtle social implications and the 'correctness' of '저희'. Learners explore the debate surrounding '저희 나라' (our country) and why many Koreans are taught to use '우리 나라' instead, even in formal settings. B2 learners study how '저희' functions in public speaking and media, noting how news anchors or public figures use it to create a sense of professional humility while maintaining authority. You will also learn to handle '저희들' (we - plural emphasis) in more emotive or emphatic contexts. This level requires the ability to switch between '우리' and '저희' fluidly as the social context changes within a single conversation—for example, talking to a group of friends (우리) about a meeting you had with a client (저희).

At the C1 level, '저희' is analyzed through a sociolinguistic lens. Learners examine how the use of '저희' has evolved and how it reflects Korean values of harmony and hierarchy. You will encounter '저희' in literature and formal speeches where it is used rhetorically to align the speaker with a specific group while showing extreme deference to the audience. C1 learners are also expected to recognize when '저희' is used ironically or when its absence is intentional to assert power. The study of '저희' at this level includes its use in historical contexts or specialized honorific systems used in traditional ceremonies. You'll understand the psychological distance created by '저희' and how it can be used to manage social boundaries effectively in high-stakes negotiations or diplomatic settings.

At the C2 level, mastery of '저희' involves an intuitive grasp of its most subtle applications and the ability to critique its usage in various dialects or historical texts. C2 learners can identify hyper-corrections where '저희' is used inappropriately (such as lowering a group that should not be lowered) and understand the linguistic evolution of the plural suffix '-희'. You will be able to discuss the philosophical underpinnings of humble pronouns in East Asian languages and compare '저희' with similar constructs in Japanese or Chinese. At this level, the use of '저희' is no longer just about following rules; it's about using the pronoun to craft a specific persona or to navigate the most complex social hierarchies in Korean society with the grace of a native speaker.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

저희 in 30 Seconds

저희 is the humble form of 'we' in Korean, used to show respect to the listener by lowering the speaker's group.
It is commonly used in professional settings, service industries, and when speaking to teachers or elders.
Crucially, 저희 excludes the listener. Do not use it if the person you are talking to is part of the 'we'.
While often used for 'our country' (저희 나라) with foreigners, '우리 나라' is the standard preferred form.

The Korean word 저희 (Jeohui) is the humble first-person plural pronoun, translating to 'we' or 'us' in English. Unlike the English 'we,' which remains constant regardless of the social hierarchy, Korean pronouns are deeply embedded in the culture of respect and humility. When you use 저희, you are intentionally lowering yourself and your group to show respect to the person you are speaking to. This is the plural counterpart to 저 (jeo), the humble form of 'I.' In a society where social status and age play a pivotal role in communication, knowing when to switch from the standard 'we' (우리 - Uri) to the humble 'we' (저희) is a hallmark of linguistic fluency and cultural sensitivity.

Core Concept: Self-lowering collectivism. It represents 'us' in a way that acknowledges the listener's higher or formal status.

안녕하세요, 저희는 미국에서 온 대학생들입니다. (Hello, we are university students from America.)

The usage of 저희 is most prevalent in formal settings, such as business meetings, presentations, or when speaking to customers. If you are a shop owner greeting a customer, you would refer to your shop as 저희 가게 (our shop) rather than 우리 가게 to maintain a professional and respectful distance. Similarly, when a group of students speaks to a professor, they would refer to themselves as 저희. It is important to note that you should never use 저희 when the person you are talking to is part of that 'we.' For example, if you are talking to your brother about your family, you use 우리 because he is included in the group. Using 저희 would imply you are lowering both yourself and your brother to... well, your brother, which makes no sense.

Social Context: Used when the listener is older, higher in rank, or a stranger in a formal environment.

저희 부모님께서 선생님을 뵙고 싶어 하십니다. (Our parents wish to see you, teacher.)

Using 저희 (Jeohui) correctly involves pairing it with the appropriate particles and ensuring the rest of the sentence matches the formal or polite register. Because 저희 is a humble pronoun, it is almost exclusively used with polite sentence endings like -아요/어요 or formal endings like -습니다. Mixing 저희 with casual 'Banmal' (like ending a sentence with -어/야) creates a linguistic clash—you are being humble in your pronoun but rude in your verb ending.

With Topic Marker (는): 저희는 (Jeohui-neun): Used when introducing the group or contrasting the group with others. 'As for us...'

저희는 아직 점심을 안 먹었습니다. (We [humbly] have not eaten lunch yet.)

When 저희 is used as a possessive (meaning 'our'), the possessive particle 의 (ui) is often attached: 저희의. However, in spoken Korean, 의 is frequently dropped, leaving just 저희 to function as 'our.' This is very common when referring to one's company (저희 회사), one's home (저희 집), or one's family (저희 가족). Using 'my' (제/내) for these collective entities is actually less common in Korea than using 'our' (저희/우리), reflecting the culture's emphasis on the group over the individual.

With Subject Marker (가): 저희가 (Jeohui-ga): Used when 'we' are the ones performing the action, often emphasizing the subject.

이 부분은 저희가 직접 준비하겠습니다. (We will prepare this part ourselves.)

You will hear 저희 (Jeohui) in almost every professional or service-oriented interaction in South Korea. If you walk into a department store, the staff will use 저희 to refer to the store's policies or staff. In a restaurant, the server might say, "저희 가게에서 가장 인기 있는 메뉴입니다" (This is the most popular menu item in our shop). Here, the use of 저희 establishes a polite boundary between the service provider (the 'we' who is humble) and the customer (the 'you' who is being served).

In Corporate Culture: Employees always use 저희 when speaking to clients or bosses about their team's progress. It conveys professionalism and corporate humility.

저희 팀은 이번 프로젝트에 최선을 다하고 있습니다. (Our team is doing its best on this project.)

Another common place to hear 저희 is on the news or in public announcements. News anchors use 저희 to refer to the broadcasting station or the news team. However, there is a fascinating linguistic debate regarding the phrase 저희 나라 (our country). While many Koreans naturally use 저희 나라 when speaking to foreigners to be polite, language purists and the National Institute of the Korean Language suggest that 우리 나라 is more appropriate. The logic is that one should not 'lower' their own country, even for the sake of humility. Despite this, you will still hear 저희 나라 frequently in daily conversation with foreigners.

In Weddings and Events: Hosts will use 저희 to refer to the couple or the organizing families, thanking the guests for attending.

The most common mistake learners make with 저희 (Jeohui) is using it when the listener is included in the 'we.' This is a logical error in the Korean honorific system. If you are talking to your spouse about your shared house, you must use 우리 집. If you say 저희 집 to your spouse, it sounds like you are excluding them from the ownership of the house and being weirdly formal with your own partner. Humility is only directed outward to someone not in the group, or upward to someone of higher status.

Mistake 1: Including the Listener: Saying 저희 to a group member. Correct: 우리 같이 가요 (Let's go together). Incorrect: 저희 같이 가요 (unless talking to a 3rd party about your group).

[Wrong]: (To a classmate) 저희 공부할까요?
[Right]: 우리 공부할까요? (Shall we study?)

Another mistake is the 'hyper-correction' of referring to the nation. As mentioned before, 저희 나라 is technically considered incorrect by the National Institute of the Korean Language. While it's meant to be humble, the standard rule is that you don't lower your country, your people, or your language (우리말) to foreigners. Use 우리 나라 (Our country) instead. Finally, avoid using 저희 in casual settings with friends. Using humble language with close friends can actually sound sarcastic or create an uncomfortable social distance, making you seem cold or overly stiff.

Mistake 2: Mixing Registers: Using 저희 with 반말 (informal endings). Example: 저희가 했어 (Incorrect). Use 저희가 했습니다 or 우리가 했어.

Understanding 저희 (Jeohui) requires a clear comparison with its counterparts. The primary alternative is 우리 (Uri). While both mean 'we,' the choice between them defines your relationship with the listener. 우리 is neutral and inclusive. It is used with friends, family (internally), and in general contexts where humility isn't required. In fact, 우리 is one of the most important words in the Korean language, reflecting the 'Uri-ism' (collectivism) of the culture.

저희 vs. 우리

저희: Humble, excludes the listener, used in formal/polite settings.
우리: Neutral/Plain, can include the listener, used in casual/standard settings.

You might also encounter 저희들 (Jeohuideul). The suffix -들 is a plural marker. Since 저희 is already plural, 저희들 is technically redundant, but it is used to specifically emphasize 'each and every one of us' or to clearly delineate the group as a collective entity. For example, '저희들끼리' means 'just among ourselves (humbly).' In contrast, when referring to 'you all' in a humble or polite way, you wouldn't use 저희; you would use 여러분 (everyone) or 당신들 (though '당신' is tricky). There is no 'humble you' pronoun that functions exactly like 저희; instead, titles and positions are used to show respect to the listener.

[Comparison]:
A: 우리 내일 만날까? (Casual: Shall we meet tomorrow?)
B: 저희 내일 찾아뵙겠습니다. (Formal: We will visit you [humbly] tomorrow.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The suffix '-희' is an ancient plural marker that only survives in a few words today, like '너희' (you plural) and '저희' (we humble). For most other nouns, '-들' is the modern plural marker.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /t͡ɕʌ.ɦɥi/

US /dʒʌ.hi/

Stress is equal on both syllables, though the second syllable '희' may be slightly shorter in fast speech.

Rhymes With

너희 (neohui) 저희 (jeohui) 회의 (hoe-ui) 전의 (jeon-ui) 동의 (dong-ui) 주의 (ju-ui) 편의 (pyeon-ui) 정의 (jeong-ui)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'eo' like 'oh' (it should be more open).
Pronouncing 'hui' like 'hoo-ee' (it's a single diphthong).
Confusing the spelling with '저히' (incorrect).
Over-emphasizing the 'h' sound.
Pronouncing it exactly like 'Je-hi'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Easy to recognize as it is a common pronoun.

Writing 2/5

Requires remembering the 'eo' and 'ui' vowels.

Speaking 3/5

Difficult to master the social context of when to use it vs '우리'.

Listening 1/5

Very common in polite speech, easily identifiable.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

저 (I - humble) 우리 (We - plain) 사람 (Person) 학생 (Student) 회사 (Company)

Learn Next

들 (Plural marker) 분 (Polite person marker) 께서 (Honorific subject marker) 드리다 (Humble give) 뵙다 (Humble meet)

Advanced

본인 (Self) 각자 (Each person) 일동 (All members) 상대방 (Other party) 귀사 (Your company - formal)

Grammar to Know

Subject Marker '가' with '저희'

저희가 (We - subject) vs 저희는 (We - topic)

Possessive '의' dropping

저희의 집 -> 저희 집 (Our house)

Humble vs Plain Register

저희 (Humble) pairs with -요/-습니다; 우리 (Plain) pairs with -어/-아.

Plural Marker '-들'

저희들 (Specifically emphasizes the group members).

Honorific Agreement

Using 저희 often requires using honorific verbs for the listener.

Examples by Level

저희는 학생입니다.

We are students.

저희 (Humble we) + 는 (Topic marker).

저희 집은 서울에 있어요.

Our house is in Seoul.

저희 (Our) + 집 (House).

저희 어머니는 선생님이세요.

Our mother is a teacher.

Using 저희 to refer to one's own mother when speaking to a superior.

저희가 도와드릴까요?

Shall we help you?

저희 + 가 (Subject marker) + 도와드리다 (to help - humble).

저희 학교는 아주 커요.

Our school is very big.

저희 functions as 'our' here.

저희는 친구예요.

We are friends.

저희 + 는 + 친구 (friend) + 예요 (polite ending).

저희 사과 두 개 주세요.

Please give us two apples.

저희 is used as the indirect object 'us'.

저희 강아지 이름은 초코예요.

Our puppy's name is Choco.

저희 as 'our' possessive.

저희 부모님은 부산에 사십니다.

Our parents live in Busan.

Formal ending -십니다 matches the humble 저희.

저희가 어제 그 영화를 봤어요.

We saw that movie yesterday.

Past tense -았/었어요 with 저희가.

저희 사무실은 5층에 있습니다.

Our office is on the 5th floor.

저희 used in a professional context.

저희 가족은 모두 네 명이에요.

There are four people in our family.

Counting people in a family using 저희.

저희는 매일 아침 같이 운동해요.

We exercise together every morning.

저희는 + 같이 (together) + 운동해요.

저희가 준비한 선물을 받아 주세요.

Please accept the gift we prepared.

저희가 + 준비한 (prepared) + 선물 (gift).

저희 차는 파란색이에요.

Our car is blue.

저희 as 'our' possessive for shared property.

저희는 한국 음식을 아주 좋아해요.

We like Korean food very much.

Expressing group preferences humbly.

저희 팀이 이번 프로젝트를 맡게 되었습니다.

Our team has come to take charge of this project.

-게 되다 indicates a change or appointment.

저희 회사 방침상 할인은 어렵습니다.

According to our company policy, a discount is difficult.

저희 회사 (our company) used in a formal refusal.

저희가 제안한 내용을 검토해 주시기 바랍니다.

We hope you will review the content we proposed.

-기 바랍니다 is a formal way to express a wish.

저희는 고객님의 의견을 소중히 생각합니다.

We value your opinions, customer.

Standard customer service phrasing using 저희.

저희끼리 회의를 하고 다시 말씀드리겠습니다.

We will have a meeting among ourselves and speak to you again.

-끼리 means 'among ourselves/themselves'.

저희 제품을 이용해 주셔서 감사합니다.

Thank you for using our product.

저희 제품 (our product) in a formal thank you.

저희가 실수한 부분에 대해 사과드립니다.

We apologize for the parts where we made a mistake.

사과드리다 is the formal/humble way to apologize.

저희는 내일 오전 9시에 도착할 예정입니다.

We are scheduled to arrive tomorrow at 9 AM.

-ㄹ 예정입니다 (scheduled to).

저희 쪽에서 먼저 연락을 드렸어야 했는데 늦었습니다.

We should have contacted you first, but we are late.

-었어야 했는데 (should have... but).

저희의 노력이 헛되지 않기를 바랄 뿐입니다.

I only hope that our efforts will not be in vain.

저희의 (Our) + 노력 (effort) + -기를 바라다 (to hope that).

저희는 이번 사태에 대해 깊은 책임을 통감하고 있습니다.

We deeply feel the responsibility for this situation.

책임을 통감하다 (to deeply feel responsibility).

저희가 추구하는 가치는 신뢰와 혁신입니다.

The values we pursue are trust and innovation.

저희가 + 추구하는 (pursuing) + 가치 (value).

저희들 사이에서도 의견이 분분한 상황입니다.

The situation is that opinions are divided even among us.

저희들 (plural emphasis) + 사이 (between/among).

저희가 가진 역량을 최대한 발휘하겠습니다.

We will demonstrate the capabilities we have to the maximum.

역량을 발휘하다 (to exhibit capabilities).

저희는 언제나 여러분의 곁에 있겠습니다.

We will always be by your side.

A common phrase in public service or marketing.

저희가 조사한 바에 따르면 결과는 긍정적입니다.

According to what we investigated, the results are positive.

-ㄴ 바에 따르면 (according to what...).

저희가 지향하는 바는 단순한 이윤 추구가 아닙니다.

What we aim for is not the simple pursuit of profit.

지향하다 (to aim for/be oriented toward).

저희는 과거의 잘못을 거울삼아 새롭게 거듭나겠습니다.

We will take past mistakes as a mirror and be born again anew.

거울삼다 (to take as a lesson/mirror).

저희의 미흡한 대처로 인해 불편을 끼쳐 드려 송구합니다.

We are deeply sorry for the inconvenience caused by our inadequate response.

미흡하다 (inadequate) + 송구하다 (extremely sorry).

저희가 제언하는 정책이 사회 전반에 긍정적인 영향을 미치길 고대합니다.

We look forward to the policies we suggest having a positive impact on society as a whole.

제언하다 (to suggest/propose formally).

저희는 이번 연구를 통해 새로운 가능성을 엿볼 수 있었습니다.

Through this research, we were able to catch a glimpse of new possibilities.

엿보다 (to catch a glimpse/peek).

저희가 견지해 온 원칙은 변함이 없을 것입니다.

The principles we have maintained will remain unchanged.

견지하다 (to maintain/hold a position).

저희는 시민들의 목소리에 귀를 기울이는 자세를 잃지 않겠습니다.

We will not lose the attitude of listening closely to the voices of the citizens.

귀를 기울이다 (to listen intently).

저희가 당면한 과제는 결코 가볍지 않습니다.

The tasks we are facing are by no means light.

당면하다 (to face/be confronted with).

저희가 천착해 온 학문적 성과가 후학들에게 귀감이 되길 바랍니다.

We hope the academic achievements we have delved into will serve as a model for future scholars.

천착하다 (to delve into/study deeply).

저희는 시대적 소명을 완수하기 위해 분골쇄신할 것을 다짐합니다.

We pledge to do our utmost (to the point of crushing bones) to fulfill the mission of our times.

분골쇄신 (Sino-Korean idiom: working oneself to the bone).

저희가 일궈낸 이 터전이 후세에도 온전히 보전되기를 기원합니다.

We pray that this foundation we have cultivated will be preserved intact for future generations.

일궈내다 (to cultivate/achieve through hard work).

저희는 보편적 가치 수호를 위해 국제 사회와 긴밀히 공조하겠습니다.

We will cooperate closely with the international community to protect universal values.

공조하다 (to cooperate/collaborate).

저희가 봉착한 난관은 집단 지성을 통해 극복해 나갈 것입니다.

We will overcome the difficulties we have encountered through collective intelligence.

봉착하다 (to encounter/run up against).

저희는 인간 존엄성이라는 숭고한 가치를 최우선으로 삼고 있습니다.

We hold the sublime value of human dignity as our top priority.

숭고하다 (sublime/noble).

저희가 견지하는 비판적 시각은 사회 발전을 위한 밑거름이 될 것입니다.

The critical perspective we maintain will serve as the foundation for social progress.

밑거름 (foundation/manure for growth).

저희는 전통의 계승과 현대적 변용 사이에서 균형을 찾고자 노력합니다.

We strive to find a balance between the succession of tradition and modern transformation.

변용 (transformation/alteration).

Common Collocations

저희 집

저희 회사

저희 가족

저희 팀

저희 부모님

저희 생각에는

저희 가게

저희 학교

저희 측

저희 제품

Common Phrases

저희가 하겠습니다.

— We will do it. A polite way to volunteer for a task.

그 일은 저희가 하겠습니다. 걱정 마세요. (We will do that work. Don't worry.)

저희는 괜찮습니다.

— We are okay. Used to politely decline an offer.

아니요, 저희는 괜찮습니다. 이미 먹었어요. (No, we are fine. We already ate.)

저희가 쏠게요.

— We will treat (pay). A polite but friendly way for a group to offer to pay.

오늘은 저희가 쏠게요! 맛있게 드세요. (We'll treat you today! Enjoy your meal.)

저희를 믿어 주세요.

— Please trust us. Used to ask for confidence in a group's ability.

한 번만 더 저희를 믿어 주세요. (Please trust us one more time.)

저희가 연락드릴게요.

— We will contact you. Standard professional closing.

결정되면 저희가 바로 연락드릴게요. (We will contact you as soon as it's decided.)

저희끼리만 아는 비밀이에요.

— It's a secret known only among us.

이건 저희끼리만 아는 비밀이에요. (This is a secret only we know.)

저희가 준비했습니다.

— We prepared this. Used when presenting something to a guest.

작은 선물을 저희가 준비했습니다. (We prepared a small gift.)

저희 생각도 같습니다.

— Our thoughts are the same. Used to express agreement.

부장님 말씀에 저희 생각도 같습니다. (Our thoughts are the same as yours, Manager.)

저희는 잘 지내고 있어요.

— We are doing well. Used in letters or updates.

걱정 마세요, 저희는 잘 지내고 있어요. (Don't worry, we are doing well.)

저희가 다 잘못했습니다.

— It's all our fault. A collective humble apology.

정말 죄송합니다. 저희가 다 잘못했습니다. (We are truly sorry. It is all our fault.)

Often Confused With

저희 vs 우리 (Uri)

The most common confusion. Remember: 저희 is for when you are being humble to someone outside your group.

저희 vs 저희 나라 (Jeohui Nara)

Often debated. Use '우리 나라' (Our country) even in formal settings to avoid 'lowering' the nation.

저희 vs 제희 (Je-hui)

Not a word. People sometimes incorrectly combine '제' (my) with '희' instead of using '저희'.

Idioms & Expressions

"저희들만의 리그"

— A league of their own (humble/sarcastic). Used when a group is doing something among themselves that others can't join or understand.

그건 저희들만의 리그라 설명하기 어렵네요. (It's a league of our own, so it's hard to explain.)

Colloquial

"저희가 어디 가겠습니까?"

— Where would we go? (meaning: we will always be here for you/we haven't changed).

변함없이 응원해 주세요. 저희가 어디 가겠습니까? (Please support us as always. Where would we go?)

Polite/Rhetorical

"저희가 남입니까?"

— Are we strangers? (meaning: we are close/like family, so don't be so formal or distant).

도움이 필요하면 말씀하세요. 저희가 남입니까? (Tell me if you need help. Are we strangers?)

Polite/Friendly

"저희 입이 열 개라도..."

— Even if we had ten mouths... (meaning: we have no excuse/no words to justify our mistake).

저희 입이 열 개라도 할 말이 없습니다. 죄송합니다. (Even if we had ten mouths, we'd have nothing to say. Sorry.)

Formal/Apologetic

"저희가 한 배를 탔다"

— We are in the same boat.

이제 저희가 한 배를 탔으니 협력합시다. (Now that we are in the same boat, let's cooperate.)

Neutral

"저희가 제 살 깎아먹기"

— Cutting our own flesh (meaning: self-destructive competition within a group).

이런 경쟁은 저희가 제 살 깎아먹기입니다. (This kind of competition is self-destructive for us.)

Neutral/Critical

"저희가 찬밥 신세다"

— To be treated like cold rice (meaning: to be ignored or neglected).

새 프로젝트 때문에 저희 팀이 찬밥 신세예요. (Our team is being neglected because of the new project.)

Colloquial

"저희가 발 벗고 나서다"

— To step forward with bare feet (meaning: to take active initiative to help).

이 문제를 위해 저희가 발 벗고 나서겠습니다. (We will take the lead to solve this problem.)

Polite

"저희가 손을 놓다"

— To let go of hands (meaning: to stop working on something or give up).

어려운 상황이라 저희가 손을 놓게 되었습니다. (Due to the difficult situation, we have stopped working on it.)

Neutral

"저희가 고개를 못 들다"

— To not be able to lift our heads (meaning: to be very ashamed).

너무 부끄러워서 저희가 고개를 못 들겠습니다. (We are so ashamed we can't lift our heads.)

Polite/Apologetic

Easily Confused

저희 vs 우리

Both mean 'we'.

우리 is plain/inclusive; 저희 is humble/exclusive of the listener. Using 우리 with a boss might seem too bold; using 저희 with a spouse is weirdly distant.

우리 집 (to my wife) vs 저희 집 (to my boss).

저희 vs 저희들

Both mean 'we' (humble).

저희 is the standard pronoun. 저희들 adds the plural marker '-들' to emphasize that the group consists of multiple distinct individuals.

저희가 했습니다 vs 저희들이 각자 했습니다.

저희 vs 너희

Similar sound/suffix.

저희 is 'we' (humble); 너희 is 'you' (plural, plain). You use 너희 to children, never to superiors.

너희 뭐 하니? (What are you all doing?)

저희 vs 저

Root word.

저 is 'I' (humble, singular); 저희 is 'we' (humble, plural).

저는 학생입니다 vs 저희는 학생입니다.

저희 vs 제

Humble possessive.

제 is 'my' (humble, singular); 저희 is 'our' (humble, plural).

제 가방입니다 vs 저희 가방입니다.

Sentence Patterns

저희는 [Job]입니다.

저희는 요리사입니다. (We are chefs.)

저희 [Family Member]은/는...

저희 아버지는 공무원이세요. (Our father is a civil servant.)

저희 [Organization]에서...

저희 병원에서 검사받으세요. (Please get an exam at our hospital.)

저희가 [Action]하도록 하겠습니다.

저희가 확인하도록 하겠습니다. (We will make sure to check.)

저희가 제안하는 바는...

저희가 제안하는 바는 다음과 같습니다. (What we propose is as follows.)

저희의 사명은...

저희의 사명은 인류 공영에 이바지하는 것입니다. (Our mission is to contribute to the co-prosperity of mankind.)

저희 [Noun] 주세요.

저희 메뉴판 주세요. (Please give us the menu.)

저희 측의 입장입니다.

그것은 저희 측의 입장입니다. (That is our side's position.)

Word Family

저 (Humble I)

우리 (Plain we)

나 (Plain I)

너희 (Plain you plural)

제 (Humble my)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in formal speech, business, and service industries.

Common Mistakes

Using 저희 with your spouse. → 우리 집 / 우리 남편
You and your spouse are in the same 'we' group. Using 저희 sounds like you are excluding them from the family.
Using 저희 in Banmal (casual speech). → 우리가 했어. (We did it.)
저희 is humble; Banmal is informal. They don't mix. Use '우리' with Banmal.
Saying '제희가' for the subject. → 저희가
Unlike '저' becoming '제', '저희' does not change its form when '가' is added.
Using 저희 나라 to represent Korea in a formal speech. → 우리 나라
It is a cultural standard not to lower one's own country, even in humble speech.
Using 저희 to refer to the listener's group. → 선생님네 / 여러분
저희 only refers to the speaker's group. It never means 'you all'.

Tips

In the Office

Always refer to your team or company as '저희' when talking to clients. It builds a professional image of respect and service.

Possessive Shortcut

Don't worry about adding '의'. Just say '저희' + [Noun]. It's more natural and common in daily conversation.

The 'Our' Culture

Remember that Koreans prefer 'we/our' over 'I/my' for things like family, home, and school. Even if you are an only child, say '저희 부모님'.

Excluding the Listener

Think of '저희' as a wall. It includes you and your friends, but it leaves the person you're talking to on the other side. If you want them to join you, use '우리'.

Email Etiquette

In the first sentence of a formal email, use '저희' to introduce your group. It sets a respectful tone immediately.

Spotting Formality

If you hear someone using '저희', you immediately know they are in a formal or polite situation. It's a great clue for the overall social context.

Apologizing

When a group apologizes, '저희가 잘못했습니다' is much more powerful and respectful than using '우리'.

Avoid Hyper-correction

Don't use '저희' for things that are shared by everyone, like the sun, the moon, or usually, the country.

The 'J' for Junior

Associate the 'J' in '저희' (Jeohui) with 'Junior'. Juniors use '저희' to speak to seniors.

Soft 'J'

Keep the 'J' sound soft. It’s not a hard 'Dzh' like in 'Judge', but closer to a light 'Ch'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jeo' as 'Just humble' and 'Hui' as 'He and I' (plural). So, 'Just humble He and I' = '저희' (We).

Visual Association

Imagine a group of people bowing respectfully to a teacher. That group is '저희'.

Word Web

저희 (We - Humble) 우리 (We - Plain) 저 (I - Humble) 나 (I - Plain) 저희 집 (Our house) 저희 회사 (Our company) 저희 가족 (Our family) 저희 부모님 (Our parents)

Challenge

Try to introduce your group (family or friends) to a Korean teacher using '저희'. Focus on the excluding nature of the word.

Word Origin

저희 is a compound of the humble first-person singular pronoun '저' (Jeo) and the plural suffix '-희' (-hui).

Original meaning: Humble plural self-reference.

Koreanic

Cultural Context

Never use '저희' when the person you are talking to is part of the group. It sounds like you are kicking them out of the 'we'.

English speakers often struggle with '저희' because English only has 'we'. They might use '우리' in a formal meeting, which sounds too casual or slightly rude in Korean.

Often heard in K-Pop group introductions: '안녕하세요, 저희는 [Group Name]입니다!' Commonly used by K-Drama characters when speaking to their 'Sunbae' (senior). Used in formal speeches by Korean presidents when addressing the public (though '우리' is also common here for unity).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a Restaurant

저희 주문할게요. (We'd like to order.)
저희 이거 안 시켰어요. (We didn't order this.)
저희 물 좀 주세요. (Please give us some water.)
저희 계산은 따로 할게요. (We'll pay separately.)

At Work

저희 팀 보고서입니다. (This is our team's report.)
저희가 검토해 보겠습니다. (We will review it.)
저희 부장님은 출장 중이십니다. (Our manager is on a business trip.)
저희 회사에 오신 걸 환영합니다. (Welcome to our company.)

Meeting a Teacher

저희는 어제 공부했어요. (We studied yesterday.)
저희가 질문이 있습니다. (We have a question.)
저희 숙제 다 했어요. (We finished our homework.)
저희가 선생님을 정말 좋아해요. (We really like you, teacher.)

Introducing Family

저희 부모님은 건강하세요. (Our parents are healthy.)
저희 형은 대학생이에요. (Our older brother is a college student.)
저희 집은 여기서 멀어요. (Our house is far from here.)
저희 가족사진이에요. (This is our family photo.)

With Foreigners

저희 나라에 처음 오셨나요? (Is this your first time in our country?)
저희 문화를 좋아해 주셔서 감사합니다. (Thank you for liking our culture.)
저희는 한국 사람입니다. (We are Korean.)
저희가 가이드를 해드릴게요. (We will be your guides.)

Conversation Starters

"저희랑 같이 점심 드실래요? (Would you like to have lunch with us?)"

"저희가 추천하는 장소인데 가보실래요? (This is a place we recommend, want to go?)"

"저희는 이번 주말에 등산 가기로 했어요. (We decided to go hiking this weekend.)"

"저희 팀에 합류하고 싶으신가요? (Would you like to join our team?)"

"저희가 찍은 사진 보실래요? (Would you like to see the photos we took?)"

Journal Prompts

저희 가족의 특별한 전통에 대해 써보세요. (Write about a special tradition of our family.)

저희 팀이 프로젝트를 성공시켰을 때의 기분을 적어보세요. (Write about how you felt when our team succeeded in a project.)

저희 학교에서 가장 좋아하는 장소는 어디인가요? (Where is your favorite place in our school?)

저희가 함께 여행을 간다면 어디로 가고 싶나요? (If we were to travel together, where would you want to go?)

저희 회사의 장점 세 가지를 적어보세요. (Write down three strengths of our company.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Generally, no. Using '저희' with friends sounds overly formal, stiff, or even sarcastic. Stick to '우리' in casual settings. Using humble language with peers creates an unnecessary social distance that can make people feel uncomfortable.

Technically, the National Institute of the Korean Language discourages it because you shouldn't lower your own country. However, many Koreans use it when speaking to foreigners as a natural extension of being polite. In exams or formal writing, '우리 나라' is the safer and more correct choice.

It sounds like a logical error. If you say '저희 영화 봐요' to a friend you are inviting, it sounds like you and some other people are going to watch a movie, and you are just telling the friend about it, rather than inviting them. To invite them, use '우리'.

No. While '저' (I) changes to '제' when followed by the subject marker '가' (제 가...), '저희' remains '저희' (저희가...). There is no such word as '제희'.

Use '저희들' when you want to emphasize the plurality or the individual members within the group. For example, '저희들끼리' (among ourselves) is a common set phrase. In most other cases, '저희' is sufficient.

Yes, in Korean culture, you refer to your parents as 'our parents' (저희 부모님 / 우리 부모님). Using 'my mom' (제 어머니) can sound a bit individualistic or even cold. Using '저희' shows you are speaking respectfully about your family to someone else.

North Korean speech also uses '우리' and '저희', but the usage patterns and the degree of honorifics can differ. '우리' is very heavily emphasized in North Korean ideology (e.g., '우리 식' - our style).

You can say '저희의' or simply '저희'. In spoken Korean, '저희 집', '저희 학교', and '저희 회사' are the most natural ways to say 'our house', 'our school', and 'our company'.

'저희가' emphasizes 'we' as the subject of the action (e.g., 'We are the ones who did it'). '저희는' is used for general statements or when contrasting 'us' with 'you' or 'them' (e.g., 'As for us, we are students').

Almost never. Humble pronouns are designed for polite and formal registers. Using '저희' with an informal ending like '-어' or '-야' is a grammatical mismatch that sounds very strange to native speakers.