Phrase in 30 Seconds
A polite way to let others go ahead of you in lines, elevators, or doorways.
- Means: 'Please go first' or 'After you' in a polite tone.
- Used in: Elevators, narrow paths, or when letting someone order first.
- Don't confuse: With '먼저 갈게요', which means 'I am leaving first'.
适合你水平的解释：
意思
A polite phrase used to allow someone else to proceed before you.
文化背景
Yielding to elders is not just polite; it is expected. In elevators, the youngest person often holds the 'Open' button while everyone else exits, saying '먼저 가세요' as they pass. When entering a meeting room, the highest-ranking person usually enters first. If you are a junior, you should stand aside and say '먼저 들어가십시오.' You should never start eating before the eldest person at the table. If they urge you to start, you can say '먼저 드세요' to show you are waiting for them. Despite the rush, it is common to see people yield seats or space to pregnant women or the disabled using variations of this phrase.
The Hand Gesture
Always pair this phrase with a slight open-palm gesture toward the path and a small head nod. It makes you look 10x more fluent and polite.
Don't Over-Yield
If you say '먼저 가세요' and the other person insists you go first, just say '감사합니다' and go. Don't get stuck in a 5-minute loop of yielding!
The Hand Gesture
Always pair this phrase with a slight open-palm gesture toward the path and a small head nod. It makes you look 10x more fluent and polite.
Don't Over-Yield
If you say '먼저 가세요' and the other person insists you go first, just say '감사합니다' and go. Don't get stuck in a 5-minute loop of yielding!
The 'Goodbye' usage
Remember that '먼저 들어가세요' is a standard way to say goodbye to someone who is staying behind. It doesn't literally mean they are entering a room right now.
Formal vs. Informal
If you aren't sure, always use '먼저 가세요.' It is never rude, whereas '먼저 가' can be very rude if used with the wrong person.
自我测试
You are at an elevator with an elderly woman. What is the most appropriate thing to say?
엘리베이터 문이 열렸습니다. 할머니께 뭐라고 할까요?
'먼저 가세요' is the standard polite way to let an elder go first. '먼저 가' is too informal, and '빨리 가세요' (go quickly) is rude.
Fill in the blank to complete the polite request.
길이 좁으니까 _______ 가세요.
'먼저' (first) completes the phrase 'Please go first.'
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Which phrase fits leaving the office while others are still working?
'먼저 들어가세요' is the standard polite way to say goodbye to colleagues who are staying later.
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
A: 아, 죄송합니다. 말씀하세요. B: 아니에요. (__________).
Since they are talking, 'Please speak first' is the correct yielding phrase.
🎉 得分： /4
视觉学习工具
You vs. Me
练习题库
5 练习엘리베이터 문이 열렸습니다. 할머니께 뭐라고 할까요?
'먼저 가세요' is the standard polite way to let an elder go first. '먼저 가' is too informal, and '빨리 가세요' (go quickly) is rude.
길이 좁으니까 _______ 가세요.
'먼저' (first) completes the phrase 'Please go first.'
Which phrase fits leaving the office while others are still working?
'먼저 들어가세요' is the standard polite way to say goodbye to colleagues who are staying later.
A: 아, 죄송합니다. 말씀하세요. B: 아니에요. (__________).
Since they are talking, 'Please speak first' is the correct yielding phrase.
🎉 得分： /5
常见问题
14 个问题Yes, but use the informal '먼저 가' or '먼저 가요.' Using '먼저 가세요' with close friends might sound like you are joking or being unusually stiff.
'먼저' is more common for physical order and daily life. '우선' ({優先|우선}) is often used for priority in tasks or logical steps (e.g., 'First of all...').
Yes, it is very polite. However, if you are supposed to be leading them to a specific place, it's better to lead the way.
Simply say '감사합니다' (Thank you) or '아, 네, 감사합니다' and proceed.
Yes, if you are meeting someone and want them to go into a cafe or venue first because you are late, you can text '먼저 들어가세요!'
Only in the form '먼저 들어가세요' when leaving a social or work setting. '먼저 가세요' is rarely used as a standalone goodbye.
This is common! Just smile, say '감사합니다,' and one of you should take the lead to avoid an awkward standoff.
For an elevator, yes, it might be a bit much. Use it for very high-ranking people or in formal ceremonies.
Use '먼저 드세요' instead. '가세요' specifically implies movement.
Young people might say '먼저 고' (Meon-jeo Go), mixing Korean and English.
It's a polite way to acknowledge that you are leaving while others are still at their 'place' (the office).
Yes! If you want to let another car merge or go first at a 4-way stop, you can gesture and say it (though they might not hear you, they will see your lips!).
먼저 가십시오 is the most formal, but 먼저 가세요 is the most naturally polite for 99% of situations.
Usually, yes. It acts as an adverb modifying the verb that follows.
相关表达
먼저 들어가세요
similarPlease go in first / Goodbye.
먼저 드세요
specialized formPlease eat first.
먼저 말씀하세요
specialized formPlease speak first.
천천히 가세요
contrastGo slowly / Take your time.
같이 가요
contrastLet's go together.
在哪里用
At the Elevator
You: 아, 먼저 가세요.
Stranger: 아, 감사합니다.
Coffee Shop Line
You: 먼저 주문하세요. 저는 아직 못 정했어요.
Customer: 아, 네. 고맙습니다.
Narrow Hiking Trail
You: 길이 좁네요. 먼저 가세요.
Hiker: 네, 먼저 지나갈게요. 수고하세요!
Leaving the Office
Colleague: 오늘 고생 많으셨어요.
You: 네, 먼저 들어가세요! 내일 봬요.
Entering a Taxi
Friend: 너 먼저 타.
You: 아니야, 네가 먼저 가세요. (to an elder) / 아니야, 네가 먼저 타. (to a friend)
Starting a Presentation
Manager: 누가 먼저 발표할까요?
You: 김 대리님, 먼저 가세요.
记住它
记忆技巧
Think of 'Meon-jeo' as 'Mountain Joe' who is very polite and always lets you go up the mountain first.
视觉联想
Imagine a person holding open a heavy wooden palace door, bowing slightly, and pointing forward with an open palm.
Rhyme
Meon-jeo ga-se-yo, don't be a foe, let them go!
Story
You are at a busy subway station in Seoul. You see an elderly grandmother with a heavy basket. You want to be a hero of etiquette. You step aside, make eye contact, and say '먼저 가세요.' She smiles, and you feel a warm glow of cultural connection.
In Other Languages
It is very similar to the Japanese 'O-saki ni douzo' and the English 'After you.' All three focus on yielding physical space to maintain social harmony.
Word Web
挑战
Next time you are at a doorway at the same time as someone else, count to three, smile, and say '먼저 가세요' out loud.
Review this phrase every time you enter an elevator for the next week.
发音
The 'eo' sound is like the 'u' in 'cup' but slightly more open.
The 'g' is soft, almost like a 'k' at the start of a sentence.
正式程度
먼저 가십시오 (General yielding)
먼저 가세요 (General yielding)
먼저 가 (General yielding)
먼저 고 (Go) (General yielding)
The word '먼저' comes from the Middle Korean '머저' (meojeo), which indicated priority in time or space. The verb '가다' is one of the oldest native Korean verbs. The combination reflects the evolution of the Korean honorific system during the Joseon Dynasty.
趣味小知识
In some dialects, '먼저' is pronounced as '먼치' or '먼지', but '먼저' is the standard Seoul version.
文化笔记
Yielding to elders is not just polite; it is expected. In elevators, the youngest person often holds the 'Open' button while everyone else exits, saying '먼저 가세요' as they pass.
“Holding the elevator button for a senior citizen.”
When entering a meeting room, the highest-ranking person usually enters first. If you are a junior, you should stand aside and say '먼저 들어가십시오.'
“Opening the door for the CEO.”
You should never start eating before the eldest person at the table. If they urge you to start, you can say '먼저 드세요' to show you are waiting for them.
“Waiting for your grandfather to pick up his spoon.”
Despite the rush, it is common to see people yield seats or space to pregnant women or the disabled using variations of this phrase.
“Offering a seat and saying '여기 앉으세요' (Please sit here), which follows the same yielding logic.”
对话开场白
엘리베이터에서 모르는 사람을 만났을 때 어떻게 말할까요?
식당에서 친구 부모님과 밥을 먹을 때, 누가 먼저 먹어야 할까요?
회사에서 퇴근할 때 남은 동료들에게 뭐라고 인사할까요?
常见错误
당신 뒤에 (Dang-sin dwi-e)
먼저 가세요 (Meon-jeo ga-se-yo)
L1 Interference
먼저 갈게요 (Meon-jeo gal-ge-yo)
먼저 가세요 (Meon-jeo ga-se-yo)
L1 Interference
먼저 가! (to a boss)
먼저 가세요 / 가십시오
L1 Interference
먼저 가십시오 (to a close friend)
먼저 가 / 가요
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
After you
English focuses on the speaker's position (after), Korean focuses on the other person's action (go first).
お先にどうぞ (O-saki ni douzo)
Japanese often omits the verb, whereas Korean usually includes '가세요'.
您先请 (Nín xiān qǐng)
Chinese uses the verb 'to invite' rather than 'to go'.
Pase usted
Spanish uses 'pass' (pasar) more often than 'go' (ir) in this context.
Après vous
Like English, it uses a prepositional structure.
Nach Ihnen
Strictly formal; using 'Nach dir' (informal) is much rarer than '먼저 가' in Korean.
تفضل (Tafaddal)
Much more versatile than '먼저 가세요' as it doesn't specify the action of 'going'.
Depois de você
Often uses the verb 'to be able to' (poder) to give permission.
Spotted in the Real World
“먼저 가세요.”
Captain Ri politely lets Yoon Se-ri walk ahead of him in a narrow village path.
“먼저 가세요.”
Jun-ho holds the revolving door for Woo Young-woo.
“먼저 들어가세요.”
The housekeeper politely greets the family as they return home.
“먼저 가세요.”
The doctors are at the elevator and yield to a patient's bed being moved.
“먼저 드세요!”
Teaching British high schoolers how to eat with Korean elders.
容易混淆
It sounds very similar to '먼저 가세요' but has the opposite meaning.
Focus on the ending: '-세요' is for YOU, '-게요' is for ME.
This is a less formal version of '먼저 가세요.'
Use '-세요' for strangers and elders to be safe.
常见问题 (14)
Yes, but use the informal '먼저 가' or '먼저 가요.' Using '먼저 가세요' with close friends might sound like you are joking or being unusually stiff.
usage contexts'먼저' is more common for physical order and daily life. '우선' ({優先|우선}) is often used for priority in tasks or logical steps (e.g., 'First of all...').
grammar mechanicsYes, it is very polite. However, if you are supposed to be leading them to a specific place, it's better to lead the way.
cultural usageSimply say '감사합니다' (Thank you) or '아, 네, 감사합니다' and proceed.
practical tipsYes, if you are meeting someone and want them to go into a cafe or venue first because you are late, you can text '먼저 들어가세요!'
usage contextsOnly in the form '먼저 들어가세요' when leaving a social or work setting. '먼저 가세요' is rarely used as a standalone goodbye.
basic understandingThis is common! Just smile, say '감사합니다,' and one of you should take the lead to avoid an awkward standoff.
practical tipsFor an elevator, yes, it might be a bit much. Use it for very high-ranking people or in formal ceremonies.
usage contextsUse '먼저 드세요' instead. '가세요' specifically implies movement.
grammar mechanicsYoung people might say '먼저 고' (Meon-jeo Go), mixing Korean and English.
cultural usageIt's a polite way to acknowledge that you are leaving while others are still at their 'place' (the office).
cultural usageYes! If you want to let another car merge or go first at a 4-way stop, you can gesture and say it (though they might not hear you, they will see your lips!).
practical tips먼저 가십시오 is the most formal, but 먼저 가세요 is the most naturally polite for 99% of situations.
basic understandingUsually, yes. It acts as an adverb modifying the verb that follows.
grammar mechanics
