Honorific Vocabulary in Korean

Overview

Beyond the grammatical honorific -(으)시, Korean has a set of entirely different vocabulary items used when the subject is someone respected. This CEFR B1 concept covers special honorific verbs and nouns that replace their plain counterparts when speaking about elders, superiors, and customers.

These are not grammatical modifications but entirely separate words: 드시다 replaces 먹다 (eat), 주무시다 replaces 자다 (sleep), 계시다 replaces 있다 (exist/stay). Using the plain form for a respected person sounds rude even with the -(으)시 suffix.

How It Works

Honorific Verb Replacements

Plain	Honorific	Meaning
먹다/마시다	드시다	eat/drink
자다	주무시다	sleep
있다	계시다	exist/stay
말하다	말씀하시다	speak
죽다	돌아가시다	pass away
아프다	편찮으시다	be sick
나이	연세	age
이름	성함	name
밥	진지	meal
집	댁	house

Honorific Particles

Plain	Honorific	Usage
이/가 (subject)	께서	선생님께서 오셨어요
에게 (to)	께	선생님께 드렸어요

Examples in Context

Korean	Romanization	English	Note
뭐 드시겠어요?	mwo deu-si-ge-sseo-yo	What would you like to eat?	to customer/elder
할머니께서 주무세요.	hal-meo-ni-kke-seo ju-mu-se-yo	Grandmother is sleeping.	honorific sleep
선생님께서 말씀하셨어요.	seon-saeng-nim-kke-seo mal-sseum-ha-syeo-sseo-yo	The teacher spoke.	honorific speak
아버지께서 계세요?	a-beo-ji-kke-seo gye-se-yo	Is your father in?	honorific exist
연세가 어떻게 되세요?	yeon-se-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo	How old are you? (honorific)	honorific age
성함이 어떻게 되세요?	seong-ha-mi eo-tteo-ke doe-se-yo	What is your name? (honorific)	honorific name
진지 드셨어요?	jin-ji deu-syeo-sseo-yo	Have you eaten? (honorific)	honorific meal
편찮으세요?	pyeon-cha-neu-se-yo	Are you not feeling well?	honorific sick

Common Mistakes

Using plain verbs with -(으)시 for respected subjects

• Wrong: 할아버지가 먹으세요
• Right: 할아버지께서 드세요
• Why: While technically grammatical, using 먹다 + -(으)시 sounds inadequate for grandparents. The special verb 드시다 is expected.

Mixing plain and honorific particles

• Wrong: 선생님이 말씀하셨어요 (plain subject particle with honorific verb)
• Right: 선생님께서 말씀하셨어요 (honorific particle + verb)
• Why: Full honorification includes both the verb and the particles. 께서 should replace 이/가.

Usage Notes

Honorific vocabulary is essential in Korean professional and social life. In customer service, 드시다 and 계시다 are standard. When asking someone's name or age, always use 성함 and 연세 with adults. The honorific particle 께서 is becoming slightly less common in casual speech, but remains standard in formal contexts. These words must be memorized as vocabulary items.

Practice Tips

• Create pairs: learn each plain word alongside its honorific counterpart.
• Practice polite questions: 성함이 어떻게 되세요? 연세가 어떻게 되세요?
• Role-play customer service scenarios using honorific vocabulary.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Honorific -(으)시 — the grammatical honorific suffix
• Next steps: Humble Vocabulary — self-lowering expressions
• Next steps: Advanced Honorific System — combining addressee and referent honorifics