Honorific -(으)시 in Korean

Overview

The honorific suffix -(으)시 is one of the most important features of Korean's respect system, introduced at the CEFR A1 level. It is inserted into the verb stem to show respect for the subject of the sentence — the person performing the action. This is distinct from the speech level ending (polite -요, formal -ㅂ니다), which shows respect for the listener.

Korean has two dimensions of respect: subject honorification (-(으)시) and addressee politeness (speech level). You can combine them: -세요 is -(으)시 + 아/어요 (honorific + polite), while -십니다 is -(으)시 + ㅂ니다 (honorific + formal). Understanding this dual system is essential for appropriate Korean communication.

-(으)시 is used when talking about elders, superiors, teachers, customers, and anyone deserving respect. Even at the A1 level, learners encounter it in everyday phrases like 안녕하세요 (hello) and 어서 오세요 (welcome).

How It Works

Stem type	Honorific form	Example
Vowel stem	-시	가- → 가시- (go, honorific)
Consonant stem	-으시	읽- → 읽으시- (read, honorific)
ㄹ stem	ㄹ drops + -시	살- → 사시- (live, honorific)

Combined with speech levels:

Combination	Form	Example
Honorific + polite	-(으)세요	가세요
Honorific + formal	-(으)십니다	가십니다
Honorific + past polite	-(으)셨어요	가셨어요

Special Honorific Verbs

Some verbs have entirely different honorific forms:

Plain	Honorific	Meaning
먹다	드시다	eat
자다	주무시다	sleep
있다	계시다	exist/stay
말하다	말씀하시다	speak
죽다	돌아가시다	pass away

Examples in Context

Korean	Romanization	English	Note
어머니가 오세요.	eo-meo-ni-ga o-se-yo	Mother is coming.	honorific for mother
선생님이 가르치세요.	seon-saeng-ni-mi ga-reu-chi-se-yo	The teacher teaches.	honorific for teacher
뭐 드시겠어요?	mwo deu-si-ge-sseo-yo	What would you like to eat?	special honorific verb
안녕히 가세요.	an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo	Goodbye (to one leaving).	set phrase with honorific
어디 사세요?	eo-di sa-se-yo	Where do you live?	honorific question
할아버지께서 주무세요.	ha-ra-beo-ji-kke-seo ju-mu-se-yo	Grandfather is sleeping.	special verb + 께서
사장님이 말씀하셨어요.	sa-jang-ni-mi mal-sseum-ha-syeo-sseo-yo	The boss said.	special verb, past
어서 오세요.	eo-seo o-se-yo	Welcome.	set greeting
건강하세요?	geon-gang-ha-se-yo	Are you healthy?	polite concern

Common Mistakes

Using -(으)시 for yourself

• Wrong: 제가 가시겠어요 (using honorific for "I")
• Right: 제가 가겠어요
• Why: -(으)시 elevates the subject. You never elevate yourself; use humble forms instead.

Forgetting -(으)시 when talking about elders

• Wrong: 할머니가 먹어요 (no honorific for grandmother)
• Right: 할머니가 드세요 (or 할머니께서 드세요)
• Why: Failing to use honorifics for respected subjects is considered rude, even if the speech level ending is polite.

Not knowing special honorific verbs

• Wrong: 선생님이 먹으세요
• Right: 선생님이 드세요
• Why: While 먹으세요 is not grammatically wrong, using the dedicated honorific verb 드시다 is more natural and respectful.

Usage Notes

The honorific particle 께서 replaces 이/가 for honorific subjects: 선생님께서 오셨어요 (The teacher came). Similarly, 께 replaces 에게 for honorific indirect objects. In modern casual settings, younger Koreans may use honorifics less rigidly, but with elders, teachers, and in professional contexts, proper honorific use remains essential. Not using honorifics can seriously damage relationships and social standing.

Practice Tips

• Rephrase simple sentences with an elder as the subject: 엄마가 와요 → 어머니가 오세요.
• Memorize the special honorific verbs (드시다, 주무시다, 계시다, 말씀하시다) — they come up constantly.
• Practice the greeting phrases that contain -(으)시: 안녕하세요, 안녕히 가세요, 어서 오세요.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Polite Ending -아/어요 — honorific combines with speech level endings
• Next steps: Imperative -(으)세요 — honorific commands use -(으)세요
• Next steps: Honorific Vocabulary — special verbs and nouns for respectful speech