Learn Korean (TTMIK)

Lesson 26

In this lesson we are looking at how to tell someone to do something in polite Korean. This is one of the most essential things to be able to say, even when you are just asking for a favor.

In order to tell someone to do something, you basically add -(으)세요 [-(eu)se-yo] at the end of the verb stem. Verb stems ending with a consonant are followed by -으세요 and verb stems ending with a vowel or with the consonant “ㄹ” are followed by -세요.

Examples:

오다 [o-da] = to come

오 + -세요 = 오세요 [o-se-yo] = Please come.

쉬다 [swi-da] = to rest

쉬 + -세요 = 쉬세요 [swi-se-yo] = Please get some rest.

고르다 [go-reu-da] = to choose, to pick

고르 + -세요 = 고르세요 [go-reu-se-yo] = Please choose.

접다 [jeob-da] = to fold

접 + -으세요 = 접으세요 [jeo-beu-se-yo] = Please fold it.

Exception:

When a verb stem ends with the last consonant ㄹ, you drop the ㄹ and add -세요.

팔다 [pal-da] = to sell

팔 --> 파 + 세요 = 파세요 [pa-se-yo] = Please sell it.

We are introducing this verb ending, -(으)세요 as a way to tell someone to do something but, in fact, this is one of the many variations where the honorific suffix -시 [-si] is used. Inside -세요, there is this suffix -시 included. But for now, please just focus on this particular usage of asking someone to do something.

Sample sentences

1. 내일 세 시에 오세요.

[nae-il se si-e o-se-yo.]

= Please come here at three o’clock tomorrow.

2. 공부하세요!

[gong-bu-ha-se-yo!]

= Study! Do your studies!

3. 경은 씨, 빨리 일하세요.

[gyeong-eun ssi, ppal-li i-ra-se-yo.]

= 경은, hurry up and get some work done!

4. 경은 씨, 쉬세요.

[gyeong-eun ssi, swi-se-yo.]

= 경은, please take some rest.

5. 이거 저한테 파세요.

[i-geo, jeo-han-te pa-se-yo.]

= Please sell this to me.

6. 조심하세요.

[jo-sim-ha-se-yo.]

= Be careful!

Some fixed expressions using -세요:

1. 어서오세요. [eo-seo-o-se-yo]

= (lit. Come quickly) Welcome.

2. 안녕히 가세요. [an-nyeong-hi ga-se-yo]

= (lit. Go peacefully) Good-bye.

3. 안녕히 계세요. [an-nyeong-hi gye-se-yo]

= (lit. Stay peacefully) Good-bye.

4. 안녕히 주무세요. [an-nyeong-hi ju-mu-se-yo]

= (lit. Sleep peacefully) Good night.

Some words change their forms specifically for the polite language, but we are going to introduce them in our future lessons.