Korean Honorifics Made Easy: -시-, special verbs, and polite speech you’ll actually use
Honorifics are the heart of Korean politeness. They signal respect for your listener or the person you’re talking about. In this lesson, you’ll learn exactly when and how to use the honorific suffix -시-, key honorific/humble verbs, and polite particles. We’ll also cover natural titles (like 선생님, 부장님) and common cultural do’s and don’ts.
By the end, you’ll be able to hold a polite conversation with teachers, bosses, grandparents, and service staff—without sounding stiff or awkward.
Politeness levels you actually use
Korean has several speech levels, but at B1 you’ll mostly use:
- 해요체 (polite, conversational): ~아요/어요. Example: 가요, 먹어요.
- 합니다체 (polite, formal): ~습니다/습니다. Example: 갑니다, 먹습니다.
- 반말 (casual): base forms like 가, 먹어, used with close friends or younger people.
When speaking to elders, professionals, or strangers, you’ll use 존댓말 (polite speech). If the subject of the sentence is someone you honor (like your teacher), you also mark the verb with the honorific suffix -시-: 오시다, 가시다, 계시다, etc.
What you did there
Notice the student uses titles (교수님), apologizes politely (죄송합니다), and uses a humble verb to talk about meeting the professor (찾아뵙다). The professor uses 존댓말 to the student (오세요, 바쁩니다). That’s a very natural mix.
Let’s now focus on the honorific -시- and special verbs you’ll meet every day.
할머니 여기 계세요.
Honorific and humble verb pairs
Some verbs change completely when you respect the subject—or humble yourself as the speaker.
- 먹다/마시다 → 드시다 (subject honorific), 잡수시다 (very formal)
- 자다 → 주무시다 (subject honorific)
- 말하다 → 말씀하시다 (subject honorific)
- 보다 (meet) → 뵙다 (speaker humble)
- 주다 → 드리다 (speaker humble)
Use honorific verbs when the person doing the action is someone you honor. Use humble verbs when you talk about your own action toward someone you honor.
선생님은 커피를 .
Humbling yourself (when you are the doer)
When you are the subject and the action involves someone you honor, use humble verbs.
- 저는 선생님께 편지를 드렸어요. (I gave a letter to the teacher.)
- 내일 대표님을 뵙겠습니다. (I will meet the CEO.)
Note the particle 께 (to a respected person) and humble verb 드리다/뵙다.
제가 내일 교수님을 예정입니다.
Honorific subject + place + verb with -시- past polite
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| present (해요체) | 가세요 |
| present (합니다체) | 가십니다 |
| past (해요체) | 가셨어요 |
| past (합니다체) | 가셨습니다 |
Cultural notes: sounding natural
- Titles over pronouns: In most situations, use titles like 선생님 (teacher/any adult politely), 부장님 (department manager), 팀장님 (team leader), 기사님 (driver), 고객님 (customer). Avoid 당신.
- Add -님: Attach -님 for respect: 손님 (guest), 사장님 (CEO), 의사님 (doctor). Using -님 feels warmer and respectful.
- Name + 씨/님: With acquaintances, use [family name] + 씨 or given name + 씨 (adult). In service contexts, 선생님 is safer than 씨.
- 우리 vs 저희: Use 저희 (humble our) for your own group/family when speaking to someone you honor.
- Mixing levels: It’s fine for elders to use 반말 to you while you use 존댓말 to them.
Practice a little every day: add 께서/께, switch to 드시다/계시다, and use -시- consistently when the subject is someone you honor.
Quick recap and practice
- Use -시- on verbs when the subject deserves honor: 오시다, 가시다, 계시다.
- Use 께서 (subject) and 께 (to) for respected people.
- Switch verbs: 드시다/주무시다/말씀하시다 for honorific subjects; 드리다/뵙다 to humble yourself.
- Choose natural titles like 선생님, 부장님, 고객님.
You’ve got this! The more you notice honorifics in dramas, news, and everyday conversations, the faster they’ll feel natural. 오늘도 천천히, 하지만 꾸준히 연습해요.