📝 Grammar B2

-(으)시-

-(eu)si-

Subject honorific marker

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What it means

-(으)시- is inserted into a verb when the subject of the action is someone you respect. It shows respect for the person doing the action, not the receiver.

Nuance & when to use

Insert -(으)시- before the tense/mood ending: 드세요 (please eat), 오셨어요 (they came, respectfully). Different from humble speech. Expected when speaking about or to elders and superiors.

⚠ Common mistake

Using 있어요 when the subject deserves honor — the respectful form is 계세요 (gyeseyo) for a respected person being somewhere. Using 있어요 for an elder's location is a classic mistake.

Example sentences

선생님이 교실에 계세요. Seonsaengnimi gyosire gyeseyo. The teacher is in the classroom. (honorific)
할머니께서 말씀하셨어요. Halmeonikkeseo malsseum hasyeosseoyo. Grandmother spoke. (full honorific)
교수님, 지금 시간이 있으세요? Gyosunim, jigeum sigani isseuseyo? Professor, do you have time right now?
어머니가 요리를 잘 하세요. Eomeoniga yorireul jal haseyo. My mother cooks well. (respectful)

See also

존댓말 겸양어 계시다 드시다
References Naver Korean Dictionary ↗ 국립국어원 표준국어대사전 ↗
Next lesson →

More B2 lessons

-는 바람에 -neun barame Because of (unexpected negative cause) 정 jeong deep emotional bond / attachment / affection 그리움 geurieum longing / yearning / nostalgia
← -(으)ㄹ수록 -(이)든지 →

FAQ

When is this used?

Insert -(으)시- before the tense/mood ending: 드세요 (please eat), 오셨어요 (they came, respectfully). Different from humble speech. Expected when speaking about or to elders and superiors.

What's a common mistake?

Using 있어요 when the subject deserves honor — the respectful form is 계세요 (gyeseyo) for a respected person being somewhere. Using 있어요 for an elder's location is a classic mistake.

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