Korean grammar - The honorific verb particle - (으)시

The honorific verb particle - (으)시

When referring to an older person (or anyone who should be referred to respectfully), the verb that person is doing should be modified using the honorific verb particle (으)시.

This particle should be used regardless of who you are taking to - whether you are talking to that person, or talking about that person to someone else.

This particle can be used with both action and descriptive verbs.

Its use is straightforward. Taking 가다 for example - the honorific form is 가시다.

• The present tense is 가세요. (The expected 가셔요 is no longer used).

• The past tense is 가셨어요.

• The future tense is 가실 거예요.

Examples:
	아버지가 내일 부산에 가세요. (My) father is going to Busan tomorrow. 가요 (present tense) ⇒ 가세요
	할머니가 집에 오셨어요. (My) grandmother came home. 왔어요 (past tense) ⇒ 오셨어요
	엄마가 전화하셨어요. (My) mom called. 전화했어요 (past tense) ⇒ 전화하셨어요
	할아버지가 선물을 주실 거예요. (My) grandfather will give (me) a gift. 줄 거예요 (future tense) ⇒ 주실 거예요
	지금 뭐 하시는 거예요? What are (you) doing now? 하는 거 ⇒ 하시는 거
	선생님이 책을 읽으세요. The teacher is reading a book.
	어머니가 편지를 받으셨어요. (My) mother got a letter.
	아주머니가 창문을 닫으실 거예요. The lady will close the window. 아주머니 means 'women (of about your parents age)'. Respectful.
	선물을 주셔서 고맙습니다. Thank you for giving (me) the gift.
	작년에 할아버지가 돌아가셨어요. (My) grandfather passed away last year.
	순두부찌개 하나 주세요 Please give (me) one (bowl of) sundubu jjigae.
	무슨 책을 읽으세요? What book are (you) reading?
	한국 분이세요? Are (you) Korean? The politer 분 used rather than 사람
	한국어를 가르칠 사람은 김 선생님이세요 Teacher Kim is the person who will teach Korean.
	괜찮으시죠? It's ok, right?
	푹 쉬세요. Get a good rest. 푹 means 'completely'
	어제 저희 모임에 와 주셔서 고마웠어요. (I) was thankful that (you) came to our meeting yesterday.
	이 교수님 지금 어디에 가세요? Professor Lee, where are (you) going now?
	무슨 일 있으세요? 할머니가 아프시다는 거예요. What is the matter? (My) grandmother is sick.