Honorifics
Word pairs that change form to show respect
to be (honorific of 있다)
사장님은 지금 회의실에 계세요.— The director is in the meeting room.
할머니 댁에 계셔.— Grandma is at home.
to eat/drink (honorific)
천천히 드세요.— Please enjoy your meal.
할아버지께서 약을 드셨어.— Grandfather took his medicine.
to sleep (honorific)
아버지는 아직 주무십니다.— My father is still asleep.
안녕히 주무세요.— Good night.
to speak (honorific)
선생님께서 말씀하셨어요.— The teacher said so.
제가 말씀드릴게요.— Let me tell you.
to give (humble)
부모님께 선물을 드렸어요.— I gave my parents a present.
제가 도와드릴게요.— Let me help you.
to pass away (honorific)
할아버지께서 작년에 돌아가셨어요.— My grandfather passed away last year.
언제 돌아가셨어?— When did he pass away?
home (honorific)
댁이 어디세요?— Where do you live?
선생님 댁에 다녀왔어.— I visited the teacher's home.
name (honorific)
성함이 어떻게 되세요?— May I have your name?
성함을 여기에 적어 주세요.— Please write your name here.
age (honorific)
연세가 어떻게 되세요?— May I ask your age?
연세에 비해 정정하시네요.— You're very fit for your age.
meal (honorific)
진지 드셨어요?— Have you eaten?
할머니 진지 차려 드렸어.— I set the table for Grandma.
to meet (humble)
처음 뵙겠습니다.— It's a pleasure to meet you.
다음에 또 뵐게요.— I'll see you again next time.
to ask (humble)
뭐 좀 여쭤봐도 될까요?— May I ask you something?
선생님께 여쭤봤어.— I asked the teacher.
to accompany (honorific)
부모님을 모시고 병원에 갔어요.— I took my parents to the hospital.
손님을 모셔 와.— Please show the guest in.
person (honorific); counter for people
몇 분이세요?— How many people are in your party?
저기 계신 분이 사장님이야.— That person over there is the director.
honorific suffix for titles and names
김 과장님 계신가요?— Is Manager Kim in?
고객님, 잠시만 기다려 주세요.— Sir/Ma'am, one moment please.
I, my (humble)
제가 하겠습니다.— I'll do it.
저는 베트남에서 왔어요.— I'm from Vietnam.
we, our (humble)
저희 회사는 강남에 있습니다.— Our company is in Gangnam.
저희가 준비하겠습니다.— We'll take care of the preparations.
birthday (honorific)
오늘이 아버지 생신이에요.— Today is my father's birthday.
생신 축하드립니다.— Happy birthday, sir/ma'am.
words (honorific)
말씀 많이 들었습니다.— I've heard a lot about you.
잠깐 말씀 좀 나눌까요?— Could we have a word?
계시다 honors the person; 있으시다 honors what they have
사장님, 시간 있으세요?— Sir, do you have a moment?
사장님은 안에 계세요.— The director is inside.