Essential honorific words in Korean: N-께/께서/께서는, N-님, V-시 and more

Understanding Honorific Language (높임말) in Korean: N-께, N-께서, N-께서는, N-님, V-시, and Essential Honorific Expressions

In the Korean language, using honorifics (높임말) is essential when addressing or talking about seniors, elders, or individuals in respected positions, such as grandparents, parents, teachers, or your boss. Honorific expressions demonstrate respect and politeness, and are an important aspect of Korean culture and communication.

Key Honorific Forms in Korean: Usage and Examples

1. Honorific Particles in Korean

• N-께: The honorific form of N-에게 or N-한테, used to indicate the recipient of an action when showing respect.
• N-께서: The honorific form of N-이 or N-가, used as a subject marker to denote respect.
• N-께서는: The honorific form of N-은 or N-는, used to show respect when making a topic marker.

Examples:

• 어른들께 말씀하셨어요. – I have talked to the elders.
• 어머니께 선물을 드렸어요. – I gave a gift to my mom.

2. Honorific Suffix -님 for Job Titles and Respectful Address

• N-님: Adding "님" to job titles or names conveys respect and politeness. Common examples include 교수님 (professor), 선생님 (teacher), 박사님 (doctor), 과장님 (manager), and 회장님 (chairperson).

Examples:

• 김 교수님께서 연락하셨어요? – Did Professor Kim contact you?
• 선생님께 여쭤 봐요. – Try to ask your teacher.

3. Verb Honorific Suffix -시 to Show Respect

• V-시: This suffix is added to verbs to create an honorific form when a specific honorific verb doesn’t exist. For example:
  • 가다 (to go) → 가시다 (honorific form)
  • 오다 (to come) → 오시다
  • 연락하다 (to contact) → 연락하시다

Examples:

• 부모님께서는 마트에 가셨어요. – My parents went to the market.
• 아버님께서는 비가 오고 있다고 말씀했어요. – My father said it was raining.

4. Essential Honorific Verbs and Expressions

In addition to using particles and suffixes, there are specific honorific verbs and phrases to show respect.

• 주무시다 (자다) – to sleep (honorific)
• 말씀하시다 (말하다) – to speak (honorific)
• 드시다 (먹다) – to eat (honorific)

 

List of essential honorific words in Korean

1. Honorific nouns in Korean

Noun	Honorific noun	Meaning
집	댁	house
이름	성함	name
사람	분	person
생일	생신	birthday
밥	식사	meal
나이	연세	age
병	병환	disease
술	약주	alcohol
아이	자제분	one’s child
이	치아	tooth

 

2. Honorific verbs in Korean

Verb	Honorific verb	Meaning
보다	뵙다	to see, to meet
말하다	말씀하다	to say, to speak
먹다	드시다	to eat
묻다	여쭈다	to ask
배고프다	시장하시다	to be hungry
데리고가다	모시고가다	take someone somewhere
주다	드리다	to give
마시다	드시다	to drink
있다	계시다	to be somewhere
죽다	돌아가시다	to die
자다	주무시다	to sleep
아프다	펴찮으시다	to be hurt

 

3. Honorific Korean family titles and job titles

Family/Job title	Honorific family/job title	Meaning
할아버지 / 친할아버지	할아버님	(paternal) grandfather
외할압버지	외할아버님	maternal grandfather
할머니 / 친할머니	할머님	(paternal) grandmother
외할머니	외할머님	maternal grandmother
아버지	아버님	father
어머니	어머님	mother
형	형님	male’s older brother
누나	누님	male’s older sister
오빠	오라버니	female’s older brother
언니	언니	female’s older sister
아들	아드님	one’s son
딸	따님	one’s daughter
교수	교수님	professor
박사	박사님	doctor
기사	기사님	driver
선생	선생님	teacher

 

4. Honorific pronouns & particles in Korean

Pronoun/particle	Honorific pronoun/particle	Meaning
나	저	I
내가	제가	Me
우리	저희	We
에게/한테	께	to (someone)
이/가	께서	(object) to be
은/는	께서는	(subject) to be

Detailed Usage Examples of Korean Honorifics

1. 어른들께 말씀하셨어요. (N-에게, 말하다) 

I have talked to the elders.

2. 어머니께 선물을 드렸어요. (N-에게, 주다) 

I gave a gift to my mom

3. 선생님께 여쭤 봐요. (N-에게, 묻다) 

Try to ask your teacher.

4. 김 교수님께서 연락하셨어요? (N-이/가, V-시) 

Did Professor Kim contact you?

5. 아버지께서는 지금 집에 안 계세요. (N-은/는, 있다) 

My father is not at home now.

6. 할아버지께 연락드릴 거예요. (N-에게) 

I will contact my grandfather.

7. 어머님께 온 편지가 있어요. (어머니) 

There is a letter for my mother.

8. 잘 주무셨어요? (자다) 

Did you sleep well?

9. 선생님, 맛있게 드세요. (먹다) 

Teacher, enjoy your meal.

10. 선생님께서 하시는 말씀을 잘 들었어요? (N-이/가, V-시) 

Did you listen well to what the teacher said?

11. 부모님께서는 마트에 가셨어요. (N-은/는, V-시) 

My parents went to the market.

12. 할머니께서 저에게 사과를 주셨어요. (N-이/가) 

My grandma gave me an apple.

13. 그 분께서는 선생님이세요. (사람, N-은/는) 

That person is a teacher.

14. 아버님께서는 비가 오고 있다고 말씀했어요. (N-님, N-은/는, 말하다) 

My father said it was raining.

15. 아들님이 어제 전화하셨어요. (N-님, V-시) 

Your son called yesterday.

Mastering Korean Honorifics for Daily Use

Using honorifics properly is crucial for communicating respectfully in Korean. By understanding how to use these expressions, you can effectively convey politeness and respect in your conversations with elders, colleagues, and respected individuals. Practice incorporating these forms into your Korean language learning to enhance your skills and communicate appropriately in formal and social settings.

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