Usage:
- (1) V-(으)세요 as a honorific ending of V-아/어요 (polite ending): use to ask or talk about the person that you show respect (e.g. your teacher, your parents, your boss).
- (2) V-(으)세요: use to make requests or give orders, suggestions, and directions politely = please (do)
- V~(으)십시오 is the formal polite form of V-(으)세요: use to give commands very formally. Mostly used on government/restaurant/store signs or at the subway broadcasts or at a test.
Tense:
Verb ending in vowel or ㄹ + 세요:
가다 -- 가세요.
주다 -- 주세요.
운동하다 -- 운동하세요.
*만들다 -- 만드세요 (make)
*살다 -- 사세요 (live)
Verb ending in consonant + 으세요:
입다 -- 입으세요 (wear)
않다 -- 않으세요 (sit down)
*듣다 -- 들으세요 (listen)
*걷다 -- 걸으세요 (walk)
Adjective ending in 하다 + 세요:
행복하세요 (I wish you happiness)
건강하세요 (please be healthy)
Adjective + 아/어하세요:
기뻐하세요 (be happy)
Examples:
(1) V-(으)세요 as a honorific ending:
1. 요즘 어떻게 지내세요?
- 잘 지내요.
How have you been lately?
- I am fine.
2. 선생님, 미국사람이세요?
Teacher, are you an American?
3. 한국어 어떠세요? 재미있으세요?
How is Korean? Is it interesting?
4. 무슨 책을 읽으세요?
What book are you reading?
5. 한국어 선생님이 누구세요?
Who is the Korean class teacher?
6. 김 선생님은 한국어를 가르치세요.
Teacher Kim teaches Korean.
(2) V-(으)세요 as an imperative ending:
1. 않으세요. ← idiom
Please have a seat.
2. 들어오세요. ← idiom
Come in please.
3. 맛있게 드세요. ← idiom
Have a good meal.
3. 책을 꺼내고 30쪽을 펴세요. ← making a request
Please take out your book and open the page 30.
4. 사거리에서 우회전 가세요. ← giving direction.
At the crossroad, go to the right.
5. 수지 씨, 결혼 축하해요. 행복하세요. ← idiom
Suzy, congratulations to your wedding. I wish you happiness.
6. 여기에 이름과 주소를 쓰세요. ← giving order/make a request
-알겠습니다.
Please write down your name and address here.
- Okey.
7. 여러분, 조용히 하세요. 자, 사장님, 말씀하세요. ← making a request/ giving an order
Everyone , please be quiet. Now director, please begin (talking).
8. 사장님, 물 좀 주세요. ← make a request
Sir, may I have some water?
