Verbs: Honorific Imperatives — Korean Grammar

The ending (-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(eu)sip·si·o-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(u)sip·si·o) is the most formal way to give a command, make a request, or give instructions. It corresponds to the formal polite speech level (often called the (-(sŭ)m·ni·da-(seu)m·ni·da-(sŭ)m·ni·da-(su)m·ni·ta) style).

You will frequently see this form on public signs, in user manuals, during formal presentations, or hear it in public announcements. It conveys a high degree of respect for the listener while maintaining authority or formality.

Construction Rules

The formation of the formal command ending (-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(eu)sip·si·o-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(u)sip·si·o) depends on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or a consonant.

1. Stems ending in a vowel

Attach (-sip·si·o) directly to the verb stem.

어서 오십시오.
ŏ·sŏ o·sip·si·o.eo·seo o·sip·si·o.ŏ·sŏ o·sip·si·o.e·se o·sip·si·o.
Please come in (Welcome).
안녕히 가십시오.
an·nyŏng·hi ga·sip·si·o.an·nyeong·hi ga·sip·si·o.an·nyŏng·hi ga·sip·si·o.an·nyeng·hi ka·sip·si·o.
Goodbye (Please go in peace).

2. Stems ending in a consonant

Attach (-ŭ·sip·si·o-eu·sip·si·o-ŭ·sip·si·o-u·sip·si·o) to the verb stem. The extra vowel (ŭeuŭu) makes pronunciation easier.

책을 읽으십시오.
chʰæg·ŭl ilg·ŭ·sip·si·o.chaeg·eul ilg·eu·sip·si·o.ch'aeg·ŭl ilg·ŭ·sip·si·o.chayg·ul ilg·u·sip·si·o.
Please read the book.
여기에 앉으십시오.
yŏ·gi·e anj·ŭ·sip·si·o.yeo·gi·e anj·eu·sip·si·o.yŏ·gi·e anj·ŭ·sip·si·o.ye·ki·ey anj·u·sip·si·o.
Please sit here.

The 'ㄹ' Irregularity

If a verb stem ends in the consonant (l), you must drop the (l) before adding the formal command ending (-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(eu)sip·si·o-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(u)sip·si·o). After dropping the consonant, the stem now ends in a vowel, so you add (-sip·si·o).

For example, (yŏl·dayeol·dayŏl·dayel·ta) - to open becomes (yŏ·sip·si·oyeo·sip·si·oyŏ·sip·si·oye·sip·si·o), not (yŏr·ŭ·sip·si·oyeor·eu·sip·si·oyŏr·ŭ·sip·si·oyer·u·sip·si·o).

문을 여십시오.
mun·ŭl yŏ·sip·si·o.mun·eul yeo·sip·si·o.mun·ŭl yŏ·sip·si·o.mun·ul ye·sip·si·o.
Please open the door.
비누를 만드십시오.
pi·nu·rŭl man·dŭ·sip·si·o.bi·nu·reul man·deu·sip·si·o.pi·nu·rŭl man·dŭ·sip·si·o.pi·nu·lul man·tu·sip·si·o.
Please make soap.

Negative Commands (Prohibitions)

To tell someone not to do something in the formal command style of (-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(eu)sip·si·o-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(u)sip·si·o), use the pattern: Verb Stem + (-chi ma·sip·si·o-ji ma·sip·si·o-chi ma·sip·si·o-ci ma·sip·si·o). This is the formal version of "don't do it."

들어오지 마십시오.
tŭr·ŏ·o·ji ma·sip·si·o.deur·eo·o·ji ma·sip·si·o.tŭr·ŏ·o·ji ma·sip·si·o.tur·e·o·ci ma·sip·si·o.
Do not enter.
걱정하지 마십시오.
kŏk·jŏng·ha·ji ma·sip·si·o.geok·jeong·ha·ji ma·sip·si·o.kŏk·jŏng·ha·ji ma·sip·si·o.kek·ceng·ha·ci ma·sip·si·o.
Please do not worry.
사진을 찍지 마십시오.
sa·jin·ŭl jjik·ji ma·sip·si·o.sa·jin·eul jjik·ji ma·sip·si·o.sa·jin·ŭl tchik·ji ma·sip·si·o.sa·cin·ul ccik·ci ma·sip·si·o.
Please do not take photos.

Common Usage Contexts

While (-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(eu)sip·si·o-(ŭ)sip·si·o-(u)sip·si·o) is an imperative (command) form, the inclusion of the honorific marker (-si-) inside the ending makes it polite. However, it is generally too stiff for casual conversation, even with strangers.

Signs and Instructions

You will see this on doors or warning signs.

미십시오.
mi·sip·si·o.
Push.
당기십시오.
tang·gi·sip·si·o.dang·gi·sip·si·o.tang·gi·sip·si·o.tang·ki·sip·si·o.
Pull.

Tests and Forms

Written instructions often use this form to guide the reader.

맞는 것을 고르십시오.
man·nŭn gŏs·ŭl go·rŭ·sip·si·o.man·neun geos·eul go·reu·sip·si·o.man·nŭn gŏs·ŭl go·rŭ·sip·si·o.man·nun kes·ul ko·lu·sip·si·o.
Please choose the correct one.
이름을 쓰십시오.
i·rŭm·ŭl ssŭ·sip·si·o.i·reum·eul sseu·sip·si·o.i·rŭm·ŭl ssŭ·sip·si·o.i·lum·ul ssu·sip·si·o.
Please write your name.

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