Learn Korean for Free | Beginner Korean Grammar #17
Come in, sit here, read the next sentence—V-(으)세요 is common in polite instructions, directions, invitations, and service encounters.
What Does V-(으)세요 Mean?
Attach -(으)세요 to an action verb to tell or invite the listener to do something politely. The situation and tone decide whether it feels like an instruction, invitation, or suggestion.
The Rule
After a consonant-ending stem, add -으세요: 앉다 → 앉으세요. After a vowel, add -세요: 가다 → 가세요. A final ㄹ drops: 만들다 → 만드세요. Some common verbs use special honorific forms: 먹다 → 드세요.
Useful Korean Words
| Korean | English |
|---|---|
| 앉다 | to sit |
| 들어오다 | to come in |
| 읽다 | to read |
| 가다 | to go |
| 기다리다 | to wait |
| 고르다 | to choose |
| 쉬다 | to rest |
| 조심하다 | to be careful |
Korean Grammar Examples
이쪽에 앉으세요.
Please sit here.
천천히 읽으세요.
Please read slowly.
안으로 들어오세요.
Please come inside.
마음에 드는 것을 고르세요.
Please choose the one you like.
오늘은 푹 쉬세요.
Get plenty of rest today.
A Short Dialogue
Teacher: 책 20쪽을 펴세요. — Please open your book to page 20.
Student: 네. — Okay.
Teacher: 대화를 읽으세요. 그리고 친구하고 연습하세요. — Read the dialogue, and then practice with a partner.
A Common Mistake to Avoid
The form matches the honorific ending in Lesson 13, but its job can differ. 어디에 가세요? is normally a respectful question; 오른쪽으로 가세요 is a direction. For “please do this for me,” -아/어 주세요 from Lesson 15 often makes the requested benefit clearer. To tell someone not to do something, use -지 마세요: 여기에서 사진을 찍지 마세요.
Quick Quiz 🎯
Turn the verbs into polite instructions: ① 여기 앉다. ② 이 문장을 읽다. ③ 왼쪽으로 가다. ④ 잠깐 쉬다.
Answers and Explanation
① 여기 앉으세요. ② 이 문장을 읽으세요. ③ 왼쪽으로 가세요. ④ 잠깐 쉬세요. Check the final sound of the verb stem before choosing 으세요 or 세요.
Try It in Your Own Life
Say or write two original sentences with V-(으)세요. Use a person, place, food, class, or daily routine that is real for you. Then change one detail and say the new sentence aloud. This small change helps you practice the grammar as a speaking tool rather than memorizing only one example.
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