Middle School - Grade 6
Lesson 3: Special Honorific Nouns & Verbs
The "Level Up" Words
You've learned `-(으)시-` (like `가시다`), which is great! But for some of the most common words, using `-(으)시-` is actually *wrong*.
You must use a completely different, special word. Think of it like saying "dine" instead of "eat-polite." These words are non-negotiable when speaking about someone you highly respect.
Special Honorific Verbs
| Normal Verb | Meaning | Special Honorific Verb |
|---|---|---|
| 먹다 / 마시다 | to eat / drink | 드시다 / 잡수시다 |
| 자다 | to sleep | 주무시다 |
| 있다 | to be / have | 계시다 |
| 아프다 | to be sick | 편찮으시다 |
| 죽다 | to die | 돌아가시다 |
| 주다 | to give | 드리다 |
Special Honorific Nouns
| Normal Noun | Meaning | Special Honorific Noun |
|---|---|---|
| 밥 | rice / meal | 진지 |
| 집 | house | 댁 |
| 이름 | name | 성함 |
| 나이 | age | 연세 |
| 사람 | person | 분 |
Example Sentences
See how the sentence changes when talking *about* a friend vs. *about* a grandmother.
Normal (친구 - Friend)
- 친구가 먹어요. (Friend eats)
- 친구가 있어요. (Friend is here)
- 친구가 자요. (Friend sleeps)
Honorific (할머니 - Grandmother)
- 할머니가 드세요. (Grandmother dines)
- 할머니가 계세요. (Grandmother is here)
- 할머니가 주무세요. (Grandmother sleeps)
Key Point!
You must also use the honorific subject particle! The particle `이/가` becomes `께서` and `은/는` becomes `께서는`.
Example: 할머니께서 주무세요.