TL;DR 🦄
- 🏛️ 하십시오체 [ha-sip-si-o-che] is formal polite speech: crisp, official, and polished. Example: 갑니다 [gam-ni-da] (I go / they go).
- 🌿 해요체 [hae-yo-che] is everyday polite speech: polite, friendly, and conversational. Example: 가요 [ga-yo] (I go / they go).
- 🎚️ Both are listener-politeness styles. 하십시오체 fits announcements, interviews, and presentations; 해요체 fits normal polite conversation.
🎧 Iru Helper Note Use 
Korean Helper Widgets to compare pairs like 먹습니다 [meok-sseum-ni-da] and 먹어요 [meo-geo-yo]. Listen for how -습니다 feels crisp and formal, while -요 feels smoother and more conversational.
🌈 The Big Picture
Korean has more than one way to be polite. This lesson focuses on 상대 높임법 [sang-dae no-pim-beop], the system of choosing sentence endings to show respect to the listener. 🎧
Two beginner-important polite styles are:
- 하십시오체 [ha-sip-si-o-che] → formal polite style 🏛️
- 해요체 [hae-yo-che] → everyday polite style 🌿
Same meaning, different outfit:
- 저는 학교에 갑니다. [jeo-neun hak-gyo-e gam-ni-da] (I go to school.) 🏫
- 저는 학교에 가요. [jeo-neun hak-gyo-e ga-yo] (I go to school.) 🏫
Both are polite. The first sounds like a presentation, interview, announcement, or formal service setting. The second sounds natural in regular polite conversation.
🎨 The Core Politeness Family
1. Statements
- 하십시오체: -ㅂ니다/습니다 [-m-ni-da/seum-ni-da]
- 가다 [ga-da] (to go) → 갑니다 [gam-ni-da] (go/goes)
- 먹다 [meok-da] (to eat) → 먹습니다 [meok-sseum-ni-da] (eat/eats)
- 해요체: -아요/어요/해요 [-a-yo/eo-yo/hae-yo]
- 가다 → 가요 [ga-yo] (go/goes)
- 먹다 → 먹어요 [meo-geo-yo] (eat/eats)
2. Questions
- 하십시오체: -ㅂ니까/습니까? [-m-ni-kka/seum-ni-kka]
- 갑니까? [gam-ni-kka] (Do you go?)
- 먹습니까? [meok-sseum-ni-kka] (Do you eat?)
- 해요체: same polite form plus question intonation.
- 가요? [ga-yo] (Do you go?)
- 먹어요? [meo-geo-yo] (Do you eat?)
3. Requests / commands
- 하십시오체: -(으)십시오 [-(eu)-sip-si-o]
- 가십시오. [ga-sip-si-o] (Please go.) 🚶
- 읽으십시오. [il-geu-sip-si-o] (Please read.) 📖
- 해요체: commonly -(으)세요 [-(eu)-se-yo]
- 가세요. [ga-se-yo] (Please go.) 🚶
- 읽으세요. [il-geu-se-yo] (Please read.) 📖
🛠️ How They Work in a Sentence
- 회의가 시작됩니다. [hoe-ui-ga si-jak-doem-ni-da] (The meeting starts.) 💼
- Formal and announcement-like. 회의 = meeting, 시작되다 = to start.
- 회의가 시작돼요. [hoe-ui-ga si-jak-dwae-yo] (The meeting starts.) 💼
- Still polite, but more conversational.
- 여기에 이름을 쓰십시오. [yeo-gi-e i-reu-meul sseu-sip-si-o] (Please write your name here.) 🖊️
- Formal instruction. 여기 = here, 이름 = name, 쓰다 = to write.
🧩 General Formation Rule
For 하십시오체 statements:
- Vowel stem + ㅂ니다 → 가다 → 갑니다, 오다 → 옵니다
- Consonant stem + 습니다 → 먹다 → 먹습니다, 읽다 → 읽습니다
- 하다 → 합니다 [ham-ni-da]
For 하십시오체 questions:
- Vowel stem + ㅂ니까? → 갑니까?, 옵니까?
- Consonant stem + 습니까? → 먹습니까?, 읽습니까?
- 하다 → 합니까? [ham-ni-kka]
For 해요체, use everyday polite forms:
- 가다 → 가요
- 먹다 → 먹어요
- 하다 → 해요
Noun endings:
- Consonant-ending noun + 이에요 / 입니다: 학생이에요, 학생입니다 (is a student) 🎒
- Vowel-ending noun + 예요 / 입니다: 의사예요, 의사입니다 (is a doctor) 🩺
🧭 When to Use Which
Use 하십시오체 when you want a formal, official feel:
- announcements 📢
- presentations 🎤
- interviews 👔
- customer service 🛎️
- public instructions 📋
- formal writing or speeches 🏛️
Use 해요체 when you want polite everyday conversation:
- asking shop staff a normal question 🛍️
- chatting with a teacher or coworker in a friendly setting 👩🏫
- talking with someone you do not know well 🌿
- polite daily messages 💬
Tiny nuance: 해요체 is polite, but it is 비격식체 [bi-gyeok-sik-che] (non-formal style). 하십시오체 is 격식체 [gyeok-sik-che] (formal style). Both can be respectful; they simply fit different situations.
📚 Cross-check note
The use of 하십시오체 as a formal polite listener-honorific style, 해요체 as an everyday polite non-formal style, and their role in 상대 높임법 were cross-checked against korean.go.kr. ✅
🪞 Synonym Alert
These are related labels, not exact synonyms:
- 상대 높임법 [sang-dae no-pim-beop] → listener honorific system; politeness toward the listener 🎧
- 하십시오체 [ha-sip-si-o-che] → formal polite style 🏛️
- 해요체 [hae-yo-che] → everyday polite style 🌿
- 격식체 [gyeok-sik-che] → formal style
- 비격식체 [bi-gyeok-sik-che] → non-formal style
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ Thinking 해요체 is casual 반말 → ✅ 해요체 is still polite; it is just less formal than 하십시오체. 🌿
- ❌ Using 해요체 for a very formal announcement → ✅ Use 하십시오체, like 시작합니다. 📢
- ❌ Mixing endings randomly: 먹습니다요 → ✅ Choose one style: 먹습니다 or 먹어요. 🍚
- ❌ Forgetting question endings in 하십시오체 → ✅ 갑니다 is a statement; 갑니까? is a question. ❓
- ❌ Thinking -(으)시- and 하십시오체 are the same → ✅ -(으)시- honors the subject; 하십시오체 raises formality toward the listener. 🙇
You now have the politeness dial: 해요체 for warm everyday politeness, 하십시오체 for crisp formal polish. Same respect family, different outfit. 🌿🏛️
Try this exercise
Instructions Fill each blank with the matching 하십시오체 form. Watch whether the sentence is a statement, question, or request.
1. 저는 학교에 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun hak-gyo-e ＿＿＿＿]
I go to school. 🏫
Answer
갑니다 — 가다 + formal statement ending → 갑니다.
2. 아침을 ＿＿＿＿?
[a-chi-meul ＿＿＿＿]
Do you eat breakfast? 🍳
Answer
먹습니까 — 먹다 + formal question ending → 먹습니까?.
3. 여기에 이름을 ＿＿＿＿.
[yeo-gi-e i-reu-meul ＿＿＿＿]
Please write your name here. 🖊️
Answer
쓰십시오 — formal request: 쓰다 → 쓰십시오.
4. 회의가 지금 ＿＿＿＿.
[hoe-ui-ga ji-geum ＿＿＿＿]
The meeting starts now. 💼
Answer
시작합니다 — 시작하다 → 시작합니다.
5. 이 책을 ＿＿＿＿?
[i chae-geul ＿＿＿＿]
Do you read this book? 📖
Answer
읽습니까 — 읽다 + 습니까? → 읽습니까?.
6. 잠깐 ＿＿＿＿.
[jam-kkan ＿＿＿＿]
Please wait a moment. ⏳
Answer
기다리십시오 — formal request: 기다리다 → 기다리십시오.
7. 저는 한국어를 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun han-gu-geo-reul ＿＿＿＿]
I study Korean. 🇰🇷
Answer
공부합니다 — 공부하다 → 공부합니다.
8. 오늘 시간이 ＿＿＿＿?
[o-neul si-ga-ni ＿＿＿＿]
Do you have time today? ⏰
Answer
있습니까 — 있다 + formal question ending → 있습니까?.
9. 문을 ＿＿＿＿.
[mu-neul ＿＿＿＿]
Please open the door. 🚪
Answer
여십시오 — 열다 drops ㄹ before 십시오: 여십시오.
10. 저는 회사원＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun hoe-sa-won ＿＿＿＿]
I am an office worker. 💼
Answer
입니다 — noun + 입니다 = “am/is/are” formally.
Vocabulary Box
- 하십시오체 → formal polite style
- 해요체 → everyday polite style
- 가다 → to go
- 먹다 → to eat
- 쓰다 → to write
- 시작하다 → to start
- 읽다 → to read
- 기다리다 → to wait
- 공부하다 → to study
- 있다 → to have / to exist
- 열다 → to open
- 회사원 → office worker
Tip 💡 Formal statement = -ㅂ니다/습니다; formal question = -ㅂ니까/습니까?; formal request = -(으)십시오.
Want more reps? The Practice Hub below compares formal polish with everyday politeness in fresh situations. 🏛️🌿
🎯 Practice Hub — Formal Politeness Summary: 하십시오체 vs 해요체
Welcome to the politeness control room. 🎚️ This Practice Hub trains you to choose between crisp 하십시오체 and friendly 해요체, then form statements, questions, and requests without mixing styles. By the end, you will know whether your sentence needs a suit jacket or a cozy cardigan. 🏛️🌿
🔊 Audio reminder: Use Korean Helper Widgets whenever you want to hear a sentence aloud.
📝 Instructions: Fill each blank, say the completed sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle. Check the situation first: formal public setting or everyday polite conversation?
Exercise 1 — Formal Statements: -ㅂ니다/습니다 🏛️
A. 발표를 시작＿＿＿＿.
[bal-pyo-reul si-jak ＿＿＿＿]
I start the presentation. 🎤
Answer
합니다 — 시작하다 → 시작합니다.
B. 저는 서울에 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun seo-u-re ＿＿＿＿]
I live in Seoul. 🏙️
Answer
삽니다 — 살다 drops ㄹ before ㅂ니다: 삽니다.
C. 저는 매일 물을 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun mae-il mu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
I drink water every day. 💧
Answer
마십니다 — 마시다 + ㅂ니다 → 마십니다.
D. 수업이 곧 ＿＿＿＿.
[su-eo-bi got ＿＿＿＿]
Class ends soon. 🛎️
Answer
끝납니다 — 끝나다 → 끝납니다.
E. 저는 보고서를 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun bo-go-seo-reul ＿＿＿＿]
I write a report. 📄
Answer
씁니다 — 쓰다 → 씁니다.
F. 저는 아침에 운동＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun a-chi-me un-dong ＿＿＿＿]
I exercise in the morning. 🏃
Answer
합니다 — 운동하다 → 운동합니다.
G. 이 버스는 학교에 ＿＿＿＿.
[i beo-seu-neun hak-gyo-e ＿＿＿＿]
This bus goes to school. 🚌
Answer
갑니다 — 가다 → 갑니다.
H. 저는 뉴스를 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun nyu-seu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
I watch the news. 📰
Answer
봅니다 — 보다 → 봅니다.
I. 저는 점심을 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun jeom-si-meul ＿＿＿＿]
I eat lunch. 🍱
Answer
먹습니다 — 먹다 → 먹습니다.
J. 저는 학생＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun hak-saeng ＿＿＿＿]
I am a student. 🎒
Answer
입니다 — noun + 입니다 = “am/is/are” formally.
Vocabulary Box
- 시작하다 → to start
- 살다 → to live
- 마시다 → to drink
- 끝나다 → to end
- 쓰다 → to write
- 운동하다 → to exercise
- 가다 → to go
- 보다 → to watch/see
- 먹다 → to eat
- 학생 → student
Tip 💡 Formal statements usually end in -ㅂ니다/습니다.
Exercise 2 — Formal Questions: -ㅂ니까/습니까? ❓
A. 지금 출발＿＿＿＿?
[ji-geum chul-bal ＿＿＿＿]
Do we leave now? 🚗
Answer
합니까 — 출발하다 → 출발합니까?.
B. 이 문장을 ＿＿＿＿?
[i mun-jang-eul ＿＿＿＿]
Do you read this sentence? 📖
Answer
읽습니까 — consonant stem + 습니까?.
C. 오늘 시간이 ＿＿＿＿?
[o-neul si-ga-ni ＿＿＿＿]
Do you have time today? ⏰
Answer
있습니까 — 있다 → 있습니까?.
D. 회의실이 ＿＿＿＿?
[hoe-ui-si-ri ＿＿＿＿]
Is the meeting room big? 💼
Answer
큽니까 — 크다 → 큽니까?.
E. 여기에서 기다리＿＿＿＿?
[yeo-gi-e-seo gi-da-ri ＿＿＿＿]
Do we wait here? ⏳
Answer
ㅂ니까 — 기다리다 → 기다립니까?.
F. 한국어를 공부＿＿＿＿?
[han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu ＿＿＿＿]
Do you study Korean? 🇰🇷
Answer
합니까 — 공부하다 → 공부합니까?.
G. 이름을 ＿＿＿＿?
[i-reu-meul ＿＿＿＿]
Do you write your name? 🪪
Answer
씁니까 — 쓰다 → 씁니까?.
H. 저녁을 ＿＿＿＿?
[jeo-nyeo-geul ＿＿＿＿]
Do you eat dinner? 🍽️
Answer
먹습니까 — 먹다 → 먹습니까?.
I. 내일 회사에 ＿＿＿＿?
[nae-il hoe-sa-e ＿＿＿＿]
Do you go to the company tomorrow? 🏢
Answer
갑니까 — 가다 → 갑니까?.
J. 이분이 선생님＿＿＿＿?
[i-bu-ni seon-saeng-nim ＿＿＿＿]
Is this person a teacher? 👩🏫
Answer
입니까 — noun + 입니까? = “is/are?” formally.
Vocabulary Box
- 출발하다 → to leave/depart
- 문장 → sentence
- 시간 → time
- 회의실 → meeting room
- 크다 → to be big
- 기다리다 → to wait
- 공부하다 → to study
- 이름 → name
- 저녁 → dinner
- 회사 → company
- 이분 → this person, respectfully
Tip 💡 Formal questions usually end in -ㅂ니까/습니까?.
Exercise 3 — 해요체: Everyday Polite 🌿
A. 저는 집에 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun ji-be ＿＿＿＿]
I go home. 🏠
Answer
가요 — everyday polite form of 가다.
B. 아침을 ＿＿＿＿.
[a-chi-meul ＿＿＿＿]
I eat breakfast. 🍳
Answer
먹어요 — everyday polite form of 먹다.
C. 오늘 친구를 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-neul chin-gu-reul ＿＿＿＿]
I meet a friend today. 🤝
Answer
만나요 — everyday polite form of 만나다.
D. 지금 숙제를 ＿＿＿＿.
[ji-geum suk-je-reul ＿＿＿＿]
I do homework now. ✏️
Answer
해요 — 하다 → 해요.
E. 책을 ＿＿＿＿.
[chae-geul ＿＿＿＿]
I read a book. 📚
Answer
읽어요 — everyday polite form of 읽다.
F. 커피를 ＿＿＿＿?
[keo-pi-reul ＿＿＿＿]
Do you drink coffee? ☕
Answer
마셔요 — in 해요체, the same form can become a question by intonation: 마셔요?
G. 오늘 날씨가 ＿＿＿＿.
[o-neul nal-ssi-ga ＿＿＿＿]
The weather is good today. ☀️
Answer
좋아요 — everyday polite form of 좋다.
H. 저는 시간이 ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun si-ga-ni ＿＿＿＿]
I have time. ⏰
Answer
있어요 — everyday polite form of 있다.
I. 저는 학생＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun hak-saeng ＿＿＿＿]
I am a student. 🎒
Answer
이에요 — consonant-ending noun: 학생이에요.
J. 여기는 카페＿＿＿＿.
[yeo-gi-neun ka-pe ＿＿＿＿]
This place is a café. ☕
Answer
예요 — vowel-ending noun: 카페예요.
Vocabulary Box
- 집 → home
- 아침 → breakfast
- 친구 → friend
- 숙제 → homework
- 책 → book
- 커피 → coffee
- 날씨 → weather
- 좋다 → to be good
- 시간 → time
- 카페 → café
Tip 💡 해요체 is polite and natural for daily conversation.
Exercise 4 — Choose the Right Style 🎚️
A. 안내 방송: 열차가 곧 도착＿＿＿＿.
[an-nae bang-song: yeol-cha-ga got do-chak ＿＿＿＿]
Announcement: The train arrives soon. 🚆
Answer
합니다 — announcement setting → 하십시오체.
B. 친절한 대화: 지금 가＿＿＿＿?
[chin-jeol-han dae-hwa: ji-geum ga ＿＿＿＿]
Friendly polite conversation: Are you going now? 🚶
Answer
요 — everyday polite question: 가요?
C. 발표: 저는 이 주제를 설명＿＿＿＿.
[bal-pyo: jeo-neun i ju-je-reul seol-myeong ＿＿＿＿]
Presentation: I explain this topic. 🎤
Answer
합니다 — presentation setting → 설명합니다.
D. 가게 대화: 이거 얼마＿＿＿＿?
[ga-ge dae-hwa: i-geo eol-ma ＿＿＿＿]
Shop conversation: How much is this? 🛍️
Answer
예요 — everyday polite: 얼마예요?
E. 면접: 저는 한국어를 공부＿＿＿＿.
[myeon-jeop: jeo-neun han-gu-geo-reul gong-bu ＿＿＿＿]
Interview: I study Korean. 👔
Answer
합니다 — interview setting often fits 하십시오체.
F. 일상 대화: 오늘 바빠＿＿＿＿?
[il-sang dae-hwa: o-neul ba-ppa ＿＿＿＿]
Daily conversation: Are you busy today? 📅
Answer
요 — everyday polite question: 바빠요?
G. 공지: 문을 닫아 주＿＿＿＿.
[gong-ji: mu-neul da-da ju ＿＿＿＿]
Notice: Please close the door. 🚪
Answer
십시오 — formal request: 닫아 주십시오.
H. 문자: 내일 만＿＿＿＿.
[mun-ja: nae-il man ＿＿＿＿]
Text message: See you tomorrow. 💬
Answer
나요 — everyday polite: 내일 만나요.
I. 고객 안내: 잠시 기다려 주＿＿＿＿.
[go-gaek an-nae: jam-si gi-da-ryeo ju ＿＿＿＿]
Customer-service message: Please wait a moment. 🛎️
Answer
십시오 — customer-service instruction → 기다려 주십시오.
J. 편한 존댓말: 여기 앉으＿＿＿＿.
[pyeon-han jon-daen-mal: yeo-gi an-jeu ＿＿＿＿]
Comfortable polite speech: Please sit here. 🪑
Answer
세요 — everyday polite request: 앉으세요.
Vocabulary Box
- 안내 방송 → announcement
- 열차 → train
- 도착하다 → to arrive
- 발표 → presentation
- 면접 → interview
- 공지 → notice
- 고객 안내 → customer-service message
- 일상 대화 → daily conversation
- 문자 → text message
- 존댓말 → polite speech
Tip 💡 Formal public setting? Use 하십시오체. Warm daily politeness? Use 해요체.
Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️
A. 먹습니다＿＿＿＿
[meok-sseum-ni-da ＿＿＿＿]
Choose the style: 하십시오체 or 해요체? 🍚
Answer
하십시오체 — -습니다 is formal polite.
B. 먹어요＿＿＿＿
[meo-geo-yo ＿＿＿＿]
Choose the style: 하십시오체 or 해요체? 🍚
Answer
해요체 — -어요 is everyday polite.
C. 갑니다 → ＿＿＿＿
[gam-ni-da → ＿＿＿＿]
Change to 해요체. 🚶
Answer
가요 — formal statement 갑니다 becomes everyday polite 가요.
D. 읽어요 → ＿＿＿＿
[il-geo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Change to 하십시오체 statement. 📖
Answer
읽습니다 — 읽다 + 습니다.
E. 갑니다? → ＿＿＿＿?
[gam-ni-da → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the formal question. ❓
Answer
갑니까 — ❌ 갑니다? → ✅ 갑니까? for formal questions.
F. 먹습니다요. → ＿＿＿＿.
[meok-sseum-ni-da-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Fix the mixed ending. 🍱
Answer
먹습니다 or 먹어요 — do not stack -습니다 and -요.
G. 기다려요 → ＿＿＿＿.
[gi-da-ryeo-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Change to formal request. ⏳
Answer
기다리십시오 — formal request form.
H. 앉으십시오 → ＿＿＿＿.
[an-jeu-sip-si-o → ＿＿＿＿]
Change to everyday polite request. 🪑
Answer
앉으세요 — everyday polite request.
I. 저는 의사입니다. → ＿＿＿＿.
[jeo-neun ui-sa-im-ni-da → ＿＿＿＿]
Change to 해요체. 🩺
Answer
저는 의사예요 — vowel-ending noun 의사 + 예요.
J. 이것은 책이에요. → ＿＿＿＿.
[i-geo-seun chae-gi-e-yo → ＿＿＿＿]
Change to 하십시오체. 📘
Answer
이것은 책입니다 — noun + 입니다.
Vocabulary Box
- 먹다 → to eat
- 가다 → to go
- 읽다 → to read
- 기다리다 → to wait
- 앉다 → to sit
- 의사 → doctor
- 이것 → this thing
- 책 → book
- -ㅂ니다/습니다 → formal statement
- -아요/어요/해요 → everyday polite
- -(으)십시오 → formal request
- -(으)세요 → everyday polite request
Tip 💡 Do not mix endings. Pick one style and let the sentence wear one outfit.
🎉 Politeness summary complete. You can now switch between presentation-polished 하십시오체 and warm everyday 해요체 without making your sentence wear a tuxedo and sneakers at the same time. 🏛️👟
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