TL;DR
- 께서 and 께 are the honorific versions of 이/가 (subject marker) and 에게/한테 (to/for), used when showing respect to the subject 🙏
- Use 께서 after the honored person when they're doing the action, and 께 when something is being given/done to them 💝
- These particles are essential in formal situations, with elders, bosses, customers, or anyone you need to show respect to 👔
What Are 께서 and 께? 🤔
When you want to show respect to someone in Korean, you don't just change the verb ending—you also change the particles!
께서 is the fancy, polite version of 이/가 (subject marker) ✨
께 is the honorific version of 에게/한테 (to/for) 🎁
Think of them as the VIP treatment for particles! 👑
Using 께서 (Honorific Subject Marker) 📝
Use 께서 right after the person you're honoring when they're the one doing the action 🎯
→ 할아버지께서 오셨어요.
(Grandfather came.) 🚶♂️
→ 선생님께서 말씀하셨어요.
(The teacher spoke.) 👨🏫
→ 사장님께서 회의를 시작하셨습니다.
(The boss started the meeting.) 💼
Notice how 께서 replaces 이/가, and we also use honorific verbs like 오시다, 말씀하시다, and 시작하시다! They work together as a team 🤝
Using 께 (Honorific "To/For") 🎀
Use 께 when you're giving something to someone or doing something for them (and they deserve respect!) 🙇
→ 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요.
(I gave a gift to Grandmother.) 🎁
→ 교수님께 질문했어요.
(I asked the professor a question.) ❓
→ 부모님께 전화할게요.
(I'll call my parents.) 📞
Here, 께 replaces 에게/한테, and we often pair it with humble verbs like 드리다 (humble "give") to show extra respect! 💎
When to Use Them 🕐
You'll use 께서 and 께 in situations where you need to be respectful:
Family elders 👴👵
→ 아버지께서 집에 계세요.
Teachers & professors 📚
→ 선생님께 여쭤볼게요.
Bosses & clients 💼
→ 대표님께서 승인하셨습니다.
Customers (in service industries) 🛍️
→ 고객님께 안내해 드리겠습니다.
Religious figures ⛪
→ 목사님께서 기도하셨어요.
Quick Comparison Chart 📊
Regular | Honorific | Meaning |
이/가 | 께서 | subject marker |
에게/한테 | 께 | to/for |
Important Notes 📌
Never mix levels! ⚠️
If you use 께서, you must also use honorific verb forms! Don't say:
❌ 할아버지께서 왔어요.
Instead say:
✅ 할아버지께서 오셨어요.
The particle and verb need to match in politeness level! They're a package deal 📦
Don't overuse! 🚫
Don't use these for yourself, your siblings, or friends—that would sound really weird! 😅
→ 언니가 왔어요. (My older sister came.) ✅
→ 언니께서 오셨어요. (Too formal for a sibling!) ❌
Exceptions ⚡
께 can also mean "to" in the sense of direction when showing respect:
→ 하나님께 기도하다
(to pray to God) 🙏
This is different from the regular directional marker 에/으로!
Sometimes 께 is used in very formal writing or announcements:
→ 고객 여러분께 알려드립니다.
(We inform all our customers.) 📢
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks with the honorific particles 께서 or 께. 🎓
- 할아버지_____ 오늘 집에 계세요.
Answer
께서
- 선생님_____ 학생들을 사랑하세요.
Answer
께서
- 저는 어머니_____ 선물을 드렸어요.
Answer
께
- 사장님_____ 회의에 참석하실 거예요.
Answer
께서
- 교수님_____ 질문이 있으시면 말씀하세요.
Answer
께서
- 아버지_____ 편지를 보냈습니다.
Answer
께
- 할머니_____ 건강하세요.
Answer
께서
- 손님_____ 안내해 드릴게요.
Answer
께
- 부모님_____ 항상 저를 응원하세요.
Answer
께서
- 선배님_____ 조언을 구하고 싶어요.
Answer
께
할아버지 - grandfather
계시다 - to be/stay (honorific)
선생님 - teacher
사랑하다 - to love
어머니 - mother
드리다 - to give (humble)
사장님 - company president
회의 - meeting
참석하다 - to attend
교수님 - professor
질문 - question
말씀하다 - to speak (honorific)
아버지 - father
편지 - letter
할머니 - grandmother
건강하다 - to be healthy
손님 - guest/customer
안내하다 - to guide
부모님 - parents
응원하다 - to support/cheer
선배님 - senior
조언 - advice
구하다 - to seek
Common mistakes:
- 🚫 Using 께서 with non-honorific verbs (e.g., "할아버지께서 간다" instead of "할아버지께서 가신다")
- 🚫 Using 께 as the subject marker instead of 께서 (e.g., "선생님께 오셨어요" should be "선생님께서 오셨어요")
- 🚫 Forgetting that 께 is used for indirect objects, while 께서 marks subjects
- 🚫 Overusing honorifics with people of equal or lower status