-아/어 주세요

Build it

When to use it

The vowel follows the same rule as -아요/어요, merges included: 열어 주세요, 도와 주세요, 해 주세요. Then 주다 carries the sense of benefit — the action is done for someone.

This is usually the form you want. 문을 여세요 is an instruction, appropriate from a teacher to a class. 문을 열어 주세요 is a request, appropriate almost everywhere else.

Two variations extend it. For extra politeness, turn it into a question: 열어 주시겠어요? And when you are the one doing the favour for someone senior, 주다 becomes 드리다: 제가 도와 드릴게요.

How to attach it

In use

1. 문 좀 열어 주세요.

   Could you open the door, please?

2. 다시 한 번 설명해 주세요.

   Please explain it once more.

3. 조금만 기다려 주세요.

   Please wait just a moment.

4. 사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요?

   Would you mind taking a photo?

5. 제가 가방을 들어 드릴게요.

   Let me carry your bag for you.

6. 천천히 말해 주세요.

   Please speak slowly.

Compared with

• -(으)세요

  -(으)세요 directs; -아/어 주세요 asks a favour. If you benefit from the action, the second is the courteous choice.

  여기 앉으세요. (please sit — for your comfort)  /  자리 좀 바꿔 주세요. (please swap seats — for mine)

• -아/어 주시겠어요?

  A question form is softer than an imperative in Korean as in English. Use it with strangers and in service situations.

  열어 주세요.  /  열어 주시겠어요?

• -아/어 드리다

  The humble counterpart, used when you offer to do something for someone above you. Pair it with -(으)ㄹ게요 to offer help.

  도와 주세요. (please help me)  /  도와 드릴게요. (let me help you)

Watch out

• 다시 설명하어 주세요.

  다시 설명해 주세요.

  하다 becomes 해 before 주세요, exactly as it does in the present tense. Every 하다 compound follows.

• 제가 도와 주세요.

  제가 도와 드릴게요.

  주세요 asks someone else to act. To offer your own help, use 드리다 with -(으)ㄹ게요.

• 사진 좀 찍으세요. — asking a stranger to photograph you

  사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요?

  찍으세요 tells them to take a photo for their own purposes. Since the favour is yours, the request needs 주다.

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