하다 → 해라/해/해요/하세요/하십시오 → 하세요: When "to do (command forms)" Needs Respect

In Korean, to do (command forms) has completely different words depending on who you're talking to or about.

The Rule

In Korean, "to do (command forms)" isn't just one word — it changes based on your relationship with the listener and the person you're talking about. This isn't just about being polite; using the wrong level can be genuinely offensive. The four key levels for "to do (command forms)": • 반말 (casual): 해 • 해요체 (polite): 해요 • 합쇼체 (formal): 하십시오 • 존칭 (honorific): 하세요

Why English Speakers Get It Wrong

English has one word for "to do (command forms)" regardless of who you're talking to. You might add "please" or change your tone, but the verb itself stays the same. In Korean, the entire word changes. This isn't like French "tu/vous" — Korean has MORE levels and the honorific forms can be completely different words, not just different endings. 하다 → 해라/해/해요/하세요/하십시오 and 하세요 don't even look related, but they mean the same thing at different politeness levels.

How It Works

Telling different people to sit down Commands have 5 levels: 앉아(intimate) → 앉아요(polite) → 앉으세요(respectful) → 앉으십시오(formal). Use 으세요 for most polite situations. The hierarchy: 1. 반말 (해) — Friends your age, younger people 2. 해요체 (해요) — Default safe level, strangers, colleagues 3. 합쇼체 (하십시오) — Business settings, news, presentations 4. 존칭 (하세요) — About/to elders, customers, respected figures

Real Examples

• 해 (hae) — "do (command forms)" (to friends, casual) • 해요 (haeyo) — "do (command forms)" (polite daily conversation) • 하십시오 (hasipsio) — "do (command forms)" (formal settings) • 하세요 (haseyo) — "do (command forms)" (about respected people) Correct usage: 사장님, 앉으세요. (sajangnim, aneuseyo.)

Common Mistakes

❌ 사장님, 앉아요. (sajangnim, anayo.) ✅ 사장님, 앉으세요. (sajangnim, aneuseyo.) → Commands have 5 levels: 앉아(intimate) → 앉아요(polite) → 앉으세요(respectful) → 앉으십시오(formal). Use 으세요 for most polite situations. ❌ Using 해 to someone older or a stranger ✅ Default to 해요 when unsure → When in doubt, go one level higher. Koreans appreciate over-politeness from foreigners more than under-politeness.

Quick Tip

When you're unsure which level to use, default to 해요체 (해요). It's polite enough for almost every situation and won't offend anyone. Only use 반말 (해) when someone explicitly tells you it's okay. For the honorific form 하세요, practice using it when talking ABOUT (not just to) respected people. Even when grandma isn't in the room, you should use the honorific form when mentioning her.

Safe default: 해요. When talking about elders: 하세요.

Examples

해 — hae — do (command forms) (casual)

해요 — haeyo — do (command forms) (polite)

하십시오 — hasipsio — do (command forms) (formal)

하세요 — haseyo — do (command forms) (honorific)

사장님, 앉으세요. — sajangnim, aneuseyo. — Correct honorific usage