사다 → 사시다: When "to buy" Needs Respect

In Korean, to buy has completely different words depending on who you're talking to or about.

The Rule

In Korean, "to buy" 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 buy": • 반말 (casual): 사 • 해요체 (polite): 사요 • 합쇼체 (formal): 삽니다 • 존칭 (honorific): 사시다

Why English Speakers Get It Wrong

English has one word for "to buy" 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. 사다 and 사시다 don't even look related, but they mean the same thing at different politeness levels.

How It Works

Asking what your professor bought Regular honorific with -시-. Note the past tense: 사 + 시 + 었어요 → 사셨어요. The hierarchy: 1. 반말 (사) — Friends your age, younger people 2. 해요체 (사요) — Default safe level, strangers, colleagues 3. 합쇼체 (삽니다) — Business settings, news, presentations 4. 존칭 (사시다) — About/to elders, customers, respected figures

Real Examples

• 사 (sa) — "buy" (to friends, casual) • 사요 (sayo) — "buy" (polite daily conversation) • 삽니다 (sapnida) — "buy" (formal settings) • 사시다 (sasida) — "buy" (about respected people) Correct usage: 교수님, 뭐 사셨어요? (gyosunim, mwo sasyeoteoyo?)

Common Mistakes

❌ 교수님, 뭐 샀어요? (gyosunim, mwo sateoyo?) ✅ 교수님, 뭐 사셨어요? (gyosunim, mwo sasyeoteoyo?) → Regular honorific with -시-. Note the past tense: 사 + 시 + 었어요 → 사셨어요. ❌ Using 사 to someone older or a stranger ✅ Default to 사요 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 (사요). It's polite enough for almost every situation and won't offend anyone. Only use 반말 (사) when someone explicitly tells you it's okay. For the honorific form 사시다, 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: 사요. When talking about elders: 사시다.

Examples

사 — sa — buy (casual)

사요 — sayo — buy (polite)

삽니다 — sapnida — buy (formal)

사시다 — sasida — buy (honorific)

교수님, 뭐 사셨어요? — gyosunim, mwo sasyeoteoyo? — Correct honorific usage