생각하다 → 생각하시다: When "to think" Needs Respect

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

The Rule

In Korean, "to think" 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 think": • 반말 (casual): 생각해 • 해요체 (polite): 생각해요 • 합쇼체 (formal): 생각합니다 • 존칭 (honorific): 생각하시다

Why English Speakers Get It Wrong

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

How It Works

Asking your CEO's opinion 께서는 = honorific topic+subject. 생각하시다 = regular -시-. Many 하다 verbs follow this pattern. The hierarchy: 1. 반말 (생각해) — Friends your age, younger people 2. 해요체 (생각해요) — Default safe level, strangers, colleagues 3. 합쇼체 (생각합니다) — Business settings, news, presentations 4. 존칭 (생각하시다) — About/to elders, customers, respected figures

Real Examples

• 생각해 (saenggakhae) — "think" (to friends, casual) • 생각해요 (saenggakhaeyo) — "think" (polite daily conversation) • 생각합니다 (saenggakhapnida) — "think" (formal settings) • 생각하시다 (saenggakhasida) — "think" (about respected people) Correct usage: 사장님께서는 어떻게 생각하세요? (sajangnimkkeseoneun eotteohge saenggakhaseyo?)

Common Mistakes

❌ 사장님은 어떻게 생각해요? (sajangnimeun eotteohge saenggakhaeyo?) ✅ 사장님께서는 어떻게 생각하세요? (sajangnimkkeseoneun eotteohge saenggakhaseyo?) → 께서는 = honorific topic+subject. 생각하시다 = regular -시-. Many 하다 verbs follow this pattern. ❌ Using 생각해 to someone older or a stranger ✅ Default to 생각해요 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 (생각해요). It's polite enough for almost every situation and won't offend anyone. Only use 반말 (생각해) when someone explicitly tells you it's okay. For the honorific form 생각하시다, 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: 생각해요. When talking about elders: 생각하시다.

Examples

생각해 — saenggakhae — think (casual)

생각해요 — saenggakhaeyo — think (polite)

생각합니다 — saenggakhapnida — think (formal)

생각하시다 — saenggakhasida — think (honorific)

사장님께서는 어떻게 생각하세요? — sajangnimkkeseoneun eotteohge saenggakhaseyo? — Correct honorific usage