-아/어 드리다
Do for (Honorific)
-아/어 드리다 is used to say you are doing something for someone you respect, like an elder, teacher, or boss.
How It Works
In Korean, showing respect is crucial, and grammar reflects this. While -아/어 주다 is used for friends or people of equal/lower status, -아/어 드리다 is used when the speaker performs an action for someone who is older or of higher social status (e.g., parents, grandparents, teachers, bosses).
The verb 드리다 is a 'humble' verb (낮춤말). By using it, the speaker lowers their own position to elevate the person they are helping. This is a common strategy in Korean honorifics.
Conjugation Rules:
- If the verb stem's last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, add -아 드리다.
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾아 드리다
- 돕다 (to help) → 도와 드리다 (Note: 돕다 is a 'ㅂ' irregular verb). - If the verb stem's last vowel is anything else, add -어 드리다.
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽어 드리다
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들어 드리다 - For 하다 verbs, it becomes 해 드리다.
- 설명하다 (to explain) → 설명해 드리다
- 전화하다 (to call) → 전화해 드리다
This pattern is often used when making offers ('Shall I do... for you?') or stating that you have done/will do something for a respected person.
Examples (4)
- 제가 도와 드릴게요.
I will help you (sir/ma'am).
Word by Word: I help will give (honorific).
A common and polite way to offer help to someone you respect.
- 할머니께 책을 읽어 드렸어요.
I read a book for my grandmother.
Word by Word: To grandmother book read gave (honorific).
The particle 께 is the honorific form of 'to' and is often used with -아/어 드리다.
- 사장님, 문을 열어 드릴까요?
Boss, shall I open the door for you?
Word by Word: Boss, door open shall give (honorific)?
Used in a question form to politely offer assistance.
- 선생님께 이메일을 보내 드렸습니다.
I sent an email to the teacher.
Word by Word: To teacher email send gave (honorific).
This example uses the formal polite ending -습니다.
Common Mistakes
Using -아/어 주다 for someone who requires respect.
Different Meaning할아버지, 제가 도와 줄게요.Better할아버지, 제가 도와 드릴게요.When speaking to an elder like a grandfather (할아버지), you must use the honorific/humble form -아/어 드리다 to show respect. Using -아/어 주다 is too casual and can sound rude.
Using -아/어 드리다 when the action is done for you or for a friend.
Not Quite친구가 저에게 숙제를 도와 드렸어요.Better친구가 저에게 숙제를 도와 줬어요.-아/어 드리다 is used when the speaker (I) performs an action for a respected person. When someone else does something for you, or for someone of equal/lower status, the correct pattern is -아/어 주다.
Learn This First
To express 'do for (honorific)', you need the plain benefactive pattern plus honorific knowledge.
Related Patterns
- -(으)시-Honorific Marker
Both are honorifics, but they honor different people. -시- honors the subject of the verb (the person doing the action), while -아/어 드리다 honors the recipient of the action by having the speaker use a humble verb.
- 께To (Honorific)
The particle 께 is the honorific version of 에게 ('to a person'). It is very commonly used to mark the respected person who is receiving the action expressed by -아/어 드리다.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.