-아/어 주다
Do for Someone
-아/어 주다 is attached to a verb to show that the action is done as a favor or service for another person. It's like saying 'do [verb] for someone'.
How It Works
The pattern -아/어 주다 is a fundamental way to express performing an action for someone else's benefit. It combines the main action verb with the verb 주다 (to give).
Conjugation Rules:
The conjugation depends on the last vowel of the verb stem:
- If the last vowel is ㅏ or ㅗ, you add -아 주다.
- 찾다 (to find) → 찾아 주다
- 보다 (to see/watch) → 봐 주다 (보 + 아 = 봐) - If the last vowel is anything else (ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅣ, etc.), you add -어 주다.
- 만들다 (to make) → 만들어 주다
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽어 주다 - For 하다 verbs, it always becomes 해 주다.
- 요리하다 (to cook) → 요리해 주다
- 설명하다 (to explain) → 설명해 주다
Honorific Form: -아/어 드리다
When the action is performed for someone of higher social status (e.g., a parent, teacher, or elder), you must use the honorific form -아/어 드리다 instead of -아/어 주다. This shows respect to the person receiving the favor.
- 할머니를 도와 주다 (Incorrect/Disrespectful) → 할머니를 도와 드리다 (Correct)
This pattern is also the basis for the polite request form -아/어 주세요 ('Please do... for me').
Examples (4)
- 친구가 숙제를 도와줬어요.
My friend helped me with my homework.
Word by Word: Friend homework helped.
도와주다 comes from 돕다 (to help) + -아 주다. The action of helping was done for the speaker's benefit.
- 제가 문을 열어 줄게요.
I will open the door for you.
Word by Word: I door will open for you.
열다 (to open) + -어 주다. The speaker is offering to perform the action of opening the door as a favor.
- 동생에게 책을 읽어 줬어요.
I read a book for my younger sibling.
Word by Word: To younger sibling book read for them.
- 할아버지께 신문을 읽어 드렸어요.
I read the newspaper for my grandfather.
Word by Word: To grandfather newspaper read for him (honorific).
Because the action is for a grandfather (an elder), the honorific form -아/어 드리다 is used instead of -아/어 주다.
Common Mistakes
Using -아/어 주다 for an action you do for yourself.
Different Meaning나는 나에게 선물을 사 줬어요.Better나는 선물을 샀어요.-아/어 주다 requires a beneficiary other than the person performing the action. To say you bought a gift for yourself, you simply say you bought a gift.
Forgetting to use the honorific form -아/어 드리다 for elders.
Different Meaning선생님의 짐을 들어 줬어요.Better선생님의 짐을 들어 드렸어요.When performing a favor for someone of higher status like a teacher (선생님), you must use the honorific form -아/어 드리다 to show respect.
Learn This First
To express 'do for someone', you need to understand verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -아/어 주세요Please Give Me
This is the polite imperative (request) form of -아/어 주다. While -아/어 주다 describes an action done for someone, -아/어 주세요 is used to ask someone to do an action for you.
- -아/어 드리다Do for (Honorific)
This is the honorific equivalent of -아/어 주다. It is used when the person receiving the favor is of a higher social status than the speaker, showing respect.
- -(으)시-Honorific Marker
-시- is an honorific marker that honors the subject of the verb (the person doing the action). -아/어 드리다 honors the recipient of the favor. They can be used in the same sentence, e.g., '선생님께서 설명해 주셨어요.' (The teacher explained for me), where -시- honors the teacher.
- Verb stems
-아/어 주다 attaches directly to verb stems. Understanding how to find the stem of a verb is essential for correctly conjugating this pattern.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.