-아/어 주세요
Please Give Me
-아/어 주세요 is a polite way to ask someone to do something for you, meaning "Please do [verb] for me."
How It Works
To use -아/어 주세요, you attach it to a verb stem. The form changes based on the last vowel of the stem.
Conjugation Rules:
- If the last vowel of the verb stem is ㅏ or ㅗ, you add -아 주세요.
- 가다 (to go) → 가 + 아 주세요 → 가 주세요 (Please go for me)
- 보다 (to see/watch) → 보 + 아 주세요 → 봐 주세요 (Please watch this for me) - If the last vowel is anything else (ㅓ, ㅜ, ㅣ, ㅡ, etc.), you add -어 주세요.
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 어 주세요 → 먹어 주세요 (Please eat it for me)
- 읽다 (to read) → 읽 + 어 주세요 → 읽어 주세요 (Please read it for me) - For verbs ending in 하다, it always becomes 해 주세요.
- 전화하다 (to call) → 전화해 주세요 (Please call me)
Important Nuance:
This pattern is different from the simple polite command -으세요. While both are polite, -아/어 주세요 specifically asks for a favor or an action that helps the speaker. It's a softer and often more appropriate way to ask for things.
- 문 닫으세요. (Please close the door.) - A general polite instruction.
- 문 닫아 주세요. (Please close the door for me.) - A request implying a benefit, e.g., "I'm cold."
Examples (4)
- 사진 좀 찍어 주세요.
Please take a picture for me.
Word by Word: Picture a little take please give me.
찍다 (to take a picture) becomes 찍어 주세요. The word '좀' (a little) is often added to make the request sound even softer and more polite.
- 이것 좀 가르쳐 주세요.
Please teach this to me.
Word by Word: This thing a little teach please give me.
가르치다 (to teach) ends with the vowel 'ㅣ', so it combines with -어 주세요 to become 가르쳐 주세요.
- 창문 좀 열어 주세요.
Please open the window for me.
Word by Word: Window a little open please give me.
열다 (to open) becomes 열어 주세요. This is a clear request for a favor.
- 도와주세요!
Please help me!
Word by Word: Help please give me!
The verb 돕다 (to help) is a ㅂ-irregular verb. Its stem changes to 도와 when conjugating. When combined with our pattern, it becomes 도와 주세요.
Common Mistakes
Using -으세요 when asking for a personal favor.
Different Meaning가방을 드세요.Better가방을 들어 주세요.If you want someone to carry your bag for you (a favor), you should use -아/어 주세요. '드세요' is the polite command form of 들다 (to lift/carry). While polite, it's a direct instruction, not a request for a favor. It sounds like you're ordering them to lift the bag, rather than asking for help.
Incorrectly conjugating 하다 verbs.
Not Quite전화하 주세요.Better전화해 주세요.Verbs ending in 하다 always change to 해 주세요, not 하 주세요. This is because 하다 becomes 하여, which contracts to 해.
Learn This First
To use this polite request form, you need conjugation knowledge and understanding of 주다.
Related Patterns
- -(으)세요Please
Both are polite request forms. -으세요 is a general polite command, while -아/어 주세요 is used when asking for a favor that benefits the speaker. -아/어 주세요 often sounds softer.
- -아/어 주다Do for Someone
-아/어 주세요 is the polite request form of this pattern. -아/어 주다 is the base pattern meaning 'to do something for someone's benefit'.
- -지 마세요Please Don't
This is the negative counterpart. While -아/어 주세요 is a positive request ('Please do...'), -지 마세요 is a negative request ('Please don't do...').
- Basic verb conjugation
Understanding how to find a verb stem and apply the correct -아/어 form is essential for using this pattern correctly.
- -아/어 주다 / -아/어 드리다Doing Favors
Learn when to use the regular vs honorific form of doing favors.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.