Object Honorifics and the Particles 께 / 께서
Object honorification is used when the object or the recipient in a sentence is a superior. It works through special verbs such as '드리다' (to give), '모시다' (to escort), '여쭙다' (to ask), and '뵙다' (to see), together with the particle '께'.
| Plain | Object honorific | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 주다 | 드리다 | to give |
| 데리다 | 모시다 | to accompany/escort |
| 묻다 | 여쭙다 / 여쭈다 | to ask |
| 보다/만나다 | 뵙다 / 뵈다 | to see/meet |
| 말하다 | 말씀드리다 | to tell/say (to a superior) |
The particles 께 (kke) and 께서 (kkeseo)
'께' (kke) is the honorific form of '에게' (to someone), and '께서' (kkeseo) is the honorific form of the subject markers '이/가'.
선생님께 선물을 드렸어요.
Seon-saeng-nim-kke seon-mul-eul deu-ryeoss-eo-yo.
I gave a gift to the teacher. (object honorific)
할머니를 병원에 모시고 갔어요.
Hal-meo-ni-reul byeong-won-e mo-si-go gass-eo-yo.
I escorted grandmother to the hospital. (object honorific)
교수님께 여쭤보고 싶은 게 있어요.
Gyo-su-nim-kke yeo-jjwo-bo-go sip-eun ge iss-eo-yo.
There's something I want to ask the professor. (object honorific)
내일 사장님을 뵙기로 했어요.
Nae-il sa-jang-nim-eul boep-gi-ro haess-eo-yo.
I'm scheduled to see the boss tomorrow. (object honorific)
부모님께 좋은 소식을 말씀드렸어요.
Bu-mo-nim-kke jo-eun so-sik-eul mal-sseum-deu-ryeoss-eo-yo.
I told my parents the good news. (object honorific)
Combining subject and object honorifics
아버지께서 할아버지께 편지를 드리셨어요.
A-beo-ji-kke-seo hal-a-beo-ji-kke pyeon-ji-reul deu-ri-syeoss-eo-yo.
Father gave a letter to grandfather. (subject + object honorific)
Common mistakes
'드리다' raises the recipient, so use plain '주다' for an equal such as a friend. '친구에게 선물을 드렸어요' sounds odd; you should say '줬어요' instead.
💡 Tip: '드리다' raises the recipient, while '-(eu)si-' raises the doer. You can use both in a single sentence.