Honorific verbs - Special respectful verbs

This grammar focuses on the subject of the sentence. You use these verbs to honor the person performing the action. If your grandmother is eating, you don't use 먹다. You use a special verb that shows her status. The grammar doesn't change based on your feelings. It follows a clear social hierarchy. You are basically putting the subject on a pedestal. It is like using "dine" instead of "eat" but much more mandatory. These verbs usually end in -시다. However, they are not just regular verbs with -시다 added. They are unique words you must memorize.

1. 1Identify the subject of your sentence clearly.
2. 2Determine if the subject requires high respect.
3. 3Swap the standard verb for its honorific counterpart.
4. 4있다 (to be/stay) becomes 계시다.
5. 5자다 (to sleep) becomes 주무시다.
6. 6먹다 (to eat) or 마시다 (to drink) becomes 드시다.
7. 7말하다 (to speak) becomes 말씀하시다.
8. 8아프다 (to be sick) becomes 편찮으시다.
9. 9죽다 (to die) becomes 돌아가시다.
10. 10주다 (to give) becomes 주시다 (when the subject gives).
11. 11데려가다 (to take someone) becomes 모시다.
12. 12Conjugate these honorific verbs with polite endings like -어요 or -습니다.

You use these verbs for anyone higher in the social hierarchy. This includes your grandparents, parents, and older relatives. Use them for your teachers and professors at university. They are essential in professional settings for your boss. Use them for customers if you work in service. Even for strangers who look significantly older than you. Use them in job interviews to show professional respect. When you meet your partner's parents, these are your best friends. It’s like wearing a suit for your words. It shows you care about the relationship.

Never use these verbs to describe your own actions. Honoring yourself sounds very strange and quite arrogant. It's like calling yourself "His Excellency" while ordering a latte. Avoid them when talking to younger siblings or close friends. Using them with children would be confusing or sarcastic. Don't use them for people lower in rank at work. If you use them for yourself, people might giggle. Native speakers sometimes make this mistake when they are nervous. Just remember: the respect always flows away from you.

A very common mistake is mixing honorific nouns and regular verbs. If you use 진지 (honorific for meal), use 드시다. Don't say 진지를 먹어요. That sounds half-finished and a bit clunky. Another mistake is using 계시다 for inanimate objects. Objects don't get the "staying" honorific; they get the "possession" honorific 있으시다. Don't forget to conjugate the special verb correctly. For example, 주무시다 becomes 주무세요, not 주무해요. It’s a bit like trying to put diesel in an electric car. The parts just don't fit together right.

You might know the regular honorific suffix -으시다. Most verbs just add -으시다 to become polite. For example, 가다 becomes 가시다. But the special verbs are a small, elite group. They replace the suffix pattern with a whole new word. 먹으시다 technically exists but sounds much less natural than 드시다. Think of -으시다 as the standard polite version. Think of special verbs as the premium, high-end version. Use the special verbs whenever they are available. They take priority over the regular -으시다 pattern.