Formal Questions ㅂ니까/습니까?

This grammar attaches to the end of verbs and adjectives. In Korean, we call the base form of a word a "stem." You take the dictionary form (like 가다) and drop the 다. Then, you attach ㅂ니까? or 습니까?. This simple change transforms a basic action into a formal question. It is like adding "May I ask..." to the beginning of your sentence in English. The core meaning stays the same as other question forms, but the "feeling" changes completely. It becomes much more serious and respectful. It is the gold standard for business meetings and public speaking. Even as a beginner, this is vital because it helps you make a great first impression.

1. 1Building these questions is like a simple two-step puzzle. Follow these steps:
2. 2Find your verb or adjective stem by dropping 다 from the dictionary form.
3. 3Example: 가다 (to go) becomes 가.
4. 4Example: 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹.
5. 5Look at the bottom of the stem for a final consonant, known as a "Batchim."
6. 6Choose your ending based on that Batchim:
7. 7No Batchim? Add ㅂ니까? to the bottom and side.
8. 8가 + ㅂ니까? = 갑니까? (Are you going?)
9. 9Yes Batchim? Add 습니까? after the stem.
10. 10먹 + 습니까? = 먹습니까? (Are you eating?)
11. 11The ㄹ Exception: If the stem ends in ㄹ, the ㄹ disappears. Then you add ㅂ니까?.
12. 12만들다 (to make) -> 만드 + ㅂ니까? = 만듭니까?.
13. 13It is like a grammar traffic light: Green light for no batchim, red light for batchim!

When should you pull out this formal style? Imagine you are in a job interview. You want to look your absolute best, so you use ㅂ니까/습니까? for every question. "Do you have any questions?" becomes 질문이 있습니까?. Another scenario is meeting your partner's grandparents for the first time. First impressions are everything in Korea! Using this form shows you are well-mannered. You will also hear this on the news daily. Anchors use it to keep a professional distance from the audience. The military also uses this form almost exclusively. If you join a Korean company, use it with the CEO or during a big presentation. Basically, use it whenever the situation feels "official" or "public."

Do not use this with your best friends or siblings. They might think you are joking or being sarcastic! "Are you hungry?" in this form sounds like a news report. Your friend might look around for a camera crew. Also, avoid using it with children or pets. Asking a puppy 식사하셨습니까? (Did you eat?) is quite funny but very strange. It is too stiff for a casual coffee date or a quick chat at the gym. If you are at home with family, stick to the polite 아요/어요 style. Using formal language at home can feel cold or distant. Think of it like wearing a full suit to bed—it is just not the right time or place!

The biggest mistake is the ㅂ pronunciation. It looks like a 'p' or 'b' sound, but when it meets the ㄴ in 니까, it sounds like 'm'. So 갑니까 sounds like "gam-ni-ka." Don't say "gap-ni-ka" or you will sound like a robot! Another mistake is forgetting the question mark in writing. In formal writing, the question mark is essential to distinguish it from the statement form ㅂ니다. Also, watch out for the ㄹ drop mentioned earlier. Many learners forget to remove the ㄹ and try to say 살습니까? instead of 삽니까?. Yes, even native speakers mess this up when they are tired! Just take a breath and check your batchim before you speak.

You might already know the 아요/어요 ending. Both are polite, but they have different "vibes." 아요/어요 is like a nice polo shirt—it is polite but comfortable for daily use. ㅂ니까/습니까? is the full three-piece suit. If you use 아요/어요 in a formal interview, you might seem too casual or even disrespectful. If you use ㅂ니까/습니까? at a casual party, you might seem stiff and unapproachable. Remember that ㅂ니다 is the statement version (The Answer), while ㅂ니까? is the question version (The Ask). They are two sides of the same formal coin.