Honorific Verbs: 계시다, 주무시다, 드시다

Most Korean verbs use the -(으)시다 ending to show respect. You just attach it to the stem. But for a few high-frequency actions, the language uses entirely different words. Instead of the basic word, you swap it for a "special" version. This is called lexical substitution. It is like the difference between saying "eat" and "dine" in English. But in Korean, it is much more mandatory. You use these verbs when the subject of your sentence is an elder. This includes grandparents, teachers, or your boss. You do not add extra endings to the plain verb. You throw the plain verb away. Then you bring in the shiny new honorific verb. It is a one-for-one replacement that changes the whole tone.

1. 1Using these verbs is a simple three-step process. Do not overthink it.
2. 2Identify the Subject: Look at who is doing the action. Is it someone older or higher in status than you?
3. 3Select the Basic Verb: Are they staying/being (있다), sleeping (자다), or eating/drinking (먹다/마시다)?
4. 4Perform the Swap: Replace the basic verb with its special honorific partner.
5. 5있다 (to stay/be) becomes 계시다
6. 6자다 (to sleep) becomes 주무시다
7. 7먹다 / 마시다 (to eat/drink) becomes 드시다
8. 8Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes when they are in a rush. If you get it right, you are already ahead of the game. Just remember that the verb must match the respect level of the person performing the action.

You should reach for these verbs in several common scenarios. Use them whenever the subject of your sentence is someone you owe respect to. This is common when ordering food for an older relative. It is essential when talking about your boss at work. If you are asking directions from an elderly person on the street, use 계시다. In a job interview, these verbs show you are professional. They are also vital when meeting your partner's parents for the first time. Basically, if you would bow to the person, you should probably use their special verbs. It is about acknowledging their status through your speech. It creates a warm and respectful atmosphere in any conversation.

This is the part where many people trip up. Never, ever use these verbs to describe yourself. It sounds like you are crowning yourself the King or Queen of the room. If you say "I am honorably sleeping," people will think you are joking or very arrogant. Also, do not use them for your close friends or younger siblings. It would sound incredibly sarcastic. You also should not use them for animals or inanimate objects. Your cat might think he is the boss, but in Korean grammar, he is just a cat. He gets the plain 있다 or 자다. Stick to plain verbs for yourself, your peers, and anything that isn't a respected human being.

The most frequent error is trying to combine the plain verb with the honorific suffix. For example, people often say 먹으시다. This is a grammar crime! Since 먹다 has a special partner (드시다), you must use the partner. Another mistake is mixing up 계시다 and 있으시다. Use 계시다 when a person is staying somewhere. Use 있으시다 when a person *has* something. If you say the teacher is "at school," use 계시다. If you say the teacher "has a car," use 있으시다. Finally, don't forget the particle 께서. It is the honorific version of 이/가. Using 드시다 with the plain particle 가 is like wearing a tuxedo with flip-flops. It works, but it looks a bit weird.

You might wonder why we don't just use -(으)시다 for everything. Most verbs, like 가다 (to go) or 읽다 (to read), do exactly that. They become 가시다 and 읽으시다. These are regular honorifics. But 계시다, 주무시다, and 드시다 are "suppletive" forms. They are irregular because they are so central to daily life. Historically, these words were chosen to show an extra level of deference. Think of it like the difference between "Regular" and "Premium" respect. Regular verbs get a suffix. These special three get a whole new identity. It is a quirk of the language that reflects how much Koreans value hospitality and hierarchy.