Lesson 40 · Formal Notices: -(으)십시오 & -(으)ㄹ 것
Hyeju’s Beginner Korean · Lesson 40 · Grammar
Formal Notices: -(으)십시오 & -(으)ㄹ 것
Read Korean notices, understand formal instructions, and choose a suitable expression for a sign, an announcement or an everyday request.
Introduction / Review
-(으)십시오 is a formal polite instruction. A written notice ending in -(으)ㄹ 것 gives a compact rule. These styles belong to different settings from casual conversation.
N = noun; V = action verb; A = descriptive verb. Romanization is a reading aid.
Today’s Grammar / Explanation
- Vowel + 십시오: 가다 → 가십시오. Consonant + 으십시오: 앉다 → 앉으십시오. Final ㄹ drops: 열다 → 여십시오.
- For written rules: 하다 → 할 것; 먹다 → 먹을 것; 만들다 → 만들 것. This lesson focuses on notice-style 것.
- Negative written rule: -지 말 것. Formal negative instruction: -지 마십시오.
Examples
잠시 기다리십시오.
jamsi gidarisipsio
Please wait a moment. (Formal.)
안으로 들어가십시오.
aneuro deureogasipsio
Please go inside. (Formal.)
여기에 이름을 쓰십시오.
yeogie ireumeul sseusipsio
Please write your name here. (Formal.)
실내에서는 뛰지 말 것.
silnaeeseoneun ttwiji mal geot
Do not run indoors. (Written rule.)
문을 닫을 것.
muneul dadeul geot
Close the door. (Written rule.)
안내를 확인하십시오.
annaereul hwaginhasipsio
Please check the instructions. (Formal.)
Compare with similar grammar
LESSON 34
-(으)세요
이쪽에 앉으세요.The everyday polite request. -(으)십시오 is the formal version you hear in announcements.
Review Lesson 34 →LESSON 69
-아/어 주세요
조용히 해 주세요.A softer request that sounds like asking a favor. Common on signs, too.
Look ahead: Lesson 69 →LESSON 25
-(으)ㅂ시다
다 같이 노력합시다.Formal “let’s” — the speaker joins in. -(으)십시오 is only for the listeners.
Review Lesson 25 →| Pattern | Where you see it | Example |
|---|---|---|
| -(으)십시오 | announcements, formal speech | 잠시만 기다려 주십시오 |
| -(으)ㄹ 것 | notices, rules, memos | 쓰레기는 분리해서 버릴 것 |
| -(으)세요 | everyday requests | 앉으세요 |
| -지 마십시오 | formal “don’t” | 들어가지 마십시오 |
Common mistakes
할 것 can sound abrupt as a spoken instruction. For ordinary conversation, -(으)세요 or a suitable request is usually more natural. Notice examples below deliberately lack a conversational sentence ending; do not assume every phrase containing 것 is a rule.
기다리 ends in a vowel → 십시오.
It’s spelled 십시오, not 십시요.
-(으)십시오 is far too formal for a friend.
-(으)ㄹ 것 ends the notice by itself. Don’t add 이에요.
Choose the form for the situation
Your goal is to distinguish an official instruction, a written rule and an everyday request. All three can ask someone to do something, but they do not create the same tone.
- At a reception desk: 잠시 기다리십시오. — Please wait a moment. The speaker uses a formal, respectful instruction.
- On a rule sheet: 실내에서는 뛰지 말 것. — Do not run indoors. This compact written rule is not a friendly conversational request.
- Asking a classmate politely: 잠깐 기다려 주세요. — Please wait a moment. The request ending is more suitable for ordinary conversation.
At the reception desk: a practice dialogue
Visitor: 여기에 이름을 써요?
Do I write my name here?
Staff: 네, 여기에 이름을 쓰십시오.
Yes, please write your name here.
Visitor: 네, 알겠습니다.
Yes, understood.
Notice: The staff member chooses a formal instruction. In a less formal exchange, 써 주세요 is also possible; the situation and relationship matter.
Try changing the audience
- A written rule says 문을 닫을 것. Ask your classmate to do the same thing politely.
- Correct this formal instruction: 문을 열으십시오. Explain which letter changes.
- You want a written prohibition, “Do not enter.” Choose 들어가지 말 것 or 들어갈 것.
Answers and reasons
- 문을 닫아 주세요. The request -아/어 주세요 fits an everyday exchange. 닫을 것 sounds like a rule or directive.
- 문을 여십시오. The stem 열- loses final ㄹ before -십시오; do not add 으.
- 들어가지 말 것. -지 말 것 prohibits an action. 들어갈 것 would instruct someone to enter.
Review the negative instruction first: Lesson 35 · -지 마세요. Then write one rule and a spoken request for the same action.
Mini practice · six questions
All sentences below are new. Try each one before opening the answer.
- Fill in the blank · announcement승객 여러분, 안전벨트를 ______. (매다)
Check answer
승객 여러분, 안전벨트를 매십시오.
매 ends in a vowel → 십시오.
- Fill in the blank · notice도서관에서는 휴대폰을 무음으로 ______. (하다)
Check answer
도서관에서는 휴대폰을 무음으로 할 것.
A rule on a notice → -(으)ㄹ 것: 할 것.
- Choose the better form(지하철 안내 방송) 문이 닫힙니다. 뛰지 (마십시오 / 마).
Check answer
마십시오
An announcement uses the formal -지 마십시오.
- Choose the better form(친구에게 메시지) 내일 늦지 (마 / 마십시오)!
Check answer
마
A message to a friend → casual 마.
- Find and fix the mistake여기에 성함을 쓰십시요.
Check answer
여기에 성함을 쓰십시오.
Spelling: 십시오.
- Write the notice in Korean(Notice) Close the door after use.
Check answer
사용 후에 문을 닫을 것.
닫다 → 닫을 것. Notices often end with -(으)ㄹ 것.
Today’s Key Point
Formal speech: -(으)십시오; written rule: -(으)ㄹ 것; negative rule: -지 말 것.
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