Lesson 41 · Family & Respectful Vocabulary

Introduction

Respectful vocabulary depends on who is being described. 성함, 연세, and 댁 correspond to 이름, 나이, and 집.

New words are tagged Focus, and words you’ve already met are tagged Review. Use the romanization only when you get stuck; the Hangul shows the real sound.

Today’s Vocabulary

할아버지 · Focus

harabeoji · grandfather; elderly man

N · Grandfather — also a polite way to call an elderly man.

할아버지는 집에 계세요.

harabeojineun jibe gyeseyo

Grandfather is at home.

할머니 · Focus

halmeoni · grandmother; elderly woman

N · Grandmother — also a polite way to call an elderly woman.

할머니가 주무세요.

halmeoniga jumuseyo

Grandmother is sleeping.

부모님 · Focus

bumonim · parents

N · Respectful family term.

부모님은 집에 계세요.

bumonimeun jibe gyeseyo

My parents are at home.

선생님 · Review

seonsaengnim · teacher

N · Includes the respectful suffix 님.

저는 한국어 선생님이에요.

jeoneun hangugeo seonsaengnimieyo

I am a Korean teacher.

말씀 · Focus

malsseum · words; speech (respectful)

N · Respectful 말, referring to the teacher’s words in this example.

선생님 말씀을 들어요.

seonsaengnim malsseumeul deureoyo

I listen to what the teacher says.

성함 · Focus

seongham · name (honorific)

N · Respectful 이름; use about someone you are honoring.

선생님 성함을 알아요.

seonsaengnim seonghameul arayo

I know the teacher’s name.

연세 · Focus

yeonse · age (honorific)

N · Respectful counterpart of 나이.

할머니는 연세가 많으세요.

halmeonineun yeonsega maneuseyo

Grandmother is elderly.

댁 · Focus

daek · home (honorific)

N · Respectful counterpart of 집.

선생님 댁이 가까워요.

seonsaengnim daegi gakkawoyo

The teacher’s home is nearby.

계시다 · Focus

gyesida · be present (honorific)

V · Respectful presence; 계세요 previews the honorific form taught in the grammar partner.

선생님이 교실에 계세요.

seonsaengnimi gyosire gyeseyo

The teacher is in the classroom.

주무시다 · Focus

jumusida · sleep (honorific)

V · Respectful 자다; 주무세요 previews the honorific form taught in the grammar partner.

할아버지가 주무세요.

harabeojiga jumuseyo

Grandfather is sleeping.

드시다 · Focus

deusida · eat; drink (honorific)

V · Respectful 먹다/마시다; 드세요 previews the honorific form taught in the grammar partner.

할머니가 차를 드세요.

halmeoniga chareul deuseyo

Grandmother drinks tea.

드리다 · Focus

deurida · give (humble)

V · The respected recipient takes 께.

선생님께 선물을 드려요.

seonsaengnimkke seonmureul deuryeoyo

I give a gift to the teacher.

Useful Phrases / Make Sentences

Here are a few sentences you can use right away. Read them aloud, then try changing one word to make your own sentence!

할아버지가 댁에 계세요.

harabeojiga daege gyeseyo

My grandfather is at home.

할머니가 차를 드세요.

halmeoniga chareul deuseyo

My grandmother is having tea.

선생님, 성함이 어떻게 되세요?

seonsaengnim, seonghami eotteoke doeseyo?

(To a teacher) May I ask your name?

할아버지 연세가 많으세요.

harabeoji yeonsega maneuseyo

My grandfather is quite old.

Mini Practice

1. Choose the meaning of 할아버지: A. grandmother; elderly woman / B. grandfather; elderly man.
2. Which word means “parents”: 부모님 / 선생님?
3. Match 1. 말씀, 2. 성함, 3. 연세 with A. age (honorific), B. words; speech (respectful), C. name (honorific).
4. Write the Korean dictionary word or phrase for “home (honorific).”
5. Put these chunks in a natural order: 주무세요. / 할아버지가.
6. Write one short sentence using 드리다.

Today’s Key Point

Today’s new words: 할아버지, 할머니, 부모님, 말씀, 성함, 연세, 댁, 계시다. Try a few of them in one sentence, like 할아버지가 댁에 계세요. — then make one about your own day!