The suffix -(으)시 [-(eu)si ] is a pre-final ending that attached between the stem of the predicate and the sentence final ending called as the subject honorific suffix. Hence, it is usually used when Korean people want to honor the subject of the sentence, either who they are talking to or who they are talking about. The honorific suffix has two forms, -으시and 시. The former (-으시) is attached to the stem that ends in a consonant while the latter (시) is attached to the stem that ends in a vowel. Consider the following instances,
Dictionary Form Inflected Form
[Vowel Ending]
오다 “come” becomes 오시다 “come”
사다 “buy” becomes 사시다 “buy”
[Consonant Ending]
걷다 “walk” becomes 걷으시다 “walk”
놀다 “play” becomes 놀으시다 “play”
Notice that the referential meanings of the verbs (i.e., dictionary form & inflected form) are the same, but they had actually distinct social meanings. The presence of the honorific suffix on the stems (i.e., dictionary form verbs & predicates) signifies the attitude of the speaker toward the subject of the sentences. Consequently, the use of honorific suffix in Korean functions as a social indicator.
Inflected Form Polite Speech Level Deferential Speech Level
오시다 “come” 오세요 오십니다
(오 + 시 + 아요) (오 + 시 + ㅂ니다)
걷으시다 “walk” 걷으세요 걷으십니다
(걷 + 으시 + 어요) (걷 + 으시 + ㅂ니다)
Various social attributes such as variables like age, kinship relations, professions and rank or seniority determine the use of honorific suffix. An appropriate example is when Koreans talk to or talk about older people in general (e.g., old family members, community elders, old folks), esteemed professionals (e.g., attorneys, teachers, doctors), high-rank personnel (e.g., general manager, director, president) and so forth.
Meanwhile, the honored subject can be either an addressee (to whom the speaker is talking) or a referent (who the speaker is talking about). Consider these instances,
[a] 부장님, 지금 바쁘세요? “Are (you) busy right now, Manager?”
[b] 박 부장님이 바쁘세요. “Manager Park is busy.”
Notice that the subject being honored in [a] is the addressee (Manager), whereas the third-person referent (Manager Park) is the honored subject in [b].
Moreover, the use of honorific suffix can be used with any other speech levels since it matters regardless on the subject of the sentence (i.e., addressee & referent). Consider this instance,
오빠는 오디에 가셔? “As for (your) older brother, where does (he) go?”
The intimate speech level is used since the speaker is talking to a child younger than him but honors the brother by using the suffix 시(e.g., 가셔 = 가 + 시 + 아 )in asking question.
Additionally, there are certain Korean verbs that don’t take honorific suffix to their stems instead they have corresponding honorific forms. The following are the said euphemistic verbs.
먹다 “eat” 잡수시다 “eat (honorific)”
자다 “sleep” 주무시다 “sleep (honorific)”
있다 “exist/stay” 계시다 “exist/stay (honorific)”
However, notice that the suffix 시 is already attached as an element to the euphemistic verbs.
Lastly, the use of honorific suffix and/or honorifics in general does not apply to the speaker himself or herself as being subject of the sentence. In other words, Koreans does not show honor toward him/herself. Consider the following instance,
P1: 뭐 하세요? “What are (you) doing?”
P2: 책을 읽어요. “(I) am reading a book”
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