주다
juda
to give (plain/neutral)
드리다
deurida
to give (honorific — to someone of higher status)
주다 vs 드리다: Plain vs Honorific 'To Give' in Korean
주다 is the plain form of 'to give' used among equals or when giving to someone of lower status, while 드리다 is the honorific form used when giving to someone of higher social status.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| 주다 (juda) | 드리다 (deurida) | |
|---|---|---|
| Politeness Level | Neutral / plain | Honorific (존댓말) |
| Recipient Status | Peer, friend, younger person | Elder, boss, teacher, customer |
| Common Polite Forms | 줘요 / 줍니다 | 드려요 / 드립니다 |
| Auxiliary Verb Use | ~해 주다 (do for someone — neutral) | ~해 드리다 (do for someone — honorific) |
| First-Person Context | I give to my friend / younger sibling | I give to my teacher / parent / boss |
Examples in Context
Giving a pen to a classmate — using 주다
이 펜 줄게.
I'll give you this pen.
Offering something to your teacher — using 드리다
선생님께 선물을 드렸어요.
I gave a gift to the teacher.
Asking a friend to give you something — using 주다
그것 좀 나한테 줘.
Give me that, please.
Offering help to an elderly customer — using 드리다
제가 도와 드릴게요.
I will help you (honorific).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ✗Using 주다 when addressing elders, teachers, or customers — always use 드리다 to show respect.
- ✗Confusing the auxiliary patterns: '해 줘' (do it for me/you — casual) vs '해 드릴게요' (I'll do it for you — honorific).
- ✗Forgetting that 드리다 also replaces 주다 in indirect contexts, e.g., '말씀드리다' (to tell/say humbly to a superior).
- ✗Over-using 드리다 with peers out of habit — this can sound awkward or overly stiff in casual situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use 드리다 with customers in a shop?
Yes. In service contexts, using 드리다 toward customers is standard and expected, as it shows respect.
Is there an honorific version of 받다 (to receive) as well?
Yes, 받다 becomes 받으시다 when the one receiving is a superior, or the speaker can use 받아 주시다 as a humble request form.
What is 말씀드리다 and when is it used?
말씀드리다 is the humble/honorific form of 말하다, used when you are speaking to or informing someone of higher status.
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