Korean Dictionary
How to say "Please" in Korean
“Please” in Korean is 주세요 (pronounced "Juseyo").
주세요
Juseyo
Usage & Context
Attached to the end of a request. Literally means 'please give me.' For example, '물 주세요' means 'Water, please.' One of the most useful patterns in Korean.
Example Sentence
메뉴판 주세요.
Please give me the menu.
How to use 주세요 naturally
Quick answer
The Korean word for “Please” is 주세요, romanized as Juseyo.
Usage tip
Learn this word together with a complete Korean sentence. Meaning often depends on particles, politeness level, and word order.
Common mistake
Do not rely only on the English meaning. Read the Korean example sentence and notice the particles, word order, and politeness level around 주세요.
What learners usually mean by “Please in Korean”
English treats please like a separate politeness word. Korean usually builds politeness into the verb ending or request pattern.
Real usage
주세요 is the most useful request pattern when asking for an item or service. For actions, use -아/어 주세요, as in 도와주세요 for 'please help me.'
Avoid this mistake
Do not insert 주세요 after every English sentence with please. It works best when something is being given or done for you.
Better pattern
Use noun + 주세요 for items, verb stem + 아/어 주세요 for actions, and 부탁드려요 when making a respectful request.
ordering or asking for an item
물 한 잔 주세요.
Water, please.
asking someone to do an action
문 좀 닫아 주세요.
Please close the door.
Pronunciation Guide
Pronounced 'ju-se-yo' — 'ju' is a short 'joo,' 'se' rhymes with 'say,' and 'yo' ends with a soft rise. Keep it smooth and polite.
Formal & Casual Forms
Formal (존댓말)
주십시오
jusipsio
Very formal, used in announcements or to honored guests
Casual (반말)
줘
jwo
Casual, used only with close friends or family
More Example Sentences
at a Korean restaurant
김치 좀 주세요.
Please give me some kimchi.
at a convenience store
이거 하나 주세요.
Please give me one of these.
asking someone to wait
조금만 기다려 주세요.
Please wait a little.
Cultural Context
Unlike English 'please,' 주세요 is the verb 'give' in polite form — so it always attaches to another verb or noun (e.g. '기다려 주세요' = 'please wait'). It's the single most useful phrase for tourists — put a noun before it and you're ordering or asking for anything. Without 주세요, requests sound blunt.
Editorial note
We review 'please' carefully because Korean politeness usually lives in the verb ending, not in one standalone word. This entry avoids teaching please as a direct one-word swap.
Reviewed by Min-jung Park, Korean Language Teacher. Updated May 31, 2026. See our editorial standards.
Common Phrases
주세요.
Please give me (this).
물 좀 주세요.
Water, please.
도와주세요.
Please help me.
Related Expressions
부탁해요
butakhaeyo
I request / please (favor)
해 주세요
hae juseyo
please do it for me
드릴까요?
deurilkkayo?
shall I give you? (honorific)
주시겠어요?
jusigesseoyo?
could you give me?
Frequently asked questions
How is the Korean word 주세요 (Juseyo) correctly pronounced for a beginner?+
The pronunciation of 주세요 (Juseyo) is straightforward. "주" (ju) sounds like "joo" in "juice." "세" (se) is like "say" in English, but with a slightly tighter "e" sound. "요" (yo) is like "yo" in "yogurt." Put it together: "Joo-say-yo." The emphasis is generally even across syllables, making it easy to say clearly and naturally.
Can you explain how to correctly attach 주세요 (Juseyo) to nouns and verbs?+
주세요 (Juseyo) is versatile. When requesting a noun, simply place the noun before 주세요, often with the object particle 를/을 (reul/eul), like "물 주세요" (mul juseyo) for "water, please." For verbs, you attach it to the verb stem after adding the ~아/어 (a/eo) ending. For example, "읽다" (ikda) becomes "읽어 주세요" (ilgeo juseyo) meaning "please read." This pattern is widely used.
Is 주세요 (Juseyo) always a polite form, or are there more formal or informal alternatives?+
주세요 (Juseyo) is a polite and commonly used form suitable for most everyday situations, showing respect without being overly formal. For a more informal request to a close friend or someone younger, you might use "줘" (jwo). For highly formal or honorific situations, especially when addressing elders or superiors, "주십시오" (jusipsio) or "주시겠어요?" (jusigesseoyo?) are more appropriate and show greater deference and respect.
What are some other common Korean expressions that convey "please" or a polite request?+
While 주세요 (Juseyo) is very common, other expressions convey "please." "부탁합니다" (butakamnida) means "I request/ask for your favor" and is used for general requests. For "please do," you often use verb stems with ~아/어 주세요 (a/eo juseyo). When asking for permission or offering, "~주세요" is not used. Instead, you might use "~세요" (seyo) for general politeness, like "앉으세요" (anjeuseyo) meaning "please sit."
What are some frequent mistakes Korean language learners make when using 주세요 (Juseyo)?+
A common mistake is using 주세요 (Juseyo) when you mean "please do something for yourself" rather than "please give/do for me." For example, saying "앉으세요" (anjeuseyo - please sit) is correct, not "앉아 주세요" (anja juseyo), which implies "please sit for me." Another error is forgetting the ~아/어 (a/eo) conjugation before attaching 주세요 to verbs, or misapplying formality levels in different social contexts.
More Basics Words
Related Guides
How to Order Food in Korean
To order food in Korean, say "이거 주세요" (igeo juseyo), meaning "Please give me this," while pointing at the menu, or say "[dish name] 하나 주세요" ([dish name] hana juseyo) meaning "One [dish], please." These polite phrases work at any Korean restaurant.
Korean Honorifics Guide
Korean honorifics (존댓말, jondaenmal) are a system of speech levels and special vocabulary used to show respect based on the listener's age, social status, and your relationship. The most important rule is to always use polite speech (-요 or -습니다 endings) with anyone older or in a higher position than you.
How to Order Coffee in Korean
To order coffee in Korean, say "아메리카노 한 잔 주세요" (amerikano han jan juseyo), meaning "One Americano, please." For iced, add 아이스 (aiseu) before the drink name: "아이스 아메리카노 주세요" (aiseu amerikano juseyo).
Korean Alphabet Basics
The Korean alphabet, called 한글 (Hangul), has 14 basic consonants and 10 basic vowels that combine into syllable blocks. It was scientifically designed in 1443 by King Sejong the Great and can be learned in just a few hours, making it one of the most logical writing systems in the world.
Korean Restaurant Phrases
The most important Korean restaurant phrase is "주문할게요" (jumunhalgeyo), meaning "I'd like to order." Combined with "[dish] 주세요" ([dish] juseyo — please give me [dish]) and "계산해 주세요" (gyesanhae juseyo — the bill, please), you can navigate any Korean restaurant.
How to Say Thank You in Korean
To say thank you in Korean, say "감사합니다" (gamsahamnida) for formal situations or "고마워요" (gomawoyo) for casual-polite situations. With close friends, use the casual "고마워" (gomawo). 감사합니다 is the safest choice and works everywhere.
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