Grammar · Requests and wishes

-아 / 어 주세요, please do it for me

Pattern

[stem] + 아 / 어 주세요

On its own 주세요 means 'please give me'. After a verb in its -아/-어 form it asks someone to do something for you: 도와주세요 'please help me', 기다려 주세요 'please wait'. It follows the -아요/-어요 vowel rule, and 하다 becomes 해 주세요.

The mistake to avoid

-(으)세요 tells someone to do something (앉으세요), while -아/어 주세요 asks them to do it for your benefit (문 좀 열어 주세요). For a favour, use 주세요.

Examples

Romanisation help

천천히 말해 주세요.

cheoncheonhi malhae juseyo.

Please speak slowly.

사진 좀 찍어 주세요.

sajin jom jjigeo juseyo.

Could you take a photo for me?

잠깐만 기다려 주세요.

jamkkanman gidaryeo juseyo.

Please wait a moment.

창문 좀 열어 주세요.

changmun jom yeoreo juseyo.

Could you open the window, please?