Korean: Using 주시겠어요? to Make Polite Requests Like 'Could You...?'
Learn how to turn direct Korean commands into softer requests with 주시겠어요?, the natural equivalent of English 'Could you help me?' at elementary level.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In Korean, politeness is often built into the verb ending rather than added with a separate word like English 'could'. When you want to ask someone to do something without sounding like you are giving an order, one very useful pattern is 주시겠어요? (jusigesseoyo?). It attaches to an action verb and turns a plain request into a considerate one. This lesson focuses only on this pattern, so you can make polite requests such as 'Could you help me?' clearly and appropriately.
By the end, you can…
- recognise the polite request ending 주시겠어요? in short Korean sentences.
- attach 주시겠어요? to common action verbs to ask for help, a photo, or a repeat.
- choose between a direct request and a softer 주시겠어요? request in everyday situations.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
도와주시겠어요?
Could you help me?
do-wa-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Use when you need help from someone you do not know well or from a colleague. It is softer than 도와주세요.
사진 찍어 주시겠어요?
Could you take a photo for me?
sa-jin jji-geo ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
A common request to a stranger or staff member. Hand them your phone as you say it.
다시 말해 주시겠어요?
Could you say that again?
da-si mal-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Very useful when you did not hear or understand. It is polite and does not sound annoyed.
잠깐 기다려 주시겠어요?
Could you wait a moment?
jam-kkan gi-da-ryeo ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
Use in shops, offices, or on the phone when you need a short pause.
천천히 말해 주시겠어요?
Could you speak slowly?
cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?
A practical request for language learners. It asks for a change in speed, not a repetition.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern is action verb stem + 주시겠어요? For example, 돕다 (dopda, 'to help') becomes 도와주시겠어요? (do-wa-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?), and 말하다 (malhada, 'to speak') becomes 말해 주시겠어요? (mal-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?). The 주 part means 'give', so the whole pattern literally asks whether the listener will give you the action. In everyday English, this matches 'Could you...?' very closely. Compare the direct 도와주세요 (do-wa-ju-se-yo, 'Please help me') with the softer 도와주시겠어요? (do-wa-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?, 'Could you help me?'). Both are polite, but the second gives the listener more room to decline.
When to use it
Use 주시겠어요? when you are asking someone to do something for you and you want to sound considerate. It works well with strangers, staff, older people, and people you have just met. For example, at a café you might say 물 좀 주시겠어요? (mul jom ju-si-get-sseo-yo?, 'Could you give me some water?'). With a close friend, the same request may sound a little formal, and a plain request like 물 좀 줘 (mul jom jwo) is more natural. The pattern is not for asking permission or for talking about ability; it is specifically for asking someone to do an action. If you simply want to say 'I can do it', 주시겠어요? is not the right tool.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
저기요, 죄송한데 도와주시겠어요?
Excuse me, sorry, could you help me?jeo-gi-yo, joe-song-han-de do-wa-ju-si-get-sseo-yo?네, 뭘 도와드릴까요?
Yes, what can I help you with?ne, mwol do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?이 주소를 찾고 있는데, 천천히 말해 주시겠어요?
I am looking for this address; could you speak slowly?i ju-so-reul chat-go it-neun-de, cheon-cheon-hi mal-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?그럼요. 다시 말해 주시겠어요?
Of course. Could you say that again?geu-reom-yo. da-si mal-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?A little context goes a long way
Korean politeness often depends on the relationship and the situation, not only on fixed words. 주시겠어요? is a safe, polite choice with strangers, staff, and acquaintances, but it can feel distant with close friends. Listen to how people around you phrase requests, and adjust the ending rather than translating English 'could' word for word.
One thing to watch for
Using 주시겠어요? to mean 'I could do it' or 'I can do it', as in 저는 도와주시겠어요.
Try this instead: 주시겠어요? asks the listener to do something for you; it does not describe your own ability. To say 'I can help', use 도와드릴 수 있어요 (do-wa-deu-ril su i-sseo-yo). To ask for help, say 도와주시겠어요? (do-wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?).
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely ask a staff member to take a photo for you?
Show a sample answer
사진 찍어 주시겠어요? (sa-jin jji-geo ju-si-get-sseo-yo?)
This uses the action verb 찍다 with 주시겠어요? and is appropriate with staff or strangers. 사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요? is also fine and slightly softer.
2Which is softer: 도와주세요 or 도와주시겠어요?
Show a sample answer
도와주시겠어요? is softer.
Both are polite, but 주시겠어요? gives the listener more choice, similar to English 'Could you help me?' rather than 'Please help me'. Context and tone still matter.
3You did not hear a direction. What can you say?
Show a sample answer
다시 말해 주시겠어요? (da-si mal-hae ju-si-get-sseo-yo?)
This asks the person to say it again politely. If you need slower speech, use 천천히 말해 주시겠어요? instead.
To make a Korean request sound like 'Could you...?', attach 주시겠어요? to the action verb, for example 도와주시겠어요? Use it with people you want to treat politely, and keep plain requests for close friends.
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