please in korean
How to Say "Please" in Korean (제발 / 주세요): Begging vs Polite Request
주세요
juseyo
Quick answer
Korean has two main 'please': 주세요 (juseyo) for polite requests ('please give/do this') and 제발 (jebal) for heartfelt pleading — they are not interchangeable.
Common forms
| Register | Hangul | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| polite request (please give/do) | 주세요 | juseyo | Attached after a verb or noun — the all-purpose polite request ending for ordering, asking, and making everyday requests. This is the form you'll use most in shops, restaurants, and daily life. |
| heartfelt pleading | 제발 | jebal | Used when begging or making an emotionally urgent request — the K-drama 'please, I'm begging you.' Carries genuine emotional weight; using it casually makes you sound desperate. |
| formal request | 부탁드립니다 | butakdeurimnida | Formal 'please' for written requests, business emails, or formal situations — literally 'I humbly request.' More deferential than 주세요 and common in professional Korean. |
| casual request between friends | 해줘 | haejwo | Do it for me — casual equivalent added after a verb. 해줘 is affectionate and familiar; adding 좀 (jom) as in 좀 해줘 softens it slightly. |
How it changes by relationship
이거 하나 주세요.
Igeo hana juseyo.
ordering food or shopping (polite): One of these, please — the everyday polite request you'll use in every Korean shop, cafe, or restaurant. 이거 (this one) + 하나 (one) + 주세요 (please) covers most ordering situations.
제발, 가지 마.
Jebal, gaji ma.
desperate plea to a friend or partner: Please, don't go — the classic K-drama breakup scene plea. 제발 at the start signals raw emotion before the request is even stated.
검토 부탁드립니다.
Geomto butakdeurimnida.
formal written request: Please review this — the standard closing phrase in Korean business emails. Using this level of formality in professional settings is expected and appreciated.
이거 좀 해줘, 제발.
Igeo jom haejwo, jebal.
asking a friend for a favor: Please just do this for me — combining 좀 해줘 (do it for me) with 제발 at the end adds comic or genuine pleading. The 좀 softens the request while 제발 shows you really mean it.
Examples
물 한 잔 주세요.
Mul han jan juseyo.
Please give me a glass of water.
제발 그러지 마세요.
Jebal geureoji maseyo.
Please don't do that.
도와주세요!
Dowajuseyo!
Please help me!
Usage note
Korean doesn't have a single standalone 'please' that tags onto any sentence the way English does. Instead, politeness is built into the verb ending: 주세요 makes giving/doing verbs polite, but it can't be attached to other sentences. 제발 is an adverb that adds urgency and emotional weight — plugging it into a routine request like ordering coffee would sound absurdly dramatic. For general polite requests beyond giving, 부탁해요 (butakaeyo, I'm asking you nicely) is the flexible option that works when 주세요 doesn't fit grammatically.
Mini quiz
What is the primary Korean phrase for "please" here?
FAQ
Can I say 제발 in a normal request?
You can, but 제발 carries strong emotional weight — it sounds like begging. For everyday polite requests, 주세요 or 부탁해요 (butakaeyo) are far more natural.
How do I say 'please sit down' or 'please wait' in Korean?
앉으세요 (anjeuseyo, please sit) and 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo, please wait a moment) — politeness is built into the verb ending, not added as a separate 'please' word.
What does 부탁해 mean?
부탁해 (butakae) means 'I'm asking you / please' as a casual request for a favor. 부탁해요 is the polite version. 부탁드립니다 is the formal, deferential version used in writing and professional settings.
How do I say 'please help me' formally in Korean?
도와주세요 (dowajuseyo) is polite, and 도와주시겠어요? (dowajusigesseoyo?) is more formal — 'would you be so kind as to help me?' The latter is respectful and appropriate with strangers or seniors.
Can I use 주세요 with anyone?
주세요 is polite but not formal — it's safe for strangers, shop staff, acquaintances, and most situations. For formal or highly respectful contexts, 주시겠어요? (would you please give/do?) adds another layer of deference.
What's the difference between 주세요 and 주십시오?
주세요 is polite and everyday. 주십시오 (jusimnida) is the formal command form — used in formal announcements, instructions, or very polite requests to superiors. You'll hear it on public transport PA systems.