Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 제발 | jebal | [ˈt͡ɕe̞(ː)ba̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| ~ 주세요 |
The term 제발 is an interjection used to make a desperate, pleading or begging request. In contrast, ~ 주세요 is the standard way to say 'please' when you are making a polite request for an object or asking someone to perform an action.
Which one should you use?
제발 is used for desperate or pleading situations, whereas ~ 주세요 is used for standard polite requests for objects or actions. Using 제발 in a casual setting can sound overly dramatic, similar to 'I beg of you' in English.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ~ 주세요 is attached to a noun to request that noun, or to a verb stem to request an action.
How do you pronounce it?
jebal
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 제발 when they mean to be polite in a restaurant or shop. This can sound unnaturally desperate to native speakers.
Did you know?
- The phrase 제발 is often accompanied by a physical gesture of putting one's hands together or a slight bow to emphasize the plea.
- In Korean, the word 주세요 actually comes from the verb 주다, which means 'to give'.
- If you use 제발 in a lighthearted way with friends, it can function as a sarcastic 'give me a break' or 'stop it'.
Examples in context
- 제발 날 죽여 줘.Please kill me.This sentence shows the use of 제발 in a desperate plea.Tatoeba #6305074 by Queserasera, translation #6305126 by Queserasera
- 물 좀 주세요, 제발.Some water, please.This sentence demonstrates how to use 제발 when asking for something.Tatoeba #6305441 by Queserasera, translation #270848 by CK
- 제발 집중 좀 해 줄래?Can you pay attention, please?This sentence illustrates a pleading request using 제발.Tatoeba #10788998 by svawbodah, translation #3185865 by CK
- 합격 여부에 대해 알려 주세요. 부탁드립니다.Please let me know about the results of the interview.
- 창문을 닫아 주세요.Please close the window.
- 좀 도와 주세요.Can you please help me?
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon is begging Minji to lend him his umbrella.
- 지훈 Ji-hun제발 우산 좀 빌려줘.jebal usan jom billyeojwo.Please, just lend me your umbrella.
- 민지 Min-ji안 돼. 나도 써야 해.an dwae. nado sseoya hae.No. I have to use it too.
- 지훈 Ji-hun제발! 한 번만 도와줘.jebal! han beonman dowajwo.Please! Just help me this once.
- 민지 Min-ji알았어. 여기 있어.arasseo. yeogi isseo.Fine. Here it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “please” translations and entries 제발, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
