Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 제발 | jebal | [ˈt͡ɕe̞(ː)ba̠ɭ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| ~ 주세요 |
Korean uses different expressions for 'please' depending on whether you are making a polite request for an object or action, or making a desperate plea. The phrase ~ 주세요 is the standard way to say 'please' when requesting an item or asking someone to do something in a polite social context. You can attach 주세요 directly to a noun to say 'Please give me [noun]', such as 물 주세요 (Water, please). Adding the word 좀 before 주세요 or the formal 부탁합니다 translates to 'a little' or 'a bit' and softens the request.
Which one should you use?
The word 제발 is used for desperate, emotional or begging-style pleas. In contrast, ~ 주세요 is used for polite requests for objects or actions in standard social situations.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 주세요 is a polite imperative used to request that someone give you something or perform an action.
How do you pronounce it?
jebal
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 제발 when ordering food in a restaurant, which can sound overly dramatic or desperate instead of polite.
Did you know?
- In high-pressure situations or dramas, you will often hear 제발 paired with the gesture of clasping hands together or bowing deeply to emphasize the desperation of the plea.
- The word 부탁합니다 used for requests is rooted in the concept of a 'favor' or 'entrusting', shifting the focus from what the speaker wants to the act of trusting the listener.
- To make a request even more indirect and polite, Koreans may use the phrase ~ㄹ 수 있을까요, which asks 'would it be possible' rather than saying 'please'.
Examples in context
- 제발 날 죽여 줘.Please kill me.This sentence shows an emotional plea using 제발.Tatoeba #6305074 by Queserasera, translation #6305126 by Queserasera
- 물 좀 주세요, 제발.Some water, please.This sentence demonstrates a request for an item using 제발.Tatoeba #6305441 by Queserasera, translation #270848 by CK
- 제발 집중 좀 해 줄래?Can you pay attention, please?Tatoeba #10788998 by svawbodah, translation #3185865 by CK
- 한 잔만 부탁합니다.Please just one glass.
- 물 좀 부탁합니다.Please, some water.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jihoon is begging Seoyeon to help him find his lost phone.
- 지훈 Ji-hun제발 내 핸드폰 좀 찾아줘.jebal nae haendeupon jom chajajwo.Please, help me find my phone.
- 서연 Seo-yeon어디서 잃어버렸는지 기억 안 나?eodiseo ireobeoryeonneunji gieok an na?Don't you remember where you lost it?
- 지훈 Ji-hun진짜 기억이 안 나, 제발 도와줘.jinjja gieogi an na, jebal dowajwo.I really don't remember, please help me.
- 서연 Seo-yeon알았어, 같이 찾아보자.arasseo, gachi chajaboja.Okay, let's look for it together.
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.
