Commands and Requests Expressions

Command and Request Patterns

Command and request patterns are divided into command expressions, which ask the listener to perform an action, and request expressions, which ask the listener for help. Commands are expressed with '-(으)세요' (polite imperative ending) and '-(으)십시오' (formal imperative ending). Requests are expressed with '-아/어 주세요' (please do ~ for me), '-아/어 주실래요?' (would you do ~?), and '-아/어 주시겠어요?' (would you be willing to do ~?). In listening tests, questions often ask you to recognize these patterns and identify who must do what.

The command expression '-(으)세요' is attached to a verb stem to request an action. If the stem has no final consonant, '-세요' is attached. If the stem has a final consonant, '-으세요' is attached. Ex) 문을 천천히 닫으세요. '-(으)십시오' is used in formal settings such as broadcasts or public announcements and makes the command more polite. Ex) 작업 전에 장갑을 끼십시오.

When a command expression appears together with a list of items to prepare, it expresses an action of bringing those items. In this case, the object of '가져오세요' (please bring) is the item to prepare. Even if an amount of money or a cost appears in the same conversation, it is not an item to take along but information that has been announced. Ex) 신분증을 가져오세요.

Request expressions are formed by attaching '-아/어' to a verb stem and then adding '주다' (to give). Ex) 서류를 같이 봐 주세요. For a more polite request, '-아/어 주실래요?' or '-아/어 주시겠어요?' is used, which asks whether the listener is able to do the favor. When identifying the content of a request, the verb phrase that comes before this pattern is the content of the request. Ex) 상자 옮기는 것을 도와 주실래요?

Request patterns are also used in broadcasts and announcements. When temporary duties are assigned to several people, '-아/어 주십시오' is used, and the verb phrase attached to this pattern is the assigned task. Ex) 이 자료를 회의실로 옮겨 주십시오.

An appropriate response to a request is either acceptance or refusal. Acceptance begins with '네' (yes), '그럼요' (of course), or '알겠습니다' (understood), and adds the action the speaker will do right away. Ex) 네, 지금 가져다 드릴게요. Remarks unrelated to the request, such as those about the weather or a schedule, do not continue the conversation and therefore cannot be a correct answer.

In questions that ask you to choose the action a person agrees to do after receiving a request, a phrase such as '잠시만 기다려 주세요' (please wait a moment) in the response serves as a clue that the speaker will act immediately. Whether the action indicated by the response matches the requested task determines the correct answer.