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') and 제발 (jebal) for heartfelt pleading ('please, I'm begging you').
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. |
| heartfelt pleading | 제발 | jebal | Used when begging or desperately asking — the K-drama 'please, I'm begging you.' |
| formal request | 부탁드립니다 | butakdeurimnida | Formal 'please' for written requests, formal situations, or business — literally 'I humbly request.' |
| casual request between friends | 해줘 | haejwo | Do it for me — casual equivalent, added after a verb. |
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 shop.
제발, 가지 마.
Jebal, gaji ma.
desperate plea to a friend or partner: Please, don't go — the classic K-drama breakup scene plea.
검토 부탁드립니다.
Geomto butakdeurimnida.
formal written request: Please review this — used in emails and professional settings.
이거 좀 해줘, 제발.
Igeo jom haejwo, jebal.
asking a friend for a favor: Please just do this for me — 좀 (jom) softens the request slightly.
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 word that works like English 'please' at the end of any sentence. 주세요 only works with giving/doing actions; 제발 signals strong emotion. Plugging 제발 into a casual request can unintentionally sound dramatic.
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 emotional weight — it sounds like you're begging. For regular polite requests, 주세요 or 부탁해요 (butakaeyo) are more natural.
How do I say 'please sit down' or 'please wait'?
앉으세요 (anjeuse yo, please sit), 잠깐만요 (jamkkanmanyo, please wait a moment) — in Korean the politeness is built into the verb ending, not a separate 'please' word.
What does 부탁해 mean?
부탁해 (butakae) means 'I'm asking you / please' as a favor — casual form of 부탁드립니다. 부탁해요 is the polite version.