Korean grammar patterns › Level 6
-(으)소서
please … (prayer, supplication; highest respect)
Level 6 · TOPIK II · advanced
How to use it
The most respectful command/request form, used in prayers, wishes for the dead, and to a king in historical dramas. Often with 부디 or 아무쪼록.
Forming it
| 평안하다 | → 평안하소서 |
| 받다 | → 받으소서 |
| 잠들다 | → 잠드소서 |
| 지켜 주다 | → 지켜 주소서 |
Not for real requests to people today: ✗ 선생님, 여기 앉으소서 → 앉으십시오.
Examples
신이시여, 우리 가족을 지켜 주소서.
O God, please protect our family.
부디 그곳에서 평안히 잠드소서.
May you rest in peace there.
Compared with similar patterns
-(으)십시오 is the formal command for real situations; -(으)십사 하다 politely makes or reports a request ('I ask that you …').