께서
kkeseo
subject marker (honorific)
The honorific version of the subject particle 이/가, attached after a noun referring to a person the speaker wants to show respect toward, such as an elder or superior.
Form
- Attaches to
- Noun
Meanings
- 1
(honorific) '가,' '이'; a postpositional particle used to indicate that the subject of an act is elevated.
(높임말로) 가. 이. 어떤 동작의 주체가 높여야 할 대상임을 나타내는 조사.
Examples
세종 대왕께서 한글을 만드셨다.
King Sejong created Hangeul.
할머니께서 낮잠을 주무시니까 조용히 해라.
Grandmother is taking a nap, so please be quiet.
이것은 솜씨가 좋으신 어머니께서 직접 만드신 손수건이다.
This is a handkerchief that my mother, who is skilled with her hands, made herself.
어머니, 오늘 신문 어디에 있어요? 할아버지께서 신문을 보고 계시니까 이따가 보렴.
Mom, where's today's newspaper? Grandfather is reading it, so look at it later.
어머니, 오늘 신문 어디에 있어요?
Mom, where's today's newspaper?
할아버지께서 신문을 보고 계시니까 이따가 보렴.
Grandfather is reading the newspaper, so look at it later.
Examples: 한국어기초사전, CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.
Don’t confuse with
Forms with a close meaning — a favourite source of wrong answers on TOPIK.
Quick check
1. What does ‘께서’ mean?
2. Which form means “subject marker (honorific)”?