-(으)ㅂ시다 is the formal "let's" form in Korean, used to propose actions or suggest doing something together. It's a decisive group suggestion.
Structure
Verb stem + -(으)ㅂ시다
Breakdown:
- -(으)ㅂ: Hortative marker
- 시다: Formal ending
Meaning: "Let's [verb]"
Conjugation Rules
After Vowel or ㄹ: -ㅂ시다
No final consonant:
- 가다 → 갑시다 (let's go)
- 오다 → 옵시다 (let's come)
- 하다 → 합시다 (let's do)
- 자다 → 잡시다 (let's sleep)
After ㄹ (drop ㄹ):
- 만들다 → 만듭시다 (let's make)
- 팔다 → 팝시다 (let's sell)
After Consonant: -읍시다
Final consonant present:
- 먹다 → 먹읍시다 (let's eat)
- 읽다 → 읽읍시다 (let's read)
- 앉다 → 앉읍시다 (let's sit)
- 듣다 → 들읍시다 (let's listen)
Formality Level
Formal: -(으)ㅂ시다
Used in:
- Formal speeches
- Public announcements
- Group settings
- Official contexts
- Rallies/ceremonies
- Written proposals
Not common in:
- Daily casual conversation
- One-on-one chats
- Informal settings
Common Informal Alternatives
-(으)ㅂ시다 → -자 (Casual)
Casual equivalent:
- 갑시다 → 가자 (let's go)
- 먹읍시다 → 먹자 (let's eat)
- 합시다 → 하자 (let's do)
Usage: Friends, casual situations
-(으)ㅂ시다 → -(으)ㄹ까요? (Polite)
Polite suggestion (more common):
- 갑시다 → 갈까요? (shall we go?)
- 먹읍시다 → 먹을까요? (shall we eat?)
Usage: Everyday polite suggestion
When to Use -(으)ㅂ시다
Formal Group Settings
Appropriate contexts:
- Meetings: 시작합시다 (Let's start)
- Presentations: 확인합시다 (Let's check)
- Announcements: 준비합시다 (Let's prepare)
- Ceremonies: 시작합시다 (Let's begin)
Public Encouragement
Motivational contexts:
- 함께 합시다 (Let's do it together)
- 힘냅시다 (Let's cheer up)
- 열심히 합시다 (Let's work hard)
- 성공합시다 (Let's succeed)
Written Proposals
Documents and signs:
- 환경을 보호합시다 (Let's protect the environment)
- 규칙을 지킵시다 (Let's follow the rules)
- 함께 노력합시다 (Let's work together)
Common Expressions
Meetings and Work
- 회의 시작합시다 (Let's start the meeting)
- 다음으로 넘어갑시다 (Let's move to the next)
- 토론합시다 (Let's discuss)
- 결정합시다 (Let's decide)
- 마무리합시다 (Let's wrap up)
Motivational
- 힘냅시다! (Let's cheer up!)
- 열심히 합시다 (Let's work hard)
- 함께 합시다 (Let's do it together)
- 포기하지 맙시다 (Let's not give up)
- 최선을 다합시다 (Let's do our best)
Public Service
- 질서를 지킵시다 (Let's keep order)
- 환경을 보호합시다 (Let's protect environment)
- 교통 규칙을 지킵시다 (Let's follow traffic rules)
- 에너지를 절약합시다 (Let's save energy)
Negative Form: -지 맙시다
Let's Not Do
Pattern: Verb stem + -지 맙시다
Examples:
- 가지 맙시다 (let's not go)
- 포기하지 맙시다 (let's not give up)
- 걱정하지 맙시다 (let's not worry)
- 싸우지 맙시다 (let's not fight)
Usage: Formal prohibition or discouragement
Contrast with Similar Forms
-(으)ㅂ시다 vs -(으)ㄹ까요?
-(으)ㅂ시다: Decisive statement (let's!)
- 갑시다 (Let's go)
- → More assertive, leading
-(으)ㄹ까요?: Question, seeking agreement (shall we?)
- 갈까요? (Shall we go?)
- → More tentative, asking
-(으)ㅂ시다 vs -자
-(으)ㅂ시다: Formal (let's - formal)
- 갑시다 (Let's go - formal)
- → Speeches, announcements
-자: Casual (let's - casual)
- 가자 (Let's go - casual)
- → Friends, informal
Usage Context Comparison
| Situation | Use -(으)ㅂ시다 | Use -(으)ㄹ까요? | Use -자 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal meeting | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Public speech | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Polite suggestion | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Among friends | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
Example Dialogues
Dialogue 1: Meeting
Leader: 이제 회의 시작합시다.
(Let's start the meeting now.)
Team: 네, 좋습니다.
(Yes, sounds good.)
Leader: 첫 번째 안건부터 논의합시다.
(Let's discuss the first agenda item.)
Dialogue 2: Presentation
Speaker: 다음 슬라이드로 넘어갑시다.
(Let's move to the next slide.)
Speaker: 여기서 잠깐 멈춥시다.
(Let's pause here for a moment.)
Speaker: 질문 받겠습니다. 편하게 질문합시다.
(I'll take questions. Feel free to ask.)
Dialogue 3: Public Announcement
Announcer: 교통 규칙을 지킵시다.
(Let's follow traffic rules.)
Announcer: 안전벨트를 착용합시다.
(Let's wear seatbelts.)
Dialogue 4: Team Sport
Coach: 열심히 훈련합시다!
(Let's train hard!)
Team: 네!
(Yes!)
Coach: 최선을 다합시다!
(Let's do our best!)
Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect: 갑시다요
Double polite ending
✅ Correct: 갑시다
-(으)ㅂ시다 already includes formality
❌ Incorrect: 먹습시다
Wrong vowel
✅ Correct: 먹읍시다
After consonant: -읍시다
❌ Incorrect: 가ㅂ시다
Missing 시다 part
✅ Correct: 갑시다
Complete form
Modern Usage Trends
Decreasing in Daily Speech
현대 한국어 트렌드:
- -(으)ㅂ시다 → Less used in daily conversation
- -(으)ㄹ까요? → More common for suggestions
- -자 → Common among friends
Still common in:
- Formal speeches
- Written announcements
- Public service messages
- Military/organizational contexts
Why -(으)ㄹ까요? is Preferred
More natural because:
- Less commanding
- Seeks agreement
- Softer tone
- More democratic
Compare:
- 갑시다 (Let's go - decisive)
- 갈까요? (Shall we go? - asking)
Special Cases
With Question Words
Rare with question words:
- Usually use -(으)ㄹ까요? instead
❌ Less natural: 뭘 합시다? ✓ Better: 뭘 할까요? (What shall we do?)
With Time Expressions
Scheduling:
- 내일 만납시다 (Let's meet tomorrow - formal)
- 7시에 시작합시다 (Let's start at 7 - formal)
More natural:
- 내일 만날까요? (Shall we meet tomorrow?)
- 7시에 시작할까요? (Shall we start at 7?)
Summary Table
| Form | Formality | Context | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| -(으)ㅂ시다 | Formal | Speeches, meetings | 시작합시다 |
| -(으)ㄹ까요? | Polite | Daily suggestions | 시작할까요? |
| -자 | Casual | Friends | 시작하자 |
Key Examples by Context
| Context | Korean | English |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting start | 시작합시다 | Let's start |
| Motivation | 힘냅시다 | Let's cheer up |
| Public sign | 지킵시다 | Let's follow |
| Prohibition | 하지 맙시다 | Let's not do |
| Moving on | 넘어갑시다 | Let's move on |
Key Takeaways
✅ Formal "let's": Decisive group suggestion
✅ After vowel/ㄹ: -ㅂ시다
✅ After consonant: -읍시다
✅ Used in: Formal speeches, meetings, announcements
✅ Less common: In daily casual conversation
✅ Modern alternative: -(으)ㄹ까요? for everyday use
✅ Casual equivalent: -자 for friends
-(으)ㅂ시다 is important for formal contexts, public speaking, and official communications. While less common in everyday conversation (where -(으)ㄹ까요? is preferred), it's essential for speeches, meetings, and written proposals where a formal, decisive tone is needed.