낮춤말 (najchunmal) is humble speech that lowers the speaker (yourself) or your in-group to elevate the listener or an honored third party. It's the counterpart to honorific speech.
Core Concept
Honorific speech: Elevate the subject (them) Humble speech: Lower the subject (yourself) Combined effect: Show deep respect
Example:
- Regular: 선생님을 만나요 (Meet teacher)
- Humble: 선생님을 뵙겠습니다 (Meet teacher - humble)
- Meaning: "I (lowly) will meet you (honored teacher)"
Purpose of Humble Speech
Creates Vertical Distance
Raises the other person by lowering yourself:
- You go down → They go up
- Shows deep respect
- Professional and formal
Used in Formal Contexts
When to use:
- Business settings
- Customer service
- Formal introductions
- Professional correspondence
- Speaking to high-ranking people
Essential Humble Verbs
드리다 (give to honored person)
Replaces: 주다 (give) Usage: When giving something to someone respected
Examples:
- 선생님께 드려요 (Give to teacher - humble)
- 선물을 드렸어요 (Gave a gift - humble)
- 말씀드리겠습니다 (I will tell you - humble)
Note: 드리다 implies the recipient is honored
뵙다 (meet honored person)
Replaces: 만나다 (meet) Usage: When meeting someone respected
Examples:
- 처음 뵙겠습니다 (Nice to meet you - literally "I will see you for the first time")
- 선생님을 뵙고 싶어요 (I want to meet teacher)
- 내일 뵙겠습니다 (I'll see you tomorrow)
Common phrase: 뵙게 되어 반갑습니다 (Pleased to meet you - very formal)
여쭙다 (ask honored person)
Replaces: 묻다/물어보다 (ask) Usage: When asking someone respected
Examples:
- 여쭤봐도 될까요? (May I ask?)
- 하나 여쭙겠습니다 (I'll ask one thing)
- 말씀 여쭙고 싶습니다 (I'd like to ask)
Alternative: 여쭈다 (same meaning)
모시다 (escort/serve honored person)
Replaces: 모시고 가다/데리고 가다 (take someone) Usage: When accompanying someone respected
Examples:
- 할머니를 모시고 갔어요 (Escorted grandmother)
- 모시겠습니다 (I will escort/serve you)
- 집에 모셨어요 (Escorted home)
Note: Shows respect by "serving" rather than just "taking"
받다 → 받다 (receive - stays same)
No special humble form, but used in humble contexts:
Examples:
- 선물을 받았습니다 (I received a gift)
- 말씀을 잘 들었습니다 (I listened well to your words)
Note: Context and other humble elements make it humble
Subject Pronouns in Humble Speech
저 (humble first person)
Replaces: 나 (casual "I") Usage: Humble form of "I"
Forms:
- 저 (I - humble)
- 저는 (I - topic)
- 제가 (I - subject)
- 저를 (me - object)
- 제 (my)
Examples:
- 저는 학생입니다 (I am a student - humble)
- 제 이름은 김민수입니다 (My name is Kim Minsu)
저희 (humble first person plural)
Replaces: 우리 (we/our) Usage: Humble "we/our"
Examples:
- 저희 회사 (our company - humble)
- 저희가 하겠습니다 (We will do it - humble)
- 저희 부모님 (our parents - humble when speaking to outsiders)
Important: Lower your own family when speaking to outsiders:
- 저희 아버지 (my father - to outsiders, humble)
- 우리 아버지 (my father - among family, not humble)
Humble + Honorific Combination
Maximum Respect Pattern
Lower yourself + Elevate other person:
Formula: Humble verb + Honorific particle + Polite ending
Examples:
-
선생님께 말씀드리겠습니다 (I will tell teacher)
- 말씀드리다 (humble: tell)
- 께 (honorific: to)
- 겠습니다 (polite formal ending)
-
내일 뵙겠습니다 (I will see you tomorrow)
- 뵙다 (humble: see)
- 겠습니다 (formal polite ending)
Common Humble Expressions
Introducing Yourself
처음 뵙겠습니다
- Translation: "Nice to meet you" (literally: "I will see you for the first time")
- Usage: Very formal introduction
제 이름은 [name]입니다
- Translation: "My name is [name]"
- Uses humble 제 (my)
잘 부탁드립니다
- Translation: "Please treat me well" / "I'm in your care"
- 부탁드리다 (humble: ask for favor)
Requesting Information
여쭤봐도 될까요?
- Translation: "May I ask?"
- 여쭙다 (humble: ask)
말씀 좀 여쭙겠습니다
- Translation: "I'd like to ask something"
- Formal request for information
Expressing Gratitude
감사드립니다
- Translation: "Thank you"
- 드리다 (humble: give thanks)
- More formal than 감사합니다
도움 주셔서 감사드립니다
- Translation: "Thank you for your help"
- Combines honorific (주시다) + humble (드리다)
Making Offers
도와드릴까요?
- Translation: "Shall I help you?"
- 돕다 + 드리다 (help + humble)
제가 하겠습니다
- Translation: "I will do it"
- 저 (humble I) + formal ending
Humble Verb Conjugations
Present Tense
드리다 (give - humble):
- 드려요 (해요체)
- 드립니다 (합니다체)
- 드려 (반말 - rare with humble verbs)
뵙다 (meet - humble):
- 뵈어요 → 봬요 (해요체)
- 뵙습니다 (합니다체)
여쭙다 (ask - humble):
- 여쭤요 (해요체)
- 여쭙습니다 (합니다체)
Past Tense
드리다:
- 드렸어요 (gave)
- 드렸습니다 (gave - formal)
뵙다:
- 뵀어요 (met)
- 뵈었습니다 → 뵙습니다 (met - formal)
여쭙다:
- 여쭤었어요 → 여쭤봤어요 (asked)
- 여쭈었습니다 (asked - formal)
Future Tense
드리다:
- 드릴 거예요 (will give)
- 드리겠습니다 (will give - formal)
뵙다:
- 뵐 거예요 (will meet)
- 뵙겠습니다 (will meet - formal)
여쭙다:
- 여쭤볼 거예요 (will ask)
- 여쭙겠습니다 (will ask - formal)
Humble Particles and Grammar
께 (to honored person)
Replaces: 에게/한테 Usage: Shows recipient is honored
With humble verbs:
- 선생님께 드려요 (Give to teacher)
- 부모님께 말씀드려요 (Tell to parents)
- 할머니께 여쭤요 (Ask grandmother)
-(으)ㄹ게요 (I will...)
Shows intention humbly:
- 제가 할게요 (I will do it)
- 도와드릴게요 (I will help you)
- 가져올게요 (I will bring it)
Implies: Humble offer or promise
Business/Service Language
Customer Service Phrases
안내해 드리겠습니다
- Translation: "I will guide you"
- 안내하다 + 드리다 (guide + humble)
도와드리겠습니다
- Translation: "I will help you"
- 돕다 + 드리다 (help + humble)
확인해 드리겠습니다
- Translation: "I will check for you"
- Standard service phrase
Professional Meetings
말씀드리겠습니다
- Translation: "I will speak/tell"
- 말씀 (honorific word for "words") + 드리다
보고드립니다
- Translation: "I report (to you)"
- 보고하다 + 드리다 (report + humble)
제안드립니다
- Translation: "I propose (to you)"
- 제안하다 + 드리다 (propose + humble)
Humble Verb Combinations
-아/어 드리다 Pattern
Add 드리다 to make any verb humble:
Examples:
- 도와드리다 (help - humble)
- 알려드리다 (inform - humble)
- 보내드리다 (send - humble)
- 만들어드리다 (make - humble)
- 설명해드리다 (explain - humble)
Usage: Very common in service/business contexts
Examples in sentences:
- 설명해 드릴까요? (Shall I explain?)
- 도와드렸어요 (I helped you)
- 알려드리겠습니다 (I will inform you)
말씀 (Honorific + Humble)
Special Noun: 말씀
Replaces: 말 (words/speech) Dual nature: Can be honorific OR humble depending on context
Honorific (other person's words):
- 선생님의 말씀 (Teacher's words - honored)
- 말씀해 주세요 (Please speak - honored)
Humble (giving words to honored person):
- 말씀드리겠습니다 (I will tell you - humble)
- 말씀 여쭙겠습니다 (I will ask you - humble)
Levels of Formality
Most Humble: 합니다체 + Humble Verbs
Ultra-formal:
- 처음 뵙겠습니다 (Nice to meet you)
- 도와드리겠습니다 (I will help you)
- 말씀드리겠습니다 (I will tell you)
Moderately Humble: 해요체 + Humble Verbs
Polite but not stiff:
- 도와드릴게요 (I'll help you)
- 말씀드려요 (I'm telling you)
- 여쭤봐도 될까요? (May I ask?)
Less Formal: Regular Verbs with 저
Just using humble pronouns:
- 저는 학생이에요 (I'm a student)
- 제가 할게요 (I'll do it)
- 저희 집이에요 (It's our house)
When to Use Humble Speech
Always Use With
- ✅ High-ranking superiors: CEO, professors, important clients
- ✅ First professional meetings: Job interviews, business introductions
- ✅ Customer service: Staff to customers (standard)
- ✅ Formal presentations: Public speaking to respected audience
- ✅ Elderly strangers: Showing deep respect
Often Use With
- ✅ Boss/manager: Depends on company culture
- ✅ Teachers: Standard in educational settings
- ✅ Older acquaintances: Formal situations
- ✅ Professional emails: When spoken out loud
Don't Use With
❌ Close friends: Too distant ❌ Family members: Too formal (unless very traditional) ❌ Peers: Creates unnecessary distance ❌ When honored person uses 반말 with you: Match their level
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using Humble Verbs About Others
Wrong: 선생님이 드려요 (Teacher gives - humble) Right: 선생님이 주세요 (Teacher gives - regular/honorific)
Rule: Never humble the honored person
Mistake 2: Over-Humbling in Casual Contexts
Wrong: To close friend: 내일 뵙겠습니다 Right: To close friend: 내일 봐
Over-humbling with friends creates awkward distance
Mistake 3: Not Humbling Your Family to Outsiders
Wrong: (To boss) 우리 아버지가 오셨어요 Right: (To boss) 저희 아버지가 왔어요
Lower your family when speaking to outsiders
Mistake 4: Mixing Humble and Honorific Incorrectly
Wrong: 제가 가세요 (I go - humble pronoun + honorific verb) Right: 제가 가겠습니다 (I go - humble pronoun + formal ending)
Practice Sentences
Self-Introduction
처음 뵙겠습니다 (Nice to meet you)
제 이름은 김민수입니다 (My name is Kim Minsu)
잘 부탁드립니다 (Please treat me well)
Offering Help
도와드릴까요? (Shall I help you?)
제가 하겠습니다 (I will do it)
안내해 드리겠습니다 (I will guide you)
Asking Questions
여쭤봐도 될까요? (May I ask?)
하나 여쭙겠습니다 (I'll ask one thing)
말씀 좀 여쭙고 싶습니다 (I'd like to ask something)
Business Context
보고드리겠습니다 (I will report)
설명해 드리겠습니다 (I will explain)
확인해 드리겠습니다 (I will check)
Humble Verbs Summary Table
| Regular Verb | Meaning | Humble Form | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 주다 | give | 드리다 | Give to honored person |
| 만나다 | meet | 뵙다 | Meet honored person |
| 묻다 | ask | 여쭙다 | Ask honored person |
| 데리고 가다 | take along | 모시다 | Escort honored person |
| 말하다 | speak | 말씀드리다 | Speak to honored person |
| 돕다 | help | 도와드리다 | Help honored person |
Key Points
- ✅ Purpose: Lower yourself to elevate others
- ✅ Essential verbs: 드리다, 뵙다, 여쭙다, 모시다
- ✅ Pronouns: 저 (I), 저희 (we/our)
- ✅ Combine: Use with honorifics for maximum respect
- ✅ Context: Professional, formal, customer service
- ✅ Never: Humble the person you're honoring
- ✅ Balance: Don't over-use in casual relationships
- ✅ Pattern: Verb + 드리다 = humble version
Humble speech completes the Korean respect system. Master it for professional success and to navigate formal situations with grace. Combined with honorifics and proper politeness levels, it allows you to show the exact right amount of respect in any situation.