The particle 께 (kke) is the honorific version of 한테/에게, used when the recipient deserves respect due to age, status, or social position. It shows politeness and deference to elders, teachers, superiors, and respected individuals.
Form
께 (kke) - invariable form (doesn't change)
Basic Function
Marks the recipient or target of an action with respect and honor.
Translation: "to (someone respected)," showing deference
When to Use 께
Elders
Anyone significantly older than you:
- 할아버지께 드렸어요. (Harabeoji-kke deuryeosseoyo.) - Gave to grandfather.
- 할머니께 여쭤봤어요. (Halmeoni-kke yeojjwobwasseoyo.) - Asked grandmother.
Parents and Relatives
When showing formal respect:
- 부모님께 말씀드렸어요. (Bumonim-kke malsseumeuryeosseoyo.) - Told parents.
- 선배님께 선물을 드렸어요. (Seonbaenim-kke seonmul-eul deuryeosseoyo.) - Gave gift to senior.
Teachers and Professors
Educational figures:
- 선생님께 여쭤봤어요. (Seonsaengnim-kke yeojjwobwasseoyo.) - Asked teacher.
- 교수님께 질문했어요. (Gyosunim-kke jilmunhaesseoyo.) - Questioned professor.
Superiors at Work
Bosses, managers, company leaders:
- 사장님께 보고했어요. (Sajangnim-kke bogohaesseoyo.) - Reported to president.
- 팀장님께 말씀드렸어요. (Timjangnim-kke malsseumeuryeosseoyo.) - Told team leader.
Respected Public Figures
When writing or speaking about respected individuals:
- 대통령께 건의했어요. (Daetongnyeong-kke geonuihaesseoyo.) - Suggested to president.
- 시민 여러분께 알립니다. (Simin yeoreobun-kke allimnida.) - Inform the citizens.
께 with Honorific Verbs
께 is typically paired with honorific verbs to maintain consistent respect:
드리다 (to give - humble)
Instead of 주다:
- 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요. (Gave gift to grandmother.)
- 선생님께 편지를 드렸어요. (Gave letter to teacher.)
여쭙다/여쭤보다 (to ask - humble)
Instead of 묻다/물어보다:
- 교수님께 여쭤봤어요. (Asked professor.)
- 부모님께 여쭈었어요. (Asked parents.)
말씀드리다 (to tell/speak - humble)
Instead of 말하다:
- 사장님께 말씀드렸어요. (Told president.)
- 할아버지께 말씀드렸어요. (Spoke to grandfather.)
전해 드리다 (to convey - humble)
Instead of 전하다:
- 어머님께 안부 전해 드려요. (Convey regards to mother.)
Common Patterns
Pattern 1: Give to Respected Person
[Respected person + 께] + [Object + 을/를] + [드리다]
- 선생님께 꽃을 드렸어요. (Gave flowers to teacher.)
- 할머니께 선물을 드렸어요. (Gave gift to grandmother.)
Pattern 2: Ask Respected Person
[Respected person + 께] + [여쭙다/여쭤보다]
- 교수님께 여쭤봤어요. (Asked professor.)
- 부모님께 여쭈었어요. (Asked parents.)
Pattern 3: Tell Respected Person
[Respected person + 께] + [말씀드리다]
- 사장님께 말씀드렸어요. (Told president.)
- 선배님께 말씀드렸어요. (Told senior.)
Pattern 4: Convey to Respected Person
[Respected person + 께] + [전하다/전해 드리다]
- 부모님께 안부 전해 주세요. (Please convey regards to parents.)
- 할머니께 사랑 전해요. (Convey love to grandmother.)
께 vs 한테/에게
께 (Honorific)
For respected individuals:
- 선생님께 드렸어요. (Gave to teacher - respectful)
- 할아버지께 여쭤봤어요. (Asked grandfather - respectful)
한테 (Casual)
For equals or those younger:
- 친구한테 줬어요. (Gave to friend - casual)
- 동생한테 물어봤어요. (Asked sibling - casual)
에게 (Formal but not necessarily honorific)
Formal writing without specific honor:
- 친구에게 편지를 썼어요. (Wrote letter to friend - formal)
Key difference: 께 specifically shows respect; 한테/에게 are neutral regarding honor.
께서 (Honorific Subject Marker)
When the respected person is the subject, use 께서 instead of 이/가:
께서 (subject marker - honorific)
- 선생님께서 오셨어요. (Teacher came.)
- 할아버지께서 말씀하셨어요. (Grandfather spoke.)
- 사장님께서 회의를 시작하셨어요. (President started meeting.)
Note: 께 is for "to (someone)"; 께서 is for "someone (as subject)."
Combination with Other Particles
께도 (also to - honorific)
Adding 도 for "also to":
- 할머니께도 드렸어요. (Also gave to grandmother.)
- 선생님께도 말씀드렸어요. (Also told teacher.)
께만 (only to - honorific)
Adding 만 for "only to":
- 부모님께만 말씀드렸어요. (Told only parents.)
- 교수님께만 여쭤봤어요. (Asked only professor.)
께는 (contrastive topic - honorific)
Adding 는 for contrast:
- 선생님께는 말씀드렸어요. (To teacher, I did tell.)
- 할머니께는 안 여쭤봤어요. (To grandmother, I didn't ask.)
Written Communication
께 is especially common in formal letters and announcements:
Letters
- 부모님께 (To Parents)
- 선생님께 드리는 편지 (Letter to Teacher)
Public Announcements
- 시민 여러분께 알립니다. (Informing the citizens.)
- 고객님께 감사드립니다. (Thank you to customers.)
Formal Invitations
- 귀하께 초대장을 보냅니다. (Sending invitation to you.)
Common Expressions
부모님께 (bumonim-kke) - to parents 선생님께 (seonsaengnim-kke) - to teacher 할머니께 (halmeoni-kke) - to grandmother 할아버지께 (harabeoji-kke) - to grandfather 사장님께 (sajangnim-kke) - to president/boss
Set Phrases
감사드립니다 (gamsadeurimnida) - thank you (humble)
- Often implied: (선생님께) 감사드립니다. ((To teacher) thank you.)
말씀드립니다 (malsseumeurimnida) - I tell you (humble)
- (여러분께) 말씀드립니다. ((To everyone) I inform you.)
When NOT to Use 께
With Friends and Equals
❌ 친구께 줬어요. (Wrong - too formal for friend) ✅ 친구한테 줬어요. (Correct) ✅ 친구에게 줬어요. (Correct)
With Younger People
❌ 동생께 줬어요. (Wrong - inappropriate honor) ✅ 동생한테 줬어요. (Correct)
With Animals
❌ 강아지께 먹이를 줬어요. (Wrong - animals don't receive 께) ✅ 강아지한테 먹이를 줬어요. (Correct)
Over-formality
Using 께 with peers sounds awkward and overly formal. Match the respect level to the relationship.
께서 드리다 Pattern
Common respectful construction combining honorific subject and humble verb:
- 선생님께서 학생들에게 선물을 주셨어요. (Teacher gave gifts to students.)
- 께서 (honorific subject for teacher)
- 에게 (neutral recipient for students)
- 주셨어요 (honorific verb for teacher's action)
Note: Use 께 for the recipient, 께서 for the subject.
Regional and Generational Differences
Older Generations
More consistent use of 께:
- Always use with parents, grandparents, teachers
Younger Generations
May use less frequently:
- Still use with grandparents, formal situations
- Sometimes use 에게 with teachers in casual contexts
Best practice: When in doubt, use 께 for anyone older or in a higher position.
In Questions
Asking about respected persons
- 할머니께 뭐 드렸어요? (What did you give grandmother?)
- 선생님께 여쭤봤어요? (Did you ask teacher?)
Polite questions to the listener
Can use 께 when asking someone respectfully:
- 어머니께서는 어떠세요? (How is your mother?)
Summary Table
| Recipient Type | Particle | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Respected elder | 께 | 할머니께 드렸어요 |
| Teacher | 께 | 선생님께 여쭤봤어요 |
| Boss/Superior | 께 | 사장님께 보고했어요 |
| Friend | 한테/에게 | 친구한테 줬어요 |
| Younger person | 한테/에게 | 동생한테 줬어요 |
Key Points
- ✅ Form: 께 (invariable)
- ✅ Function: Honorific "to (someone)"
- ✅ Use with: Elders, teachers, superiors, respected persons
- ✅ Pair with: Honorific verbs (드리다, 여쭙다, 말씀드리다)
- ✅ Different from: 께서 (honorific subject marker)
- ✅ Don't use: With friends, equals, younger people, animals
- ✅ Common in: Formal letters, announcements, respectful speech
Understanding 께 is essential for showing proper respect in Korean society. Using it correctly demonstrates cultural awareness and appropriate social etiquette.