드시다 · 계시다

RuleA few basic verbs do not take -(eu)si- but switch to a wholly separate honorific word: meokda→deusida, jada→jumusida, itda→gyesida.

Curiosity

halabeoji-kkeseo bap-eul meogeusida is grammatical, yet it falls short. The truly natural honorific is a different word altogether.

Intuition

For very common, everyday actions, the whole word is swapped for honor — like changing out of casual clothes into formal dress. Like English suppletion (go/went), the form is entirely different.

Visualization

Step up from the plain verb to a dedicated honorific word: meokda → deusida (even higher: japsusida).

Honorificspecial honorific verbs

먹다meokdaplain (eat / drink)

Essence

Key pairs: meokda/masida→deusida (japsusida), jada→jumusida, itda (existence)→gyesida, malhada→malsseumhasida. Giving flips direction — juda (I give to someone above)→deurida is object honorification. When a special honorific word exists, you do not add -(eu)si- on top of it.

Examples

아버지께서 진지를 드세요.

Father is eating his meal. (honorific)

할머니께서 방에 계세요.

Grandmother is in the room. (honorific)

교수님께서 말씀하셨어요.

The professor spoke. (honorific)

Mini-quiz

The honorific of itda ("to be/exist") for a person, as in "grandmother is in the room," is: