Korean word

여쭈다

Pronunciation

Romanizationyeojjuda

Meaning

  • verbask

Example

길을 여쭈어도 될까요?ki reul yeo jju eo do toel kka yo

May I ask for directions?

Illustration for 여쭈다 (ask)

More examples

실례하지만 여쭈어도 될까요?sil lye ha ji man yeo jju eo do toel kka yo

Excuse me, may I ask?

Core concept

A respectful way to ask another person while showing humility toward them.

Common phrases

  • 여쭈어 보다yeo jju eo po da

    try asking respectfully

  • 여쭈어도 될까요yeo jju eo do toel kka yo

    May I ask

Similar words

묻다muttta: Putting a question to someone directly seeks an answer or facts.
물어보다mureoboda: Asking someone about something unknown seeks information or the person's opinion.

Definition in Korean

높임말로 상대에게 묻다no pim mal lo sang dae e ge mut tta

Word origin

It is a native Korean verb that developed as a humble honorific counterpart to the ordinary verb for asking, so it signals respect toward the person being asked.

Usage tips

  • English usually shows this level of politeness with please or indirect wording, while this verb builds deference into the choice of verb and may sound formal among close friends.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word