Do For Someone (-아/어 주다)
-아/어 주다
Expresses doing an action for someone else's benefit, meaning 'do something for (someone)'.
Pattern
Verb stem + -아/어 주다
Explanation
-아/어 주다 combines a verb with 주다 (to give) to express doing an action as a favor or for someone's benefit. It follows standard vowel harmony: -아 주다 after ㅏ/ㅗ stems, -어 주다 after other vowels, and 해 주다 for 하다 verbs.
This pattern is essential for making polite requests. 도와주세요 (Please help me) and 가르쳐 주세요 (Please teach me) are among the most useful phrases in Korean. The 주다 adds a nuance of doing something for someone's benefit.
In honorific situations, 주다 becomes 드리다: 도와드릴게요 (I will help you — humble). When receiving a favor, 주다 can also be replaced with 받다 in some constructions. This pattern appears constantly in everyday Korean interactions.
Examples
사진을 찍어 주세요.
Sajineul jjigeo juseyo.
Please take a photo for me.
이것 좀 도와주세요.
Igeot jom dowajuseyo.
Please help me with this.
친구가 한국어를 가르쳐 줬어요.
Chinguga hangugeoreul gareuchyeo jwosseoyo.
My friend taught me Korean (as a favor).
문을 열어 줄 수 있어요?
Muneul yeoreo jul su isseoyo?
Can you open the door for me?
Common Mistakes
Wrong
사진을 찍어주다세요.
Correct
사진을 찍어 주세요.
주다 must be conjugated to 주세요 for a polite request. 주다세요 is not a valid conjugation.
Wrong
도와어 주세요.
Correct
도와주세요.
돕다 is an irregular verb. Its stem 도우- contracts with -아 to become 도와. Do not add an extra vowel.
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