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이거요, 선물이요, 누구요, 웃지 마요
I'm confused about the usage of 요 in 이거요, 선물이요, 누구요, 웃지 마요, etc.
I know 요 is used at the end of verb conjugations to indicate a polite/formal form. But I also see it attached to nouns, question words, etc. like the above. Is this simply making those words polite? Or is it a shortened form of "is"?
이거? = This? (informal)
이거요? = This? (polite) or It's this?
선물이? = A gift? (informal)
선물이요? = A gift? (polite) or Is it a gift?
누구? = Who? (informal)
누구요? = Who? (formal) or Who is it?
I've also seen it in song lyrics.
웃지 마요 = Do not laugh
I know 웃지 마 and 웃지 마세요 are imperatives, and the conjugated form of 말다 is 말라요, but what is just 마요? Is it again just a polite ending for the imperative?
I know 요 is used at the end of verb conjugations to indicate a polite/formal form. But I also see it attached to nouns, question words, etc. like the above. Is this simply making those words polite? Or is it a shortened form of "is"?
이거? = This? (informal)
이거요? = This? (polite) or It's this?
선물이? = A gift? (informal)
선물이요? = A gift? (polite) or Is it a gift?
누구? = Who? (informal)
누구요? = Who? (formal) or Who is it?
I've also seen it in song lyrics.
웃지 마요 = Do not laugh
I know 웃지 마 and 웃지 마세요 are imperatives, and the conjugated form of 말다 is 말라요, but what is just 마요? Is it again just a polite ending for the imperative?
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The informal polite ending "-요" also works for nouns or adverbs.
As for nouns,
(you mean) this one?
= 이거? (informal, not polite, used between close friends)
= 이거 + 요?(is less polite than 이거예요?)
= 이거 + 예요?(neutural, informal, polite)
= 이것 + 입니까?(formal, polite, often used in a textbook)
(you mean) a gift?
= 선물?
= 선물 + 요?(not 선물이요?)
Is it a gift (for me)?
= 선물 + 이에요?(informal, polite)
= 선물 + 입니까? (formal, polite)
누구? (=who?)
누구요? (=whom you are talking about?)
for adverbs,
How? ☞ 어떻게? / 어떻게 + 요?
Why? ☞ 왜? / 왜 + 요?
for -지 마
The base form of this ending is "-지 말다", and adding -아/어/여 + 요 to it,
말다 + 아/어/여 요 ☞ 말 + 아요 ☞ 마 + ㄹ + 아요 ☞ 마요(not "말아요")
(It conjugates like 'ㄹ' irregular verbs, but not exactly, please check how 'ㄹ' irregular verbs work)
In terms of grammar, "마요" is correct, but "말아요" is also commonly used in spoken. I think "마요" sounds more softer than "말아요".^^'
\^o^/
As for nouns,
(you mean) this one?
= 이거? (informal, not polite, used between close friends)
= 이거 + 요?(is less polite than 이거예요?)
= 이거 + 예요?(neutural, informal, polite)
= 이것 + 입니까?(formal, polite, often used in a textbook)
(you mean) a gift?
= 선물?
= 선물 + 요?(not 선물이요?)
Is it a gift (for me)?
= 선물 + 이에요?(informal, polite)
= 선물 + 입니까? (formal, polite)
누구? (=who?)
누구요? (=whom you are talking about?)
for adverbs,
How? ☞ 어떻게? / 어떻게 + 요?
Why? ☞ 왜? / 왜 + 요?
for -지 마
The base form of this ending is "-지 말다", and adding -아/어/여 + 요 to it,
말다 + 아/어/여 요 ☞ 말 + 아요 ☞ 마 + ㄹ + 아요 ☞ 마요(not "말아요")
(It conjugates like 'ㄹ' irregular verbs, but not exactly, please check how 'ㄹ' irregular verbs work)
In terms of grammar, "마요" is correct, but "말아요" is also commonly used in spoken. I think "마요" sounds more softer than "말아요".^^'
\^o^/
요 is just a politeness suffix. It can be added to any word if it's the end of your sentence. It does not mean "is" and it's not formal, just polite.
웃지 마세요 uses the honorific 시 and the politness suffix 요. 시 is conjugated into 셔 but for some reason becomes 세 in present tense. 시 can be removed if you want. It just becomes less polite/humble.
past tense of 하다.
Normal: 했어요.
With 시: 하셨어요
웃지 마세요 uses the honorific 시 and the politness suffix 요. 시 is conjugated into 셔 but for some reason becomes 세 in present tense. 시 can be removed if you want. It just becomes less polite/humble.
past tense of 하다.
Normal: 했어요.
With 시: 하셨어요
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