-아/어 드리다 in Korean: “do for someone (humble)”

-아/어 드리다 (-a/eo deurida) means "to do something for someone" in a humble, respectful way. It is the polite version of -아/어 주다, used when the person you help is older or higher in status, like a parent, a teacher, a boss, or a customer.

How to form it

How to use it

드리다 is the humble word for "to give." Using it after a verb lowers yourself and raises the person you are helping. It is about who receives the favor, not who you are talking to.

You will hear it constantly in shops, restaurants, and customer service: 도와드릴까요? (May I help you?), 바로 보내 드릴게요 (I'll send it right away). With parents and grandparents, it shows warmth and respect.

When an older person does something for you, do not use 드리다. Use the honorific -아/어 주시다 instead: 선생님이 설명해 주셨어요 (The teacher explained it for me).

Examples

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Don’t mix it up with

-아/어 주다: The everyday form for friends, younger people, and equals. 드리다 is the humble version for elders and customers.

-아/어 주시다: Used when an older person does something for you or for someone else. 드리다 is only for actions you (or others) do for the respected person.

Common mistakes

Using 드리다 when the elder is the one helping. Say 할아버지가 도와주셨어요, not 할아버지가 도와드렸어요 (which would mean grandpa helped someone else respected).

Using 드리다 for a younger sibling or a friend. It sounds oddly stiff; use 주다.

Want the basics first? Read Showing respect with -(으)시-.