Juseyo Meaning – What ‘주세요’ Means and How to Use It in Korean

The Korean word juseyo meaning (주세요) is one of the first and most useful expressions every learner should know.

It means “please give me” or “please do something for me.” It comes from the verb 주다 (to give) and the polite ending –세요, which makes your request sound kind and respectful.

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STEP 1

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STEP 2

So, the structure is:
주다 (to give) → 주세요 (please give)

In English, you say “please” at the beginning or end of a sentence.
But in Korean, “주세요” is built into the sentence itself, showing both your request and your politeness.

“Juseyo” is more than just a polite word — it’s part of Korean culture of respect.
Using polite language is a big part of everyday life in Korea, and saying “주세요” shows that you care about being respectful to others.

Learning “주세요” Step by Step

Let’s learn how “주세요” changes meaning depending on what words you use before it.
You can think of it as a tool — once you understand how it works, you can build many useful and natural expressions.

In this guide, we’ll learn:

1. Asking for something → 물 주세요 (Please give me water)
2. Asking quickly → 빨리 주세요 (Please hurry)
3. Asking for a number → 하나 주세요 (One, please)
4. Asking with emotion → 사랑해 주세요 (Please love me)

Let’s explore each one in detail.

1. Basic Form – “주세요” to Ask for Something

The simplest and most common use of juseyo is when you want to ask for an item politely — at a restaurant, store, or café.

Just put the noun you want in front of “주세요.”

Example:
저는 불고기를 좋아해요. 불고기 두 개 주세요.
I like bulgogi. Please give me two portions of bulgogi.

Example:
이 가방 예뻐요. 이거 주세요.
This bag is pretty. Please give me this one.

In daily life, you’ll hear “주세요” almost everywhere — from ordering coffee to buying clothes.

🌿 Cultural note

In Korean culture, how you say things matters as much as what you say.
Even if you’re simply asking for water, adding “주세요” turns a demand into a polite request.
Without it, the sentence might sound too direct or even rude.

So, “물!” (Water!) sounds harsh, but “물 주세요.” (Please give me water.) sounds friendly and respectful.

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2. Palli Juseyo (빨리 주세요) – “Please Hurry!”

Now let’s learn another useful phrase: palli juseyo (빨리 주세요).

Palli (빨리) means “quickly” or “hurry,” so this phrase literally means “please give it quickly” or “please hurry.”

You might hear it in restaurants, cafés, or even hospitals — anywhere someone is asking politely but wants something soon.

Example:
지금 너무 늦었어요. 커피 빨리 주세요.
I’m really late right now. Please give me the coffee quickly.

Example:
사진을 오늘 안에 보내야 해요. 사진 빨리 주세요.
I need to send the photos today. Please give them to me quickly.

🌿 Cultural nuance

“Palli juseyo” is polite, but tone is important.
If you say it softly, it’s perfectly fine.
But if you shout or say it with a strong voice, it can sound impatient or rude.

In Korean society, emotional control and tone are key parts of politeness.
So, when you use “palli juseyo,” think of it as a gentle hurry, not an order.

3. Hana Juseyo (하나 주세요) – “One, Please”

When ordering at a café or restaurant, you’ll often hear people say “하나 주세요” (hana juseyo), which means “one, please.”
This phrase uses Korean numbers with “주세요.”

Example:
아이스 아메리카노 하나 주세요. 따뜻한 라떼도 하나 주세요.
One iced Americano, please. And one hot latte too.

Example:
김밥 하나 주세요. 너무 배고파요.
One kimbap, please. I’m really hungry.

If you want two or three items, you just change the number:

• 둘 주세요 → Two, please.
• 셋 주세요 → Three, please.

🌿 Usage tip

When ordering, Korean people often raise their hand slightly and say the phrase with a small smile — this shows politeness and friendliness.
It’s part of the nonverbal culture of showing respect when asking for service.

4. Saranghae Juseyo (사랑해 주세요) – “Please Love Me”

Now, let’s move to a more emotional expression: saranghae juseyo (사랑해 주세요).

Saranghae (사랑해) means “I love you.”
So, “saranghae juseyo” means “please love me.”

You’ll hear this phrase in K-dramas, K-pop songs, and sometimes even from fans talking to idols.

Example:
오빠, 나를 사랑해 주세요. 항상 오빠만 생각해요.
Oppa, please love me. I always think about you.

Example:
우리 조금 더 노력해요. 서로 사랑해 주세요.
Let’s try a little harder. Please love each other.

🌿 Cultural nuance

This version of “juseyo” shows that Korean politeness can also carry deep emotion.
Even when expressing love, Koreans often use polite endings to keep warmth and respect in balance.

In English, “Please love me” sounds dramatic.
But in Korean, “사랑해 주세요” can be both romantic and sincere.
It’s polite, emotional, and culturally natural.

5. More Useful Expressions with “주세요”

Once you understand “juseyo,” you can build hundreds of practical phrases just by adding new words before it.

Here are a few:

 Each one shows how flexible “주세요” is — it works with actions, emotions, and objects.
Once you learn the pattern, you can communicate politely in almost any situation.

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Cultural Insight – Why “주세요” Matters So Much

Politeness is at the heart of the Korean language.
There are different levels of speech — casual, polite, and formal — and “주세요” belongs to the polite level, which is safe for most situations.

Even young people use it when talking to strangers, teachers, or older people.
It’s one of those words that instantly makes your Korean sound more natural and kind.

Here’s the difference:

Understanding when to use each form shows not just your grammar skill, but your respect for Korean culture.

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STEP 3

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Original Korean Sentence
사자가 코끼리를 잡아요.

Pronunciation Guide
사자가 (sa-ja-ga) 코끼리를 (ko-ggi-ri-reul) 자바요 (ja-ba-yo).

English Translation
The lion catches the elephant.

Literal Translation
Lion catch elephant.

Quick Reference
사자가 (lion) 코끼리를 (elephant) 잡아요 (catch).

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FAQs (What You Might Still Wonder About)

Final words

Now you know what “juseyo” really means — not just the dictionary definition, but its emotion, culture, and flexibility.

You learned:

• The real juseyo meaning (“please give / please do”)
• How to use palli juseyo, hana juseyo, and saranghae juseyo naturally
• How to avoid sounding rude by using “주세요” correctly
• Why “주세요” reflects the Korean value of respect

Example summary:
오늘 날씨가 너무 더워요. 시원한 물 한 병 주세요.
It’s really hot today. Please give me a bottle of cold water.

So next time you visit Korea or watch a K-drama, listen closely — you’ll hear “주세요” everywhere.
It’s polite, warm, and one of the keys to speaking real Korean.

️ Interested in Korean language and how it’s used in daily life? Check out this official cultural overview by Korea.net →