V+(으)오이다/사오이다

Table of content

Humble statement Usage What is 하소서체?

Humble statement

Used to express an action or simple statement humbly in the 하소서체 speech level.

Example

그만 가겠쇠다.

I'm heading out.
아비가 산삼 효험으로 병은 좀 나았사오나 소인 옥에 있는 동안에 죽었소이다.

My father’s illness improved somewhat thanks to the wild ginseng, but he passed away while I was in prison.
우리에겐 우리의 임무가 있사오이다.

We have a mission to fulfill.
웬 낯선 사람이 찾으오이다.

There’s a stranger looking for you.
참으로 오랜만이오이다.

It’s been quite a while.
나는 오늘 떠나외다.

I am leaving today.

Some of the pattern(s) used in this grammar

V+(으)오/(으)옵/사오/사옵/자오/자옵

Usage

사오이다 is also used in shortform as one of 사외다, 쇠다, and 소이다. (으)오이다 has only one shortform, (으)외다

What is 하소서체?

하소서체 is honorific speech used in archaic Korean; used to extremely respectfully address the listener. To modern Korean speakers this level of speech is perceived as an archaic style used only during the monarchical era. In modern Korean 하소서체 is functionally used only in literary expressions, and it is considered natural to use only when addressing a deity. You will encounter 하소서체 in period dramas, traditional literature, the bible, prayers to God, and similar. source

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