-세요/으세요 serves two functions: polite requests/commands and honorific descriptions.
Polite requests - "Please do X" - 앉으세요 (Please sit)
Honorific present - Describing respected persons actions - 선생님이 가세요 (Teacher is going)
Soft commands - Gentler than -아/어요 for instructions
Use -세요 after vowel stems, -으세요 after consonant stems.
See examples below for varied real-world usage.
Vowel stem + 세요, Consonant stem + 으세요
- 가다 → 가세요
- 앉다 → 앉으세요
- 하다 → 하세요
ㄹ-irregular drops ㄹ
- 살다 → 사세요
- 만들다 → 만드세요
Please sit here.
Goodbye (to someone leaving).
Please write your name here.
My parents are resting in the living room now.
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