V+(으)ㅂ시다

Overview

The V+(으)ㅂ시다 ending is a common and polite way to suggest or propose an action that the speaker and listener should do together. It functions as an invitation for collective participation, expressing a shared intention.

---

Usage

This ending is primarily used when the speaker wants to initiate a joint activity with the listener. It carries the nuance of "Let's do X" or "Shall we do X?" and is generally used in situations where the speaker is inviting or encouraging the listener to join them. It implies a collective "we" (우리) as the subject of the action.

It is a polite form suitable for most social situations, including with colleagues, acquaintances, or when addressing a group. While polite, it is less formal than asking a question like V+(으)ㄹ까요? (Shall we...?) which seeks the listener's opinion, and more direct in its suggestion.

---

Conjugation Rules

The conjugation of V+(으)ㅂ시다 depends on the final sound of the verb stem:

1. Verb stem ends in a vowel: Add -ㅂ시다.

   • 가다 (to go) → 가 + ㅂ시다 → 갑시다 (Let's go)
   • 보다 (to see) → 보 + ㅂ시다 → 봅시다 (Let's see)
   • 하다 (to do) → 하 + ㅂ시다 → 합시다 (Let's do)

2. Verb stem ends in a consonant (except ㄹ): Add -읍시다.

   • 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 읍시다 → 먹읍시다 (Let's eat)
   • 읽다 (to read) → 읽 + 읍시다 → 읽읍시다 (Let's read)
   • 찾다 (to find) → 찾 + 읍시다 → 찾읍시다 (Let's find)

3. Verb stem ends in ㄹ: The ㄹ drops, and -ㅂ시다 is added.

   • 만들다 (to make) → 만들 (ㄹ drops) + ㅂ시다 → 만듭시다 (Let's make)
   • 놀다 (to play) → 놀 (ㄹ drops) + ㅂ시다 → 놉시다 (Let's play)

---

Knowledge Plus

• Politeness Level: V+(으)ㅂ시다 is a polite and generally respectful way to make a suggestion. It is more direct than V+(으)ㄹ까요? (Shall we...?), which is a question seeking agreement, and more formal than the casual V+자 (Let's...) used among close friends or to subordinates.
• Implied Subject: The subject of the action is always "we" (우리), including both the speaker and the listener.
• Negative Form: To suggest not doing something together, use V-지 맙시다.
  • 가지 맙시다 (Let's not go)
  • 먹지 맙시다 (Let's not eat)
• Usage Context: While polite, it can sometimes sound a bit formal or even slightly commanding in very casual settings. In such cases, V+(으)ㄹ까요? or even a simple V+자 (among close friends) might be preferred. However, in formal or semi-formal situations, or when addressing a group, V+(으)ㅂ시다 is perfectly appropriate.