What is -아/어 주다?
The pattern -아/어 주다 is an auxiliary verb construction that you attach to the stem of a main verb. It's used to express that an action is performed for the benefit or convenience of someone else.
The verb 주다 originally means "to give." So, you can think of this grammar as "giving an action" to another person. It adds a sense of favor or helpfulness to the verb.
읽다 (to read) → 읽어 주다 (to read for someone )
사다 (to buy) → 사 주다 (to buy for someone )
How to Form -아/어 주다
The form you use depends on the final vowel of the verb stem, just like other -아/어 conjugations.
1. Verb stems ending in ㅏ or ㅗ
Add -아 주다 .
찾다 → 찾 + 아 주다 → 찾아 주다
보다 (to see/watch) → 보 + 아 주다 → 봐 주다
2. Verb stems ending in other vowels
Add -어 주다 .
읽다 → 읽 + 어 주다 → 읽어 주다
만들다 → 만들 + 어 주다 → 만들어 주다
3. Verbs ending in 하다
These verbs use -여 주다 , which contracts to -해 주다 .
요리하다 → 요리해 주다
설명하다 → 설명해 주다
Making Requests with -아/어 주세요
One of the most common uses of this pattern is to make polite requests. You combine -아/어 주다 with the polite command ending -(으)세요 to form -아/어 주세요 .
This is a much softer and more natural way to ask for a favor than using a direct command.
Direct Command · Polite Request
문을 닫으세요. (Close the door.) · 문 좀 닫아주세요. (Please close the door for me.)
사진을 찍으세요. (Take a picture.) · 사진 좀 찍어주세요. (Please take a picture for me.)
Using -아/어 주세요 implies that the action benefits you, the speaker, making it a considerate way to ask for help.