Korean grammar patterns › Level 1
-ㅂ/습니까?
formal polite question ending
Level 1 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
The formal question ending, the question partner of -ㅂ/습니다. Heard in service situations, interviews, classrooms and announcements; usually answered with -ㅂ/습니다.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 갑니까? |
| 있다 | → 있습니까? |
| 알다 | → 압니까? |
| 학생 | → 학생입니까? |
ㄹ-stems drop ㄹ: 알다 → 압니까? (✗ 알습니까?). Past: -았/었습니까? (먹었습니까?).
Examples
실례지만, 화장실이 어디에 있습니까?
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
손님, 무엇을 주문하시겠습니까?
Sir/Ma'am, what would you like to order?
Compared with similar patterns
-ㅂ/습니다 is the statement form. In everyday polite speech, a question is just -아/어요? with rising intonation.