Korean Grammar V-(으)ㅂ시다 / 읍시다: Let’s V

Have you ever wanted to say “Let’s go,” “Let’s eat,” or “Let’s study together” in Korean?

One useful way to make these suggestions is with the Korean grammar pattern V-(으)ㅂ시다.

For example:

같이 갑시다. — Let’s go together.

🔊 Listen: 같이 갑시다.

점심을 먹읍시다. — Let’s eat lunch.

🔊 Listen: 점심을 먹읍시다.

한국어를 공부합시다. — Let’s study Korean.

🔊 Listen: 한국어를 공부합시다.

This ending is useful when suggesting an action that you and another person will do together. It often appears in organized activities, announcements, classrooms, workplaces, and group conversations.

However, Korean has several ways to say “let’s,” and V-(으)ㅂ시다 is not appropriate for every situation.

In this lesson, you’ll learn the correct conjugation rules, how to use the expression naturally, how it differs from casual -자, and how to say “let’s not” in Korean.

Level: Upper Beginner–Intermediate (A2–B1)

Study time: Approximately 15–20 minutes

What you’ll learn: V-(으)ㅂ시다 conjugation, ㄹ-ending verbs, polite and casual suggestions, negative suggestions, real-life conversations, and practice exercises.


Table of Contents

1. What Does V-(으)ㅂ시다 Mean in Korean?

The grammar pattern V-(으)ㅂ시다 is used to suggest doing something together.

It commonly corresponds to:

  • Let’s…
  • Let’s do…
  • Shall we…? (as a suggestion rather than a question)

In Korean grammar, this is called a propositive ending, meaning an ending used to propose a shared action.

Basic Examples of Let’s in Korean

갑시다. — Let’s go.

🔊 Listen: 갑시다.

먹읍시다. — Let’s eat.

🔊 Listen: 먹읍시다.

시작합시다. — Let’s start.

🔊 Listen: 시작합시다.

기다립시다. — Let’s wait.

🔊 Listen: 기다립시다.

The important point is that the speaker is proposing an action that includes the listener.

For example, a teacher may say:

자, 시작합시다.

“Okay, let’s begin.”

🔊 Listen: 자, 시작합시다.

A team leader may say:

다 같이 확인합시다.

“Let’s check it together.”

🔊 Listen: 다 같이 확인합시다.

Is -(으)ㅂ시다 a Polite Expression?

It belongs to the formal polite speech style known as 합쇼체.

However, a formal grammatical ending does not automatically make every sentence the most respectful choice.

For example, saying 갑시다 to your manager could sound like you are urging them to go somewhere rather than respectfully asking whether they would like to go.

In situations involving someone of higher status, an indirect suggestion may be more appropriate.

We’ll explain this difference later.


2. How to Conjugate V-(으)ㅂ시다

The conjugation rule depends on whether the verb stem ends in a vowel or consonant.

First, remove -다 from the dictionary form.

Then attach the appropriate ending.

Rule 1: Vowel-Ending Verbs + ㅂ시다

If the verb stem ends in a vowel, add -ㅂ시다.

Dictionary formVerb stemLet’s formEnglish
가다가갑시다Let’s go
오다오옵시다Let’s come
보다보봅시다Let’s see/watch
자다자잡시다Let’s sleep
만나다만나만납시다Let’s meet
기다리다기다리기다립시다Let’s wait

Listen and repeat.

🔊 Listen: 갑시다

🔊 Listen: 옵시다

🔊 Listen: 봅시다

🔊 Listen: 잡시다

🔊 Listen: 만납시다

🔊 Listen: 기다립시다

How it works:

가다 → 가 + ㅂ시다 → 갑시다

보다 → 보 + ㅂ시다 → 봅시다

만나다 → 만나 + ㅂ시다 → 만납시다

Important: The ㅂ becomes the final consonant of the preceding syllable. You write 갑시다, not 가ㅂ시다.

Rule 2: Consonant-Ending Verbs + 읍시다

If the verb stem ends in a consonant other than ㄹ, add -읍시다.

Dictionary formVerb stemLet’s formEnglish
먹다먹먹읍시다Let’s eat
읽다읽읽읍시다Let’s read
앉다앉앉읍시다Let’s sit
찾다찾찾읍시다Let’s find
입다입입읍시다Let’s put on/wear
받다받받읍시다Let’s receive
씻다씻씻읍시다Let’s wash
웃다웃웃읍시다Let’s laugh

Practice the conjugated forms.

🔊 Listen: 먹읍시다

🔊 Listen: 읽읍시다

🔊 Listen: 앉읍시다

🔊 Listen: 찾읍시다

🔊 Listen: 입읍시다

🔊 Listen: 받읍시다

🔊 Listen: 씻읍시다

🔊 Listen: 웃읍시다

How it works:

먹다 → 먹 + 읍시다 → 먹읍시다

앉다 → 앉 + 읍시다 → 앉읍시다

읽다 → 읽 + 읍시다 → 읽읍시다

Although the written forms are regular, pronunciation can change because of Korean sound rules. Pay attention to the actual pronunciation rather than reading each written letter separately.

Rule 3: Verbs Ending in ㄹ

Verbs whose stems end in ㄹ have a special rule.

The final ㄹ disappears before the ending -ㅂ시다.

Dictionary formLet’s formEnglish
만들다만듭시다Let’s make
살다삽시다Let’s live
놀다놉시다Let’s play
열다엽시다Let’s open
팔다팝시다Let’s sell
알다압시다Let’s know/understand

Listen to these forms.

🔊 Listen: 만듭시다

🔊 Listen: 삽시다

🔊 Listen: 놉시다

🔊 Listen: 엽시다

🔊 Listen: 팝시다

🔊 Listen: 압시다

How it works:

만들다 → 만들 → 만드 + ㅂ시다 → 만듭시다

열다 → 열 → 여 + ㅂ시다 → 엽시다

Common mistake: Do not write 만들읍시다 or 열읍시다.

Rule 4: 하다 Verbs

For verbs ending in 하다, the ending becomes 합시다.

Dictionary formLet’s formEnglish
공부하다공부합시다Let’s study
운동하다운동합시다Let’s exercise
청소하다청소합시다Let’s clean
시작하다시작합시다Let’s begin
연습하다연습합시다Let’s practice
준비하다준비합시다Let’s prepare
확인하다확인합시다Let’s check

Practice each expression.

🔊 Listen: 공부합시다

🔊 Listen: 운동합시다

🔊 Listen: 청소합시다

🔊 Listen: 시작합시다

🔊 Listen: 연습합시다

🔊 Listen: 준비합시다

🔊 Listen: 확인합시다

Quick Conjugation Summary

Verb stemEndingExample
Ends in a vowel-ㅂ시다가다 → 갑시다
Ends in a consonant other than ㄹ-읍시다먹다 → 먹읍시다
Ends in ㄹDrop ㄹ + ㅂ시다만들다 → 만듭시다
하다 verb하다 → 합시다공부하다 → 공부합시다

Remember: This ending is used with action verbs, not ordinary descriptive adjectives.

For example, 예쁘다 means “to be pretty,” so it is not normally used as 예쁩시다 to invite someone to perform an action.


3. How to Use -(으)ㅂ시다 in Real-Life Situations

The ending becomes much easier to understand when you connect it to situations.

Making Suggestions at Work

The formal style is especially common in workplace announcements and organized team activities.

회의를 시작합시다.

“Let’s start the meeting.”

🔊 Listen: 회의를 시작합시다.

이 문제를 같이 해결합시다.

“Let’s solve this problem together.”

🔊 Listen: 이 문제를 같이 해결합시다.

계획을 다시 확인합시다.

“Let’s check the plan again.”

🔊 Listen: 계획을 다시 확인합시다.

잠깐 쉽시다.

“Let’s take a short break.”

🔊 Listen: 잠깐 쉽시다.

These expressions may sound natural when a group has already agreed on an activity or when someone is leading a team.

Using -(으)ㅂ시다 in a Classroom

Teachers often use this ending when guiding students through activities.

책을 펴 봅시다.

“Let’s open our books and take a look.”

🔊 Listen: 책을 펴 봅시다.

다 같이 읽읍시다.

“Let’s read together.”

🔊 Listen: 다 같이 읽읍시다.

한 번 더 연습합시다.

“Let’s practice one more time.”

🔊 Listen: 한 번 더 연습합시다.

다음 문제를 풀어 봅시다.

“Let’s try solving the next question.”

🔊 Listen: 다음 문제를 풀어 봅시다.

Suggestions During Travel

You may also hear these expressions in organized tours or group travel.

이쪽으로 갑시다.

“Let’s go this way.”

🔊 Listen: 이쪽으로 갑시다.

여기서 사진을 찍읍시다.

“Let’s take a photo here.”

🔊 Listen: 여기서 사진을 찍읍시다.

잠깐 쉬었다 갑시다.

“Let’s rest for a moment before going.”

🔊 Listen: 잠깐 쉬었다 갑시다.

점심을 먹고 출발합시다.

“Let’s have lunch and then leave.”

🔊 Listen: 점심을 먹고 출발합시다.

Why 같이 Often Appears in These Sentences

The word 같이 means “together.”

You can add it to make the shared-action meaning especially clear.

같이 공부합시다.

“Let’s study together.”

🔊 Listen: 같이 공부합시다.

다 같이 시작합시다.

“Let’s all begin together.”

🔊 Listen: 다 같이 시작합시다.

However, 같이 is not required because -(으)ㅂ시다 already expresses a proposal involving the speaker and listener.


4. -(으)ㅂ시다 vs. -자: Formal and Casual Let’s

The original KoreanMario lesson also compared -(으)ㅂ시다 with -자.

Both forms can suggest doing something together, but they belong to different speech styles.

Formal Style: -(으)ㅂ시다

같이 갑시다.

“Let’s go together.”

🔊 Listen: 같이 갑시다.

밥을 먹읍시다.

“Let’s eat.”

🔊 Listen: 밥을 먹읍시다.

공부합시다.

“Let’s study.”

🔊 Listen: 공부합시다.

This style is useful in formal or organized group situations.

Casual Style: -자

To make a casual suggestion, attach -자 directly to the action-verb stem.

Examples:

가다 → 가자

먹다 → 먹자

공부하다 → 공부하자

Let’s listen.

🔊 Listen: 가자

🔊 Listen: 먹자

🔊 Listen: 공부하자

Use -자 with close friends or people with whom you have established a casual speaking relationship.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Formal proposalCasual proposalEnglish
갑시다가자Let’s go
먹읍시다먹자Let’s eat
공부합시다공부하자Let’s study
만납시다만나자Let’s meet
봅시다보자Let’s see
앉읍시다앉자Let’s sit
쉬도록 합시다쉬자Let’s rest
시작합시다시작하자Let’s begin

Can You Add 요 to -자?

No.

가자요 and 먹자요 are not standard polite suggestion forms.

If you want a polite everyday suggestion, you can use a different structure, such as -(으)ㄹ까요?

같이 갈까요?

“Shall we go together?”

🔊 Listen: 같이 갈까요?

점심 먹을까요?

“Shall we have lunch?”

🔊 Listen: 점심 먹을까요?

This is often a more natural choice when making a friendly, polite suggestion.


5. -(으)ㅂ시다 vs. -(으)ㄹ까요?: Which Sounds More Natural?

One of the most important things to understand is that a grammatically polite form is not always the most socially appropriate form.

Compare these expressions.

Let’s Go: 갑시다

이제 갑시다.

“Let’s go now.”

🔊 Listen: 이제 갑시다.

This is a direct proposal. It may sound appropriate when coordinating a group or announcing that it’s time to leave.

Shall We Go?: 갈까요?

이제 갈까요?

“Shall we go now?”

🔊 Listen: 이제 갈까요?

This asks for agreement and can sound gentler in an everyday conversation.

Let’s Have Lunch Together

Compare:

같이 점심을 먹읍시다.

“Let’s have lunch together.”

🔊 Listen: 같이 점심을 먹읍시다.

같이 점심 먹을까요?

“Shall we have lunch together?”

🔊 Listen: 같이 점심 먹을까요?

The first sentence sounds more like a formal or deliberate proposal. The second is often more conversational.

What If You’re Speaking to Your Boss?

Imagine inviting your manager to lunch.

Saying 점심을 먹읍시다 may sound too direct in some workplace relationships, even though the ending is formally polite.

A more considerate invitation could be:

같이 점심 드실래요?

“Would you like to have lunch together?”

🔊 Listen: 같이 점심 드실래요?

Or:

점심 같이 드실까요?

“Shall we have lunch together?”

🔊 Listen: 점심 같이 드실까요?

These expressions use honorific vocabulary or endings to make the invitation more considerate.

Cultural tip: Choose your expression according to the situation, relationship, and how much freedom you want to give the listener to accept or decline.


6. How to Say Let’s Not in Korean: -지 맙시다

So far, we’ve learned how to invite people to do something together.

But what if you want to suggest not doing something?

Use:

Verb stem + 지 맙시다

This means “Let’s not…”

Basic Negative Suggestions

가지 맙시다.

“Let’s not go.”

🔊 Listen: 가지 맙시다.

먹지 맙시다.

“Let’s not eat.”

🔊 Listen: 먹지 맙시다.

늦지 맙시다.

“Let’s not be late.”

🔊 Listen: 늦지 맙시다.

포기하지 맙시다.

“Let’s not give up.”

🔊 Listen: 포기하지 맙시다.

싸우지 맙시다.

“Let’s not fight.”

🔊 Listen: 싸우지 맙시다.

Common Workplace and Group Examples

시간을 낭비하지 맙시다.

“Let’s not waste time.”

🔊 Listen: 시간을 낭비하지 맙시다.

규칙을 어기지 맙시다.

“Let’s not break the rules.”

🔊 Listen: 규칙을 어기지 맙시다.

쓰레기를 버리지 맙시다.

“Let’s not litter.”

🔊 Listen: 쓰레기를 버리지 맙시다.

걱정하지 맙시다.

“Let’s not worry.”

🔊 Listen: 걱정하지 맙시다.

Casual Let’s Not: -지 말자

When speaking casually with friends, use:

Verb stem + 지 말자

Examples:

가지 말자.

“Let’s not go.”

🔊 Listen: 가지 말자.

먹지 말자.

“Let’s not eat.”

🔊 Listen: 먹지 말자.

늦지 말자.

“Let’s not be late.”

🔊 Listen: 늦지 말자.

포기하지 말자.

“Let’s not give up.”

🔊 Listen: 포기하지 말자.

-지 맙시다 vs. -지 마세요

These two patterns express different intentions.

가지 맙시다.

“Let’s not go.”

🔊 Listen: 가지 맙시다.

가지 마세요.

“Please don’t go.”

🔊 Listen: 가지 마세요.

In the first sentence, the speaker suggests that we should not go.

In the second sentence, the speaker tells or asks the listener not to go.

This distinction is essential for natural Korean.


7. Real-Life Conversations Using -(으)ㅂ시다

Let’s practice with short dialogues.

Conversation 1: Starting a Meeting

Manager: 이제 회의를 시작합시다.

“Let’s start the meeting now.”

🔊 Listen: 이제 회의를 시작합시다.

Employee: 네, 준비됐습니다.

“Yes, we’re ready.”

🔊 Listen: 네, 준비됐습니다.

Manager: 먼저 지난주 결과를 확인합시다.

“First, let’s review last week’s results.”

🔊 Listen: 먼저 지난주 결과를 확인합시다.

Conversation 2: Studying Korean Together

Teacher: 오늘은 한국어 문법을 공부합시다.

“Today, let’s study Korean grammar.”

🔊 Listen: 오늘은 한국어 문법을 공부합시다.

Student: 네, 좋아요.

“Yes, sounds good.”

🔊 Listen: 네, 좋아요.

Teacher: 먼저 예문을 읽읍시다.

“First, let’s read the example sentences.”

🔊 Listen: 먼저 예문을 읽읍시다.

Conversation 3: Planning a Trip with Friends

Two close friends are planning a trip, so casual -자 sounds more natural than the formal proposal ending.

A: 이번 주말에 부산에 가자!

“Let’s go to Busan this weekend!”

🔊 Listen: 이번 주말에 부산에 가자!

B: 좋아! 같이 가자!

“Sounds good! Let’s go together!”

🔊 Listen: 좋아! 같이 가자!

A: 그럼 기차표를 예매하자.

“Then let’s book train tickets.”

🔊 Listen: 그럼 기차표를 예매하자.

Conversation 4: Making a Group Decision

A: 시간이 별로 없어요.

“We don’t have much time.”

🔊 Listen: 시간이 별로 없어요.

B: 그럼 빨리 결정합시다.

“Then let’s decide quickly.”

🔊 Listen: 그럼 빨리 결정합시다.

A: 네, 시간을 낭비하지 맙시다.

“Yes, let’s not waste time.”

🔊 Listen: 네, 시간을 낭비하지 맙시다.


8. Common Mistakes with Korean Let’s Grammar

Mistake 1: Using -읍시다 After a Vowel

Incorrect:

가읍시다

Correct:

갑시다

🔊 Listen: 갑시다

가다 has a vowel-ending stem, so use -ㅂ시다.

Mistake 2: Using -ㅂ시다 Directly After Most Consonants

Incorrect:

먹ㅂ시다

Correct:

먹읍시다

🔊 Listen: 먹읍시다

먹다 has a consonant-ending stem, so use -읍시다.

Mistake 3: Forgetting the ㄹ Rule

Incorrect:

만들읍시다

Correct:

만듭시다

🔊 Listen: 만듭시다

The final ㄹ disappears before -ㅂ시다.

Mistake 4: Adding 요 to -자

Incorrect:

같이 가자요.

Correct casual expression:

같이 가자.

🔊 Listen: 같이 가자.

Correct polite alternative:

같이 갈까요?

🔊 Listen: 같이 갈까요?

Mistake 5: Confusing Let’s Not with Don’t

공부하지 맙시다.

“Let’s not study.”

🔊 Listen: 공부하지 맙시다.

공부하지 마세요.

“Please don’t study.”

🔊 Listen: 공부하지 마세요.

The first is a group proposal. The second tells the listener not to perform an action.

Mistake 6: Assuming Formal Always Means Appropriate for Seniors

Although -(으)ㅂ시다 belongs to a formal polite speech style, it may sound directive when addressed to a superior.

When asking a respected person whether they’d like to do something, a question form such as -(으)ㄹ까요? or -(으)실래요? may be a better choice.


9. Practice Quiz: Can You Use -(으)ㅂ시다 Correctly?

Test yourself before checking the answer key.

Question 1

Which is the correct form of 가다 with -(으)ㅂ시다?

A. 가읍시다

B. 갑시다

C. 가자요

Question 2

Which is the correct form of 먹다 with -(으)ㅂ시다?

A. 먹읍시다

B. 먹ㅂ시다

C. 먹시다

Question 3

Which is the correct form of 만들다?

A. 만들읍시다

B. 만들ㅂ시다

C. 만듭시다

Question 4

Which is a casual suggestion meaning “Let’s study”?

A. 공부합시다

B. 공부하자

C. 공부하세요

Question 5

Which expression means “Let’s not be late”?

A. 늦지 맙시다

B. 늦지 마세요

C. 늦읍시다

Question 6

Which expression asks politely, “Shall we go together?”

A. 같이 가자요?

B. 같이 갈까요?

C. 같이 갑니다?

Question 7

Choose the correct form of 쉬다.

A. 쉬읍시다

B. 쉽시다

C. 쉬ㅂ시다

Question 8

Which sentence means “Let’s not give up” in casual speech?

A. 포기하지 마세요

B. 포기하지 맙시다

C. 포기하지 말자

Answer Key

1. B — 갑시다

가다 ends in a vowel, so add -ㅂ시다.

2. A — 먹읍시다

먹다 ends in a consonant, so add -읍시다.

3. C — 만듭시다

The final ㄹ disappears before -ㅂ시다.

4. B — 공부하자

-자 is the casual propositive ending.

5. A — 늦지 맙시다

This is a formal suggestion not to be late.

6. B — 같이 갈까요?

-(으)ㄹ까요? asks for agreement about a suggested action.

7. B — 쉽시다

쉬다 has a vowel-ending stem and takes -ㅂ시다.

8. C — 포기하지 말자

-지 말자 makes a casual negative suggestion.

Speaking Challenge: Complete the Sentences

Choose the correct form and practice speaking aloud.

1. Let’s go together.

같이 ______.

2. Let’s eat lunch.

점심을 ______.

3. Let’s make something together.

같이 ______.

4. Let’s not be late.

늦지 ______.

5. Shall we study together?

같이 ______?

Suggested answers:

  1. 갑시다
  2. 먹읍시다
  3. 만듭시다
  4. 맙시다
  5. 공부할까요

Practice the complete sentences.

🔊 Listen: 같이 갑시다.

🔊 Listen: 점심을 먹읍시다.

🔊 Listen: 같이 만듭시다.

🔊 Listen: 늦지 맙시다.

🔊 Listen: 같이 공부할까요?


10. Frequently Asked Questions About -(으)ㅂ시다

What does -(으)ㅂ시다 mean?

It is a formal polite Korean verb ending used to suggest doing something together. It commonly translates to “Let’s…”

Can I use -(으)ㅂ시다 with friends?

Yes, but it can sound formal or deliberately emphatic in a casual conversation. With close friends, -자 is generally more natural.

Is -(으)ㅂ시다 respectful enough for my boss?

Not always. Although grammatically formal and polite, it can sound too directive toward a superior. A more indirect or honorific suggestion may be better.

What’s the difference between -자 and -(으)ㅂ시다?

Both express shared suggestions. -자 is casual, while -(으)ㅂ시다 belongs to a formal polite speech style.

How do you say “Let’s not” in Korean?

Use -지 맙시다 for formal polite negative suggestions and -지 말자 for casual negative suggestions.

Can I add -(으)ㅂ시다 to adjectives?

Normally, this ending attaches to action verbs because it proposes an action. Descriptive adjectives do not usually express an action that people can decide to perform together.

Is -(으)ㄹ까요? the same as -(으)ㅂ시다?

They can express similar intentions, but -(으)ㄹ까요? is a question that invites agreement, while -(으)ㅂ시다 directly proposes a shared action.


Final Review: How to Say Let’s in Korean

Now you know how to say let’s in Korean using V-(으)ㅂ시다.

Here are the four most important patterns:

PatternUsageExample
V-(으)ㅂ시다Formal polite suggestion같이 갑시다
V-자Casual suggestion같이 가자
V-지 맙시다Formal polite negative suggestion가지 맙시다
V-지 말자Casual negative suggestion가지 말자

Remember these conjugation rules:

  • Vowel stem → -ㅂ시다
  • Consonant stem (except ㄹ) → -읍시다
  • ㄹ-ending stem → drop ㄹ + -ㅂ시다
  • 하다 → 합시다

Your Final Korean Speaking Practice

오늘부터 한국어를 열심히 공부합시다.

“Let’s study Korean hard starting today.”

🔊 Listen: 오늘부터 한국어를 열심히 공부합시다.

매일 조금씩 연습합시다.

“Let’s practice a little every day.”

🔊 Listen: 매일 조금씩 연습합시다.

포기하지 맙시다.

“Let’s not give up.”

🔊 Listen: 포기하지 맙시다.

Continue Learning Korean

Grammar becomes more useful when you apply it in real conversations.

Learn how to order food, ask for directions, shop, and communicate while traveling in Korea:

Basic Korean Expressions for Travel and Everyday Situations

Build your speaking confidence with essential Korean introductions:

How to Introduce Yourself in Korean – Beginner’s Guide

Practice another useful grammar pattern for expressing your hopes and wishes:

Korean Grammar -았/었으면 좋겠다: Wishes and Hopes

Your next challenge: Write three suggestions for your friends or classmates using -(으)ㅂ시다. Then rewrite them with -자 and compare how the speaking style changes.