자다 (ja-da, jada) · 주무시다 (ju-mu-si-da, jumusida)
'자다' is a casual and common verb for sleeping, while '주무시다' is an honorific used to politely refer to the sleep of elders or respected people.
One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.
A verb meaning to sleep in a casual, everyday context
When to use
Talking with friends, Describing own state, Family conversation
The nuance
Used when talking about sleep of friends, family, or oneself in informal or neutral contexts; not appropriate for polite or honorific situations.
An honorific verb used to politely refer to the sleep of respected or elder people
When to use
Polite speech to elders, Formal occasions, Referring to superiors
The nuance
Honorific form used only for elders or superiors; inappropriate for friends or peers.
나는 어제 8시간 동안 잘 잤어.
na-neun eo-je 8si-gan dong-an jal jass-eo., na neun eo je 8si gan dong an jal jass eo.
Using '자다' to talk about one's own sleep is natural.
할아버지께서 주무셨어요.
hal-a-beo-ji-kke-seo ju-mu-syeoss-eo-yo., hal a beo ji kke seo ju mu syeoss eo yo.
Using '주무시다' as an honorific for an elder is polite.
친구가 어젯밤에 주무셨어요.
chin-gu-ga eo-jes-bam-e ju-mu-syeoss-eo-yo., chin gu ga eo jes bam e ju mu syeoss eo yo.
Do not use honorific '주무시다' for friends; use '자다' instead.
어머니는 지금 자고 계세요.
eo-meo-ni-neun ji-geum ja-go gye-se-yo., eo meo ni neun ji geum ja go gye se yo.
'자다' is not honorific; for mother, use '주무시다'.
아버지께서 주무시고 계십니다.
a-beo-ji-kke-seo ju-mu-si-go gye-sip-ni-da., a beo ji kke seo ju mu si go gye sip ni da.
Correct honorific expression for a respected elder.
할머니가 자셨어요.
hal-meo-ni-ga ja-syeoss-eo-yo., hal meo ni ga ja syeoss eo yo.
Incorrect because '주무시다' should be used for grandmother.
나는 지금 자고 있어요.
na-neun ji-geum ja-go iss-eo-yo., na neun ji geum ja go iss eo yo.
Natural expression for talking about own sleep.
선생님께서 주무시고 계세요.
seon-saeng-nim-kke-seo ju-mu-si-go gye-se-yo., seon saeng nim kke seo ju mu si go gye se yo.
Proper honorific use for a superior like a teacher.
Which word should you use to politely express an elder's sleep?
What's the correct way to say a friend slept?
Which expression is appropriate when talking about your own sleep?
What does it mean?
