Learn Hardcore Korean: i munjereul seolmyeonghae juseyo.

It marks the direct object of the verb. So 이 문제를 means “this problem” as the thing being acted on. After a vowel (like the final vowel in 문제), use 를; after a consonant, use 을.

Can I drop 를 and just say 이 문제 설명해 주세요?

Yes, in everyday speech it’s common to drop object particles when the meaning is clear: 이 문제 설명해 주세요 sounds natural. In careful or formal writing, keep the particle: 이 문제를.

Why use 설명해 주세요 rather than 설명하세요?

설명해 주세요 uses the benefactive -아/어 주다, which makes it a polite, softer request: “Please explain (for me).”
설명하세요 is a direct command in the respectful imperative: “Explain.” It can sound more instructional or bossy depending on context (e.g., teacher to students).

What does 주다 add in 설명해 주세요?

주다 as an auxiliary makes it a benefactive request: you’re asking the listener to do the action “for” the speaker. 주세요 comes from 주시어요 → 주세요, which includes the honorific -시-, showing respect to the listener.

Do I write 설명해 주세요 or 설명해주세요?

Both are acceptable. The standard spacing rule prefers writing auxiliary verbs separately: 설명해 주세요. In practice, the closed form 설명해주세요 is very common and widely accepted.

Is 이 here the subject particle?

No. In 이 문제, 이 is the demonstrative determiner “this.” It’s not the subject particle 이/가. So it literally reads “this problem.”

Can I say 이것을 설명해 주세요 instead?

Yes. 이것을 설명해 주세요 = “Please explain this (thing).” It’s vaguer than 이 문제를 and fits when you’re simply pointing at something. In casual speech, people often say 이거(좀) 설명해 주세요.

How polite is 설명해 주세요, and what are common alternatives?

It’s polite and safe in most situations. Variants:

Casual to a friend: 설명해 줘.
Polite but a bit less formal: 설명해 줘요.
Polite and softer: 설명해 주시겠어요? / 설명해 주실 수 있나요?
Very formal (business/public): 설명해 주십시오. / 설명해 주시기 바랍니다.

Can I add 좀 to soften the request?

Yes. 좀 softens and makes the request sound less pushy: 이 문제 좀 설명해 주세요. Avoid 제발 unless you’re pleading or frustrated; it’s more emotional.

Do I need to say “to me,” like 저한테/저에게?

Not usually; context implies the explanation is for the speaker. If you want to be explicit: 저한테(저에게) 이 문제를 설명해 주세요. Use -한테/-에게 to mark the recipient.

What’s the difference between 이 문제를 설명해 주세요 and 이 문제에 대해 설명해 주세요?

…를 설명해 주세요 treats “this problem” as the direct object—“please explain this problem.”
…에 대해 설명해 주세요 means “please explain about this problem,” emphasizing explanation regarding the topic. It can sound a bit more formal or discursive.

Is 설명해 보세요 the same as 설명해 주세요?

No. 설명해 보세요 = “Try explaining” (instructive/encouraging). 설명해 주세요 = “Please explain (for me)” (request).

How should I pronounce the whole sentence?

Say it smoothly as: i mun-je-reul seol-myeong-hae ju-se-yo. The ㄹ in 를 is a light flap linking to the next sound, and 주세요 is “ju-se-yo,” not “ju-je-yo.”

What’s the difference between 주세요 and 줘요 after verbs?

…해 주세요 includes honorific -시- (more respectful).
…해 줘요 is polite but less honorific—fine with peers or juniors. To a friend in casual speech, you can drop 요: …해 줘.

Can I use 드리다 here, like 설명해 드려요?

Not for a request to someone else. 드리다 is the humble form used when the speaker gives something to a higher-status person (e.g., 제가 설명해 드릴게요 = “I’ll explain (for you).”). When asking the listener to do it, use 주다: 설명해 주세요 / 설명해 주시겠어요?

What changes if I use the topic particle: 이 문제는 설명해 주세요?

You’re topicalizing “this problem,” roughly “As for this problem, please explain (it).” It can imply contrast (this one, not others) or set the problem as the current topic of discussion.

Does 문제 mean “problem” or “question”?

Both, depending on context:

Test/exercise item: “question/problem”
Issue/trouble: “problem (issue)” Here, it’s typically “question/problem” as in homework or an exercise.

Should this end with a period or a question mark?

As a polite imperative request, it commonly ends with a period: …주세요. If you phrase it as a question (e.g., …주시겠어요? / …주실 수 있나요?), use a question mark.

What is the 해 in 설명해?

It’s the contracted form of 하여 (from 하다 + 어). So 설명하여 주다 → 설명해 주다 → 설명해 주세요. This contraction is standard and very common.