34. Korean Grammar: '~자'

Korean Grammar: '~자'

In this post, we will learn about the Korean grammar '~자'. It is commonly used in casual speech to suggest doing something together. This grammar is typically used when making invitations, suggestions, or proposals, but it is in 반말 (informal language).

Important: If you want to speak more politely or in a formal way, you should use the polite form "아/어요" instead of "자". For example, instead of "가자" (Let’s go), you would say "가요" (Let’s go) in a more polite conversation. Also, there is a more formal version of making a suggestion: 'ㅂ/읍시다'.

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1. Basic Meaning of '~자'

The grammar '~자' is used to suggest doing something together. It is a way of saying “Let’s [verb]” or “How about [verb]?” in an informal way.

For example:

• 가자 (Let’s go)
• 먹자 (Let’s eat)
• 자다 (Let’s sleep)
• 공부하자 (Let’s study)

Important:

• '자' is used in informal speech, which means you should only use it with people you are close to, like friends or younger people. It is not suitable for formal situations or when speaking to someone older or in a higher position.
• You cannot say '자요' (as in "let’s do it politely") — this form doesn’t exist. Instead, you should use the polite "아요/어요" form (e.g., "가요" instead of "가자").

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2. Examples of '자'

Here are some examples using '자' to suggest doing something:

1. 영화를 보자.
   (Let’s watch a movie.)
   Suggesting to watch a movie together with a friend.
2. 점심을 먹자.
   (Let’s eat lunch.)
   Suggesting eating lunch with someone.
3. 이 책을 읽자.
   (Let’s read this book.)
   Suggesting reading a book together.
4. 공원에 가자.
   (Let’s go to the park.)
   Suggesting going to the park together.
5. 함께 여행을 가자.
   (Let’s go on a trip together.)
   Suggesting going on a trip with someone.

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3. Changing to Polite Form

As mentioned, '자' is informal, so to speak more politely, we use '아/어요'.

For example:

• 가자 → 가요 (Let’s go)
• 먹자 → 먹어요 (Let’s eat)
• 자다 → 자요 (Let’s sleep)
• 공부하자 → 공부해요 (Let’s study)

'자' is not used when speaking politely. If you need to use a formal suggestion, you can use 'ㅂ/읍시다'. 'ㅂ/읍시다' is a more formal suggestion or proposal, but it can sometimes sound a bit stiff or serious.

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4. Formal Suggestion: 'ㅂ/읍시다'

The polite way to suggest doing something is 'ㅂ/읍시다', which is used when you need to speak formally (for example, to strangers or superiors). However, 'ㅂ/읍시다' is generally used by older people to younger people or in formal settings.

• 가다 → 갑시다 (Let’s go)
• 먹다 → 먹읍시다 (Let’s eat)
• 공부하다 → 공부합시다 (Let’s study)

But be careful: 'ㅂ/읍시다' can sound rude if used by a younger person to an older person, so it's best used when talking to someone of similar age or older in a respectful context, such as a work setting.

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5. Vocabulary from the Examples

Korean English

영화	Movie
보다	To watch
점심	Lunch
먹다	To eat
책	Book
읽다	To read
공원	Park
가다	To go
여행	Trip
함께	Together

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6. Quick Quiz (Test Your Understanding)

1️⃣ Fill in the blanks with the correct form:

1. 영화를 ______. (Let’s watch a movie.)
2. 점심을 ______. (Let’s eat lunch.)
3. 이 책을 ______. (Let’s read this book.)
4. 공원에 ______. (Let’s go to the park.)
5. 함께 여행을 ______. (Let’s go on a trip together.)

2️⃣ Choose the Correct Option:

1. I want to say "Let’s eat" informally. Which one should I use?
   a) 먹어요
   b) 먹자
   c) 먹읍시다
2. How do you say "Let’s go" politely?
   a) 가자
   b) 가요
   c) 갑시다
3. Which one is used to suggest doing something formally?
   a) 자
   b) ㅂ/읍시다
   c) 아/어요
4. Which one is the most casual way of saying "Let’s study"?
   a) 공부해요
   b) 공부합시다
   c) 공부하자
5. Which sentence is more polite?
   a) 먹자
   b) 먹어요
   c) 먹읍시다

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3️⃣ Translate the following into Korean:

1. Let’s go to the park.
2. Let’s eat lunch together.
3. Let’s read this book.
4. Let’s go on a trip.
5. Let’s study together.

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By practicing '자', you will be able to suggest doing things casually and naturally with your friends or people of the same age. Just remember to switch to the polite forms '아요/어요' or 'ㅂ/읍시다' when needed!