Let's learn how to use the V+아/어야지요 Korean Grammar with some simple and easy-to-understand example sentences.
V+아/어야지요 - “I should / You should /
We must…”
USE:
“I should / You should / We must…”
This pattern expresses:
A strong intention (“I should definitely do this”)
A mild command or advice (“You should do this”)
Determination to do something (“I will make sure to do this”)
It feels firm but friendly, often used in spoken Korean.
CONJUGATION RULE
Attach to the verb stem:
Ends in ㅏ or ㅗ → -아야지요
가다 → 가야지요 (I should go)
All other vowels → -어야지요
먹다 → 먹어야지요 (I should eat)
하다 → 해야지요
“지요” can also be spoken as 죠:
가야죠
먹어야죠
해야죠
Same meaning, just casual and faster
EXAMPLE SENTENCES:
- 이제 공부해야지요.
→ I should study now. - 내일은 일찍 일어나야지요.
→ I must wake up early tomorrow.
- 몸이 아프면 쉬어야지요.
→ If you're sick, you should rest. - 그렇게 피곤하면 집에 가서 자야죠.
→ If you're that tired, you should go home and sleep.
Additional Notes
- Softer than an order, but stronger than a suggestion.
- Very natural in daily spoken Korean.
- Often used when scolding lightly or reminding:
- 빨리 가야지요! → Come on, you should go quickly!
- 죠 version feels casual and friendly.
