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A1 suffix #70 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

지요

-jiyo Top 70

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to -지요 as a way to ask 'right?' or 'isn't it?'. The focus is on simple, everyday adjectives and verbs. Students learn that it is a polite way to confirm something obvious, like the weather (좋지요?) or a common fact (학생이지요?). At this stage, the most important thing is to understand that it is attached directly to the verb stem and that it is a polite ending. Learners should practice using it in very basic scenarios, such as confirming someone's name or nationality when they already have a strong hint. It helps them sound more natural than just using standard questions all the time. The concept of the contraction -죠 is also introduced here as the standard way people actually speak in Korea. A1 learners should focus on the 'seeking agreement' aspect, which is the most common and easiest to grasp.

At the A2 level, learners expand their use of -지요 to include the past tense (았/었지요) and the future/suppositional tense (겠지요). They start to use it in more complex social interactions, such as confirming plans (내일 만날 거지요?) or checking if someone did something (어제 숙제 했지요?). A2 learners also begin to distinguish between -지요 and -네요 (surprise). They learn that -지요 is for things they already suspect, while -네요 is for new discoveries. The use of -지요 with nouns (이지요) is also reinforced, ensuring they remember the '이' buffer for consonant-ending nouns. At this level, students should be able to use -지요 to maintain a conversation and show that they are paying attention to the other person's context.

At the B1 level, the nuance of -지요 as a 'softener' becomes more important. Learners use it to make suggestions or requests sound less direct and more polite (e.g., '이제 가시지요' instead of '가세요'). They also start to use it in rhetorical contexts to express their own thoughts or feelings in a way that invites empathy. B1 learners should be comfortable using the contracted form -죠 in fast-paced conversations and should be able to recognize the difference in meaning when the intonation changes from rising to falling. They also begin to compare -지요 with -잖아요 more deeply, understanding that -지요 is for collaborative agreement while -잖아요 is for pointing out something the listener might have forgotten or is ignoring.

At the B2 level, learners use -지요 to navigate professional and formal social situations with finesse. They understand how to use it to summarize a discussion or to confirm a complex point of view without sounding repetitive. They also use the suppositional -겠지요 to express logical deductions (e.g., '그 소식을 들으면 놀라겠지요' - 'They'll probably be surprised when they hear that news, right?'). B2 learners are sensitive to the 'presumptuous' pitfall of -지요 and know when to switch back to standard question forms to avoid sounding rude. They also use -지요 in writing, such as in semi-formal emails or reports, to create a tone of shared professional understanding.

At the C1 level, learners master the poetic and rhetorical uses of -지요 found in literature, news editorials, and high-level debates. They can use it to frame an argument by starting with a shared truth ('우리는 모두 행복을 원하지요' - 'We all want happiness, don't we?'). They understand the historical and stylistic implications of using the full -지요 versus the contraction -죠 and can choose between them to achieve specific stylistic effects. C1 learners also recognize regional or dialectal variations in how confirmation is sought, though -지요 remains the standard. They can use -지요 to express sarcasm or irony in a sophisticated way, depending on the context and tone.

At the C2 level, the use of -지요 is completely intuitive and serves as a tool for high-level social engineering and stylistic expression. C2 speakers use it to manage group dynamics, subtly leading others toward a consensus. They can analyze the use of -지요 in classical Korean literature or complex philosophical texts, where it often serves to ground abstract ideas in a shared human reality. At this level, the speaker is not just using a grammar point; they are using a cultural instrument to harmonize their speech with the collective consciousness of their audience. They can explain the deep psychological roots of the suffix and its role in the 'we-culture' (우리 문화) of Korea.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

지요 en 30 secondes

Used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.
Functions like English tag questions: 'isn't it?', 'right?'.
Polite and friendly, often contracted to '-죠' in speech.
Works with verbs, adjectives, and nouns in various tenses.

The Korean suffix -지요 (often contracted to -죠 in spoken language) is a versatile sentence-ending particle used primarily to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener. It is categorized under the 'haeyo-che' (polite) style of speech, making it suitable for most social interactions where a degree of politeness is required but a strict formal setting is not necessary. Unlike a standard question ending that seeks entirely new information, -지요 is used when the speaker already has a strong suspicion or knowledge about a fact and wants the listener to confirm it. It functions similarly to English tag questions such as "isn't it?", "right?", or "don't you?"

Core Function: Seeking confirmation for something the speaker already believes to be true.
Social Nuance: It creates a sense of rapport and shared understanding between the speaker and the listener.
Intonation: When seeking agreement, the pitch usually rises at the end. When stating a fact the listener should know, it may stay flat or fall.

In addition to seeking agreement, -지요 can be used to make a suggestion more polite or to state a fact that the speaker assumes the listener is already aware of. It softens the tone of a statement, making it less aggressive than a direct declaration. For example, instead of saying "It is cold," which is a blunt observation, saying "It is cold, isn't it?" invites the other person into the conversation. This linguistic tool is essential for navigating the collective nature of Korean social dynamics, where harmony and shared perspective are highly valued.

오늘 날씨가 정말 좋지요? (The weather is really good today, isn't it?)

Furthermore, -지요 is frequently used in rhetorical questions where the answer is obvious to both parties. This usage reinforces the bond between speakers by acknowledging a common reality. In professional settings, a boss might use it to confirm a task with an employee in a way that is authoritative yet inclusive. In casual settings, friends use it constantly to check in on each other's feelings or opinions about shared experiences, such as a movie they just watched or a meal they are eating together. The contraction -죠 is much more common in daily speech because it is faster to pronounce and sounds more natural in a fast-paced conversation.

한국어가 재밌지요? (Korean is fun, right?)

Usage in Suggestions: Sometimes used to gently suggest an action: "이제 가시지요?" (Shall we go now? / You should go now, right?)

The historical root of -지요 lies in the combination of the connective suffix -지 (which often implies a sense of certainty or negation) and the polite ending -요. Over time, this combination solidified into a single functional unit that expresses the speaker's psychological state of 'checking in' with the interlocutor. It is one of the first advanced endings A1 learners encounter because it immediately makes their Korean sound more empathetic and natural. Without -지요, Korean speech can sometimes feel like a series of disconnected facts; with it, the speech becomes a collaborative dialogue.

이것이 제 책이지요. (This is my book [as you probably know/right].)

Grammatically, -지요 is attached directly to the stem of a verb or an adjective, or to the copula (이다/아니다) following a noun. One of the most convenient aspects of this suffix is that it does not require complex conjugation rules based on vowel harmony, unlike the -아요/어요 endings. Whether the stem ends in a consonant or a vowel, you simply add -지요. This makes it a very 'learner-friendly' grammar point. However, there are nuances when dealing with different tenses and noun endings that are important to master for natural fluency.

With Verbs/Adjectives: Stem + 지요. Example: 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹지요. 가다 (to go) becomes 가지요.
With Nouns (이다): If the noun ends in a vowel: Noun + 지요 (or 이지요). If the noun ends in a consonant: Noun + 이지요.
Past Tense: Stem + 았/었/했 + 지요. Example: 갔지요 (went, right?), 먹었지요 (ate, right?).

When using -지요 with nouns, the contraction is particularly common. For a noun like '의사' (doctor), you can say '의사지요' or '의사죠'. For a noun ending in a consonant like '학생' (student), you must use '학생이지요' or '학생이죠'. The '이' acts as a buffer to make the pronunciation smoother. In the future tense, you can use -겠지요 to express a polite supposition or to seek confirmation about a future event or a likely state. For example, '맛있겠지요?' means 'It will probably be delicious, right?' or 'It looks delicious, doesn't it?'

어제 친구를 만났지요? (You met your friend yesterday, right?)

It is also worth noting that -지요 can be used in negative sentences. You simply attach it to the negative stem. For example, '안 가다' (to not go) becomes '안 가지요?' (You're not going, right?). Or using the long negation form, '가지 않다' becomes '가지 않지요?'. This is very useful for confirming negative assumptions. In spoken Korean, the contraction -죠 is used about 90% of the time. Using the full -지요 can sound a bit more formal, deliberate, or even slightly poetic depending on the context. If you are writing a formal email or a script, -지요 is preferred, but in a coffee shop, -죠 is the way to go.

매운 음식을 못 먹지요? (You can't eat spicy food, right?)

Future/Supposition: Stem + -(으)ㄹ 거지요? (You're going to [do something], right?). Example: 내일 올 거지요? (You're coming tomorrow, right?)

In summary, the structure is remarkably consistent. The key is to remember the '이' for consonant-ending nouns and to feel comfortable using the contracted form '죠' in most spoken situations. As you progress, you will notice that -지요 is not just a grammar rule but a way to signal your intent to be agreeable and cooperative in a conversation. It turns a monologue into a dialogue, making the listener feel included and valued.

You will hear -지요 and its contraction -죠 everywhere in Korea, from the bustling streets of Seoul to the quietest countryside villages. It is perhaps one of the most frequently used endings in the Korean language because of its social utility. In daily life, you'll hear it at restaurants when a waiter confirms your order: "비빔밥 두 개 맞으시죠?" (Two bibimbaps, right?). You'll hear it in offices when colleagues confirm meeting times: "회의는 두 시지요?" (The meeting is at two, right?). It is the sound of people syncing their schedules and thoughts.

K-Dramas and Movies: Characters often use -죠 to express empathy, sarcasm, or to gently probe for information. A romantic lead might say, "제 마음을 알죠?" (You know my heart, right?).
News and Interviews: News anchors use -지요 to summarize a point or to seek confirmation from a field reporter. It adds a professional yet engaging tone to the broadcast.
Classrooms: Teachers use it to check if students are following along: "다 이해했지요?" (You all understood, right?).

One interesting place where -지요 is prevalent is in customer service. Because it sounds softer and more polite than a direct question, service workers use it to make customers feel comfortable. Instead of asking "What is your name?" (이름이 뭐예요?), they might say "성함이 어떻게 되시죠?" (What would your name be [right]?). This subtle shift makes the interaction feel less like an interrogation and more like a helpful service. Similarly, in talk shows, hosts use -죠 to lead guests into telling stories, creating a comfortable atmosphere for sharing.

A: 여기가 서울역이죠? B: 네, 맞아요. (A: This is Seoul Station, right? B: Yes, that's right.)

In more formal or literary contexts, the full -지요 is used to convey a sense of gravitas or poetic reflection. You might see it in song lyrics or poetry where the speaker is reflecting on a truth: "사랑은 참 아프지요" (Love is truly painful, isn't it?). In these cases, the suffix isn't necessarily seeking an immediate verbal answer from a listener, but rather inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the truth of the statement. It creates a mood of shared human experience.

그 영화가 참 슬프지요. (That movie is truly sad, isn't it.)

Finally, you will hear it in self-talk. Koreans often use -지요 when talking to themselves to confirm their own thoughts or plans. "이제 숙제를 해야지요" (I should do my homework now [right/indeed]). This usage shows how deeply the concept of 'confirming reality' is embedded in the Korean psyche. Whether you are in a high-stakes business meeting or just walking down the street talking to yourself, -지요 is the linguistic glue that holds the speaker's intentions and the external world together.

While -지요 is relatively straightforward, English speakers often make mistakes by using it in contexts where a standard question ending is more appropriate. The most common error is using -지요 when you genuinely have no idea what the answer is. If you are asking for a stranger's name for the first time, using -지요 (e.g., "이름이 뭐죠?") can sound a bit presumptuous, as if you should already know it. It's better to use the standard "이름이 뭐예요?" unless you are confirming a name you've heard before.

Overuse in Pure Questions: Mistake: Using -지요 for information you don't know at all. Correction: Use -아요/어요 or -습니까.
Confusing with -네요: Mistake: Using -지요 to express surprise. Correction: Use -네요 for surprise (e.g., "맛있네요!" - "Oh, it's delicious!"). Use -지요 for confirmation (e.g., "맛있지요?" - "It's delicious, right?").
Incorrect Noun Conjugation: Mistake: Forgetting '이' after a consonant. Correction: '선생님지요' is wrong; '선생님이지요' is correct.

Another mistake is failing to distinguish between -지요 and -잖아요. While both involve shared knowledge, -잖아요 is much stronger and can sometimes sound like you are correcting the listener or saying "I told you so" or "As you should know." -지요 is much softer and more collaborative. If you use -잖아요 when you mean -지요, you might accidentally sound annoyed or condescending. For example, "춥지요?" is a kind "It's cold, right?", whereas "춥잖아요!" is more like "It's cold! (Why aren't you wearing a coat?)".

Incorrect: 학생지요? (Student, right?) Correct: 학생이지요?

Learners also sometimes struggle with the intonation. If you use a flat intonation when you mean to ask a question, it might sound like you are just talking to yourself or stating a boring fact. To seek agreement, you must have that slight upward lilt at the end. Conversely, if you use a sharp rising tone when you are just confirming a known fact (like a boss to an employee), it might sound like you are questioning their competence. Mastering the subtle 'music' of -지요 is just as important as the grammar itself.

Incorrect: 어제 갔지요? (Did you go yesterday? - when you have no idea) Correct: 어제 갔어요? (Did you go yesterday?)

Lastly, don't forget that -지요 is not used in the 'banmal' (informal) style. The informal equivalent is just -지. If you are talking to a close friend or someone younger, you would drop the -요. Mixing -지요 with other informal markers in the same sentence can create a confusing 'politeness mismatch' that sounds unnatural to native speakers. Consistency in your speech level is key to sounding fluent.

To truly master -지요, it's helpful to compare it with other sentence endings that share similar functions but have different nuances. The most common alternatives are -아요/어요, -잖아요, and -네요. Each of these changes the 'flavor' of the sentence and reveals something about the speaker's relationship with the information and the listener.

-지요 vs. -아요/어요: -아요/어요 is for general statements or questions. -지요 is specifically for seeking agreement or confirming shared knowledge.
-지요 vs. -잖아요: -잖아요 is more emphatic, often used when the listener *should* know the fact or when the speaker is reminding them of something obvious. It can sound slightly argumentative.
-지요 vs. -네요: -네요 is used to express surprise or a new realization. "맛있네요!" means "Oh, this is actually delicious!" (I didn't expect it). "맛있지요?" means "It's delicious, right?" (I expect you to agree).

Another similar ending is -군/군요. This is used when you've just realized something or are making an observation to yourself. For example, "비가 오는군요" (I see it's raining). This is more of an internal observation shared aloud, whereas -지요 is a direct invitation for the other person to respond. In formal settings, you might also encounter -지 않습니까?, which is the formal (hapsho-che) version of a negative tag question, used in speeches or very formal debates to seek agreement.

-지요: "날씨가 춥지요?" (It's cold, right? - Seeking agreement) -잖아요: "날씨가 춥잖아요!" (It's cold! - Reminding someone why they need a coat)

In the realm of suppositions, -겠지요 can be compared to -(으)ㄹ 거예요. While -(으)ㄹ 거예요 is a standard future tense or a strong guess, -겠지요 adds a layer of "don't you think?" or "it's likely, isn't it?". It makes the speaker sound less certain and more open to the listener's opinion. This is a key part of 'soft' communication in Korean, where appearing too certain can sometimes be seen as aggressive or rude.

-지요: "이게 뭐지요?" (What is this [I should know this/remind me]?) -예요: "이게 뭐예요?" (What is this? - Genuine question)

Understanding these differences allows you to navigate social situations with much more nuance. Instead of just conveying information, you are conveying your attitude toward that information and your relationship with the person you are talking to. This is the hallmark of an advanced learner: moving beyond simple grammar to social and psychological accuracy.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

"그것이 사실이지요."

Neutre

"오늘 날씨가 좋지요?"

Informel

"그렇지?"

Child friendly

"사과가 맛있지요?"

Argot

"대박이죠?"

Le savais-tu ?

The contraction -죠 is so common that many learners don't realize it's actually -지요 until they see it in a textbook!

Guide de prononciation

UK /t͡ɕi.jo/

US /d͡ʒi.joʊ/

The stress is usually even, but the pitch rises on the final 'yo' when asking a question.

Rime avec

이지요 (ijiyo) 아니지요 (anijiyo) 가지요 (gajiyo) 먹지요 (meokjiyo) 보지요 (bojiyo) 하지요 (hajiyo) 오지요 (ojiyo) 크지요 (keujiyo)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'ji' as 'zhi' (like Mandarin). It should be a soft 'j'.
Making the 'yo' sound too much like 'yuh'. It should be a clear 'o'.
Failing to contract to 'jyo' in casual speech, which can sound overly stiff.
Using a falling intonation for a question, which makes it sound like a statement.
Over-emphasizing the 'i' in '지요'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy to recognize at the end of sentences.

Écriture 2/5

Simple to attach to stems, but must remember the '이' for nouns.

Expression orale 3/5

Requires correct intonation to distinguish between a question and a statement.

Écoute 2/5

Commonly heard, though the contracted '죠' can be fast.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

이다 있다 하다 가다 좋다

Apprends ensuite

-잖아요 -네요 -군요 -군 -나요

Avancé

-지 않습니까 -지 말입니다 -지 그래요 -지니

Grammaire à connaître

Polite ending -요

가요, 먹어요

Connective -지

가지 않다, 먹지 마세요

Honorific -시

가시지요, 하셨지요

Past tense -았/었

갔지요, 먹었지요

Future/Supposition -겠

좋겠지요, 하겠지요

Exemples par niveau

오늘 날씨가 좋지요?

The weather is good today, isn't it?

Basic adjective stem + 지요.

이것은 사과지요?

This is an apple, right?

Noun + 지요 (vowel ending).

한국어가 재미있지요?

Korean is fun, right?

Adjective stem + 지요.

학생이지요?

You are a student, right?

Noun + 이지요 (consonant ending).

김치가 맵지요?

Kimchi is spicy, right?

Adjective stem + 지요.

집이 멀지요?

Your house is far, right?

Adjective stem + 지요.

이분이 선생님이지요?

This person is the teacher, right?

Noun + 이지요.

커피가 뜨겁지요?

The coffee is hot, right?

Adjective stem + 지요.

어제 영화를 봤지요?

You watched a movie yesterday, right?

Past tense stem + 지요.

숙제를 다 했지요?

You finished all your homework, right?

Past tense stem + 지요.

내일 학교에 가지요?

You're going to school tomorrow, right?

Verb stem + 지요 (future context).

그분이 한국 사람이지요?

That person is Korean, right?

Noun + 이지요.

아침을 먹었지요?

You ate breakfast, right?

Past tense stem + 지요.

도서관이 조용하지요?

The library is quiet, right?

Adjective stem + 지요.

노래를 잘 부르지요?

You sing well, right?

Verb stem + 지요.

이 옷이 예쁘지요?

This clothing is pretty, right?

Adjective stem + 지요.

이제 그만 가시지요.

Shall we head out now? (Polite suggestion)

Honorific -시 + 지요 for a soft suggestion.

그 소식을 들었겠지요?

You probably heard the news, right?

Suppositional -겠 + 지요.

혼자 하기 힘들지요?

It's hard to do it alone, isn't it?

Adjective stem + 지요 (empathy).

제가 말했지요?

I told you so, didn't I?

Past tense + 지요 (confirming previous statement).

주말에 바쁘시겠지요?

You'll probably be busy on the weekend, right?

Honorific -시 + suppositional -겠 + 지요.

이게 더 좋지요?

This one is better, right?

Comparative adjective + 지요.

벌써 다 잊었지요?

You've already forgotten everything, right?

Past tense + 지요.

길이 많이 막히지요?

The traffic is very heavy, isn't it?

Verb stem + 지요.

회의 준비는 다 되셨지요?

The meeting preparations are all done, right?

Honorific past tense + 지요.

부모님도 좋아하시겠지요?

Your parents will probably like it too, right?

Honorific + suppositional -겠 + 지요.

그 일은 이미 끝났지요.

That matter is already finished [as you know].

Past tense + 지요 (stating a known fact).

누구나 실수를 하지요.

Anyone makes mistakes, don't they?

General truth + 지요.

시간이 참 빠르지요?

Time is really fast, isn't it?

Reflective observation + 지요.

그때는 정말 행복했지요.

We were really happy back then, weren't we.

Past tense + 지요 (nostalgia).

약속을 지켜야지요.

One should keep their promises, right?

Obligation -어야 + 지요.

제 말이 맞지요?

What I said is correct, right?

Noun + 이지요.

인생이란 참 오묘하지요.

Life is truly mysterious, isn't it.

Philosophical statement + 지요.

누가 그런 일을 하겠지요?

Who would do such a thing? (Rhetorical)

Rhetorical question + 지요.

그의 업적은 영원히 남겠지요.

His achievements will remain forever, won't they.

Formal suppositional + 지요.

세월이 가면 다 잊혀지지요.

As time passes, everything gets forgotten, doesn't it.

Passive verb + 지요.

정의는 반드시 승리하지요.

Justice always triumphs, doesn't it.

Declarative truth + 지요.

사랑이란 그런 것이지요.

That's what love is, isn't it.

Definition + 지요.

우리는 하나가 되어야지요.

We must become one, shouldn't we.

Collective obligation + 지요.

그것이 바로 진실이지요.

That is indeed the truth.

Emphatic noun + 이지요.

존재의 의미를 묻게 되지요.

One comes to question the meaning of existence, doesn't one.

Deep philosophical reflection.

역사는 반복되기 마련이지요.

History is bound to repeat itself, isn't it.

Idiomatic expression -기 마련이다 + 지요.

인간의 욕심은 끝이 없지요.

Human greed has no end, does it.

Universal truth + 지요.

예술은 길고 인생은 짧지요.

Art is long, life is short, isn't it.

Proverbial usage.

고통 뒤에는 기쁨이 오지요.

After pain comes joy, doesn't it.

Optimistic reflection.

그 모든 것이 꿈만 같지요.

All of that feels just like a dream, doesn't it.

Metaphorical usage.

진정한 친구란 그런 법이지요.

That's how a true friend is, isn't it.

Defining social norms.

결국은 제자리로 돌아오지요.

In the end, it returns to its original place, doesn't it.

Cyclical truth.

Collocations courantes

그렇지요?

맞지요?

알지요?

좋지요?

맛있지요?

힘들지요?

예쁘지요?

바쁘지요?

멀지요?

춥지요?

Phrases Courantes

그렇지요

알고 있지요

해야지요

가야지요

맞지요

있지요

안 되지요

되겠지요

그렇죠?

말도 안 되지요

Souvent confondu avec

지요 vs -네요

Used for surprise, whereas -지요 is for confirmation.

지요 vs -잖아요

Used for emphatic reminders, whereas -지요 is for soft agreement.

지요 vs -나요

Used for gentle questions without assuming the answer.

Expressions idiomatiques

"그럼요, 그렇고말고요"

Of course, absolutely. A very strong form of agreement using a variation of -지요.

A: 도와주실 거죠? B: 그럼요, 그렇고말고요!

Polite

"말해 뭐해요"

Needless to say / It goes without saying. Often followed by a -지요 ending.

그 영화요? 재미있지요, 말해 뭐해요!

Casual

"하면 되지요"

Just do it (it's simple). Encouraging someone by making the task sound obvious.

어렵지 않아요, 그냥 하면 되지요.

Neutral

"오죽하겠지요"

How much more [difficult/sad/etc.] it must be. Expressing deep empathy.

자식을 잃었으니 마음이 오죽하겠지요.

Formal

"죽으라는 법은 없지요"

There is always a way out / There's a silver lining.

힘내세요, 하늘이 무너져도 솟아날 구멍은 있고 죽으라는 법은 없지요.

Literary

"세상에 공짜는 없지요"

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

노력 없이 얻는 건 없어요. 세상에 공짜는 없지요.

Neutral

"가는 날이 장날이지요"

Bad timing (lit. 'The day I go is market day').

백화점에 갔는데 휴일이었어요. 가는 날이 장날이지요.

Casual

"누워서 떡 먹기지요"

A piece of cake (lit. 'Eating rice cakes while lying down').

이 정도는 누워서 떡 먹기지요.

Casual

"밑져야 본전이지요"

Nothing to lose (lit. 'Even if I lose, I'm back to the principal').

한번 물어보세요. 밑져야 본전이지요.

Neutral

"금강산도 식후경이지요"

Even the best sights aren't enjoyable on an empty stomach.

일단 밥부터 먹읍시다. 금강산도 식후경이지요.

Casual

Facile à confondre

지요 vs -지요

Both are polite endings.

-지요 seeks agreement; -아요/어요 is neutral.

날씨가 좋지요? vs. 날씨가 좋아요.

지요 vs -죠

They sound different.

-죠 is just the contraction of -지요.

맞지요 = 맞죠

지요 vs -지

They look similar.

-지 is informal (banmal); -지요 is polite.

그렇지? vs. 그렇지요?

지요 vs -잖아요

Both involve shared knowledge.

-잖아요 is 'you know/I told you'; -지요 is 'right?'.

춥잖아요! vs. 춥지요?

지요 vs -군요

Both are observations.

-군요 is a realization to oneself; -지요 is for the listener.

비가 오는군요! vs. 비가 오지요?

Structures de phrases

Noun + (이)지요?

학생이지요?

Adjective Stem + 지요?

크지요?

Verb Stem + 지요?

가지요?

Past Stem + 지요?

했지요?

Suppositional Stem + 겠지요?

맛있겠지요?

Honorific Stem + 시지요

앉으시지요.

Negative + 지요?

안 바쁘지요?

Rhetorical Noun + 이지요

인생이란 그런 것이지요.

Famille de mots

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely High in daily speech and media.

Erreurs courantes

Using -지요 for a total unknown. → Using -아요/어요?
If you don't know someone's name, don't say '이름이 뭐죠?'. Say '이름이 뭐예요?'.
선생님지요? → 선생님이지요?
Nouns ending in a consonant need the '이' buffer.
Using -지요 to express surprise. → Using -네요.
-지요 is for things you expect; -네요 is for things that surprise you.
Mixing -지요 with informal banmal. → Using -지 in banmal.
Don't say '너 학생이지요?'. Say '너 학생이지?' or '당신은 학생이지요?'.
Flat intonation for a question. → Rising intonation.
Without a rising tone, it sounds like a statement, not a question seeking agreement.

Astuces

Contract for Naturalness

Use '-죠' instead of '-지요' in 90% of your conversations to sound more like a native speaker.

The 'I' Buffer

Don't forget to add '이' when using '-지요' with nouns that end in a consonant, like '선생님이지요'.

Build Rapport

Use '-지요' when you want to show you are paying attention to the other person's situation.

Rising vs. Falling

A rising tone at the end makes it a question; a falling tone makes it a statement of fact.

Weather Talk

The weather is the most common context for '-지요'. It's a perfect icebreaker!

Formal Emails

In formal emails, the full form '-지요' adds a touch of elegance and politeness.

Avoid -잖아요 for Strangers

'-잖아요' can sound too strong or even rude with strangers. Stick to '-지요' for polite confirmation.

Softening Commands

Use '-(으)시지요' to turn a command into a polite suggestion.

Confirming Thoughts

You can use '-지요' when talking to yourself to confirm your own plans.

Don't Guess Blindly

Avoid '-지요' if you have no idea what the answer is. Use standard question endings instead.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'JI-YO' as 'JUST-YOU' (confirming with *just you* if I'm right).

Association visuelle

Imagine a person nodding their head while asking a question—that's the essence of -지요.

Word Web

Confirmation Agreement Polite Tag Question Rapport Shared Knowledge Softener Dialogue

Défi

Try to use -지요 at least three times today when talking about something obvious, like the weather or the time.

Origine du mot

The suffix -지요 is a combination of the connective suffix -지 and the polite ending -요. The -지 suffix historically carried a sense of certainty or was used in negative constructions, and when combined with the polite -요, it evolved into a tool for seeking confirmation.

Sens originel : Seeking a definite answer or confirming a suspected truth.

Koreanic

Contexte culturel

Avoid using -지요 with people who are significantly higher in status unless you are very close, as it can sometimes sound a bit too casual or even slightly challenging if the tone is wrong.

English speakers often use 'right?' or 'don't you think?' which is the closest equivalent.

Frequently used in K-Drama dialogue to show romantic tension (e.g., '알고 있죠?' - 'You know, right?'). Common in Korean variety shows (like Running Man) when members tease each other about obvious things. Used in famous song lyrics to evoke nostalgia or shared pain.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Weather

오늘 춥지요?
비가 오지요?
날씨가 맑지요?
바람이 불지요?

Food

맛있지요?
맵지요?
달지요?
뜨겁지요?

Identity

학생이지요?
한국 사람이지요?
의사지요?
친구지요?

Plans

내일 오지요?
숙제 했지요?
갈 거지요?
만날 거지요?

Empathy

힘들지요?
슬프지요?
기쁘지요?
걱정되지요?

Amorces de conversation

"오늘 날씨가 정말 좋지요? (The weather is really good today, isn't it?)"

"한국어 공부가 재미있지요? (Studying Korean is fun, right?)"

"이 근처에 맛집이 많지요? (There are many good restaurants around here, right?)"

"주말에 보통 바쁘지요? (You're usually busy on weekends, right?)"

"그 영화 보셨지요? (You watched that movie, right?)"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you agreed with someone using '-지요'. (어떤 일에 대해 '-지요'라고 동의했던 적이 있나요?)

List five things about your city that are obviously true, using '-지요'. (당신이 사는 도시에 대해 당연한 사실 다섯 가지를 '-지요'를 사용해 써 보세요.)

Imagine a conversation with a friend about a shared memory. Use '-지요' at least three times. (친구와 함께한 추억에 대해 대화하는 상황을 상상해 보세요.)

How does using '-지요' change the feeling of a sentence compared to '-아요/어요'? ( '-지요'를 사용하는 것이 '-아요/어요'를 사용하는 것과 어떻게 느낌이 다른가요?)

Write a short poem or reflection using '-지요' to express a universal truth. (보편적인 진리를 표현하기 위해 '-지요'를 사용하여 짧은 글을 써 보세요.)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, it is polite. However, if you want to be extremely formal, stick to -습니까. -지요 is great for a friendly but professional relationship.

Yes, -죠 is simply the contracted form. In speech, -죠 is much more common. In writing, -지요 is more standard.

That's fine! -지요 just shows your expectation. If they disagree, they will say something like '아니요, 그렇지 않아요' (No, that's not so).

Absolutely. You attach it to the past tense stem: '했지요', '갔지요', '먹었지요'.

If the noun ends in a vowel, add -지요 (의사지요). If it ends in a consonant, add -이지요 (학생이지요).

Yes, just drop the -요. The informal version is -지.

Yes, it makes suggestions sound softer. '같이 가시지요' means 'Let's go together' in a very polite way.

The question mark indicates you are seeking agreement. The period indicates you are stating a fact you assume the listener knows.

It is standard Korean used throughout the country, though intonation might vary by region.

Yes. '안 바쁘지요?' means 'You're not busy, right?'