B1 Reported Speech 14 min read Medium

Reported Speech: "Let's..." (-jago hada)

Use -자고 하다 to report a suggestion or proposal to do something together.

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use '-jago hada' to report a suggestion (e.g., 'He said let's go') by attaching it to the '-ja' form.

  • Take the '-ja' (let's) form of a verb: 'gaja' (let's go).
  • Add '-go hada' to report it: 'gaja-go haess-eo' (He said let's go).
  • Keep the verb stem intact before adding the ending.
Verb Stem + -ja + -go + hada

Overview

Korean indirect speech is a fundamental aspect of communicating what others have said, thought, or proposed. Among its various forms, the pattern -자고 하다 ([-jago hada], 'to say \"let's...\"') stands as the definitive structure for reporting suggestions or proposals. This grammar rule allows you to relay an original speaker's call to action, framed as a joint endeavor, without directly issuing the command yourself.

It functions similarly to saying, "They suggested that we..." or "They proposed we..." in English, effectively shifting the direct suggestion (-자, 'Let's') into a reported statement.

This pattern is crucial for B1 learners because it enables more sophisticated communication beyond simple direct quotes. You'll encounter it frequently in planning, recounting past conversations, or sharing information about group decisions. Understanding -자고 하다 moves you from merely reporting facts to skillfully navigating social dynamics and collective intentions within Korean conversations.

It acknowledges the original speaker's initiatory role while you, the reporter, remain neutral, simply conveying the message.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, -자고 하다 is a composite structure built from two distinct grammatical elements: the propositive verb ending -자 and the indirect quotation marker -고 하다. Each component plays a vital role in shaping the meaning and function of the entire expression.
First, let's consider the direct propositive ending -자 ([-ja], 'let's' or 'shall we'). This ending attaches directly to a verb stem and is used when the speaker is making a suggestion for a collective action that includes both themselves and the listener(s). For example, 가다 (to go) becomes 가자 ('Let's go'), and 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹자 ('Let's eat').
This form inherently carries the nuance of shared participation and agreement.
Second, we have the indirect quotation marker -고 하다 ([-go hada], 'to say that'). This versatile reporting clause is used across various types of indirect speech in Korean. The particle -고 serves as a conjunction, essentially linking the quoted content (which is now in a modified form) to the verb 하다 (to say/do).
When reporting statements, you use -다고 하다; for questions, -냐고 하다; for commands, -라고 하다. In the case of suggestions, -자 is the specific form that precedes -고 하다.
When combined, -자고 하다 therefore literally means "to say 'let's do X'". However, its functional meaning is "to suggest that we do X" or "to propose that we do X." The verb 하다 at the end can be conjugated to reflect tense, politeness level, and mood, or it can be replaced by other verbs that convey a similar meaning of reporting or proposing. For instance, 친구와 같이 점심을 먹자고 했어요 (I suggested to my friend that we eat lunch together) clearly illustrates the reporting of a shared proposal.
Consider the subtle but significant shift in perspective. If someone directly says 밥 먹자! ('Let's eat rice!'), they are initiating the action. When you report this, 밥 먹자고 했어요 ('They suggested we eat rice'), you are no longer initiating; you are merely conveying the original speaker's initiation.
This makes -자고 하다 an indispensable tool for distancing yourself from the original speaker's intent while accurately representing it.

Formation Pattern

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The formation of -자고 하다 is straightforward, making it one of the more regular indirect speech patterns in Korean. It attaches directly to the verb stem, with no distinctions based on whether the stem ends in a vowel or a consonant. This consistency simplifies its application significantly.
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1. Positive Suggestions:
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To form the positive reported suggestion, you simply take the verb stem and append -자고 하다. The final 하다 can be conjugated to reflect the desired politeness level and tense.
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| Verb Type | Verb Stem | + -자고 하다 | English Translation | Example Usage (Formal) | Example Usage (Casual) |
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| :------------ | :-------- | :------------------------- | :---------------------------- | :---------------------------- | :------------------------- |
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| Action Verb | 가다 (to go) | 가자고 하다 | to say "let's go" | 가자고 합니다 | 가자고 해요 |
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| Action Verb | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹자고 하다 | to say "let's eat" | 먹자고 합니다 | 먹자고 해요 |
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| Action Verb | 보다 (to see) | 보자고 하다 | to say "let's see" | 보자고 합니다 | 보자고 해요 |
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| Action Verb | 앉다 (to sit) | 앉자고 하다 | to say "let's sit" | 앉자고 합니다 | 앉자고 해요 |
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| Action Verb | 만들다 (to make)| 만들자고 하다 | to say "let's make" | 만들자고 합니다 | 만들자고 해요 |
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Example: 제니 씨가 같이 영화 보자고 했어요. (Jenny suggested that we watch a movie together.) Here, 보다 becomes 보자고 하다 in the reported form.
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2. Negative Suggestions (Let's not...):
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For negative reported suggestions, Korean does not typically use or directly before -자고 하다. Instead, it employs the construction -지 말다 (to stop/cease doing, to not do), which is then followed by -자고 하다. The verb 말다 conjugates to 말자 in its direct propositive form.
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| Verb Type | Verb Stem | + -지 말자고 하다 | English Translation | Example Usage (Formal) | Example Usage (Casual) |
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| :------------ | :-------- | :--------------------------- | :------------------------------ | :------------------------------ | :--------------------------- |
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| Action Verb | 가다 (to go) | 가지 말자고 하다 | to say "let's not go" | 가지 말자고 합니다 | 가지 말자고 해요 |
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| Action Verb | 먹다 (to eat) | 먹지 말자고 하다 | to say "let's not eat" | 먹지 말자고 합니다 | 먹지 말자고 해요 |
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| Action Verb | 하다 (to do) | 하지 말자고 하다 | to say "let's not do" | 하지 말자고 합니다 | 하지 말자고 해요 |
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Example: 수미 씨가 너무 피곤해서 오늘 가지 말자고 했어요. (Sumi said she was too tired and suggested we not go today.) The original direct suggestion would have been 가지 말자 ('Let's not go').
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3. Irregular Verbs:
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Unlike many other conjugations in Korean, the -자 ending does not trigger common irregular changes in , , , or irregular verbs. You simply attach -자고 하다 to the standard verb stem. For instance, 듣다 (to listen) becomes 듣자고 하다, not 들자고 하다. 돕다 (to help) becomes 돕자고 하다, not 도와자고 하다. This further reinforces the regularity of this pattern, making it simpler to apply.
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4. Conjugation of 하다:
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The verb 하다 at the end of the reported speech structure can be conjugated for various politeness levels and tenses, just like any other verb. Common forms include:
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Present Informal Polite: -자고 해요
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Present Formal Polite: -자고 합니다
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Past Informal Polite: -자고 했어요
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Past Formal Polite: -자고 했습니다
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Present Plain (for narration/writing): -자고 한다
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Example: 선생님이 다 같이 책을 읽자고 하셨어요. (The teacher suggested that we all read the book together.) The honorific 하시다 is used here for the teacher.

When To Use It

Using -자고 하다 goes beyond simple grammatical construction; it reflects specific communicative intentions and social contexts. You primarily use this pattern to convey a suggestion or proposal that was originally made by someone (including yourself) for a collective action. This collective aspect, where the speaker and the listener(s) are implied to participate together, is the defining characteristic.
1. Reporting Group Plans or Initiatives:
This is the most common application. When you need to inform others about a plan or suggestion initiated by someone else, which involves a group, -자고 하다 is your go-to. It clarifies that the suggestion came from another party.
  • 팀장님이 다음 주에 회식하자고 하셨어요. (The team leader suggested we have a company dinner next week.)
  • 친구들이 주말에 제주도에 가자고 해요. (My friends suggested we go to Jeju Island this weekend.)
2. Recounting Past Suggestions:
Whether in a casual chat or a formal meeting recap, you use -자고 하다 to report proposals that were made in the past. The tense of 하다 will change to past tense (e.g., 했어요, 했습니다).
  • 어제 제가 먼저 영화 보자고 했어요. (Yesterday, I was the one who suggested we watch a movie first.)
  • 회의에서 이 프로젝트를 빨리 끝내자고 의견을 모았어요. (In the meeting, we gathered opinions and suggested finishing this project quickly.)
3. Expressing Repeated or Insistent Suggestions:
When someone has repeatedly made the same suggestion, or you want to convey the insistence of a suggestion, -자고 하다 fits perfectly. It implies an ongoing or emphasized proposal.
  • 계속 가자고 하는데 다들 싫다고 했어요. (I kept suggesting we go, but everyone said they didn't want to.)
  • 그 친구는 맨날 치킨 먹자고 졸라요. (That friend always pestered me, saying, 'Let's eat chicken.') Note the use of 졸라요 (to pester) instead of 해요.
4. Replacing 하다 with Other Reporting Verbs:
While 하다 is the most general verb for reporting, you can substitute it with more specific verbs to add nuance. This is a sign of advanced usage.
  • 제안하다 (to propose): 친구에게 같이 여행 가자고 제안했어요. (I proposed to my friend that we travel together.)
  • 말하다 (to tell/say): 엄마가 숙제부터 하자고 말했어요. (Mom said 'Let's do homework first.')
  • 조르다 (to pester/beg): 아이가 아이스크림 사자고 졸랐어요. (The child pestered, saying, 'Let's buy ice cream.')
  • 묻다 (to ask) / 권유하다 (to recommend): While technically not direct substitutes for 하다 in -자고 하다 (as 묻다 is for questions, and 권유하다 implies a soft recommendation), the spirit of suggestion can sometimes lead to similar contexts. However, use -자고 하다 when the original speech was clearly a "Let's do X" form. For "Shall we?" ((으)ㄹ까요?), you would use -자고 하다 if the speaker was proposing a joint action.
5. In Written Contexts (Emails, Reports):
In formal writing, especially when summarizing discussions or proposals, -자고 하다 maintains its function. You might see 했습니다 or 하였다 (plain past formal) more frequently here.
  • 회의록에는 팀원들이 새 전략을 논의하자고 했습니다. (In the meeting minutes, the team members suggested discussing a new strategy.)
Understanding these various contexts helps you accurately interpret and construct sentences using -자고 하다, ensuring your communication is both grammatically correct and socially appropriate.

Common Mistakes

Even at the B1 level, learners often encounter specific pitfalls when using -자고 하다. These errors usually stem from confusing it with other indirect speech forms, misunderstanding its negative construction, or misinterpreting the collective nature of the suggestion.
1. Confusing with Commands (-라고 하다):
This is perhaps the most frequent and critical mistake. While both -자고 하다 and -라고 하다 report speech that aims to prompt action, their fundamental difference lies in who is expected to act.
  • -자고 하다 (Suggestion: Let's do it together): The original speaker proposes an action that includes both themselves and the listener(s). It's a shared endeavor.
  • 친구가 "영화 보자!" 라고 말했어요. (My friend said, "Let's watch a movie!")
  • Reported: 친구가 영화 보자고 했어요. (My friend suggested we watch a movie.) Implies both friends watch.
  • -라고 하다 (Command: You do it): The original speaker commands or tells the listener(s) to perform an action. The action is for the listener, not necessarily including the speaker.
  • 엄마가 "방 청소해!" 라고 말했어요. (Mom said, "Clean your room!")
  • Reported: 엄마가 방 청소하라고 했어요. (Mom told me to clean my room.) Implies I clean.
Mixing these up can lead to significant misunderstandings. Saying 엄마가 밥 먹자고 했어요 implies Mom suggested we eat, whereas 엄마가 밥 먹으라고 했어요 means Mom told me to eat.
2. Incorrect Negative Formation (e.g., 안 가자고):
Learners sometimes try to negate -자고 하다 by placing (not) or (cannot) before the verb stem or even before 자고. This is incorrect. The standard and grammatically proper way to form a negative suggestion is by using -지 말자고 하다.
  • Incorrect: 친구가 오늘 안 가자고 했어요. (My friend suggested we not go today. – Grammatically awkward/unnatural)
  • Correct: 친구가 오늘 가지 말자고 했어요. (My friend suggested we not go today.)
The construction 동사-지 말다 is the proper way to express "to not do (a verb)" in a propositive context. Remember: 말자 is the direct propositive form of 말다, so when reporting, it naturally becomes 말자고 하다.
3. Misunderstanding the Subject of the Suggestion:
While -자고 하다 implies collective action, the direct speaker of the original -(으)ㅂ시다 or -자 form is always included in the proposal. The person doing the reporting may or may not be included in the action, depending on context.
  • If you reported, "Minji suggested we go to the library," then you and Minji are the implied subjects of the suggestion 가자.
  • If you hear, 민수 씨가 팀원들끼리 저녁 먹자고 했어요. (Minsu suggested the team members have dinner together.), and you are a team member, you are implicitly included. If you are just an observer reporting this, you are not included in the dinner, only in the act of reporting.
4. Overgeneralizing the "Let's" Context:
-자고 하다 is specifically for suggestions of joint action. It shouldn't be used to report general statements, questions, or specific orders. Each type of speech has its corresponding indirect form.
  • General statement: 그는 바쁘다고 했어요. (He said he was busy.) – uses -다고 하다
  • Question: 그는 어디 가냐고 물었어요. (He asked where I was going.) – uses -냐고 하다
Careful attention to these distinctions will greatly enhance your accuracy and naturalness in using reported speech in Korean. Always double-check if the original utterance was a shared proposal before employing -자고 하다.

Real Conversations

To truly grasp -자고 하다, observe how native Korean speakers deploy it in everyday interactions. This grammar point isn't just for formal recounting; it weaves into casual planning, gossip, and even expressing opinions or complaints about past suggestions.

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Scenario 1

Friends Making Plans (Casual)
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A

우리 주말에 뭐 할까? (What shall we do this weekend?)
B

B

민수가 영화 "파묘" 보자고 했어. 너는 어때? (Minsu suggested we watch the movie "Exhuma." What about you?)
A

A

어, 그거 나도 보고 싶었어! 몇 시에 보자고 하는데? (Oh, I wanted to see that too! What time did he suggest we watch it?)

In this exchange, B uses 보자고 했어 to relay Minsu's suggestion without B making the suggestion themselves. A then uses 보자고 하는데 to inquire about the details of that reported suggestion, showing how -자고 하다 can integrate into interrogative clauses.

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Scenario 2

Workplace Discussion (Formal/Polite)
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A

김대리님, 어제 회의 결과 좀 알려주시겠어요? (Assistant Manager Kim, could you tell me the results of yesterday's meeting?)
B

B

네, 부장님께서 다음 프로젝트는 새로운 팀으로 진행하자고 하셨습니다. (Yes, the general manager suggested we proceed with the next project with a new team.)
A

A

아, 그렇군요. 그리고 또 다른 제안은 없었나요? (Ah, I see. And were there no other proposals?)
B

B

음... 몇몇 팀원들이 예산을 좀 더 늘리자고 했지만, 부장님께서 일단은 이대로 가자고 하셨어요. (Well... some team members suggested increasing the budget a bit, but the general manager suggested we go with it as is for now.)

Here, 진행하자고 하셨습니다 and 늘리자고 했지만 (formal past tense) are used to formally report suggestions made in a professional setting. Notice 하셨어요 employs the honorific 하시다 when referring to the manager, demonstrating proper etiquette.

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Scenario 3

Expressing Dissatisfaction/Complaining (Casual)
A

A

왜 또 이걸 다시 하는 거야? (Why are we doing this again?)
B

B

팀장이 지난번에 이렇게 하자고 했잖아. 그때 다들 찬성했으면서. (The team leader suggested we do it this way last time. Everyone agreed back then, didn't they?)

In this example, 하자고 했잖아 (a casual, slightly accusatory form combining -자고 했다 with -잖아, implying 'You know, I told you so / You should remember') is used to highlight a previous suggestion that was apparently agreed upon but led to current problems. This illustrates how reported speech can carry emotional weight.

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Scenario 4

Using Other Reporting Verbs (Advanced)

남자친구가 저한테 결혼하자고 졸랐어요. (My boyfriend pestered me to marry him, saying 'Let's get married.') Here, 졸랐어요 (pestered) replaces 했어요, adding intensity to the reporting.

저는 친구들에게 주말에 다 같이 봉사 활동 가자고 제안했어요. (I proposed to my friends that we all go do volunteer work this weekend.) The verb 제안했어요 (proposed) provides a more specific and formal nuance than simply 했어요.

These examples showcase the versatility of -자고 하다 across various social registers and demonstrate how slight modifications or verb choices can significantly alter the overall communicative effect.

Quick FAQ

Q: Can I use -자고 하다 to report a suggestion I made myself?

Absolutely. You can use it to refer to your own past suggestions, especially when recounting conversations or emphasizing your role in a proposal. For instance, 제가 먼저 점심 먹자고 했어요. (I was the one who suggested we eat lunch first.) This clarifies that you were the initiator of the "let's" action.

Q: Is there a shorter, more casual version of -자고 하다?

In very casual speech, especially among close friends, 고 하다 can sometimes be shortened to or omitted entirely, but this is highly informal and dependent on context. For example, 영화 보자고 (dropping 하다) is heard, but 영화 보자 can also be a direct suggestion. Sticking to 자고 해(요) or 자고 했어(요) is safer and more widely understood for reporting. For written or more standard casual communication, retain 하다.

Q: What if the original suggestion was a question like "Shall we go?" ((으)ㄹ까요?)? How is that reported?

This is an important distinction. While (으)ㄹ까요? also expresses a suggestion, it's grammatically a question. Therefore, you would report it using the indirect question form: -냐고 하다 or -(으)라고 묻다. For example, if someone said 영화 볼까요? ('Shall we watch a movie?'), you would report it as 영화 보자고 했어요? (Did they suggest we watch a movie?) if you interpret 볼까요? as a gentle form of 'let's', or more accurately, 영화 보냐고 물었어요. (They asked if we should watch a movie.) The choice depends on whether the original speaker was genuinely asking for an opinion (-냐고 하다) or making a gentle proposal that acts as a "let's" (-자고 하다). Generally, if it's a clear joint proposal, -자고 하다 is correct, but if it's genuinely a choice, -냐고 하다 is appropriate.

Q: Can -자고 하다 be used with descriptive verbs (adjectives)?

No. The -자 ending is exclusively for action verbs, as it implies a joint action or movement. You cannot say 예쁘자고 하다 (to suggest 'let's be pretty') because 예쁘다 (to be pretty) is a descriptive verb. For adjectives, you typically report statements (-다고 하다) or express desires (-고 싶어하다).

Q: Does -자고 하다 always imply a verbal suggestion? Can it report a non-verbal cue?

It primarily reports a verbal suggestion. While a gesture might imply a "let's," to use -자고 하다, there must have been an implicit or explicit verbal "let's" that you are now reporting. For instance, if someone points at a door and you infer "Let's go out," you wouldn't typically use -자고 하다 unless they actually said 나가자 (Let's go out) or something equivalent.

Q: What's the difference between (으)ㅂ시다 and -자 in the context of reported speech?

Both (으)ㅂ시다 (formal polite 'let's') and -자 (casual 'let's') are direct propositive endings. When reporting, they both convert to -자고 하다. The distinction in formality is handled by the conjugation of the final 하다 verb or the choice of reporting verb, not by the form of the reported suggestion itself. So, whether the original speaker said 갑시다 or 가자, you would report 가자고 했어요 or 가자고 하셨어요.

Formation of -jago hada

Verb Let's Form (-ja) Reported Form (-jago hada)
가다 (go)
가자
가자고 하다
먹다 (eat)
먹자
먹자고 하다
하다 (do)
하자
하자고 하다
읽다 (read)
읽자
읽자고 하다
자다 (sleep)
자자
자자고 하다
놀다 (play)
놀자
놀자고 하다
보다 (see)
보자
보자고 하다
듣다 (listen)
듣자
듣자고 하다

Meanings

This grammar is used to report a suggestion made by someone else, equivalent to 'He said that we should...' or 'She suggested that we...'.

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Indirect Suggestion

Reporting a proposal made by another person.

“민수가 같이 점심을 먹자고 했어요.”

“선생님이 내일 일찍 오자고 하셨어요.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reported Speech: "Let's..." (-jago hada)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Stem + -jago hada
가자고 했어요
Negative
Stem + -ji maljago hada
가지 말자고 했어요
Past
Stem + -jago haessda
가자고 했어요
Future
Stem + -jago hal geosida
가자고 할 거예요
Honorific
Stem + -jago hasyeossda
가자고 하셨어요
Interrogative
Stem + -jago haenni?
가자고 했니?
Polite
Stem + -jago haeyo
가자고 해요

Formality Spectrum

Formal
가자고 하셨습니다.

가자고 하셨습니다. (Reporting a friend's suggestion.)

Neutral
가자고 했어요.

가자고 했어요. (Reporting a friend's suggestion.)

Informal
가자고 했어.

가자고 했어. (Reporting a friend's suggestion.)

Slang
가자고 하더라.

가자고 하더라. (Reporting a friend's suggestion.)

Reported Suggestion Flow

Reported Suggestion

Action

  • 가자 Let's go

Reporting

  • 가자고 하다 Said let's go

Examples by Level

1

가자고 했어요.

He said let's go.

2

먹자고 했어요.

He said let's eat.

3

하자고 했어요.

He said let's do it.

4

놀자고 했어요.

He said let's play.

1

민수가 영화를 보자고 했어요.

Minsu suggested we watch a movie.

2

선생님이 공부하자고 하셨어요.

The teacher suggested we study.

3

우리가 집에 가자고 했어요.

We suggested going home.

4

친구들이 축구를 하자고 했어요.

Friends suggested playing soccer.

1

그는 우리에게 내일 다시 만나자고 제안했어요.

He suggested that we meet again tomorrow.

2

어머니는 저녁에 외식하자고 하셨어요.

Mother suggested we eat out for dinner.

3

팀원들이 프로젝트를 시작하자고 했어요.

The team members suggested starting the project.

4

그녀는 이번 주말에 여행을 가자고 했어요.

She suggested we go on a trip this weekend.

1

부장님께서 이번 회의에서 안건을 논의하자고 하셨습니다.

The manager suggested we discuss the agenda at this meeting.

2

그들은 환경 보호를 위해 플라스틱을 줄이자고 주장했어요.

They insisted that we reduce plastic for environmental protection.

3

우리는 갈등을 해결하기 위해 대화하자고 합의했어요.

We agreed to talk to resolve the conflict.

4

그는 우리에게 새로운 아이디어를 제안하자고 했습니다.

He suggested that we propose new ideas.

1

그는 마치 우리가 모든 것을 포기하자고 한 것처럼 행동했어요.

He acted as if we had suggested giving up on everything.

2

그녀는 우리가 이 문제를 심각하게 고민해보자고 권유했습니다.

She advised that we think seriously about this issue.

3

그들은 우리가 함께 협력하여 문제를 해결하자고 강조했어요.

They emphasized that we should cooperate to solve the problem.

4

우리는 그에게 다시 한번 생각해보자고 설득했습니다.

We persuaded him to think about it once more.

1

그는 우리가 관습을 타파하자고 역설했으나 아무도 듣지 않았습니다.

He argued that we should break tradition, but no one listened.

2

그녀는 우리가 이 난관을 극복하기 위해 힘을 합치자고 호소했습니다.

She appealed for us to join forces to overcome this difficulty.

3

우리는 그에게 미래를 위해 현재를 희생하자고 제안하는 것이 옳지 않다고 생각했습니다.

We thought it was wrong to suggest sacrificing the present for the future.

4

그들은 우리가 이 제안을 수용하자고 만장일치로 결정했습니다.

They decided unanimously that we should accept this proposal.

Easily Confused

Reported Speech: "Let's..." (-jago hada) vs -dago hada

Used for reporting statements, not suggestions.

Reported Speech: "Let's..." (-jago hada) vs -rago hada

Used for reporting commands.

Reported Speech: "Let's..." (-jago hada) vs -nyago hada

Used for reporting questions.

Common Mistakes

가고 했어요

가자고 했어요

Missing the hortative -ja suffix.

가자고 해요

가자고 했어요

Using present tense when reporting a past suggestion.

가자고 말했어요

가자고 했어요

While '말했어요' is okay, '했어요' is more natural for reporting.

가자고 하셨어요

가자고 했어요

Using honorifics when not needed.

먹자고 할 거예요

먹자고 했어요

Confusing future intent with past reporting.

먹자고 했다고 해요

먹자고 했어요

Double reporting.

먹자고 했어

먹자고 했어요

Register mismatch.

가자고 하라

가자고 하다

Confusing with command forms.

가자고 했는가

가자고 했어요

Incorrect ending for reporting.

가자고 하더라

가자고 했어요

Using recollective instead of reporting.

가자고 했었어

가자고 했어요

Redundant past tense.

가자고 하였었다

가자고 했다

Too formal/archaic.

가자고 하라고 했다

가자고 했다

Mixing command and suggestion.

Sentence Patterns

___이/가 ___하자고 했어요.

우리는 ___하자고 제안했어요.

그들은 ___하자고 주장했어요.

___하자고 한 사람은 ___였어요.

Real World Usage

Texting very common

민수가 영화 보자고 했어.

Social Media common

친구들이 여행 가자고 하네요.

Job Interviews occasional

팀장이 프로젝트를 시작하자고 했습니다.

Travel common

가이드가 내일 일찍 출발하자고 했어요.

Food Delivery Apps rare

친구들이 피자 먹자고 했어요.

Classroom very common

선생님이 숙제를 같이 하자고 하셨어요.

💡

Check the tense

Ensure the reporting verb 'hada' matches the time of the suggestion.
⚠️

Don't confuse with commands

Use -jago for suggestions, not orders.
🎯

Use honorifics

When reporting a superior, use -hasyeosseoyo.
💬

Indirectness

Korean culture values indirectness; this structure helps maintain that.

Smart Tips

Use the honorific 'hasyeosseoyo' to show respect.

부장님이 가자고 했어요. 부장님이 가자고 하셨어요.

Use the plain form 'haess-eo' for a natural, casual tone.

민수가 가자고 했습니다. 민수가 가자고 했어.

Add '제안했어요' (suggested) instead of just '했어요' (said).

민수가 가자고 했어요. 민수가 가자고 제안했어요.

Combine with '하지만' (but) to show the outcome.

민수가 가자고 했어요. 민수가 가자고 했지만 안 갔어요.

Pronunciation

ja-go-ha-da

Linking

The 'go' in 'jago' often links smoothly with 'hada'.

Statement

가자고 했어요 ↘

Neutral reporting of a fact.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Jago' as 'Ja-Go' (Let's Go). If you want to report a 'Let's' suggestion, just add 'Jago' to the verb.

Visual Association

Imagine a group of friends standing in a circle. One person points forward and says 'Let's go!' (가자). You then turn to a friend and say 'He said Jago!' (He said let's go).

Rhyme

When you want to report a 'Let's' plan, use -jago hada, it's the best way to scan.

Story

Minsu wanted to eat pizza. He shouted 'Let's eat pizza!' (피자 먹자!). I told my mom, 'Minsu said let's eat pizza' (민수가 피자 먹자고 했어요). Now everyone is happy eating pizza.

Word Web

가자고먹자고하자고보자고놀자고읽자고

Challenge

For the next 5 minutes, think of 3 things you want to suggest to a friend, then write down how you would report those suggestions to someone else.

Cultural Notes

Suggestions are often indirect to save face. Reporting them accurately is important for group harmony.

Derived from the hortative suffix '-ja' and the verb 'hada' (to do/say).

Conversation Starters

친구가 뭐라고 했어요?

선생님이 수업 시간에 뭐라고 하셨어요?

팀 프로젝트 때 누가 무엇을 하자고 했나요?

가족들이 주말에 무엇을 하자고 했어요?

Journal Prompts

Write about a time a friend suggested something fun.
Describe a meeting where someone made a suggestion.
Reflect on a group decision process.
Write a dialogue reporting several suggestions.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct


Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

민수가 영화를 ___ 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 보자고
It's a suggestion.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가자고 했어요
Correct structure.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

민수가 가고 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 가자고 했어요
Missing -ja.
Transform to reported speech. Sentence Transformation

민수: '우리 영화 보자!'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 영화를 보자고 했어요
Correct reporting.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 민수가 뭐라고 했어? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 같이 먹자고 했어
Correct response.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

민수 / 영화 / 보자고 / 했다

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 영화를 보자고 했다
Correct order.
Sort the grammar. Grammar Sorting

Which is for suggestions?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: -jago hada
Suggestion marker.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가자고 했다 - Said let's go
Correct meaning.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

민수가 영화를 ___ 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 보자고
It's a suggestion.
Choose the correct form. Multiple Choice

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가자고 했어요
Correct structure.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

민수가 가고 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 가자고 했어요
Missing -ja.
Transform to reported speech. Sentence Transformation

민수: '우리 영화 보자!'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 영화를 보자고 했어요
Correct reporting.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 민수가 뭐라고 했어? B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 같이 먹자고 했어
Correct response.
Build the sentence. Sentence Building

민수 / 영화 / 보자고 / 했다

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 민수가 영화를 보자고 했다
Correct order.
Sort the grammar. Grammar Sorting

Which is for suggestions?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: -jago hada
Suggestion marker.
Match the meaning. Match Pairs

Match the reported speech.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가자고 했다 - Said let's go
Correct meaning.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

14 exercises
Report the suggestion. Fill in the Blank

Dad said: 'Let's go home.' → 아빠가 집에 ___ 하셨어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가자고
Report the negative suggestion. Fill in the Blank

Leader: 'Let's not give up.' → 팀장이 ___ 말자고 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 포기하지
Which sentence means 'She suggested we eat lunch'? Multiple Choice

Select the correct translation.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 점심을 먹자고 했어요.
Fix the grammar error. Error Correction

동생이 게임을 하지 않자고 했어요. (Suggestion)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 동생이 게임을 하지 말자고 했어요.
Arrange the words to say: 'My friend suggested we meet at the park.' Sentence Reorder

친구가 / 공원에서 / 만나자고 / 했어요

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 친구가 공원에서 만나자고 했어요
Translate the reported speech part. Translation

She suggested we **study together**.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 공부하자고
Match the direct speech to the reported form. Match Pairs

Match correctly.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["\uac00\uc790\uace0 \ud558\ub2e4","\uac00\ub77c\uace0 \ud558\ub2e4","\uac04\ub2e4\uace0 \ud558\ub2e4","\uac00\ub0d0\uace0 \ud558\ub2e4"]
Choose the most natural response. Multiple Choice

A: Why are you packing bags? B: My wife ___ we go on a trip.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 여행 가자고 해서요.
Fix the verb ending. Error Correction

친구들이 노래방에 갈자고 했어요.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 가자고 했어요
Fill in the blank with the correct grammar. Fill in the Blank

Sarah said 'Let's drink coffee.' → 사라가 커피 ___ 했어요. (마시다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 마시자고
Identify the nuance. Multiple Choice

What does '청소하자고 했어요' mean?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He suggested we clean up.
Reorder to make a sentence. Sentence Reorder

했어요 / 우리 / 결혼하자고 / 오빠가

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 오빠가 우리 결혼하자고 했어요
Translate 'said let's not wait'. Translation

He said let's not wait.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 기다리지 말자고 했어요.
Complete the phrase. Fill in the Blank

Let's take a break! → 좀 ___ 했어요. (쉬다)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 쉬자고

Score: /14

FAQ (8)

Usually, it's for reporting others' suggestions. If you suggest something, you just say 'Let's...'.

Use the past tense of 'hada': '...jago haess-eo'.

It can be formal or informal depending on the 'hada' conjugation.

It is 'jago' + 'hada'.

No, use '-rago hada' for commands.

Yes, extremely common.

It's indirect, so you don't use quotation marks.

The structure is standard across Korea.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

decir que hagamos...

Korean uses a fixed suffix, Spanish changes the verb form.

French moderate

dire de faire...

French uses an infinitive structure.

German moderate

vorschlagen, dass wir...

German uses a specific verb for suggesting.

Japanese high

〜しようと言う

Very similar structure and logic.

Chinese moderate

说...吧

Chinese does not conjugate verbs.

Arabic low

اقترح أن...

Arabic relies on a specific 'suggest' verb.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

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