🗣️

Indirect Quote (Suggestion): -자고 하다

Keywords
-자고 하다
Lesson #
S
Done
Section
Basic Grammar
🎯
TL;DR 🦄
  • 🗣️ Use -자고 하다 [-ja-go ha-da] to report someone’s suggestion: “said/suggested that we should…”
  • 🧩 Attach it to a verb stem: 가다 [ga-da] “to go” → 가자고 했어요 [ga-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] “suggested going.”
  • 🤝 It quotes a “let’s…” idea, so it usually points to an action people might do together.
🔊
🎧 Iru Helper Note — When you want to hear any Korean sentence aloud, open
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets and type the sentence in. Your ears deserve snacks too. 🍪
 

🌈 The Big Picture

-자고 하다 [-ja-go ha-da] is the indirect-quote form for suggestions. It reports a sentence that originally sounded like 가자! [ga-ja] “Let’s go!” or 먹자! [meok-ja] “Let’s eat!” 🗣️
Instead of repeating the exact quote, you tuck the suggestion into a reported sentence:
  • 민수가 같이 가자고 했어요. [min-su-ga ga-chi ga-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — Minsu suggested that we go together. 🚶
    • 민수 = Minsu, 가 = subject marker, 같이 = together, 가다 = to go.
  • 지우가 점심을 먹자고 했어요. [ji-u-ga jeom-shim-eul meok-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — Jiu suggested that we eat lunch. 🍱
    • 지우 = Jiu, 점심 = lunch, 을 = object marker, 먹다 = to eat.
 

🎨 The Core -자고 하다 Family

The core pattern is:
  • 동사 어간 + 자고 하다 — verb stem + 자고 하다 = to say/suggest “let’s…”
    • 가다 [ga-da] “to go” → 가자고 하다 [ga-ja-go ha-da] “to suggest going”
    • 보다 [bo-da] “to watch/see” → 보자고 하다 [bo-ja-go ha-da] “to suggest watching/seeing”
    • 공부하다 [gong-bu-ha-da] “to study” → 공부하자고 하다 [gong-bu-ha-ja-go ha-da] “to suggest studying”
Common reporting endings:
  • -자고 해요 [-ja-go hae-yo] — says/suggests that we should…
  • -자고 했어요 [-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — said/suggested that we should…
  • -재요 [-jae-yo] — shortened spoken form of -자고 해요, like “they say we should…”
Use 같이 [ga-chi] “together” when the shared-action feeling needs to be extra clear. 🤝
 

🛠️ How It Works in a Sentence

  1. 친구가 도서관에 가자고 했어요. [chin-gu-ga do-seo-gwan-e ga-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — My friend suggested going to the library. 📚
      • 친구 = friend, 도서관 = library, 에 = to/at, 가다 = to go.
  1. 민수가 카페에서 공부하자고 해요. [min-su-ga ka-pe-e-seo gong-bu-ha-ja-go hae-yo] — Minsu suggests studying at the café. ☕
      • 카페 = café, 에서 = at/in where an action happens, 공부하다 = to study.
  1. 지우가 영화를 보재요. [ji-u-ga yeong-hwa-reul bo-jae-yo] — Jiu says we should watch a movie. 🎬
      • 영화 = movie, 를 = object marker, 보다 = to watch/see, 보재요 = shortened from 보자고 해요.
 

🧩 General Formation Rule

No batchim gymnastics today — confetti, please. 🎊 For -자고 하다, remove 다 from the dictionary form, then add 자고 하다.
  • 마시다 [ma-shi-da] “to drink” → 마시자고 했어요 [ma-shi-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — suggested drinking. 🥤
  • 만나다 [man-na-da] “to meet” → 만나자고 했어요 [man-na-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — suggested meeting. 👋
  • 쉬다 [swi-da] “to rest” → 쉬자고 했어요 [swi-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — suggested resting. 🛋️
 

📚 Cross-check note

The indirect-suggestion form -자고 하다 and its function as a reported propositive/suggestive quotation were checked against korean.go.kr and standard Korean grammar references. ✅
 

🪞 Synonym Alert

  • -자고 하다 [-ja-go ha-da] — neutral indirect quote for “suggested/said let’s…”
  • -재요 [-jae-yo] — casual spoken contraction of -자고 해요. Useful in conversation, but the full form is clearer for learning. 🧃
  • 제안하다 [je-an-ha-da] — “to propose/suggest,” more formal and less quote-like. Example: 회의를 제안했어요. [hoe-ui-reul je-an-hae-sseo-yo] — They proposed a meeting. 🗂️
 

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

  • ❌ 가라고 했어요 → ✅ 가자고 했어요 when the original idea is “Let’s go.” 가라고 했어요 means “told someone to go,” not “suggested going together.” 🚦
  • ❌ 가자 했어요 → ✅ 가자고 했어요. The 고 is the quote-linking piece. 🔗
  • ❌ Using it with adjectives like 좋다 “to be good” → ✅ Use action verbs. Suggestions are usually “let’s do something,” not “let’s be adjective.” 🏃
  • ❌ Forgetting the original “let’s” feeling → ✅ Keep it shared-action focused: 같이 걷자고 했어요 [ga-chi geot-ja-go hae-sseo-yo] — suggested walking together. 🚶
  • ❌ Treating -재요 as formal writing → ✅ Use it mostly for everyday spoken reports; use -자고 해요 when you want the full form. 📝
 
🎉 You now have the “someone said let’s…” tool. Tiny ending, big gossip power. 🗣️✨
 
Try this exercise
Instructions: Complete each reported suggestion with the right -자고 하다 form. Say the Korean sentence aloud, then open the Answer toggle to check the ending and the reason. 🎧
  1. 민수가 공원에 가＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[min-su-ga gong-won-e ga-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Minsu suggested going to the park. 🌳
Answer
자고 — 가다 loses 다: 가 + 자고 했어요.
  1. 지우가 물을 마시＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga mul-eul ma-shi-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu suggested drinking water. 💧
Answer
자고 — 마시다 → 마시자고 했어요.
  1. 친구가 같이 쉬＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[chin-gu-ga ga-chi swi-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
My friend suggests resting together. 🛋️
Answer
자고 — 쉬다 → 쉬자고 해요.
  1. 선생님이 숙제를 시작하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i suk-je-reul shi-jak-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
The teacher suggested starting the homework. ✏️
Answer
자고 — 시작하다 → 시작하자고 했어요.
  1. 민수가 저녁을 먹＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[min-su-ga jeo-nyeok-eul meok-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
Minsu suggests eating dinner. 🍲
Answer
자고 — 먹다 → 먹자고 해요.
  1. 지우가 사진을 보＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga sa-jin-eul bo-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu suggested looking at the photo. 📷
Answer
자고 — 보다 → 보자고 했어요.
  1. 친구가 버스를 기다리＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga beo-seu-reul gi-da-ri-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend suggested waiting for the bus. 🚌
Answer
자고 — 기다리다 → 기다리자고 했어요.
  1. 선생님이 문장을 만들＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i mun-jang-eul man-deul-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
The teacher suggests making sentences. 🧱
Answer
자고 — 만들다 → 만들자고 해요. No special change here.
  1. 민수가 카페에서 만나＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[min-su-ga ka-pe-e-seo man-na-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Minsu suggested meeting at the café. ☕
Answer
자고 — 만나다 → 만나자고 했어요.
  1. 지우가 공원에서 걷＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[ji-u-ga gong-won-e-seo geot-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
Jiu suggests walking in the park. 🚶
Answer
자고 — 걷다 → 걷자고 해요. This pattern does not trigger a ㄷ-irregular change.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 친구 → friend
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 공원 → park
  • 물 → water
  • 숙제 → homework
  • 저녁 → dinner
  • 사진 → photo
  • 버스 → bus
  • 문장 → sentence
  • 카페 → café
  • 가다, 마시다, 쉬다, 시작하다, 먹다, 보다, 기다리다, 만들다, 만나다, 걷다 → action verbs
Memory tips 💡
  • Verb stem + 자고 했어요 = suggested doing.
  • 같이 makes the “together” feeling obvious.
  • -재요 is the short spoken cousin.
🚀
Want more reps? Visit the Practice Hub when you're ready!
 
📦
🎯 Practice Hub — -자고 하다
 
Welcome to your indirect-suggestion gym. 🏋️ Today you’ll turn “let’s…” energy into reported Korean using -자고 하다 [-ja-go ha-da], plus the speedy spoken shortcut -재요 [-jae-yo]. By the end, you’ll be able to report plans, invitations, and mild friend-pressure with style. 😄
 
🔊 Audio reminder: Use
Korean Helper Widgets
Korean Helper Widgets anytime you want to hear a sentence.
 
📝 Instructions: Complete the blank, say the sentence aloud, then check the Answer toggle. Focus on whether the sentence reports a suggestion, a past suggestion, or a casual spoken report.
 

Exercise 1 — Build the Full Form 🧩

A. 친구가 도서관에 가＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga do-seo-gwan-e ga-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend suggested going to the library. 📚
Answer
자고 — 가다 → 가자고 했어요.
B. 민수가 차를 마시＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[min-su-ga cha-reul ma-shi-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
Minsu suggests drinking tea. 🍵
Answer
자고 — 마시다 → 마시자고 해요.
C. 지우가 영화를 보＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga yeong-hwa-reul bo-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu suggested watching a movie. 🎬
Answer
자고 — 보다 → 보자고 했어요.
D. 선생님이 같이 공부하＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i ga-chi gong-bu-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
The teacher suggests studying together. 📝
Answer
자고 — 공부하다 → 공부하자고 해요.
E. 친구가 점심을 먹＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga jeom-shim-eul meok-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend suggested eating lunch. 🍱
Answer
자고 — 먹다 → 먹자고 했어요.
F. 민수가 회의를 시작하＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[min-su-ga hoe-ui-reul shi-jak-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
Minsu suggests starting the meeting. 🗂️
Answer
자고 — 시작하다 → 시작하자고 해요.
G. 지우가 우산을 가져가＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga u-san-eul ga-jyeo-ga-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu suggested taking an umbrella. ☂️
Answer
자고 — 가져가다 → 가져가자고 했어요.
H. 친구가 지하철을 타＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[chin-gu-ga ji-ha-cheol-eul ta-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
My friend suggests taking the subway. 🚇
Answer
자고 — 타다 → 타자고 해요.
I. 선생님이 문장을 쓰＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i mun-jang-eul sseu-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
The teacher suggested writing sentences. ✍️
Answer
자고 — 쓰다 → 쓰자고 했어요.
J. 민수가 카페에서 이야기하＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[min-su-ga ka-pe-e-seo i-ya-gi-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
Minsu suggests talking at the café. ☕
Answer
자고 — 이야기하다 → 이야기하자고 해요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 친구 → friend
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 도서관 → library
  • 차 → tea
  • 영화 → movie
  • 점심 → lunch
  • 회의 → meeting
  • 우산 → umbrella
  • 지하철 → subway
  • 문장 → sentence
  • 카페 → café
  • 가다 → to go
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 보다 → to watch/see
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 시작하다 → to start
  • 가져가다 → to take along
  • 타다 → to ride/take
  • 쓰다 → to write
  • 이야기하다 → to talk
  • 가/이 → subject marker
  • 을/를 → object marker
  • 에 → to/at
  • 에서 → at/in action place
  • 같이 → together
Tip 💡 Stem + 자고 해요/자고 했어요 reports a suggestion.
 

Exercise 2 — Direct “Let’s” to Reported Speech 🗣️

A. “같이 걷자.” → 친구가 같이 걷＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ga-chi geot-ja → chin-gu-ga ga-chi geot-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
“Let’s walk together.” → My friend suggested walking together. 🚶
Answer
자고 — direct 걷자 becomes reported 걷자고 했어요.
B. “여기에서 기다리자.” → 민수가 여기에서 기다리＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[yeo-gi-e-seo gi-da-ri-ja → min-su-ga yeo-gi-e-seo gi-da-ri-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
“Let’s wait here.” → Minsu suggested waiting here. ⏳
Answer
자고 — 기다리다 → 기다리자고 했어요.
C. “사진을 찍자.” → 지우가 사진을 찍＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[sa-jin-eul jjik-ja → ji-u-ga sa-jin-eul jjik-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
“Let’s take a photo.” → Jiu suggests taking a photo. 📷
Answer
자고 — 찍다 → 찍자고 해요.
D. “숙제를 끝내자.” → 선생님이 숙제를 끝내＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[suk-je-reul kkeun-nae-ja → seon-saeng-nim-i suk-je-reul kkeun-nae-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
“Let’s finish the homework.” → The teacher suggested finishing the homework. ✅
Answer
자고 — 끝내다 → 끝내자고 했어요.
E. “음악을 듣자.” → 친구가 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[eu-mak-eul deut-ja → chin-gu-ga eu-mak-eul deut-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
“Let’s listen to music.” → My friend suggests listening to music. 🎧
Answer
자고 — 듣다 → 듣자고 해요. No ㄷ-irregular change before 자고.
F. “공원에서 만나자.” → 민수가 공원에서 만나＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[gong-won-e-seo man-na-ja → min-su-ga gong-won-e-seo man-na-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
“Let’s meet at the park.” → Minsu suggested meeting at the park. 🌳
Answer
자고 — 만나다 → 만나자고 했어요.
G. “저녁을 만들자.” → 지우가 저녁을 만들＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[jeo-nyeok-eul man-deul-ja → ji-u-ga jeo-nyeok-eul man-deul-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
“Let’s make dinner.” → Jiu suggests making dinner. 🍳
Answer
자고 — 만들다 → 만들자고 해요.
H. “오늘 쉬자.” → 친구가 오늘 쉬＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[o-neul swi-ja → chin-gu-ga o-neul swi-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
“Let’s rest today.” → My friend suggested resting today. 🛋️
Answer
자고 — 쉬다 → 쉬자고 했어요.
I. “내일 전화하자.” → 민수가 내일 전화하＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[nae-il jeon-hwa-ha-ja → min-su-ga nae-il jeon-hwa-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
“Let’s call tomorrow.” → Minsu suggests calling tomorrow. 📞
Answer
자고 — 전화하다 → 전화하자고 해요.
J. “지금 출발하자.” → 지우가 지금 출발하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-geum chul-bal-ha-ja → ji-u-ga ji-geum chul-bal-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
“Let’s leave now.” → Jiu suggested leaving now. 🚪
Answer
자고 — 출발하다 → 출발하자고 했어요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 같이 → together
  • 여기 → here
  • 사진 → photo
  • 숙제 → homework
  • 음악 → music
  • 공원 → park
  • 저녁 → dinner
  • 오늘 → today
  • 내일 → tomorrow
  • 지금 → now
  • 친구 → friend
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 기다리다 → to wait
  • 찍다 → to take a photo
  • 끝내다 → to finish
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 만나다 → to meet
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 쉬다 → to rest
  • 전화하다 → to call
  • 출발하다 → to leave/depart
  • 에서 → at/in action place
  • 을/를 → object marker
Tip 💡 Direct -자 “let’s…” becomes indirect -자고 하다.
 

Exercise 3 — Full Form vs Spoken Shortcut 🧃

A. 친구가 같이 가＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga ga-chi ga-＿＿＿＿]
My friend says we should go together. 🚶
Answer
재요 — 가재요 is the shortened spoken form of 가자고 해요.
B. 민수가 물을 마시＿＿＿＿.
[min-su-ga mul-eul ma-shi-＿＿＿＿]
Minsu says we should drink water. 💧
Answer
재요 — 마시재요 = 마시자고 해요.
C. 지우가 도서관에서 공부하＿＿＿＿.
[ji-u-ga do-seo-gwan-e-seo gong-bu-ha-＿＿＿＿]
Jiu says we should study at the library. 📚
Answer
재요 — 공부하재요 = 공부하자고 해요.
D. 선생님이 문장을 읽＿＿＿＿.
[seon-saeng-nim-i mun-jang-eul il-＿＿＿＿]
The teacher says we should read the sentence. 📖
Answer
재요 — 읽재요 = 읽자고 해요.
E. 친구가 노래를 부르＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga no-rae-reul bu-reu-＿＿＿＿]
My friend says we should sing a song. 🎤
Answer
재요 — 부르재요 = 부르자고 해요.
F. 민수가 카페에서 일하＿＿＿＿.
[min-su-ga ka-pe-e-seo il-ha-＿＿＿＿]
Minsu says we should work at the café. 💻
Answer
재요 — 일하재요 = 일하자고 해요.
G. 지우가 아침을 먹＿＿＿＿.
[ji-u-ga a-chim-eul meok-＿＿＿＿]
Jiu says we should eat breakfast. 🍳
Answer
재요 — 먹재요 = 먹자고 해요.
H. 친구가 버스를 타＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga beo-seu-reul ta-＿＿＿＿]
My friend says we should take the bus. 🚌
Answer
재요 — 타재요 = 타자고 해요.
I. 선생님이 다시 쓰＿＿＿＿.
[seon-saeng-nim-i da-shi sseu-＿＿＿＿]
The teacher says we should write it again. ✍️
Answer
재요 — 쓰재요 = 쓰자고 해요.
J. 민수가 같이 연습하＿＿＿＿.
[min-su-ga ga-chi yeon-seup-ha-＿＿＿＿]
Minsu says we should practice together. 🏋️
Answer
재요 — 연습하재요 = 연습하자고 해요.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 친구 → friend
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 같이 → together
  • 물 → water
  • 도서관 → library
  • 문장 → sentence
  • 노래 → song
  • 카페 → café
  • 아침 → breakfast/morning
  • 버스 → bus
  • 다시 → again
  • 가다 → to go
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 공부하다 → to study
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 부르다 → to sing/call
  • 일하다 → to work
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 타다 → to ride/take
  • 쓰다 → to write
  • 연습하다 → to practice
  • 에서 → at/in action place
  • 을/를 → object marker
Tip 💡 -재요 is casual and spoken; -자고 해요 is the full form.
 

Exercise 4 — Choose the Right Quote Type 🚦

A. 친구가 같이 점심을 먹＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga ga-chi jeom-shim-eul meok-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend suggested eating lunch together. 🍱
Answer
자고 — This reports “let’s eat,” so use the suggestion quote.
B. 민수가 문을 닫으＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[min-su-ga mun-eul da-deu-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Minsu told someone to close the door. 🚪
Answer
라고 — This is a command, not a “let’s” suggestion: 닫으라고 했어요.
C. 지우가 공원이 좋＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga gong-won-i jot-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu said the park is good. 🌳
Answer
다고 — This is a statement, not a suggestion: 좋다고 했어요.
D. 선생님이 같이 읽＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i ga-chi il-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
The teacher suggested reading together. 📖
Answer
자고 — Shared action = suggestion quote.
E. 친구가 물을 마시＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga mul-eul ma-shi-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend told someone to drink water. 💧
Answer
라고 — “Told someone to drink” is a command/request report: 마시라고 했어요.
F. 민수가 같이 사진을 찍＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[min-su-ga ga-chi sa-jin-eul jjik-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
Minsu suggests taking a photo together. 📷
Answer
자고 — It means “let’s take a photo together.”
G. 지우가 오늘 바쁘＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga o-neul ba-ppeu-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu said they are busy today. 🗓️
Answer
다고 — This reports a statement with an adjective: 바쁘다고 했어요.
H. 선생님이 숙제를 하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i suk-je-reul ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
The teacher told someone to do homework. ✏️
Answer
라고 — Command report: 하라고 했어요.
I. 친구가 같이 음악을 듣＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[chin-gu-ga ga-chi eu-mak-eul deut-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
My friend suggests listening to music together. 🎧
Answer
자고 — “Let’s listen together” = suggestion.
J. 민수가 내일 만나＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[min-su-ga nae-il man-na-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Minsu suggested meeting tomorrow. 👋
Answer
자고 — 만나자고 했어요 reports a suggestion.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 친구 → friend
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 같이 → together
  • 점심 → lunch
  • 문 → door
  • 공원 → park
  • 물 → water
  • 사진 → photo
  • 오늘 → today
  • 숙제 → homework
  • 음악 → music
  • 내일 → tomorrow
  • 먹다 → to eat
  • 닫다 → to close
  • 좋다 → to be good
  • 읽다 → to read
  • 마시다 → to drink
  • 찍다 → to take a photo
  • 바쁘다 → to be busy
  • 하다 → to do
  • 듣다 → to listen
  • 만나다 → to meet
  • 자고 → suggestion quote
  • 라고 → command quote here
  • 다고 → statement quote
Tip 💡 If the meaning is “let’s…,” choose 자고. If it means “told someone to…,” don’t.
 

Exercise 5 — Mixed Mastery + Pitfall Patrol 🛡️

A. 친구가 운동하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga un-dong-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend suggested exercising. 🏃
Answer
자고 — ✅ 운동하자고 했어요. Don’t drop 고.
B. 민수가 게임을 하＿＿＿＿.
[min-su-ga ge-im-eul ha-＿＿＿＿]
Minsu says we should play a game. 🎮
Answer
재요 — ✅ 하재요 = 하자고 해요.
C. 지우가 일찍 출발하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga il-jjik chul-bal-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu suggested leaving early. 🚪
Answer
자고 — ✅ 출발하자고 했어요. Suggestion, not command.
D. 선생님이 천천히 말하＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i cheon-cheon-hi mal-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
The teacher suggests speaking slowly. 🐢
Answer
자고 — ✅ 말하자고 해요. Verb stem + 자고.
E. 친구가 새 단어를 외우＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[chin-gu-ga sae dan-eo-reul oe-u-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
My friend suggested memorizing new words. 🧠
Answer
자고 — ✅ 외우자고 했어요. ❌ 외우라고 했어요 would mean “told someone to memorize.”
F. 민수가 빨리 걷＿＿＿＿.
[min-su-ga ppal-li geot-＿＿＿＿]
Minsu says we should walk quickly. 👟
Answer
재요 — ✅ 걷재요. No ㄷ-irregular change before 자/재요.
G. 지우가 한국어를 연습하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[ji-u-ga han-gu-geo-reul yeon-seup-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Jiu suggested practicing Korean. 🇰🇷
Answer
자고 — ✅ 연습하자고 했어요. Keep the quote connector 고.
H. 선생님이 질문을 만들＿＿＿＿ 해요.
[seon-saeng-nim-i jil-mun-eul man-deul-＿＿＿＿ hae-yo]
The teacher suggests making questions. ❓
Answer
자고 — ✅ 만들자고 해요. 만들다 keeps 만들 before 자고.
I. 친구가 잠깐 쉬＿＿＿＿.
[chin-gu-ga jam-kkan swi-＿＿＿＿]
My friend says we should rest for a moment. ⏸️
Answer
재요 — ✅ 쉬재요 = 쉬자고 해요. Casual spoken report.
J. 민수가 다시 시작하＿＿＿＿ 했어요.
[min-su-ga da-shi shi-jak-ha-＿＿＿＿ hae-sseo-yo]
Minsu suggested starting again. 🔄
Answer
자고 — ✅ 시작하자고 했어요. ❌ 시작하자 했어요 is missing 고.
📚
Vocabulary Box
  • 친구 → friend
  • 민수 → Minsu
  • 지우 → Jiu
  • 선생님 → teacher
  • 운동 → exercise
  • 게임 → game
  • 일찍 → early
  • 천천히 → slowly
  • 새 → new
  • 단어 → word
  • 빨리 → quickly
  • 한국어 → Korean language
  • 질문 → question
  • 잠깐 → for a moment
  • 다시 → again
  • 운동하다 → to exercise
  • 하다 → to do/play
  • 출발하다 → to leave/depart
  • 말하다 → to speak
  • 외우다 → to memorize
  • 걷다 → to walk
  • 연습하다 → to practice
  • 만들다 → to make
  • 쉬다 → to rest
  • 시작하다 → to start
  • 을/를 → object marker
Tip 💡 Pitfall patrol: 자고 for “let’s,” 라고 for commands, and 재요 for the spoken shortcut.
 
🎉 Excellent work — you can now report suggestions without accidentally turning them into commands. Next time someone says “let’s go,” your Korean gossip engine is ready. 🗣️🚀