IS #193 — Natural Sentence Endings: -거든요 and -잖아요
Master two endings that make your Korean sound like a real speaker — not a textbook.
Iru Helper Note
-거든요 and -잖아요 are two of the most distinctly Korean sentence endings. They shape the relationship between speaker and listener — one explains, one appeals to shared knowledge. Using them correctly sounds natural; avoiding them sounds flat.
사실 저 오늘 좀 피곤하거든요. 어젯밤에 늦게 잤잖아요.
(Actually, I'm a bit tired today, you see. I went to bed late last night, as you know.)
💬 What You'll Learn Today
Today you'll learn two sentence-ending patterns that Korean speakers use constantly. -거든요 gives background explanation ("you see, the thing is..."). -잖아요 invokes shared knowledge ("as you know / you know how it is"). Both add nuance that pure statement endings miss.
📌 -거든요 vs -잖아요 Compared
Ending | Core Meaning | When to Use | Example |
-거든요 | "you see / the thing is" | explaining, giving background | 저 채식주의자거든요 = I'm vegetarian, you see |
-잖아요 | "you know / as you know" | shared knowledge, reminder | 한국은 추운 나라잖아요 = Korea is cold, you know |
-거든요 | also: mild defense or justification | when pre-empting questions | 늦었는데 길이 막혔거든요 |
-잖아요 | also: light complaint or realization | when reminding gently | 그거 제가 말했잖아요! |
-(이)거든요 | after nouns | noun + 이거든요 | 학생이거든요 = I'm a student, you see |
-(이)잖아요 | after nouns | noun + 이잖아요 | 친구잖아요 = we're friends, you know |
💡 Key distinction: -거든요 = I'm telling you something you didn't know. -잖아요 = I'm reminding you of something we both know (or should know). Wrong use of -잖아요 can sound presumptuous; wrong use of -거든요 can sound like over-explaining.
📌 Common Uses in Full Sentences
Example | Ending | Meaning |
저 사실 한국인이거든요 | -거든요 | I'm actually Korean, you see |
오늘 약속이 있거든요 | -거든요 | I have plans today, you see |
그 사람 제 선배거든요 | -거든요 | That person is my senior, you see |
한국어가 어렵잖아요 | -잖아요 | Korean is hard, you know |
우리 오래 알았잖아요 | -잖아요 | We've known each other a long time, you know |
그게 당연한 거잖아요 | -잖아요 | That's the natural thing, you know |
이미 말했잖아요 | -잖아요 | I already told you, you know |
오늘 날씨 덥잖아요 | -잖아요 | The weather is hot today, you know |
💬 Conversations in Action
Dialogue 1 — -거든요 (Giving background)
A: 왜 고기를 안 드세요?
(Why don't you eat meat?)
B: 저 채식주의자거든요. 그래서 항상 채소 위주로 먹어요.
(I'm vegetarian, you see. So I always eat mainly vegetables.)
A: 아, 몰랐어요! 말해줘서 고마워요.
(Oh, I didn't know! Thank you for telling me.)
Dialogue 2 — -잖아요 (Shared knowledge)
A: 왜 이렇게 일찍 나왔어요?
(Why did you leave so early?)
B: 이 시간에 길이 막히잖아요. 그래서 미리 나왔어요.
(Traffic is bad at this time, you know. So I left early.)
A: 맞아요, 저도 그 생각 했어요.
(Right, I thought the same.)
🌏 Cultural Note — -잖아요 as a Social Tool
-잖아요 is uniquely Korean in how it builds intimacy. When you say 우리 친구잖아요 (we're friends, you know), you're not stating a fact — you're invoking shared identity. It's a gentle appeal to closeness. But be careful: using -잖아요 with someone you don't know well, or about something they genuinely don't know, can sound presumptuous or even passive-aggressive. It's a bonding tool, not a factual one.
Answer
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
Use -거든요 or -잖아요 to complete each situation.
A. Explain why you can't drink coffee late at night.
저 커피 마시면 잠을 못 자거든요.
B. Remind someone that Korean winter is cold.
Answer
한국 겨울이 진짜 춥잖아요.
C. Explain that you already have plans this weekend.
Answer
이번 주말에 약속이 있거든요.
D. Remind a friend that they've met this person before.
Answer
그 사람 전에 만났잖아요.
E. Give background for why you're learning Korean.
Answer
저 한국 문화에 관심이 많거든요.
F. Remind someone that this restaurant is famous.
Answer
이 식당 유명하잖아요.
G. Justify arriving late by explaining traffic.
Answer
길이 많이 막혔거든요. 그래서 늦었어요.
H. Gently remind someone what you told them earlier.
Answer
제가 이미 말했잖아요.
I. Explain you're tired because you slept late.
Answer
어젯밤에 늦게 잤거든요. 그래서 피곤해요.
J. Remind your friend that something is normal/expected.
Answer
그게 당연한 거잖아요.
Expression Reference
Ending | Triggers |
-거든요 | "I should explain..." |
-거든요 | "You didn't know this, but..." |
-거든요 | "The reason is..." |
-잖아요 | "You know this already..." |
-잖아요 | "We both know that..." |
-잖아요 | "As expected / naturally..." |
-잖아요 | gentle complaint/reminder |
Usage Tip
If you could say "you see" in English and it sounds natural, use -거든요. If you could say "you know" or "as you know" and it sounds natural, use -잖아요. These English approximations aren't perfect but help in the moment.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Go through five things you know about yourself or your life that others might not know — use -거든요 to introduce each one. Then think of five things you and a Korean friend might both know — practice -잖아요 for each. These two endings are the fastest way to sound genuinely natural in Korean.
📦 Practice Hub — -거든요 and -잖아요
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Ending
Decide whether -거든요 or -잖아요 fits each sentence.
A. 저 사실 처음 와 봤_____. 길을 잘 몰라요.
Answer
-거든요 (giving new info: I've never been here before)
B. 이 카페 항상 사람이 많_____. 예약 해야 해요.
Answer
-잖아요 (shared knowledge: this café is always crowded)
C. 저 요즘 다이어트 중이_____. 그래서 많이 못 먹어요.
Answer
-거든요 (explaining personal situation listener didn't know)
D. 한국어가 재미있_____. 계속 공부하고 싶어요.
Answer
-잖아요 (reminding/appealing to shared feeling)
E. 제가 먼저 말했_____. 왜 까먹었어요?
Answer
-잖아요 (gentle reminder of shared history)
F. 오늘 중요한 발표가 있_____. 그래서 긴장돼요.
Answer
-거든요 (explaining reason listener didn't know)
G. 우리 이미 약속했_____. 잊어버리면 안 돼요.
Answer
-잖아요 (shared commitment reminder)
H. 저 원래 아침에 잘 못 일어나_____. 그래서 알람을 많이 맞춰요.
Answer
-거든요 (personal fact, explaining)
I. 봄이 되면 날씨가 따뜻해지_____. 기대돼요.
Answer
-잖아요 (shared knowledge about seasons)
J. 저 그 사람 친구_____. 그래서 도와줄 수 있어요.
Answer
-거든요 (explaining relationship listener didn't know)
Quick Reference
-거든요 | -잖아요 |
new info to listener | shared knowledge |
explaining/justifying | reminding/invoking |
"you see / the thing is" | "you know / as you know" |
personal background | mutual context |
pre-empting questions | light appeals/reminders |
Common Pitfall
Using -잖아요 about something the listener genuinely doesn't know sounds presumptuous: "그거 어렵잖아요" (you know it's hard) when the listener has never tried it feels tone-deaf. Only use -잖아요 for truly shared context.
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
A. 저 사실 한국에서 살았거든요. 그래서 문화를 잘 알아요.
Answer
I actually lived in Korea, you see. So I know the culture well.
B. 한국 음식이 맵잖아요. 처음엔 익숙해지는 데 시간이 걸려요.
Answer
Korean food is spicy, you know. It takes time to get used to at first.
C. 저 그날 약속이 있었거든요. 그래서 참석 못 했어요.
Answer
I had plans that day, you see. That's why I couldn't attend.
D. 우리 이미 얘기했잖아요. 왜 또 물어봐요?
Answer
We already talked about this, you know. Why are you asking again?
E. 저 커피를 못 마시거든요. 카페인에 예민해서요.
Answer
I can't drink coffee, you see. I'm sensitive to caffeine.
F. 여름에 서울은 정말 덥잖아요. 에어컨 없이는 힘들어요.
Answer
Seoul is really hot in summer, you know. It's tough without air conditioning.
G. 그 사람 제 동생이거든요. 그래서 잘 알아요.
Answer
That person is my younger sibling, you see. So I know them well.
H. 친구잖아요. 솔직하게 말해도 돼요.
Answer
We're friends, you know. You can speak honestly.
I. 저 그 영화 벌써 봤거든요. 다른 거 볼게요.
Answer
I've already seen that movie, you see. I'll watch something else.
J. 그게 당연한 거잖아요. 왜 놀라요?
Answer
That's the natural/obvious thing, you know. Why are you surprised?
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Korean | English |
참석하다 | to attend |
예민하다 | sensitive |
카페인 | caffeine |
솔직하게 | honestly |
당연하다 | natural / obvious |
익숙해지다 | to get used to |
Grammar Tip
After adjectives: drop 다, add 잖아요 or 거든요. After verbs: drop 다, add 잖아요 or 거든요. After nouns: noun + 이거든요 / 이잖아요 (or just 거든요 / 잖아요 if noun ends in vowel).
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
A. 저 사실 술을 못 마시_____. 체질이 안 맞아서요.
Answer
-거든요
B. 한국어는 처음엔 어렵_____. 하지만 하다 보면 늘어요.
Answer
-잖아요
C. 제가 벌써 설명했_____. 다시 할게요.
Answer
-잖아요
D. 저 이 노래 정말 좋아하_____. 들을 때마다 기분이 좋아져요.
Answer
-거든요
E. 봄에는 꽃이 피_____. 나들이 가기 좋아요.
Answer
-잖아요
F. 저 그 분 잘 알_____. 같은 팀이거든요.
Answer
-거든요 (second clause explains first)
G. 우리 약속했_____. 취소하면 안 되잖아요.
Answer
-잖아요
H. 저 오늘 좀 몸이 안 좋_____. 그래서 일찍 가야 해요.
Answer
-거든요
I. 그 식당 항상 줄 서_____. 일찍 가야 해요.
Answer
-잖아요
J. 저 원래 내성적이_____. 처음 만나는 사람이 좀 어려워요.
Answer
-거든요
Sentence Starters
Use | Pattern |
Personal fact | 저 사실 ~ 거든요 |
Explaining cause | ~ 거든요. 그래서 ~ |
Shared knowledge | ~ 잖아요 |
Gentle reminder | 이미/벌써 ~ 잖아요 |
Light complaint | 제가 말했잖아요! |
Invoking closeness | 우리 ~ 잖아요 |
Production Tip
체질이 안 맞다 = "my body constitution doesn't agree with it" — the Korean way of saying you have a sensitivity or reaction to something (e.g., alcohol, spicy food, caffeine). Very natural phrasing.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
A.
A: 왜 고기를 안 드세요?
B: 저 채식주의자_____.
Answer
-거든요
B.
A: 오늘 왜 이렇게 피곤해 보여요?
B: 어젯밤에 늦게 잤_____.
Answer
-거든요
C.
A: 그 식당 어때요?
B: 거기 유명하_____. 한번 가봐요.
Answer
-잖아요
D.
A: 왜 연락 안 했어요?
B: 요즘 많이 바쁘_____.
Answer
-거든요
E.
A: 왜 그렇게 빨리 나왔어요?
B: 이 시간에 길이 막히_____. 그래서 일찍 나왔어요.
Answer
-잖아요
F.
A: 왜 그 결정을 했어요?
B: 저 사실 그 분야 전문가_____.
Answer
-거든요
G.
A: 그게 맞아요?
B: 당연하_____. 제가 직접 확인했어요.
Answer
-잖아요
H.
A: 또 물어봐요?
B: 이미 말했_____. 더 설명할게요.
Answer
-잖아요
I.
A: 왜 커피를 안 마셔요?
B: 저 카페인에 약하_____.
Answer
-거든요
J.
A: 왜 도와줘요?
B: 우리 친구_____. 당연한 거잖아요.
Answer
-잖아요
Useful Phrases
Expression | Meaning |
채식주의자 | vegetarian |
카페인에 약하다 | sensitive to caffeine |
직접 확인하다 | to confirm directly |
전문가 | expert |
당연하다 | natural / of course |
내성적이다 | introverted |
Conversation Tip
The phrase 당연하잖아요 (that's obvious / of course you know) is a confident, slightly strong response. Pair it with a softer follow-up (제가 직접 확인했어요) to balance the tone and avoid sounding dismissive.
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
A. Tell someone something about yourself they probably don't know — use -거든요.
B. Remind a friend of something you both experienced — use -잖아요.
C. Explain why you're not eating or drinking something — use -거든요.
D. Appeal to shared knowledge about Korean culture or language — use -잖아요.
E. Give background for a decision you made — use -거든요.
F. Remind someone of a promise or plan — use -잖아요.
G. Introduce a fact about yourself as a reason for something you want — use -거든요.
H. Use -잖아요 to invoke closeness or friendship in a request.
I. Tell a short story where you use -거든요 first (background), then -잖아요 (reminder).
J. Describe your Korean learning journey using both endings at least once each.
Sentence Starters
Prompt | Starter |
A | 저 사실 ~ 거든요 |
B | 우리 ~ 잖아요, 기억해요? |
C | 저 ~ 못 먹어요/마셔요, ~ 거든요 |
D | 한국어/문화는 ~ 잖아요 |
E | 사실 ~ 거든요. 그래서 ~ |
F | 우리 ~ 했잖아요 |
G | 저 ~ 거든요. 그래서 ~ 하고 싶어요 |
H | 우리 친구잖아요. ~ 해줄 수 있어요? |
I | ~ 거든요. 그런데 ~ 잖아요. |
J | [story with both endings] |
Speaking Challenge
Introduce yourself to an imaginary Korean friend using three -거든요 sentences (things they don't know about you) and two -잖아요 sentences (things you both share as language learners). This is exactly how natural Korean self-introduction flows.
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