Confirming -지/지요

Keyword #
확인, 의문문
Lesson #
Section
Intermediate Grammar

TL;DR

  • -지/지요 is used to confirm information you think is true or to gently ask someone to verify something 🤔
  • It creates a softer, more conversational tone than direct questions, often expecting agreement 💬
  • 지 is casual, 지요 (or 죠) is polite — use them when you're pretty sure but want confirmation ✨

What is -지/지요? 🧐

-지/지요 is a sentence ending that turns statements into confirmation questions. Think of it like adding "right?" or "isn't it?" to the end of your sentence in English!
You're not asking for new information — you're checking something you already believe to be true 💡

How to Use It 🛠️

Just attach -지 or -지요 to the verb stem! Super simple 🎯
Structure: Verb stem + -지/지요
  • -지 = casual (with friends, younger people) 👫
  • -지요 / 죠 = polite (with strangers, older people, formal situations) 🙇

Examples 📝

→ 내일 시험 있지?
(There's an exam tomorrow, right?)
→ 이거 맛있지요?
(This is delicious, isn't it?)
→ 서울에 살죠?
(You live in Seoul, right?)
→ 한국어 공부하지?
(You study Korean, right?)
→ 날씨 좋지요?
(The weather is nice, isn't it?)

The Feeling Behind It 💭

When you use -지/지요, you're showing that you expect the other person to agree with you 🤝
It's softer and more conversational than a direct question. Compare these:
→ 좋아해요? — Do you like it? (neutral question ❓)
→ 좋아하지요? — You like it, right? (expecting "yes" 😊)

Casual vs. Polite 🎭

Casual (-지):
→ 배고프지?
(You're hungry, right?)
Polite (-지요 / -죠):
→ 배고프지요? / 배고프죠?
(You're hungry, right?)
Pro tip: -죠 is just a shortened form of -지요 and super common in everyday speech! 🗣️

With Different Tenses ⏰

You can use -지/지요 with past and future tenses too! 🌟
Present:
→ 비 오지?
(It's raining, right?)
Past:
→ 어제 만났지?
(We met yesterday, right?)
Future:
→ 내일 올 거지?
(You're coming tomorrow, right?)

With 이다 (to be) 🏷️

For nouns, attach -지/지요 directly to 이다:
→ 학생이지?
(You're a student, right?)
→ 오늘 금요일이지요?
(Today is Friday, isn't it?)

Common Mistake ⚠️

Don't confuse -지/지요 with the -지 않다 negation pattern! They look similar but are completely different 🙅
→ 안 먹지? — You're not eating, right? (confirmation ✅)
→ 먹지 않아요 — I don't eat (negation ❌)

Exceptions 🔍

None for this grammar point! It works consistently across all verbs and adjectives 🎉
Just remember: the more certain you sound when you say it, the more you're expecting agreement! 😄
 
Try the following exercise.
Fill in the blanks using -지 or -지요 to confirm information. 🤔
 
  • 오늘 날씨가 좋_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 이 식당 음식이 맛있_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 내일 회의가 3시_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 저 사람이 새로 온 팀장_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 이 영화 재미있_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 시험이 다음 주_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 여기가 지하철역_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 커피 안 마시_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 이거 네 가방_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
 
  • 주말에 시간 있_____?
      • Answer
      지 / 지요
 
Vocabulary
날씨 - weather
좋다 - to be good
식당 - restaurant
맛있다 - to be delicious
회의 - meeting
팀장 - team leader
영화 - movie
재미있다 - to be fun/interesting
시험 - exam/test
지하철역 - subway station
커피 - coffee
가방 - bag
주말 - weekend
시간 - time
Common mistakes
  • ⚠️ Don't forget that -지 and -지요 mean the same thing; -지요 is just more polite and formal
  • 🔄 Remember this is for confirming something you already believe to be true, not asking a genuine question you don't know the answer to
  • 📝 -지 attaches directly to verb/adjective stems, not to the dictionary form
  • 💬 In casual conversation, -지 is often shortened to just -ㅈ in speech (e.g., 맞지? → 맞ㅈ?)