아/어야지요 = Should do, Have to

KSJ 쌤
10 hours ago
3 min read

안녕하세요 Readers! I'm Koreanstudyjunkie. Welcome or welcome back to another Korean lesson. I'm trying to make more grammar lessons these days, so today we will dive in to a super common one: 아/어야지(요)

There are 3 usages:

~ Obligation / necessity

~ Determination / resolution

~ Express Regret

We’ll look at the first 2 usages in this lesson.

It’s similar to -아/어야 하다, but -아/어야지 often carries a more personal, determined, or slightly casual feeling.

Usage 1:

Talking to yourself (self-reminder / determination)

“I need to…” or “I should…”

Example Sentences:

1). 오늘부터 운동을 해야지.

I should start exercising from today.

2). 이번 주말에 방 청소를 해야지요.

I’ll clean my room this weekend.

I need to..

I should..

3). 저녁에 야채를 꼭 먹어야지.

I’ll make sure to eat vegetables tonight.

4). 이번 달 안에 책 한 권을 읽어야죠.

I need to read a book by the end of this month.

5). 한국어 공부를 매일 해야지.

I should study Korean every day.

6). 내일부터 일찍 일어나야지.

I’ll wake up early from tomorrow.

When will you know whether the meaning is an "I will" statement or a "I should" statement? This all depends on the context!

In some of the sentences above it doesn't matter how it's translated as it still makes sense.

Let's practice making a few sentences before we move on to Usage 2!

PRACTICE SECTION:

translate each sentence to Korean/English

1).

A: Misa’s birthday is tomorrow (you know).

B: Oh that’s right! I need to buy a gift for her.

2).

한국어 단어를 하루에 최소 20개씩 외워야지, 그래야 다음 달 시험에 합격할 수 있어.

3).

가: C님! 몸이 좀 아프다고 했지?

C: Yep! I need to stretch more.

나: 난 매일 아침하고 밤 스트레칭을 해. 너도 해 봐!

4).

I should do my homework today.

All Answers At The End!

Usage 2:

Giving advice or suggesting action (soft command)

Often used when talking to others, but softer than imperative forms.

Example Sentences:

1). 감기에 걸렸으면 약을 먹어야지요.

If you have a cold, you should take medicine.

2). 늦지 않으려면 지금 출발해야지요.

If you don’t want to be late, you should leave now.

(으)려면 = if you want to..

3). 여행 가기 전에 숙소를 미리 예약해야지요, 아니면 좋은 방을 구하지 못할 수도 있어요.

You should book your accommodation in advance before traveling, otherwise you might not get a good room.

4). 시험 전에 공부를 많이 해야지요.

You should study a lot before the exam.

5). 친구에게 미안하면 사과해야지요.

If you feel sorry to your friend, you should apologize.

6). 요즘 스트레스가 많다면, 매일 잠깐이라도 산책을 해야지요, 그러면 기분이 조금 나아질 거예요.

If you’ve been stressed lately, you should take a short walk every day; it will help you feel better.

PRACTICE SECTION 2:

5).

If you want to speak Korean well, you should speak to Koreans.

6).

When it’s this cold, you should dress warmly.

7).

You should definitely (꼭) eat breakfast!

8).

Since you have an important exam, you should study hard.

All Answers At The End!

That’s the end of this lesson! If you learned something, please “heart” this post and check out the 3 posts i linked to this one - you’ll like them too ;)

ANSWERS SECTION:

1). A: 미사의 생일은 내일이잖아요.

B: 아, 맞아요! 그녀를 위한 선물을 사야지.

2). I have to learn at least 20 korean words every day so next month i can pass the exam.

3). A: mr c! you said your body is sore, yes?

C: 네! 스트레칭을 더 해야지

B: i stretch every morning and night. you should try it!

4). 오늘 숙제를 해야지.

5). 한국어를 잘하려면 한국인이랑 말해야지(요).

6). 이렇게 추울 땐 따뜻하게 입어야지.

7). 아침을 꼭 먹어야지!

8). 중요한 시험이 있으니까 열심히 공부해야지.