Processing keyword: ~았/었지요 [at/eotjiyo] (Explanatory, as you know)
Korean Grammar Point: ~았/었지요 [at/eotjiyo] (Explanatory, as you know)
1. Introduction
In this lesson, we'll explore the Korean grammatical ending ~았/었지요 [at/eotjiyo], which is used to confirm information that both the speaker and listener are aware of, often translated as "as you know" or "remember." This form adds nuance to your conversations, making your speech sound more natural and engaging.
2. Core Grammar Explanation
Meaning and Usage
The ~았/었지요 ending is used to:
- Remind the listener of a fact they already know.
- Confirm shared knowledge or experience.
- Express something that happened in the past with an explanatory or confirmatory tone.
Structure
Formation Diagram
| Verb Stem Type | Attach this ending |
|---|---|
| Verb stem ending with 아 or 오 vowel | 았지요 |
| Verb stem ending with other vowels | 었지요 |
| Verb stem ending with 하 | 했지요 |
How to Form
- Identify the verb stem by removing ~다 from the dictionary form.
- Determine the appropriate ending based on the last vowel of the verb stem.
- Attach ~았지요, ~었지요, or ~했지요 to the verb stem.
Examples
- 가다 (to go) → 가 + 았지요 = 갔지요
- 먹다 (to eat) → 먹 + 었지요 = 먹었지요
- 공부하다 (to study) → 공부하 + 였지요 = 공부했지요
3. Comparative Analysis
Comparing Similar Grammar Points
- ~았/었죠: A contraction of ~았/었지요, used more in spoken Korean. It carries the same meaning but is less formal.
- ~지요: Used with present tense verbs to seek agreement or confirm information.
- Example: 지금 가고 있지요? (You are coming now, right?)
4. Examples in Context
Formal Situations
- 지난주에 회의가 있었지요.
- There was a meeting last week, as you know.
- 그 책을 읽었지요?
- You read that book, right?
Informal Situations
- 어제 영화 봤지?
- We watched the movie yesterday, remember?
- 맛있는 케이크 만들었지.
- I made a delicious cake, you know.
Written Context
- 우리가 함께 여행을 갔었지요.
- We went on a trip together, as you recall.
- 그 일이 참 힘들었지요.
- That work was really tough, as you know.
5. Cultural Notes
Levels of Politeness
- ~았/었지요 is polite and can be used in both formal and semi-formal contexts.
- The contracted form ~았/었죠 is more casual and commonly used in spoken Korean among friends or peers.
Idiomatic Expressions
- 그랬지요.
- That's right. / Yes, it was.
- 맞았지요.
- That's correct, as you know.
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
Common Errors
- Using the wrong tense: Forgetting to conjugate the verb into the past tense can change the meaning.
- Incorrect: 먹지요 (I eat, you know.)
- Correct: 먹었지요 (I ate, as you know.)
- Mixing up formalities: Using ~았/었지요 in highly formal situations may be inappropriate. Instead, consider using more formal endings like ~았습니다.
Tips to Remember
- "지요" adds certainty: Think of ~았/었지요 as a way to confirm something you and the listener both know.
- Mnemonic Device: Associate "지요" with "gee, you know" to remember it expresses shared knowledge.
7. Summary and Review
Key Takeaways
- ~았/었지요 is used to confirm shared past experiences or facts.
- Formed by attaching ~았/었지요 to the verb stem according to vowel harmony.
- Adds a nuance of "as you know" or "remember" to statements.
Quick Recap Quiz
- How do you attach ~았/었지요 to the verb 만나다 (to meet)?
- Translate to Korean: "You went to school yesterday, right?"
- What is the casual spoken form of ~았/었지요?
Answers
- 만나 + 았지요 = 만났지요
- 어제 학교에 갔지요?
- The casual form is ~았/었죠
Feel free to review this lesson and practice using ~았/었지요 in your own sentences to enhance your Korean conversational skills!