Have you ever wanted to confirm something naturally in Korean, like saying “You’re coming, right?” or “It’s tasty, isn’t it?” Then you’ve already touched on the power of ~지? — one of the most useful tag endings in everyday Korean.
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Whether you’re chatting with friends, double-checking facts, or expressing emotion with your tone, ~지? adds both nuance and personality to your speech. In this guide, you’ll learn how to use it clearly and confidently!
💬 What Does ~지? Mean?
The expression ~지? functions like a tag question in English — similar to “right?”, “isn’t it?”, or “aren’t you?” It’s used to confirm or seek agreement about a statement you believe to be true.
For example, if someone says, 맛있지? it means “It’s delicious, right?” They’re not just stating the food is delicious; they’re also asking you to agree.
This tiny expression lets you check understanding, share feelings, and add friendly emotion to your sentence. That’s why it’s so common in Korean dramas and daily life!
📊 Common Examples of ~지?
| Expression | Translation | Usage Context |
|---|---|---|
| 맞지? | Right? | Confirming facts |
| 재밌지? | It’s fun, isn’t it? | Talking about shared experiences |
| 춥지? | It’s cold, right? | Weather-related comments |
📚 The Grammar Behind Korean Tag Questions
In grammar terms, ~지? is a sentence-ending suffix attached to the verb or adjective stem. It expresses assumption, confirmation, or shared knowledge. It can be used both positively and negatively.
For instance, 알지? means “You know, right?” while 모르지? means “You don’t know, right?” You can use it with both descriptive and action verbs.
Let’s break it down: You take the base verb stem, then add ~지? (casual) or ~지요? (more polite). The more formal version is often used with strangers or in professional settings.
🧠 Grammar Breakdown: Using ~지?
| Verb | Stem | Tag Question | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 가다 (to go) | 가 | 가지? | You're going, right? |
| 먹다 (to eat) | 먹 | 먹지? | You eat, don’t you? |
| 춥다 (to be cold) | 춥 | 춥지? | It’s cold, isn’t it? |
Once you get comfortable with verb stems, adding ~지? becomes second nature. It gives your Korean a more native-like feel, especially in conversation.
🎵 How Intonation Changes Meaning
In Korean, intonation completely changes the feeling of a sentence — and ~지? is no exception. The same sentence can sound like a genuine question, a friendly nudge, or even sarcasm, depending on the tone you use.
For example, say you ask 알지? with a rising tone — it’s a real question: “You know, right?” But if you say it flat or with a downward tone, it sounds more like a confident assumption or mild pressure: “Of course you know.”
That’s why Korean learners often misunderstand the speaker’s emotion. Intonation in ~지? questions carries subtle emotion like curiosity, surprise, or confirmation.
Let’s look at some examples of how tone changes the message — all using the same grammar.
🎧 Tone & Meaning Table
| Sentence | Tone | Implied Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 알지? | Rising ↑ | You know, right? (real question) |
| 알지? | Flat → | Of course you know (confirmation) |
| 알지? | Falling ↓ | You better know (implied warning) |
I once heard a native speaker say 안 가, 가지? in a playful voice — it meant “I’m not going… right?” but the tone made it sound like a test. That’s when I realized how much intonation matters!
👥 Casual vs Polite Usage
Like most Korean endings, ~지? also changes based on formality. You’ll hear ~지? in casual conversations, especially among friends and younger people. But in formal or polite situations, use ~지요? or even ~죠? — a contracted form.
For instance, instead of saying 춥지? to your professor, say 춥지요? or 춥죠? It still means “It’s cold, right?” but it sounds respectful and natural in formal contexts.
The chart below shows how the same sentence changes with different levels of politeness. This is essential when speaking in Korea where hierarchy and social status matter!
🤝 Formality Comparison Table
| Level | Ending | Example | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual | ~지? | 재밌지? | With friends, close peers |
| Polite | ~지요? | 재밌지요? | At work, with strangers |
| Semi-Formal | ~죠? | 재밌죠? | Everyday speech, coworkers |
Being able to switch between ~지? and ~지요? helps you sound fluent, polite, and culturally aware. Native speakers instantly notice when learners use the correct level!
🗣️ Real-Life Dialogue Practice
Learning grammar is great, but the best way to master ~지? is through real conversation. Below are sample dialogues showing how native speakers naturally use ~지? to confirm, tease, and connect.
These examples include different situations like asking for confirmation, making small talk, or joking with friends. Try reading them out loud and repeating the intonation!
🗨️ Sample Conversations Using ~지?
| Context | Korean Dialogue | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| At a restaurant | 이거 진짜 맛있지? | This is really tasty, right? |
| Before class | 오늘 시험 있는 거 알지? | You know there’s a test today, right? |
| Between friends | 너 어제 안 왔지? | You didn’t come yesterday, right? |
These types of questions are soft, emotional, and often imply trust or shared understanding. Korean speakers love to connect emotionally through speech — and ~지? is a great tool for that!
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even though ~지? is simple, many learners use it incorrectly — either by placing it in the wrong context, misusing verb stems, or forgetting tone and politeness.
One of the biggest mistakes is overusing it in formal situations. While it sounds natural in casual speech, using ~지? with your teacher or manager can seem rude unless softened with ~지요?
Another common error is attaching it to the wrong verb ending. For example, 먹어요지? is incorrect — the right way is 먹지?. Always remove the polite 요 before adding ~지?
🚫 Mistakes & Fixes
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong | Correct Form |
|---|---|---|
| 먹어요지? | Mixing polite ending and tag | 먹지? |
| 춥지? (to stranger) | Too casual in formal setting | 춥지요? or 춥죠? |
| 아니지! (to senior) | Sounds rude or abrupt | 아니지요? |
By keeping these mistakes in mind, your Korean will sound much more natural — and you’ll avoid awkward or disrespectful moments.
🙋♀️ FAQ
Q1. What does ~지? mean in Korean?
It’s a tag question used to confirm something, similar to “right?” or “isn’t it?” in English.
Q2. Is ~지? casual or formal?
~지? is casual. The polite versions are ~지요? or ~죠?
Q3. Can I use ~지? in writing?
It’s rarely used in formal writing, but can appear in dialogues, social media, or messages.
Q4. How do I pronounce ~지?
It’s pronounced like “jee” with a light rising or neutral tone depending on meaning.
Q5. What’s the difference between ~지 and ~지요?
~지 is informal; ~지요 is polite. They function the same but match different social settings.
Q6. Can I use ~지? with negative verbs?
Yes! Example: 안 갔지? = “You didn’t go, right?”
Q7. Is ~지? used in K-dramas?
Absolutely! It’s super common in casual dialogue and emotional scenes.
Q8. How do I use ~지? with adjectives?
Just drop the 요 and add ~지? Example: 예쁘지? = “She’s pretty, right?”
Q9. What’s an example using ~지? politely?
괜찮지요? = “It’s okay, right?” (polite)
Q10. Is it okay to use ~지? with older people?
Only if you’re very close or speaking casually. Otherwise, use ~지요 or ~죠.
Q11. Can ~지? be used to express sarcasm?
Yes, especially with flat or downward tone. Context is key.
Q12. Is ~지? used in Seoul dialect?
Yes, it’s commonly used nationwide, especially in Seoul and urban speech.
Q13. How do I say “You love coffee, right?”
커피 좋아하지?
Q14. What’s the particle before ~지?
No particle needed. Attach it directly to the verb/adjective stem.
Q15. Is ~지요? outdated?
Not at all. It’s still used in polite speech and public announcements.
Q16. What does “알지?” mean?
It means “You know, right?” and is commonly used between friends.
Q17. Can ~지? be used with commands?
No. It’s used with statements or rhetorical questions only.
Q18. Do Koreans use ~지? with foreigners?
If they assume you’re comfortable with Korean, yes. Otherwise, they may simplify.
Q19. Is ~지? okay in job interviews?
No. Use formal speech like ~지요 or avoid tag endings entirely.
Q20. What’s “You’re tired, right?” in Korean?
피곤하지?
Q21. What does ~죠? mean?
It’s a contraction of ~지요 and sounds softer and natural in speech.
Q22. Can I drop ~지? at the end?
Yes, in some situations speakers may drop it for speed or tone — but meaning may shift.
Q23. Do kids in Korea use ~지?
Yes, often in imitation of parents or cartoons.
Q24. Can I answer ~지? with just 네?
Yes! That’s a common, natural reply.
Q25. What’s the past tense of ~지?
You change the verb, not ~지: 갔지? = “You went, right?”
Q26. Can ~지? end a question?
Yes, it usually appears at the end for confirmation.
Q27. Is ~지? always questioning?
Sometimes it’s rhetorical or emotional rather than a real question.
Q28. Can I use it when joking?
Absolutely! It's great for teasing or light comments.
Q29. What’s the difference between ~지 and ~나?
~나 is more speculative. ~지 asks for confirmation.
Q30. Should I practice ~지? out loud?
Yes! Hearing and speaking it helps you feel the natural tone and context.
📌 Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only. Korean usage can vary by region, age, and formality. Always consider the situation and speaker relationship before using expressions like ~지?
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