Learn Korean: Verb + 야지

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 야지. We use this to tell someone that he should do something this way or that way often because he is doing it the wrong way. For example, I bought boxes of flavored chicken for my young nephews. The triplets dug in right away, but one stuck his chopstick into the chicken as if he was stabbing it. It was a funny sight. I told him You should eat it (chicken) with your hands (not that way). The main verb is 손으로 먹다 (to eat with hands). We take the verb stem (먹) and conjugate it into its 아/어/여 form (먹어) and attach 야지/야죠. The actual sentence is (치킨은) 손으로 먹어야지/야죠.

 

운동은 아침에 해야지.

You should work out in the morning (not at night).

3분 동안 끓어야죠.

You should boil it for three minutes. (it is not enough)

존댓말 써야죠.

You should use polite language (when talking to a stranger).