-어야지Korean sentence ending · TOPIK 4
-eoyaji
One sentence ending with 3 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.
형태Forms
Which one you use is decided by what comes in front of it — see the usage rule under each meaning below.
(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the speaker's determination or will.
(두루낮춤으로) 말하는 사람의 결심이나 의지를 나타내는 종결 어미.
쓰임Usage
혼잣말에도 쓴다.
예문Examples
이번 시험에는 꼭 붙어야지.
I must pass this exam for sure.
올해에는 저축을 많이 하게 통장을 만들어야지.
I'm going to open a savings account to save a lot this year.
오늘은 피곤하니까 일찍 집에 가서 푹 쉬어야지.
I'm tired today, so I'll go home early and get some good rest.
대화In conversation
승규야, 운동한다더니 오늘 좀 했니?
Seunggyu, you said you'd exercise. Did you do any today?
아니. 내일부터 운동장을 열심히 뛰어야지.
No. I'll start running hard on the track from tomorrow.
(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate that the listener or another person is supposed to do a certain thing or be in a certain state.
(두루낮춤으로) 듣는 사람이나 다른 사람이 어떤 일을 해야 하거나 어떤 상태여야 함을 나타내는 종결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.
끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
남에게 도움을 받았으면 너도 베풀어야지.
If you've received help from others, you should give back too.
너는 어디 가면 간다고 나한테 미리 알려 줬어야지.
You should have told me in advance when you were going somewhere.
민준아, 너는 나중에 커서 훌륭한 사람이 되어야지.
Minjun, you should grow up to be a great person.
대화In conversation
승규야, 얼른 일어나서 밥 먹어야지?
Seunggyu, you should get up quickly and eat, right?
아, 저 조금만 더 잘게요.
Ah, let me sleep just a little more.
(informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to emphasize that someone or something is supposed to be in a certain situation or state, but it is not so.
(두루낮춤으로) 어떤 상황이나 상태여야 하는데 그렇지 않음을 강조하여 나타내는 종결 어미.
쓰임Usage
Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ.
끝음절의 모음이 ‘ㅏ, ㅗ’가 아닌 동사와 형용사 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.
예문Examples
애들이 떠들어서 참을 수 있어야지.
The kids are noisy, so I'm supposed to be able to tolerate it.
젊은 사람들하고 어디 대화가 돼야지.
I'm supposed to be able to have a conversation with young people.
맛이 없으니 어디 사람들이 먹어야지.
It's not tasty, so how are people supposed to eat it?
대화In conversation
신입인데 일 좀 가르쳐 주지 그랬어?
He's new, so why didn't you teach him the work?
어디 나한테 물어야지.
He's supposed to ask me first.
관련 문법Related grammar
Other sentence endings you will meet alongside this one.
자주 묻는 질문Common questions
What does -어야지 mean in Korean?
-어야지 is a sentence ending introduced at 4급 (TOPIK 4). (informal addressee-lowering) A sentence-final ending used to indicate the speaker's determination or will. It has 3 distinct senses, all listed on this page.
When do you use -어야지?
Attaches after verbs and adjectives whose final vowel is not ㅏ or ㅗ. The other shape is -아야지, -여야지, -어야지요, -아야지요, -여야지요 — same point, different environment.
What is the difference between -어야지 and -아야지?
None in meaning — they are two shapes of the same sentence ending, and which one appears is decided by the sound in front of it, not by what you want to say.
What TOPIK level is -어야지?
4급 — TOPIK 4, upper intermediate. It is one of 67 grammar points at that level.
Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.