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-지Korean connective · TOPIK 5

-ji

TOPIK 5 5급Connectives 연결 어미contrast 대조2 senses

One connective with 2 distinct uses in the dictionary. Each is below with its own usage rule and examples.

A connective ending used to describe contradictory facts.

서로 반대되는 사실을 대조적으로 나타내는 연결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Attaches after verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.

동사와 형용사 또는 ‘-으시-’, ‘-었-’ 뒤에 붙여 쓴다.

예문Examples

펭귄은 조류이지 어류나 포유류가 아니다.

Penguins are birds, not fish or mammals.

학생이 공부를 해야지 왜 매일 놀기만 하니?

Students should study, so why are they just playing all day?

선물은 마음이 중요하지 가격은 중요한 게 아니다.

It's the thought that counts in a gift, not the price.

대화In conversation

그래. 우리 자리 옮겨서 더 마시자.

Yeah, let's move seats and drink more.

내가 그만 마시자고 했지 언제 더 마시자고 했니? 너 취했어.

I said we should stop drinking, not drink more. You're drunk.

A connective ending used to deny or prohibit the preceding action or state.

앞말이 나타내는 움직임이나 상태를 부정하거나 금지할 때 쓰는 연결 어미.

쓰임Usage

Usually used as -지 않다, -지 못하다 or -지 말다.

주로 ‘-지 않다’, ‘-지 못하다’, ‘-지 말다’로 쓴다.

예문Examples

남의 일에 참견하지 마세요.

Don't interfere in other people's business.

나는 이 비밀을 아무에게도 말하지 않았다.

I didn't tell this secret to anyone.

승규는 이가 아파 밥을 제대로 먹지 못했다.

Seunggyu couldn't eat properly because of a toothache.

대화In conversation

여행은 갑자기 왜 취소했어?

Why did you suddenly cancel the trip?

건강이 좋지 않아서 안 가기로 했어.

I decided not to go because I haven't been feeling well.

관련 문법Related grammar

Other connectives you will meet alongside this one.

-고는 -goneun -곤 · -고는 하다 · -곤 하다 A connective ending used when the same event is repeated. TOPIK 5 -길래 -gillae A connective ending referring to the cause or reason of the following statement. TOPIK 5 -느니 -neuni -느니보다 · -느니보다는 A connective ending used when the following statement is better than the preceding statement. TOPIK 5 -다가는 -daganeun -다간 · -단 A connective ending used when an action or state, etc., is stopped and changed to another action or state. TOPIK 5 -을뿐더러 -eul-ppundeoreo -ㄹ뿐더러 A connective ending used to indicate that another fact exists other than a certain fact. TOPIK 5 -을지라도 -uljirado -ㄹ지라도 A connective ending used when presenting or assuming a certain situation and adding a situation that is irrelevant or opposite to it. TOPIK 5

자주 묻는 질문Common questions

What does -지 mean in Korean?

-지 is a connective introduced at 5급 (TOPIK 5). A connective ending used to describe contradictory facts. It has 2 distinct senses, all listed on this page.

When do you use -지?

Attaches after verbs and adjectives, the honorific -으시- or the past -었-.

What TOPIK level is -지?

5급 — TOPIK 5, advanced. It is one of 56 grammar points at that level.

Definition, usage note, examples and dialogue from the 국립국어원 한국어기초사전, used under CC BY-SA 2.0 KR.