-아야지/-어야지 in Korean: “I should, you should”
-아야지/-어야지
-ayaji/-eoyaji
I should, you should
Intermediate · Sentence endings
-아야지/-어야지 (-ayaji/-eoyaji) means "I should..." or "you should...". Said about yourself, it sounds like a small decision ("I'm going to..."), and said to someone else, it means "you've got to...". It is a short form of -아/어야 하지, and the polite version is -아야죠/-어야죠.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Stem with ㅏ or ㅗ | + 아야지 | 가다 → 가야지, 보다 → 봐야지 |
| Other stems | + 어야지 | 먹다 → 먹어야지, 쉬다 → 쉬어야지 |
| 하다 verb | 하 → 해야지 | 공부하다 → 공부해야지 |
| ㅂ-irregular | ㅂ → 워 + 야지 | 굽다 → 구워야지 |
| Polite | + 아야죠/어야죠 (아야지요/어야지요) | 가다 → 가야죠 |
How to use it
About yourself, -아야지 sounds like you are making up your mind: 오늘은 일찍 자야지 means "I'm going to bed early tonight" or "I should go to bed early tonight." People often say it to themselves.
To someone else, it means "you should" or "of course you have to": 밥은 먹어야지 means "You've got to eat." It can sound caring or a little bossy, depending on tone.
The casual form is -아야지/-어야지. The polite form is -아야죠/-어야죠, which also often means "Of course, it has to be that way."
Examples
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Making a promise to yourself
A friend skipping lunch
Talking about a broken promise
New year's plans
Don’t mix it up with
-아/어야 해요: "Have to" in a neutral, factual way. -아야지 sounds more personal: a resolution, or a firm "you should".
-(으)ㄹ게요: -(으)ㄹ게요 is a promise to the listener. -아야지 is more like telling yourself what you will do.
Common mistakes
Telling an older person or your boss what they should do with -아야죠. It can sound like you are lecturing them.
Want the basics first? Read Saying "have to" (-아/어야 하다).
Questions learners ask
What does 해야지 mean?
해야지 means "I should do it" or "you should do it". About yourself it sounds like a decision; to someone else it sounds like advice.
What is the difference between 해야지 and 해야 돼?
해야 돼 states an obligation ("I have to"). 해야지 sounds more like a resolution or a firm piece of advice.