-자 in Korean: “let's (casual)”
-자
-ja
let's (casual)
Beginner · Sentence endings
-자 (-ja) means "let's." It is the casual way to suggest doing something together, used with friends and people younger than you. It attaches straight to any verb stem.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Any verb stem | + 자 | 가다 → 가자, 먹다 → 먹자 |
| 하다 verb | 하 + 자 | 공부하다 → 공부하자 |
| Verb stem ending in ㄹ (no change) | + 자 | 놀다 → 놀자 |
| "Let's not" | + 지 말자 | 가다 → 가지 말자 |
How to use it
-자 makes a simple, direct suggestion: "let's go," "let's eat," "let's do it." It works only with verbs.
It is casual speech (반말). Use it with close friends, siblings, or people younger than you. To be polite, say the -아요/어요 form with a suggesting tone (가요!), or ask with -(으)ㄹ까요?
For "let's not," use -지 말자. Don't use 안 with -자.
Examples
Tap a word to see what it means and save it to your flashcards.
Making weekend plans
Getting hungry
Running late
Making up with a friend
Don’t mix it up with
-(으)ㅂ시다: -(으)ㅂ시다 is the formal "let's," used to groups or in announcements. -자 is for friends and younger people.
-(으)ㄹ까?: 갈까? asks "shall we go?" and leaves room for the other person to decide. 가자 is a direct "let's go."
Common mistakes
Saying 가자 to someone older, like a teacher or boss. Use 가요 or 갈까요? instead.
Saying 안 가자 for "let's not go." The correct form is 가지 말자.
Want the basics first? Read Korean speech levels (반말 vs 존댓말).
Questions learners ask
What does 자 mean at the end of a Korean verb?
It means "let's." 가자 is "let's go" and 먹자 is "let's eat." It is casual.
What is the polite way to say 가자?
Say 가요 with a suggesting tone, or ask 갈까요? ("shall we go?"). 갑시다 exists too, but it sounds like you're leading a group.
How do you say "let's not" in Korean?
Use -지 말자, as in 가지 말자 ("let's not go").