-지 그래(요) in Korean: “why don't you”
-지 그래(요)
-ji geurae(yo)
why don't you
Intermediate · Sentence endings
-지 그래(요) (-ji geurae(yo)) means "why don't you...?" and gives someone a casual suggestion or piece of advice. In the past form, -지 그랬어(요), it means "you should have...", often with a light note of blame.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb stem | + 지 그래(요) | 쉬다 → 쉬지 그래요, 먹다 → 먹지 그래요 |
| 하다 verb | 하 + 지 그래(요) | 전화하다 → 전화하지 그래요 |
| Past (you should have) | + 지 그랬어(요) | 말하다 → 말하지 그랬어요 |
| Honorific | + (으)시지 그래요 | 쉬다 → 쉬시지 그래요 |
How to use it
Use -지 그래 to suggest something to the person you are talking to: "Why don't you just...?" It sounds natural and friendly with friends and people around your age.
Be careful with tone. Said warmly, it is caring advice. Said sharply, it can sound like "Why didn't you just do that?" and feel a little critical.
-지 그랬어(요) looks back at something already done: 미리 말하지 그랬어 means "You should have told me earlier." It often comes with mild complaint.
With people above you, softer forms like -(으)시는 게 어때요? (how about...) are safer.
Examples
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A friend yawning at work
A coworker worried about her mom
Finding out about a problem late
Seeing someone in a thin jacket
Don’t mix it up with
-는 게 어때요?: "How about...?" This is softer and safer with people above you. -지 그래요 sounds more casual and direct.
-아/어 보세요: "Try doing..." This is a polite, gentle suggestion. -지 그래요 sounds more like friendly pushing.
Common mistakes
Mixing up 그래요 and 그랬어요. 그래요 suggests something now; 그랬어요 says it is too late ("you should have").
Using it with your boss or an elder. It can sound like you are giving them orders.
Questions learners ask
What does 하지 그래 mean?
하지 그래? means "Why don't you do it?" It is a casual suggestion to a friend.
What does -지 그랬어 mean?
It means "you should have..." about something in the past, often with a little complaint, like 말하지 그랬어 (you should have told me).