Korean grammar patterns › Level 2
-잖아요
you know (reminding someone of something they know)
Level 2 · TOPIK I · beginner
How to use it
Reminds the listener of something they already know or should know, often as a reason. Common in casual polite speech.
Forming it
| 가다 | → 가잖아요 |
| 바쁘다 | → 바쁘잖아요 |
| 학생 | → 학생이잖아요 |
| 말했다 | → 말했잖아요 |
Can sound blaming or pushy, especially to superiors. Not for information that is new to the listener (use -거든요).
Examples
제가 어제 전화로 말했잖아요.
I told you on the phone yesterday, remember?
요즘 시험 기간이잖아요. 그래서 도서관에 사람이 많아요.
It's exam period these days, you know. That's why the library is crowded.
Compared with similar patterns
-거든요 gives a reason the listener didn't know; -지요/죠 seeks agreement and sounds softer than -잖아요.