-아/어야지요
you really ought to; I’d better
States what someone should do, with a note of “obviously.” Turned on yourself it is resolve; turned on someone else it edges toward telling off.
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When to use it
The vowel follows the -아요/어요 rule: 해야지요, 가야지요, 먹어야지요. It contracts to -아/어야죠 in speech, and the casual form is -아/어야지.
About yourself it expresses resolve, often muttered: 내일부터는 일찍 일어나야지. No listener is really required.
About someone else it says they ought to do something and implies they are not: 약속을 지켜야지요. The 지요 element assumes you both know this already, which is what gives it the reproachful edge. Aimed at anyone senior it is out of place.
Compared with -아/어야 되다, which states a plain requirement, this ending adds the speaker’s attitude about it.
How to attach it
| Stem type | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Last vowel ㅏ or ㅗ | -아야지요 | 가다 → 가야지요 |
| Any other vowel | -어야지요 | 먹다 → 먹어야지요 |
| 하다 verbs | 해야지요 | 공부해야지요 |
| Spoken contraction | -아/어야죠 | 해야죠 |
| To yourself | -아/어야지 | 일어나야지 |
| Neutral version | -아/어야 되다 | 가야 돼요 |
In use
내일부터는 일찍 일어나야지.
From tomorrow I really must get up early.
약속을 했으면 지켜야지요.
If you made a promise, you ought to keep it.
아픈데 병원에 가야죠.
You’re ill — you should go and see a doctor.
이제 슬슬 준비해야지요.
It’s about time we got ready.
밥은 제때 먹어야지요.
You really should eat at proper times.
올해는 꼭 운동을 시작해야지.
This year I’m definitely going to start exercising.
Compared with
-아/어야 되다
-아/어야 되다 reports a requirement; -아/어야지요 adds that you think it should be obvious. The second carries attitude, the first does not.
약속을 지켜야 돼요. (you have to) / 약속을 지켜야지요. (well, you ought to)
-(으)세요
A polite request asks; this ending points out a duty. To someone senior, only the request form works.
병원에 가세요. (please go) / 병원에 가야죠. (you should be going)
-지요?
The 지요 inside is the same element: it presumes shared knowledge. That is exactly why the sentence can sound like a mild scolding.
약속을 지키지요? (you keep promises, right?) / 지켜야지요. (you should be keeping it)
Watch out
이제 슬슬 준비하어야지요.
이제 슬슬 준비해야지요.
하다 becomes 해 before this ending, as everywhere else.
부장님, 좀 쉬셔야지요.
부장님, 좀 쉬시는 게 좋겠습니다.
The ending implies the person is failing to do something obvious. Aimed upward it sounds like a reprimand.
날씨가 좋아야지요. — as a plain statement
날씨가 좋았으면 좋겠어요.
This ending concerns things someone can choose to do. For a wish about the weather, use -았/었으면 좋겠다.
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