잖아요, Korean grammar Intermediate

Usage:

- 잖아요: This expression is used when the speaker wants to state a reason that the listener should also be aware of or when the speaker wants to remind the listener of a reason that he or she has apparently forgotten. It is used only in conversation, and not in written Korean. Also, it is not used in formal speaking situations.

Tense:

Conversation1

가: 저 가수를 왜 좋아해요?

나: 노래도 잘하고 멋있잖아요.

A: Why do you like that singer?

B: He sings well and (as you know) is good looking, too

Conversation2

가: 카일리 씨가 일본어를 정말 잘하네요!

나: 카일리 씨는 일본에서 공부했잖아요. 지난번에 카일리 씨가 말했는데 생각 안 나요?

A: Kylie is really good at Japanese!

B: (As you know,) Kylie studied in Japan. Don't you remember she told us that the last time we saw her?

More example:

가: 이번에도 양강 씨가 1등을 했네요!

나: 양강 씨는 항상 열심히 공부하잖아요.

가: 네,맞아요. 양강 씨는 언제나 열심히 공부하지요.

A: Yang Gang got 1st place again this time!

B: (As you know,) Yang Gang always studies hard

A: You're right. Yang Gang studies hard all the time.

가: 수진 씨가 언제 고향으로 돌아가지요?

나: 지난주 토요일에 돌아갔잖아요.

가: 아, 맞아요. 수진 씨 배웅하러 공항에도 같이 갔지요?

A: When will Sujin go back to her hometown?

B: (You might recall that) she went back last Saturday.

A: Oh, you're right. We went to the airport together to see her off, right?

🌟 This expression can also be used to scold or rebuke the listener for not heeding the speaker's advice or for allowing something bad to happen even after being warned about it. In such cases, this expression is often used together with a statement indicating what was previously said or advised.

가: 엄마, 어떻게 해요? 학교에 늦겠어요.

나: 그래서 어제 일찍 자라고 했잖아요..

A: Mom, what should I do? I'm going to be late for school

B: Now (you should know) that's why I told you to go to bed early last night

가: 그 남자가 알고 보니 정말 나쁜 사람이었어요.

나: 그거 봐요. 내가 뭐라고 했어요. 그 사람 나쁜 사람 같다고 했잖아요.

A: Once I got to know him, I realized that guy was really a bad apple

B: Look, now what did I tell you? (Didn't I say that) he seemed like a bad person