-자
As Soon as, Let's
-자 has two main meanings. It can link two clauses, meaning 'as soon as' the first action happens, the second one does. It can also be a sentence ending that means 'let's', used casually with friends.
How It Works
-자 is a versatile ending that learners need to understand in two different contexts. The meaning is determined by its position in the sentence.
1. Meaning 1: 'As soon as' (Connector)
When used to connect two clauses, -자 shows a very close temporal relationship. The first action triggers the second one almost instantly.
- Structure: Verb Stem + -자 + Second Clause
- Tense: The tense of the entire sentence is indicated by the final verb in the second clause. The verb attached to
-자does not get a tense marker like -았/었-. - Example: 집에 도착하자 비가 오기 시작했다. (As soon as I arrived home, it started to rain.)
- Nuance: This form is often found in literature, news articles, or formal announcements. In everyday conversation, -자마자 is more common to express the same meaning with slightly more emphasis on the immediacy.
2. Meaning 2: 'Let's' (Sentence Ender)
When used at the end of a sentence, -자 is a propositive form, making a suggestion.
- Structure: Verb Stem + -자.
- Politeness Level: This is a casual, non-polite form (반말). It should only be used with close friends, people of the same age, or those younger than you. Using it with elders or superiors is considered rude.
- Comparison: It is the plain form equivalent of the formal -ㅂ시다 (Let's...).
- Example: 우리 영화 보러 가자. (Let's go see a movie.)
Examples (4)
- 수업이 끝나자 학생들이 교실 밖으로 나갔다.
As soon as the class ended, the students went out of the classroom.
Word by Word: Class ends as soon as students classroom outside went out.
This shows the 'as soon as' meaning. The action of 'ending' is immediately followed by the action of 'going out'. This sentence uses the plain form ending
-다, which is common in written or narrative styles where-자is often used. - 범인은 경찰을 보자 도망쳤다.
As soon as the criminal saw the police, they ran away.
Word by Word: The criminal police sees as soon as ran away.
Another example of the 'as soon as' meaning, where seeing the police immediately triggers the action of running away.
- 오늘 저녁에 피자 먹자!
Let's eat pizza tonight!
Word by Word: Today evening pizza let's eat!
This is the propositive 'let's' meaning. It's a casual suggestion made to a friend.
- 피곤한데 우리 좀 쉬자.
I'm tired, let's rest for a bit.
Word by Word: Tired but we a little let's rest.
Here,
-자is used to make a suggestion in a casual context.
Common Mistakes
Using the 'let's' form (-자) with elders or in formal situations.
Different Meaning사장님, 회의 시작하자.Better사장님, 회의 시작하시죠. / 회의 시작합시다.-자is a casual ending. With a superior like a boss (사장님), you must use a polite or honorific form like-시죠or the formal propositive -ㅂ시다.Incorrectly adding a past tense marker to the verb before
-자.Not Quite집에 도착했자 비가 왔어요.Better집에 도착하자 비가 왔어요.When used to mean 'as soon as', the
-자clause itself does not take tense markers. The tense for the whole sentence is expressed in the final verb (왔어요).
Learn This First
To express 'as soon as/let's', you need verb conjugation.
Related Patterns
- -자마자As Soon as
Very similar to the 'as soon as' meaning of
-자. -자마자 more strongly emphasizes the immediacy of the action and is more common in everyday spoken Korean for this meaning. - -(으)ㅂ시다Let's
-ㅂ시다 is the formal polite equivalent of the 'let's' meaning of
-자. Use-ㅂ시다in formal settings or with people you need to show respect to, and-자with close friends. - -고 나서After Doing, And Then
While
-자implies an immediate sequence, -고 나서 means 'after doing' and simply indicates that one action finished before another began, without the same sense of immediacy.
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.