Polite Emphasis with '죠' — Korean Grammar

The ending (jyojyojyocyo) is a common contraction of (ji·yoji·yoji·yoci·yo). It is a versatile polite suffix used to seek agreement, confirm facts, or soften a statement. It functions similarly to adding tag questions like "isn't it?", "right?", or "don't you think?" in English.

Seeking Confirmation or Agreement

The most frequent use of (jyojyojyocyo) is when you believe the listener already knows the answer or agrees with you, and you want to confirm it. In this context, it is used as a question with a rising intonation at the end.

오늘 날씨가 좋죠?
o·nŭl nal·ssi·ga jo·chʰyo?o·neul nal·ssi·ga jo·chyo?o·nŭl nal·ssi·ga jo·ch'yo?o·nul nal·ssi·ka co·chyo?
The weather is nice today, isn't it?
이 영화는 재미있죠?
i yŏng·hwa·nŭn jæ·mi·it·jyo?i yeong·hwa·neun jae·mi·it·jyo?i yŏng·hwa·nŭn jae·mi·it·jyo?i yeng·hwa·nun cay·mi·it·cyo?
This movie is interesting, right?
한국 사람, 맞죠?
han·guk sa·ram, mat·jyo?han·guk sa·ram, mat·jyo?han·guk sa·ram, mat·jyo?han·kuk sa·lam, mat·cyo?
You are Korean, right?

Soft Emphasis and "Of Course"

When used as a statement (with falling intonation), (jyojyojyocyo) adds a nuance of reassurance or soft emphasis. It implies that the fact stated is obvious, or that the speaker is confident about it. It can often be translated as "of course" or "actually."

물론이죠.
mul·ron·i·jyo.mul·ron·i·jyo.mul·ron·i·jyo.mul·lon·i·cyo.
Of course.
저는 김치를 좋아하죠.
jŏ·nŭn gim·chʰi·rŭl jo·a·ha·jyo.jeo·neun gim·chi·reul jo·a·ha·jyo.jŏ·nŭn gim·ch'i·rŭl jo·a·ha·jyo.ce·nun kim·chi·lul co·a·ha·cyo.
(Of course) I like kimchi.
그건 비밀이죠.
gŭ·gŏn bi·mir·i·jyo.geu·geon bi·mir·i·jyo.gŭ·gŏn bi·mir·i·jyo.ku·ken pi·mir·i·cyo.
That is a secret (you know).

Making Polite Suggestions

In some contexts, particularly with verbs of movement or action, (jyojyojyocyo) can function as a polite "Let's." It is a softer, polite version of the casual propositive ending (jajajaca).

이제 가죠.
i·je ga·jyo.i·je ga·jyo.i·je ga·jyo.i·cey ka·cyo.
Let's go now.
술 한잔하죠.
sul han·jan·ha·jyo.sul han·jan·ha·jyo.sul han·jan·ha·jyo.sul han·can·ha·cyo.
Let's have a drink.

Construction Rules

(jyojyojyocyo) is attached directly to the verb or adjective stem.

Verbs and Adjectives: Attach (jyojyojyocyo) directly to the stem, regardless of whether it ends in a vowel or a consonant.
Nouns: If the noun ends in a vowel, add (jyojyojyocyo). If it ends in a consonant, add (i·jyoi·jyoi·jyoi·cyo).
Past Tense: Attach (jyojyojyocyo) after the past tense marker (at/ŏt).

바쁘죠?
ba·bbŭ·jyo?ba·bbeu·jyo?ba·ppŭ·jyo?pa·ppu·cyo?
You are busy, right?
학생이죠?
hak·sæng·i·jyo?hak·saeng·i·jyo?hak·saeng·i·jyo?hak·sayng·i·cyo?
You are a student, right?
어제 학교에 갔죠?
ŏ·je hak·gyo·e gat·jyo?eo·je hak·gyo·e gat·jyo?ŏ·je hak·gyo·e gat·jyo?e·cey hak·kyo·ey kat·cyo?
You went to school yesterday, right?

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