지요

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Adjective/Verb + 지요 : This grammar pattern can be used in various ways:

(1) For tag questions, which are mini questions we put at the end of a sentence and invite the listener to agree with you, usually on some fact or topic you both know about. If you are using this pattern as a tag question, you must use a rising intonation when speaking.

(2) For giving information about something. This pattern uses a falling intonation when spoken.

(3) As a general ending when asking any kind of question. The intonation is different from when asking a tag question(see the audio examples below).


  • This grammar pattern can also be used with nouns if combined with the verb 이다 to make the pattern Noun + 이지요.
  • 지요 can be contracted to .

Conjugation Examples

  • 가다 (to go) → 가지요
  • 알다 (to know) → 일지요
  • 예쁘다(to be pretty) → 예쁘지요
  • 선생님 (teacher) → 선생님이지요
  • 춥다 (to be cold) → 춥지요

Sentence Examples

Note some examples below use the low form where the 요 is omitted.

Used with Tag Questions

  • 이효리가 정말 예쁘지? [Lee Hyori is really pretty, isn't she?]
  • 오늘은 춥지요? [It's cold today, isn't it?]
  • 김철수 아니지요? [You're Kim Chul Su, aren't you?]
  • 내일 직장에 안 가지? [You're not going to work tomorrow, are you?]
  • 그렇지요? [That's right, huh?]

Used to Give Information

  • 당연하지요 [Of course]
  • 그 사람은 아니지요 [It's not that person]
  • 내 남 동생이 아주 착하지 [My younger brother is very kind]

As a General Question Ending

  • 그 사람의 이름이 뭐지요?
  • 이거 얼마지요? [How much is this?]