Learn Korean: 있잖아 + Verb

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern 있잖아 + Verb. 있잖아 is a combination of the verb 있다 (to have) and the verb ending 잖다 which carries the nuance ‘you know’. For example, we say 너 여친 있잖아. We say it when a guy shows interest in another girl when in fact he has a girlfriend. The 있잖아 here means a different thing. It is like a filler we use (similar to umm) when we are about to say something to someone. We bring up a topic or get the attention of the listener with a bit of hesitation. In polite speech, we add 요 at the end.

있잖아... 나 할 말이 있어.

You know what, I have something to tell you.

있잖아요... 물어봐도 돼요?

Umm... May I ask a question?

있잖아요... 저 부타 하나 있는데.

Umm... I just have a favor to ask.