Learn Korean: Verb + 자고

Let’s take a look at the Korean sentence pattern Verb + 자고. This is the general way to make a reporting statement involving propositions such as let’s go and let’s eat. And we can use this with any reporting verbs such as say and hear. All we have to do is take the verb stem and attach 자고. For example, 하다 (to do) becomes 하자고 and 먹다 (to eat) becomes 먹자고. Then, we add the reporting verb to that. For example, we say He told me to cut classes together (걔가 땡땡이 치자고 했어). 하다 in here means say, tell, or speak.

It can also be used without a verb at the end. We use it when someone failed to hear what we said or didn’t get our point. For example, we ran out of food in the kitchen so I told my boyfriend to buy groceries together (장 보러 가자). After changing clothes, he was still on the sofa. He didn’t seem to hear what I said. This time, I can use 자고 to repeat what I said earlier as in 장 보러 가자고. In polite speech, we add 요 at the end.

한국말 배우자고!

I said let’s learn Korean together.

라면 먹자고.

Let’s eat ramen I said.

그냥 얘기하자고.

I said let’s just say it.