Expression dictionary — full article
Obligation & Permission · How about...?; Wouldn't it be good to...?; Perhaps you should...
The ending -지 그렇다 is used to make a gentle, indirect suggestion or recommendation. It softens the tone of a suggestion, making it less direct than other imperative or suggestive endings. It often conveys a sense of 'why don't you do this?' or 'it would be good if you did this,' in a considerate manner.
-지 그렇다 is employed when the speaker wants to offer advice, propose an alternative, or subtly encourage someone to do something without being forceful. It implies that the speaker thinks the suggested action is a reasonable, beneficial, or even obvious idea that the listener might already be considering or should consider. The nuance is one of politeness and consideration, avoiding a demanding tone while still clearly conveying a suggestion. It's particularly useful in situations where you want to be helpful without imposing.
-지 그렇다 attaches directly to the verb stem (V-지 그렇다). It does not differentiate between stems ending in consonants or vowels.
While similar to other suggestion forms, -지 그렇다 carries a unique nuance. It is often interchangeable with -지 그래요? (which is a question form of the same suggestion), but -지 그렇다 can feel slightly more like a statement of gentle advice rather than a direct question. It can also be seen as a softer version of -(으)세요 (a direct command/request) or -는 게 어때요? (a more direct 'how about' suggestion). The '그렇다' part emphasizes the speaker's belief that the suggestion is indeed a good or logical course of action.